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A Florida man, Ivan Sobal, 42, got arrested after allegedly violently assaulting two teens on ATVs in Belleview—grabbing one by the hair, punching both, and leaving one with a bloody nose. This isn’t his first run-in with the kids; he’d previously chased them with a knife. Now facing charges of child abuse and strangulation, Sobal remains jailed with no bond set. A stark reminder of how fast neigh...

Alachua County and Gainesville face a $11 million funding crisis if they proceed with an immigration resolution, as federal grants for homelessness, domestic violence, and sexual assault programs could be jeopardized. The Taskforce for Ending Homelessness warns the resolution may violate HUD guidelines, while GINI insists it’s carefully crafted to comply with state law. County commissioners will d...

Daycare Worker Arrested for Sex with Minor | Gainesville News

A landmark victory for open carry rights at the Bradford County Fairgrounds: after a lawsuit by Chris Rose, who felt his Second Amendment rights were violated by inconsistent signage, the fair has agreed to allow open carry — within legal limits — starting next February. The fair is also footing the bill for Rose’s legal fees, while officials remain silent on their original restrictions. This case...

A major legal storm is brewing as a lawsuit alleges that Florida gubernatorial frontrunner Byron Donalds threatened and verbally abused a woman at a grocery store in August 2022 — an incident the plaintiff claims was orchestrated with an advisor and left her traumatized. The case, filed just as the election cycle heats up, seeks damages and a jury trial, and has drawn scrutiny after the plaintiff’...

Alachua County deputies are rolling out special needs stickers to signal drivers with autism may need extra patience during stops—part of a new state law requiring autism-aware training and the “Blue Envelope Program” to help officers better support individuals with autism, offering peace of mind to families like Lyndee Gaczynski’s twins, and free stickers are available by email. Listen in comfort...

Marion County’s $195 million parks overhaul is underway—new facilities, major upgrades, and your voice matters. Join the conversation during National Recreation and Park Association’s Parks and Recreation Month, a celebration of how parks heal, connect, and inspire. Discover hidden gems, honor the unsung heroes of park maintenance on July 17th, and shape the future at the public workshop on July 1...

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched early this morning, creating a stunning jellyfish-like glow in the sky as sunlight hit its exhaust plume — a breathtaking visual that underscores the scale of Starlink’s mission. This launch is part of an ongoing effort to expand global internet access, especially to rural and underserved communities, with plans to keep deploying satellites to boost speed, reliabi...

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Palatka, Florida, has been officially added to the National Register of Historic Places — one of Florida’s oldest African American churches, built in 1883 and a powerful symbol of resilience and legacy since the Civil War. This recognition honors generations who built community here, celebrates Palatka’s rich history, and ensures this vital story remains preserved fo...

A 75-year-old man sparked chaos at a Gainesville Pet Supermarket after demanding kids pet his dog—and then escalating into a terrifying confrontation. When ignored, he made inappropriate remarks to children, grabbed a kid from another family, and unleashed pepper spray on a dad, employees, and even a child before fleeing. Police caught him; he claims he doesn’t recall why he acted that way. Now fa...

In Gainesville, Florida, a 66-year-old man named Henry Chambers allegedly tried to set a police officer on fire during a volatile nighttime encounter, sparking a dangerous scuffle that left officers with burns and cuts—and Chambers facing serious charges including attempted murder and resisting arrest. What began as a mental health call spiraled into chaos when Chambers threw alcohol at officers,...

Alachua County and Gainesville are eyeing an immigration resolution—but a powerful local taskforce warns it could cost them over $11 million in federal funding, jeopardizing critical services for homeless individuals, domestic violence survivors, and sexual assault victims. With HUD tightening grant guidelines and an executive order blocking taxpayer money from supporting sanctuary policies, the t...

Water buffalo Banjo and Harley are set to ignite the stage with fiery stunts as part of Buffalo’s Wild West Revival, a traveling rodeo celebrating America’s 250th birthday. These seasoned performers, owned by Shane Kuhn, have dazzled audiences across the South and are now bringing their wild show to local communities — featuring fire jumps, sharpshooting, trick riding, and live music. Don’t miss t...

Marion County’s “Mission: Bus Brigade Supply Their Success” drive is heating up this July, with county departments competing to donate backpacks, notebooks, and hygiene kits to ensure every student starts the school year ready to learn. Community and county workers are rallying behind this initiative, with all collected supplies set to be delivered to Marion County Public Schools at the August 4th...

Two confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported locally — a nasty parasitic infection spread through contaminated food or water, often hiding in fresh produce like berries or salad. Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and extreme fatigue. While the outbreak has hit 18 states nationwide, officials are still investigating local sources. Stay alert, practice food safety, and see a doc...

A Florida contractor named John Howell, 46, is behind bars after scamming a woman out of $9,200—$5,000 to clear trees and $4,200 for a fence—without ever doing the work. He vanished after getting paid, had no license, and his business wasn’t registered. Facing grand theft and probation violations, this case exposes how easily trust in home improvement contractors can be shattered—and why due dilig...

Lake City pays tribute to two beloved fire leaders by renaming streets in their honor—Northwest Alachua Avenue for late Assistant Fire Chief Dwight Boozer and a section of Northwest Madison Street for Chief Randy Burnham. Both served with distinction before passing away, and their families deeply appreciate the city’s heartfelt gesture. The unanimous council vote underscores the community’s pride...

A Florida university professor and kidney specialist has been arrested on serious child pornography charges after an April tip led to a social media investigation. Authorities found evidence of possession, transmission, and online communication with minors. Charged and booked into jail within 24 hours, the case remains active with no further details released — a chilling development in Alachua Cou...

A tense domestic standoff in Ocala, Florida, turned fatal when a deputy shot and killed 39-year-old James Cherry during a call to his estranged wife’s home. Cherry allegedly pulled a gun and refused to drop it, prompting the deputy to fire in what officials say was an attempt to neutralize an immediate threat. The deputy provided aid until EMS arrived, but Cherry died from his injuries. The incide...

This year’s hurricane season is shaping up to be quieter than forecasted—Colorado State University now predicts just nine named storms and four hurricanes, down from their earlier estimate, with only one expected to reach major strength. The shift? Blame El Niño, which is warming the Pacific and disrupting Atlantic wind patterns, making storm formation tougher. While the Atlantic slows down, the P...

Sinkhole Closes Highway in Ocala | Gainesville News

Inglis is tackling a major water crisis as town leaders update residents: they’re temporarily drawing water from Yankeetwon while fixing their broken reverse osmosis system. New filters are en route this week and will be installed immediately, followed by a full system flush — a process that could take a few days. Officials apologize for the prolonged delays and thank everyone for their patience a...

Gainesville House Fire Contained | Gainesville News

Williston Middle School, the historic campus shuttered since June 5th, has sold for $1.885 million in a dramatic online auction via Ten-X — a record-breaking deal brokered by Lee & Associates Gainesville, proving how digital platforms are reshaping real estate for big-ticket properties. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advert...

Controlled burns are underway at the Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area, treating a 30-acre section to reduce wildfire fuel and boost plant health. Managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District in the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin, these carefully planned fires aim to prevent catastrophic wildfires while minimizing smoke impact on nearby communities. It’s a smart, proactive strategy usi...