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🌱 Why a Gainesville oxtail theft turned into a neighborhood police chase

Gainesville, Florida Patch AM: a 5 min read

Hey there, Gainesville! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why a Gainesville oxtail theft turned into a neighborhood police chase
  • How a Gainesville officer’s patrol car ended up under a school bus
  • Gainesville man charged after 102 calls leads to stalking arrest.

Also on today's calendar: Planet 13 Gainesville Team:  Breast Cancer Awareness Walk and 10 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you get when you drop a Coffee Mug? 🤔 (Answer below!)

☑️ Important voting information: The Nov. 3 general election is coming up. Official Florida election resources: Find your polling place | Register to vote | Check your registration | Absentee, mail and early voting.

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Partly sunny and breezy, with a high of 72 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Monday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 77, low: 50.
  • Tuesday: Sunny and pleasant, with a high of 78 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Pair arrested for fleeing from officers after homeless man allegedly stole oxtail, pork chops, and steaks from different stores (alachuachronicle.com) — Two men were arrested in Gainesville after police say one stole bags of frozen oxtail from Enson Market and then fled with a driver who later led officers on a chase into the Haystacks neighborhood. Investigators recovered additional meat allegedly taken from Publix and Sam’s Club, and both suspects, who have prior records, now face multiple theft and fleeing charges with bail set at $125,000 each. All charges remain accusations until proven in court.
   

2. 4 hospitalized, including child, after off-duty Florida officer crashes into school bus: FHP (wfla.com) — A Gainesville Police Department officer driving a marked patrol car rear-ended a Marion County school bus Friday morning, seriously injuring himself and sending a child, the bus driver, and an aide to the hospital with minor injuries. The bus was stopped with lights flashing and stop signs extended to pick up students when the crash happened, leaving the patrol car wedged underneath and the roadway badly gouged. Authorities have not released the names of anyone involved.
   

3. Gainesville man arrested for stalking (alachuachronicle.com) — Gainesville police arrested a 59-year-old local man after officers documented 102 calls to his ex-girlfriend, leading to a misdemeanor stalking charge and $20,000 bail. The report outlines the victim’s safety concerns, the corroborating witness statement, and the suspect’s prior record, while emphasizing that all charges remain accusations until proven in court.
   

4. Healthcare professionals gather in Gainesville for stroke care conference (wcjb.com) — Healthcare professionals met in Gainesville at UF Health’s annual stroke conference to share the newest tools and guidelines for faster, more effective stroke treatment. With UF’s mobile stroke unit highlighted, the gathering focused on getting life-saving care started sooner for local patients, which could significantly improve outcomes for residents across Gainesville and surrounding communities.
   

5. Florida parents against out-of-state student surge find ally in David Jolly (orlandosentinel.com) — Families with students at the University of Florida in Gainesville are watching a growing debate over how many out-of-state students the school should admit, as some parents and gubernatorial candidates push to prioritize Florida residents. UF leaders warn that strict caps could hurt rankings and finances, while others argue in-state students are losing opportunities at their own public universities. Any changes could directly affect Gainesville’s flagship campus and its future freshman classes.
   

📸 Around Gainesville

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Happy Halloween, come on by!
    Things are dressed up for the occasion, we've put together quite a show this year, doors open ahead of the crowd this year, we're going big with full… (Nextdoor Hills of Santa Fe)
  • Obedient Plant...
    That's not what I hope it will be, a 'well trained plant', that's its name! The Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana) aka False Dragonhead, a name… (Nextdoor Valwood)
  • Exactech, Inc. posted a job opening for Field Inventory Specialist in Gainesville. Apply here.
  • Aimbridge Hospitality posted a job opening for Home2 Suites Gainesville Medical Center - Housekeeper in Gainesville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Gainesville here.

Ok Gainesville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you get when you drop a Coffee Mug?" — a Coffee Break! (Thank you Jorie W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Gainesville

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Gainesville

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.