GHS chorus members chosen to perform at popular Disney holiday event

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The annual Fierce Awards, presented by Scorpio, showcases women in our community who are influencers, leaders, and game-changers dedicated to improving Greater Gainesville. After a lengthy decision process from our judges, the Fierce Class of 2023 has been announced. We are thrilled to be recognizing a group full of inspiring and fierce women! These women have positively changed the landscape of our community here in Greater Gainesville, whether they work in corporate, nonprofit, governmental, or entrepreneurial sectors of our region. Their abilities to inspire and ignite change in their respective arenas are accomplishments worth celebrating!

Alachua Chronicle wishes a very happy 100th birthday to Sallie Mae Hollis, a veteran and business owner!. Name updated at 5:15 p.m. in response to a message from the person who originally notified us of the milestone birthday.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At about 2:15 p.m. this afternoon, crews from Alachua County Fire Rescue, along with a unit from Gainesville Fire Rescue, were called to a fire in a two-story apartment building in Holly Heights. The crews were able to evacuate the building with nobody being injured. The fire was quickly extinguished and was confined to the apartment of origin.

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – The Alachua County Historical Commission has two Citizen at Large vacancies. County residents with a knowledge of local history are encouraged to apply, and appointments will be made by the County Commission. The application deadline is February 12, 2023. An in-person quorum is required for...

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Martravious Jaquez Smith, 24, was arrested in Georgia after allegedly stealing UF basketball player Colin Castleton’s car in early December. He was booked into the Alachua County Jail on January 20. Castleton reported on December 5 that his 2017 Dodge Durango was missing from its...

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – For the second year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked University of Florida as the top institution in the country to offer an online bachelor’s degree. The rankings organization also named UF as the country’s No. 1 university for veterans and active-duty service members to earn an online bachelor’s degree.

ALACHUA, Fla. – On Tuesday night, January 24, 2023, Criminal Investigations Division Supervisor Sergeant Chad Howell was recognized as the 2022 Officer of the Year at the Alachua Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Sergeant Howell was presented his trophy by the Alachua Chamber of Commerce President Mitch Glaeser. Sgt. Howell...

NEWBERRY, Fla. – Last week, Newberry High School (NHS) hosted two separate peacebuilding workshops on campus during school hours, with attendees that included a diverse group of 22 students, 10 educators, and three outside facilitators. The purpose of the two workshops was to discuss various issues relevant to all parties, in hopes of strengthening communication and effectiveness of teaching and discipline around campus. According to both the students and teachers who participated, the workshop was “an awesome experience” and a positive step toward bridging the gap between administrators and students, some of whom said they’ve felt misunderstood or unheard in the past.

NEWBERRY, Fla. – Dennis L. Hale, 16, was charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds, theft of a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a minor yesterday after the School Resource Deputy (SRD) at Newberry High School reportedly found a stolen firearm in his backpack. According...

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At the January 17 Alachua County School Board meeting, each member of the board had an opportunity to talk about their vision for the school district. Chair Tina Certain said she put “Strategic Visioning” on the agenda to give the new board an opportunity to discuss “how we’re going to go forward.”

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Last night at about 7:35 p.m., a 13-year-old bicyclist was hit by a car on NW 13th Street and transported to the hospital as a trauma alert with life-threatening injuries. According to Gainesville Police Department, the bicyclist was riding west on NW 44th Avenue and was...

The booking report is provided by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Department of the Jail. This information is public record and copied directly from the log. Mugshots are included when available. The charges listed are at the time of arrest and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. For more details on a specific inmate use the Sheriff’s Office inmate search (for inmates currently at the jail). More specific information on charges is available by searching court records.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Aja Lashawn Newton, 28, was arrested yesterday and charged with violation of a no-contact order in a stalking case after she was found hiding in a shower. A Gainesville Police Department officer responded to the victim’s apartment after receiving a call from a neighbor who said...