Raiford, FL Local News and More

Garlic Knots And Legendary Chicken Spaghetti Put This Lake Butler, Florida Restaurant On The Map

A small pizza joint in rural Florida now turns out cannoli, scratch marinara, and mozzarella sticks made in house. That’s a lot of ambition packed into one small kitchen. The menu reads like a love letter to Italian-American comfort food. Garlic knots, chicken parm, eggplant parm, stromboli, and wings tossed in flavors like mango habanero all share space on one menu.

Lake Butler, FL · 2d

Alachua Chronicle

Gainesville man arrested for threatening family members with a hammer

Christopher Akiva Jenkins, 53, was arrested early Monday morning for allegedly threatening family members with a hammer. The post Gainesville man arrested for threatening family members with a hammer appeared first on Alachua Chronicle .

Gainesville, FL · 19h

WCJB

‘Well-known shoplifter’ arrested in Gainesville after stealing thousands of dollars in tools, lawn mowers

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - A Gainesville man’s run at stealing from Home Depot and Lowe’s came to an end after his arrest on Tuesday. Police say Heriberto Cruz-Ortiz, 39, of Gainesville, is a “well-known shoplifter at Home Depot.”. Cruz Ortiz reportedly stole tools and lawn mowers from...

Gainesville, FL · 2h

WCJB

Lake City man arrested after allegedly pointing firearm at group outside downtown bar

LAKE CITY, Fla. (WCJB) - A Lake City man is behind bars after police say he pointed a firearm at a group of people during a confrontation outside a downtown bar. Lake City Police Department officers responded to reports of a disturbance outside Marion Street Bistro on North Marion Avenue around 1:40 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.

Lake City, FL · 2d

WCJB

4 men sentenced to 25 years in prison for gang-related shooting in Gainesville

Four men were sentenced to 25 years in prison each for their involvement in a gang-related shooting at a Gainesville apartment complex in 2024.

WCJB

Keystone Heights, FL · 1d

Keystone Heights council moves ahead with special assessments after Amendment 3 approval

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, Fla. (WCJB) - The Keystone Heights City Council voted 4-1 to move ahead with the process of creating special assessments to pay for some city services. The approval of Amendment 3 in last week’s general election is forcing local governments to take a closer look at their budgets.

WOKV

partner publisher · 31.0K followers

The FIRM in Starke reopens full road course, bringing more speed and motorsports excitement to North

STARKE, Fla. — A motorsports facility about an hour from Jacksonville is reopening its full racetrack after major repairs and improvements. The Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park, also known as The FIRM, is a 420-acre facility in Starke that offers paved-track racing and off-road rally driving. The facility’s...

Starke, FL · 1d

Mashed

partner publisher · 212.1K followers

Florida's Top Chicken Sandwich Earned Guy Fieri's Seal Of Approval

A Gainesville, Florida chicken restaurant has earned high marks from Guy Fieri and customers alike for its towering and tasty chicken sandwiches.

Gainesville, FL · 15h

WCJB

One wounded in Gainesville shooting, officers investigate

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Officers are investigating a shooting that wounded one person in Gainesville early Sunday morning. Gainesville Police Department officers say just before 4 a.m., a 911 caller reported hearing gunshots on Northwest Third Avenue, near 11th Street. A short time later, a 34-year-old man arrived at UF...

Gainesville, FL · 2d

WCJB

partner publisher · 11.8K followers

Gainesville leaders warn residents about scammers using fake checks

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Gainesville leaders say scammers are using fake checks that look like they’re from the city to scam residents. Officials say the checks are supposedly payment for supplies or services or remote positions, all fraudulent. The victim is then left responsible for the amount withdrawn when...

Gainesville, FL · 11h

The Gainesville Sun

UF arena to become Tower Hill Arena in new naming deal

The arena inside the Stephen C. O'Connell Center is getting a new name as the University of Florida moves forward with several major athletics projects, including a $22.5 million loan and a $77 million expansion of the Lemerand Athletic Center. Tower Hill Arena The University of Florida Board of Trustees on Nov. 10 approved a naming-rights arrangement that paves the way for a new corporate name for the arena inside the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. UAA and Tower Hill Insurance Group have agreed to an initial five-year deal running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, with an option to extend the agreement for another five years through June 2036. University news: UF's Bell says H-1B job filing was made without his approval Exactech Arena will be renamed Tower Hill Arena. The Stephen C. O'Connell Center itself will retain its name. UF spokesperson Steve Orlando said the Exactech contract expired over the summer, clearing the way for the arena to transition to its new name. UAA and Tower Hill have agreed to general terms through a memorandum of understanding, though the board materials do not disclose how much Tower Hill will pay for the naming rights. The arena had

Alachua Chronicle

Gainesville celebrates grand opening of The Streatery

The two-block section of Southwest First Avenue, west of South Main Street, has been transformed into an ADA-accessible, curbless street for hosting festivals, markets, and other community events. The post Gainesville celebrates grand opening of The Streatery appeared first on Alachua Chronicle .

Gainesville, FL · 18h

WCJB

Gainesville police chief urges parents to monitor children’s activity as shootings involve young people

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya addressed a recent uptick in gun-related violence across the city during a press conference Tuesday morning. According to Moya, Gainesville has recorded 11 homicides resulting in 12 victims so far in 2026. That compares to five homicides in 2025, eight in 2024, 14 in 2023, and 10 in 2022.

Alachua Chronicle

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Man arrested for pointing AR-style rifle from downtown apartment building

Roy Young III, 25, was arrested early this morning for allegedly pointing an AR-style rifle at people from a second-floor walkway at Arlington Square apartments. The post Man arrested for pointing AR-style rifle from downtown apartment building appeared first on Alachua Chronicle .

Gainesville, FL · 2d

Action News Jax

Clay County District Schools confirms ‘unexpected’ death of Paterson Elementary School principal

Clay County District Schools is mourning the “unexpected” death of one of its elementary school principals.

Clay County, FL · 1d

Alachua Chronicle

Man arrested with machete and two knives at UF campus bus stop

Terris Hunter, 76, was arrested last night for allegedly possessing a machete and two knives at a University of Florida campus bus stop. The post Man arrested with machete and two knives at UF campus bus stop appeared first on Alachua Chronicle .

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WOKV

Junior high employee in Clay County resigns amid police, DCF investigation, spokeswoman says

An employee of Lake Asbury Junior High in Clay County has resigned amid allegations being investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Department of Children and Families, a spokeswoman said. Amid the investigation, the district is not discussing the nature of the allegations but said it has contacted families of “involved students.”

Clay County, FL · 2d

The Gainesville Sun

partner publisher · 11.8K followers

Where to eat on Thanksgiving Day in Gainesville

Not everyone wants to spend Thanksgiving Day cooking, and fortunately, plenty of Gainesville-area restaurants will do the work for you. From traditional turkey and stuffing to pizza, dim sum and Indian food, here are some local spots open for the holiday. Covey Kitchen + Cocktails 352-565-3536 Covey Kitchen , located inside Hotel Eleo at the University of Florida, 1514 SW 14th St., is serving a holiday buffet from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. featuring a variety of dishes, including pan-seared fish, roasted turkey, braised short ribs, collard greens, stuffing, mac & cheese, assorted desserts and more. The cost is $55 per person and $30 for children 12 and younger. Haile Village Bistro 352-378-0721 Haile Village Bistro, 5323 SW 91st Terrace, Gainesville, will serve a selection of holiday favorites, including roast beef, ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied yams, stuffing and more. The cost is $49 for adults and $39 for children. Seatings begin at 10:45 a.m. Call for reservations. Great Outdoors Restaurant 386-454-1288 The Great Outdoors Restaurant , 65 N. Main St. in High Springs, will be open Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Thanksgiving buffet is $45 for adults and $22.50 for children under 10.

Independent Florida Alligator