News

Bradford County Remains Identified

The Medical Examiner's office has positively identified the remains found in a Bradford County Cemetery earlier this week as Pamela Hall. Hall was last seen July 2, 2003, but wasn't reported missing until November of that year. The case is now being investigated as a possible homicide. Authorities say at the time of her disappearance, Hall was wanted on several worthless check warrants and was a known drug user.

]]> The Medical Examiner's office has positively identified the remains found in a Bradford County Cemetery earlier this week as Pamela Hall. Hall was last seen July 2, 2003, but wasn't reported missing until November of that year.

Suwannee Mother Charged With Child Abuse

A Suwannee County woman has been charged with one count of an intentional act of child abuse after her baby was born addicted to oxycodone. Authorities were tipped off by an unidentified source that 24-year old Penelope Fortescue was taking drugs while she was pregnant. Her daughter was born on December 18th of last year and Fortescue was charged last month. Various groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Medical Association, oppose punishing pregnant women for their behavior, because it may prevent them from seeking proper prenatal care. Fortescue was charged with possession of cocaine in 2007.

]]> A Suwannee County woman has been charged with one count of an intentional act of child abuse after her baby was born addicted to oxycodone. Authorities were tipped off by an unidentified source that 24-year old Penelope Fortescue was taking drugs while she was pregnant.

UF Researchers Looking To Produce To Help Fight Cancer

A fruit in supermarket aisles is gaining credibility in Western medicine for its anti-cancer powers. The papaya's dramatic anti-cancer effects have been studied in a wide range of lab-grown tumors. University of Florida researcher, Doctor Nam Dang and his colleagues in Japan have studied the papaya and how it works with cancerous tumors of the cervix, breast, liver, lung and pancreas. The researchers made a tea with an extract from dried papaya leaves. The larger the doses of the tea that were given, the stronger the anti-cancer effects. Dang says the papaya extract did not show any toxic effects on normal cells, which is common and harmful in many cancer therapy treatments. For the next step in researching this anti-cancer fruit, Doctor Dang will identify the specific compounds in the papaya extract that actively work against the cancer cell lines.

]]> A fruit in supermarket aisles is gaining credibility in Western medicine for its anti-cancer powers. The papaya's dramatic anti-cancer effects have been studied in a wide range of lab-grown tumors.

Retirement Savings Funds Drying Up

While college seniors struggle to find a job after school, senior citizens are struggling to find a way to live after their jobs end. A survey done by the employee benefit's research insttute shows 43 percent of people aged 25 and older have under 10 thousand dollars saved for retirement. Associate state director for advocacy for AARP Florida, Nancy Stanton, says the issue is that some people don't even have an income to save.
As people run out of money, social security is one of the backup plans in people's minds. Stanton says she knows that talks are ongoing about social security and unemployment benefit reform.
She says one of the problems too is that generational gap. Many people assume they are going to have their kid take care of them, but if the jobs aren't there for the younger generation they don't have the money to take care of their aging parents. So instead of taking care of the aged parents, she says sometimes it's the opposite.
For those without jobs, or on a fixed income are facing a tough situation. She says it's definitely a day to day process, such as keeping utilities running and food on the table.
With stock prices lower than they were, people who had a sizable amount invested don't have as much money on their returns. She says hopefully as the economy turns around so will this problem of retirement. The Employee benefits research institute findings show that 43% in 2010, as opposed to 39% in 2009, have under 10 grand in savings. The findings were done on a survey of almost 1200 people over age 25.

]]> While college seniors struggle to find a job after school, senior citizens are struggling to find a way to live after their jobs end. A survey done by the employee benefit's research insttute shows 43 percent of people aged 25 and older have under 10 thousand dollars saved for retirement. Associate state director for advocacy for AARP Florida, Nancy Stanton, says the issue is that some people don't even have an income to save.

Unemployment Numbers Up

The unemployment rate in Florida tied an all-time record high... 11 point nine percent. That's 2 percent higher than the national average. The last time Florida's rate was this high was 1975. In her monthly press conference, Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation economist Rebecca Rust talked about how the industries are faring in Florida.
She says there are a few characteristics that can be credited to the decline in jobs.
She says the metro areas of Gainesville and Tallahassee are tied for the lowest unemployment rates in the state at 8 point 9 percent, mainly due to the high number of state jobs.

]]> The unemployment rate in Florida tied an all-time record high... 11 point nine percent. That's 2 percent higher than the national average. The last time Florida's rate was this high was 1975. In her monthly press conference, Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation economist Rebecca Rust talked about how the industries are faring in Florida.

Jarred Harrel Faces More Charges

A person of interest in the case of Somer Thompson, the 7 year old girl who was found in a Georgia landfill, is now facing an additional 13 charges. That brings the total number Jared Harrell is facing up to 55... Chief Assistant State Attorney Dan McCarthy breaks those charges down.
McCarthy says the amount of charges Harrell is facing isn't abnormal for cases like this.
McCarthy says the Clay County Sheriff's Office will continue to investigate if there are more charges that should be filed. If convicted, Harrell faces life in prison.

]]> A person of interest in the case of Somer Thompson, the 7 year old girl who was found in a Georgia landfill, is now facing an additional 13 charges. That brings the total number Jared Harrell is facing up to 55... Chief Assistant State Attorney Dan McCarthy breaks those charges down.

Candidate Profiles: Craig Lowe and Don Marsh

Craig Lowe is running for city mayor and has served as a city commissioner since 2003, serving District four for the past seven years Lowe worked in support of the city of Gainesville's wild spaces, public places amendment. He also helped block the construction of a coal-fired power plant. He emphasizes that he will protect our neighborhoods by making sure the Kopper's Superfund Site clean-up is coordinated and resolved and by harnessing and diversifying our sources of energy, we can draw in more workers into our local economy. Lowe is the only candidate who has been elected to a public office.

Don Marsh, also running for Mayor, owns a window cleaning business. According to his web site , he started his own business after not being able to find a job. Marsh wants to improve the job market in Gainesville, which he says has had very little growth. He also says the city needs to be regulated because of budget deficits and its inability to meet the homeless needs. Marsh wants people to vote so the majority of the people can make the city's decision as opposed to a minority.

]]> Craig Lowe is running for city mayor and has served as a city commissioner since 2003, serving District four for the past seven years Lowe worked in support of the city of Gainesville's wild spaces, public places amendment. He also helped block the construction of a coal-fired power plant.

Candidate Profiles: Ozzy Angulo and Monica Leadon Cooper

Ozzy Angulo is a fresh face to Gainesville politics and a former US Marine who says he's in touch with the average resident since he doesn't play with party politics. In the past few years, Angulo has experienced the trials of being a business owner from opening a deli in Melrose to managing a local Taco Bell. By talking to his customers, the New York native says he understands what ordinary people are going through, one of the main aspects of his campaign platform. Angulo's approach to solving Gainesville's problems is by empowering its residents to make decisions and taking charge of their future.

Monica Leadon Cooper, also running for Gainesville mayor, wants to resolve issues like assisting the homeless and sharing the decision making process with the people. Cooper, a University of Florida graduate says we have to eliminate wasteful spending. One of her priorities as mayor would be to provide for the safety and well-being of the community including cleaning up the Koppers Superfund site and providing help for the homeless. She also promotes the idea of small business growth and development while practicing fiscal responsibility.

]]> Ozzy Angulo is a fresh face to Gainesville politics and a former US Marine who says he's in touch with the average resident since he doesn't play with party politics. In the past few years, Angulo has experienced the trials of being a business owner from opening a deli in Melrose to managing a local Taco Bell.

Gatornationals Expects A Crowd

Race car drivers are revving up their engines, and Gainesville is the starting line. The 41st annual Gatornationals event at the Gainesville Raceway will take place this Thursday through Sunday. Gainesville Tourism Program Coordinator John Pricher says this event has traditionally brought an improtant source of revenue for the local economy. He says this year, however, tough economic conditions have caused many to shorten their stay, which ultimately means less money for hotels and related industries. He says the event will still bring plenty of loyal fans that keeps the city bussing as if it were a football game day.

]]> Race car drivers are revving up their engines, and Gainesville is the starting line. The 41st annual Gatornationals event at the Gainesville Raceway will take place this Thursday through Sunday.

License Plates May Get A Corporate Facelift

A state lawmaker is proposing allowing corporate logos on Florida license plates. Florida State Senator Mike Fasano of New Port Richey says the idea could generate money for the state. Fasano says an innovative way of helping people see a significant reduction in the auto tax annual fee, would be allowing people to choose a corporation to add an array of different logos they might want on their license plate. Fasano says the most important thing he wants to stress to everyone is people have a choice. Fasano says he plans to go to his colleagues to express his reasoning behind the proposal. In addition to generating money into the state, and a significant reduction in a fee, Fasano says another benefit is the potential amount of fun an individual or family can have when they choose what coporate logo they may want on their vehicle tags. Fasano wants to allow corporations to participate in advertising, allow people to save money, and allow tax dollars to be saved. Fasano wants to give the department permission to look into and see what program they can come up with. Fasano is optimistic that both both big and small corporations around the state will participate.

]]> A state lawmaker is proposing allowing corporate logos on Florida license plates. Florida State Senator Mike Fasano of New Port Richey says the idea could generate money for the state.

Meeting Seeks Input on Disaster Plans

Alachua County is concluding a year long process of developing a community-wide Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan, or the PDRP. The county is now seeking citizen input. A public meeting to present and seek input on the PDRP is being held tonight from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Alachua County Health Department. The purpose of the PDRP is to provide a roadmap for our community to rebuild after a disaster, maximize post-disaster opportunities, and re-establish the quality of life in Alachua County. Alachua County Emergency Management Chief, David Donnelly says the main purpose of tonight is to hear from the residents. The PDRP, which has been developed by a work group of community stakeholders, seeks to unite growth management and emergency management principles in a single, comprehensive document. Donnelly says if this plan passes, there would be no intial financial obligations for residents. Donnelly says the plan is strategic and holisitic in approach, and will serve as the blueprint for short-term recovery actions that will affect the community's long-term recovery and post-disaster viability. A draft plan will be available on the county's website, and they will be accepting email advice until March 19th.

]]> Alachua County is concluding a year long process of developing a community-wide Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan, or the PDRP. The county is now seeking citizen input.

FCAT Testing Begins Tomorrow

The FCAT starts tomorrow in schools around the state and teachers have been working year round to prepare their students. Alachua County Schools Spokesperson Jackie Johnson says schools use a variety of technologies and strategies to help students meet the standards. She says schools who make progress or maintain an "A" grade do receive additional funding from the state. She says the students themselves receive encouragement and incentive from the individual schools. Johnson says the FCAT gauges students on knowledge in math, science, reading, and writing- also known as the sunshine standards.

]]> The FCAT starts tomorrow in schools around the state and teachers have been working year round to prepare their students. Alachua County Schools Spokesperson Jackie Johnson says schools use a variety of technologies and strategies to help students meet the standards.

Consumer Protection Week Kicks Off

Consumer Protection Week around the nation kicked off yesterday, with the theme Dollars and Sense Rated "A" for All Ages. Florida Department of Agriculture Consumer Services Spokesperson Gwendolyn Worlds says this week helps raise awareness through events and outreach. She says consumers can keep some simple tips in mind to protect themselves and use services the department offers year round. Northeast Florida Better Business Bureau President Tom Stevens says not enough is done to make consumers aware. He says the BBB does not affiliate itself with Consumer Protection Week, but does support its overall message. He says the information is out there, consumers just need to use it. He says a tough economic climate often lead to an increase in scams which prey on the unemployed, so consumers must be especially careful with newspaper ads requiring application fees.

]]> Consumer Protection Week around the nation kicked off yesterday, with the theme Dollars and Sense Rated "A" for All Ages. Florida Department of Agriculture Consumer Services Spokesperson Gwendolyn Worlds says this week helps raise awareness through events and outreach.

One Stop Homeless Center Gets Land Approval

Gainesville's one stop homeless center is making slow progress towards grace, or the Grace Marketplace as it will be called. Late last week the City Commission approved rezoning a 10 acre plot of land in North Gainesville for this project. District 1 Commissioner Scherwin Henry says it was difficult to find a good location. He says the size of the land also offers many benefits. He says the commission is looking forward to starting construction, which is expected on August 1st.

]]> Gainesville's one stop homeless center is making slow progress towards grace, or the Grace Marketplace as it will be called. Late last week the City Commission approved rezoning a 10 acre plot of land in North Gainesville for this project.

Prisons Prepare for Cuts

With lawmakers looking to cut back on the state budget, many departments are preparing to slim down. State Senator Victor Crist of Tampa says the Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee is trying to find a balance between saving money and keeping civilians safe. He says no cuts are final right now, but they are expecting less funding despite an increase in the prison population. He says some states have used early release programs to slim their bugdet, but this is not something Florida will do. He says they are focusing more on getting inmates who may suffer an addiction or mental disorder in to the proper facilities. He says they may also cut back on recreational equiptment spending and vacant positions while expanding work release programs.

]]> With lawmakers looking to cut back on the state budget, many departments are preparing to slim down. State Senator Victor Crist of Tampa says the Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee is trying to find a balance between saving money and keeping civilians safe.