GRU Authority Board cheers appeals court win, votes CEO a raise

The GRU Authority Board held a celebratory meeting after an appeals court ruled in the authority’s favor over the City of Gainesville in a dispute over control of the utility. Board members voted unanimously to give CEO Ed Bielarski a cost-of-living increase and agreed to commission an independent salary comparison against peer utilities. Gainesville city commissioners are scheduled to take up the court ruling the following day.

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Sources: WCJB TV20

Downtown business owners push Alachua County to share courthouse garage after hours

A five-story parking garage with more than 500 spaces is under construction adjacent to the Alachua County courthouse and is roughly 18 months from completion. Local business owners have asked county commissioners to allow public use of the facility on evenings and weekends, arguing that limited downtown parking — including two-hour caps — discourages visitors to the area.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Judge set to recommend whether Gainesville High teacher keeps certificate in ‘dictator’ award case

An administrative law judge is expected to issue a written recommendation on whether Gainesville High School teacher Lauren Watts should retain her teaching certificate following a controversy over a class superlative. A former student alleged Watts gave him a ‘most likely to become a dictator’ award, resulting in a one-day suspension from the district. Watts’ attorneys argue no additional punishment is warranted, while state lawyers are seeking a one-year suspension of her certificate.

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Sources: WCJB TV20

Gainesville man charged with kidnapping, sexual battery at Copeland Park

Alachua County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 29-year-old Gainesville man after he and another individual were accused of forcing a woman into a vehicle, driving her to Copeland Park, and assaulting her on September 23. The victim, who sustained visible injuries, contacted law enforcement immediately after the two men left the scene, and arriving deputies recovered physical evidence. The suspect was initially taken into custody on unrelated outstanding warrants before being formally charged with kidnapping and sexual battery; a second man may also face charges.

Sources: WCJB TV20

One hospitalized after house fire sparked by mixed cleaning chemicals in SW Alachua County

Alachua County Fire Rescue responded to a house fire Tuesday evening that left one person with burns serious enough to require treatment at a burn center. Officials determined the blaze likely originated when household cleaning supplies were combined, triggering oxidation and rapid combustion that quickly engulfed the structure. Despite an aggressive interior attack, crews were unable to save the home.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Pedestrian killed after being struck by vehicle on Archer Road

A pedestrian died Tuesday evening after being hit by an eastbound vehicle on Southwest Archer Road near the Old Archer Road intersection in Gainesville. Investigators say the pedestrian had crossed the median and stepped into eastbound lanes before being struck. The victim was transported to a hospital, where they later died.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Gainesville’s 2026 Community’s Choice Awards celebrate top local businesses

Gainesville businesses were recognized at an awards ceremony honoring the area’s best, as selected through a community voting process. The event brought together local business owners and residents for a night of recognition across multiple categories.

Sources: The Gainesville Sun

Cade Prize names 15 finalists competing for more than $100K in prizes

Judges for the 17th annual Cade Prize for Inventivity have selected fifteen finalists who will compete for over $100,000 in equity-free cash awards across categories including healthcare, environmental, sports, and technology. Each category winner receives $10,000 and then delivers a live pitch for a $50,000 grand prize. Finalists will present their innovations at an expo-style event at the Cade Museum on Wednesday evening, including Aloft Biotechnologies of Alachua with a bubble-free gas delivery technology for cell cultivation.

Sources: WCJB TV20

House District 22 candidates disagree on root causes of rising family costs

Candidates vying for Florida House District 22 — which includes portions of Alachua, Gilchrist, and Levy counties — are offering competing explanations for the financial strain on local families. Democratic candidate Amy Trask emphasizes the burden of childcare costs, citing personal experience as a single mother paying as much as $1,200 a week. Republican incumbent Chad Johnson points to housing regulations as a barrier to building affordable homes for lower-income and first-time buyers.

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Sources: WCJB TV20