Gainesville man arrested after jumping counter at McDonald’s
Lorenze Ford III, 32, was arrested last night after allegedly jumping over the counter at the McDonald's in Midtown and threatening to beat up an employee. The post Gainesville man arrested after jumping counter at McDonald’s appeared first on Alachua Chronicle .
Mindy Osteen sentenced to 100 years in Bradford County daycare shooting death
STARKE, Fla. — A Starke woman has been sentenced to 100 years in prison after accepting a plea deal in the shooting death of the father of her children at a Bradford County daycare. Mindy Osteen, 34, pleaded to second-degree murder and other felony charges in connection with the...
‘Be a hero:’ Florida sheriff’s office issues warning to left-lane campers
MARION COUNTY, Fla. – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office issued a message to left-lane campers in the state on Wednesday. In a release, deputies announced that the left lane on the highway is meant for passing traffic, cautioning drivers against staying there while “traffic stacks up behind you.”
Levy Loop Trail reopened at Barr Hammock Preserve
The Levy Loop Trail and parking lot at Barr Hammock Preserve (14920 SE 11th Dr., Micanopy) have reopened following maintenance work. The post Levy Loop Trail reopened at Barr Hammock Preserve appeared first on Alachua Chronicle .
Ocala grad wins National Merit Scholarship toward studying neuroscience at FSU
A recent Forest High School graduate has been named a National Merit Scholar after advancing to the final round of one of the largest scholarship programs in the country, earning himself thousands of dollars towards his future studies in neuroscience at Florida State University. Ethan Rubin, who just graduated from...
‘The roster’s been great’ — Florida Gators are ready to take the next step,...
It's been evident for years that the Florida Gators have underachieved. This year, they are primed to finally live up to expectations.
Alachua County sheriff warns against rising scams estimated to cost $8 million locally
Alachua County reported $6.8 million lost to scams in 2025, with losses projected to rise to $8.6 million in 2026. Artificial intelligence helps scammers create convincing photos and audio, increasing scam credibility but not hindering investigations. Over 50% of scam victims in 2026 are aged 60 and older, as they...
Gilchrist County deputies investigate suspicious device, determine it safe
BRANFORD, Fla. (WCJB) - Gilchrist County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a suspicious device found in the northern part of the county. Officials have since determined the device to be safe. Just before 8 p.m., deputies posted a warning on social media about an increased law enforcement presence in the...
Asian Food & Cultural Festival slated for July 17-19 at Depot Park
The Saigon Night Market will host the Downtown Gainesville Asian Food & Cultural Festival from Friday, July 17, through Sunday, July 19, at Depot Park, offering three days of food, entertainment and cultural experiences. The free, family-friendly festival will take place daily from 3 to 11 p.m. at Depot Park,...
“Just hang up the phone”: ASO offers tips to avoid scams
At a press conference this morning, the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and Florida Elder Options shared information about scams, urged residents to hang up on possible scammers and report scam attempts, and noted that local scams are expected to increase 25% from 2025 to 2026. The post “Just hang up the phone”: ASO o
