GNV News Wrap for Friday, May 17, 2024

Topics covered in today's edition:

Five appointed by DeSantis to new GRU Authority board: Ed Bielarski, Craig Carter, Eric Lawson, Robert “Chip” Skinner, David Haslam
Gainesville City Commission approves first reading to put GRU board on ballot
Gainesville city workers clear downtown homeless encampment
Summer camps and activities for kids in Gainesville
City of Newberry expansion impacting schools, elections
Alachua County commissioners vote to add One Mill for Schools initiative to November ballot
UF and Gainesville communities rally on Nakba Day
Gainesville home of former NFL running back Clinton Portis again up for auction
Buchholz hits its way to state championship game
Driver said he smoked pot oil, took medication before Florida crash that killed 8 Mexican workers
Federal judge issues permanent injunction on part of Florida's elections law
'Short fuse storms' are a major concern as Florida prepares for hurricane season

Ed Bielarski among five appointed by DeSantis to new GRU Authority board - The Gainesville Sun

The appointments come after the previous board was forced to resign following a lawsuit that questioned members' eligibility.

DeSantis appoints 5 new GRU Authority members following resignations - Mainstreet Daily News

New authority includes two former members.

DeSantis appoints ousted general manager to GRU Authority board, among others - WCJB

Ed Bielarski, the former Gainesville Regional Utilities general manager, is one of five appointments to the GRU Authority Board

Gainesville City Commission approves first reading to put GRU board control on the ballot - The Independent Florida Alligator

Gainesville City Commission passed its first reading to potentially let voters change how the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority operates in the November election.

Gainesville city workers clear downtown homeless encampment - WCJB

Crews working for the city of Gainesville cleared out homeless encampments on Thursday morning. Gainesville Police Department officers and city workers used heavy equipment, including excavators, to remove tents near the Saint Francis House, a homeless shelter.

Need things to do? Here's a list of summer camps and activities for kids - The Gainesville Sun

A plethora of summer camps and activities will be held around Gainesville and Alachua County this summer.

Around Alachua

City of Newberry expansion impacting schools, elections - WUFT

There's a movement to turn its public schools into charter schools and in April, an election for three of the five city commissioner positions were canceled when only the incumbents ran for office.

Alachua County commissioners vote to add One Mill for Schools initiative to November ballot - The Gainesville Sun

In November voters will get to decide whether or not to renew a longstanding tax that benefits Alachua County Public Schools.

UF, Gainesville communities rally on Nakba Day - The Independent Florida Alligator

A crowd of about 50 UF and Gainesville community members wearing keffiyehs and carrying Palestinian flags gathered in the Plaza of the Americas Wednesday evening to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Nakba.

Driver said he smoked pot oil, took medication before Florida crash that killed 8 Mexican workers - WUFT

A man with a long record of dangerous driving told investigators he smoked marijuana oil and took prescription drugs hours before he sideswiped a bus, killing eight Mexican farmworkers and injuring dozens more.

Gainesville home of former NFL running back Clinton Portis again up for auction - The Gainesville Sun

An Alachua county court ruling shows bankruptcy filings that helped delay the foreclosure auction are no longer an option.

Buchholz hits its way to state championship game - Mainstreet Daily News

Bobcats score seven runs in first inning and win 12-0 in five-inning mercy-rule victory.

Florida

A federal judge has tossed part of Florida's elections law - WFSU

The judge issued a permanent injunction against the part that targeted non-citizens, saying it violated the U.S. Constitution's Equal Protection Clause.

'Short fuse storms' are a major concern as Florida prepares for hurricane season - WLRN

Improved track and intensity forecasts make it easier for the public to prepare for hurricanes, but forecasters at the annual Governor's Hurricane Conference say short fuse hurricanes - that rapidly intensify near land - remain a concern.

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Around Alachua

Florida