North Central Florida residents climb stairs in honor of first responders on 9/11
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - First responders around North Central Florida are climbing steps in honor of the people who lost their lives during the attack on the Twin Towers 24 years ago. Bradford County Fire Rescue was one of the agencies that participated in a memorial stair climb to honor...
Suspect extradited to Miami after $57K+ worth of Cartier jewelry stolen from woman’s condo
MIAMI — A Texas man who is among three people arrested in connection with a burglary that occurred last month at a luxury condominium building in Miami has been extradited to Miami-Dade County from Alachua County. Online jail records show Robert Emanuel Cormier, 28, of Cypress, Texas, was booked...
Alachua County man arrested after being accused of inappropriately touching a child
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - An accused child sexual predator is in jail after making his first court appearance on Wednesday. Michael Kesselring, 34, has been in jail since Tuesday. The victim told deputies Kesselring started inappropriately touching her when she was 12. He’s being held without bond.
Habitat for Humanity raises first walls on new homes in Ocala
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - It’s celebration time for Habitat for Humanity of Marion County. The group raised up the first walls on two new homes side by side in Ocala. Women across the county joined a future homeowner to take the first steps in building a new residence. The...
Marion man with prior battery conviction accused of kicking, punching girlfriend
A 39-year-old Marion County man with a prior battery conviction was arrested after he allegedly kicked his girlfriend, shoved her to the ground, and punched her several times. On Saturday, September 6, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal responded to a residence on NW 35th Street in Ocala in reference to a...
The No-Fuss Seafood Restaurant In Florida Locals Swear Has The State’s Best French Onion...
In the heart of tiny Melrose, Florida, there’s a weathered wooden building with a metal roof that doesn’t look like much from the outside. But locals know that Blue Water Bay houses one of the state’s most surprising culinary treasures – and it’s not what you’d expect from a seafood joint.
Gainesville Mayor: “I would love to get $3 million back on the table” for...
University of Florida students rallied Tuesday afternoon to demand better bus service, as Mayor Harvey Ward pushed for a $3 million city boost to the University of Florida’s RTS funding. The city’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Regional Transit System (RTS) budget totals $26.7 million. UF’s contract, however, reflects a...
Car crashes into Gainesville restaurant
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - A Gainesville restaurant is damaged after a car crashed into the front door. It happened yesterday afternoon around lunchtime. The driver was leaving the parking lot of the Clock Restaurant on North Main Street. Witnesses say he accidentally put his car in reverse. There were about...
Archer employee arrested for stealing more than $14,000 from city
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) arrested recently-terminated city of Archer employee Justin Southard, 34, on Tuesday for grand theft. According to ACSO, an Archer employee discovered more than $14,000 in missing cash deposits over a three-month period. Southard was found responsible and arrested after an...
Man arrested after falsifying documents in an attempt to steal someone’s home
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Alachua County sheriff’s deputies arrested a man trying to steal another person’s home. Investigators say Edward Chappel, 45, falsified documents in an attempt to become the owner of the residence. Deputies found several fake rental contracts, bank statements, and realtor business cards....
