Suspects Jailed July 13, 2026 through July 19, 2026
Published July 20, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Suspects Jailed July 13, 2026 through July 19, 2026
Published July 20, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Suspects Jailed July 13, 2026 through July 19, 2026
Published July 20, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Street Signs Replaced

A missing street sign has been replaced, and some other signs that were so deteriorated they were not legible are replaced too. In the Levy County unrecorded subdivision named Jemlands, the street sign that designates the county-maintain road named Northwest 100th Avenue, at its intersection with Levy County Road 347, has been replaced by the Levy County Road Department – as shown in the picture above. Also, some roads that are recorded on maps as linking between 100th Avenue and 97th Court that had very old, illegible signs have been replaced as well. Florida Statute 316.0775 notes that it is illegal to alter, deface, knock down, or remove any official traffic control device without lawful authority. Violations are penalized under Florida's criminal mischief laws (Statute 806.13), resulting in fines, mandatory community service or jail time. Florida treats critical safety signs with extreme severity. Stealing a stop sign or a yield sign is automatically prosecuted as a Third-Degree Felony, which carries a penalty of up to 5 years in state prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © July 17, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.

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Dennis Sochor is executed by Florida
State sets new records with latest execution
Two executions set for same day - July 28

Florida Department of Corrections Director Jordan Kirkland tells the two media witnesses (The Associated Press reporter shown in this photo and not picture, John Koch of Independent News Service) about Dennis Sochor’s last moments of life, and who he visited with in a press conference before the execution was completed.

Story and Photos By John Koch, Independent News Service
Correspondent For HardisonInk.com
Edited By Jeff M. Hardison, Publisher © July 15, 2026 at 7 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     STARKE (INS) –Florida carried out its 10th execution Thursday night (July 14) at the Florida State Prison (also known as Raiford Prison) near Starke (Bradford County).
     Florida Department of Corrections Communications Director Jordan Kirkland said it went without incident. 
     Dennis Sochor was born Feb. 25, 1952. He was put to death at the age of 74 when he was executed by the State of Florida on July 14, 2026.
     Sochor was 29 years old when he raped and murdered Patricia “Patty” Gifford, who was then 18 years old, at a New Year’s Eve party on Jan. 1, 1982, in Fort Lauderdale (Broward County). Her body was never found.
     Arrested in May of 1982, Sochor spent 44 years on Florida Death Row awaiting the completion of this sentence.

Marilyn Gifford speaks to the few reporters at a press conference Tuesday evening (July 14) after the execution.

 
     One family member, the victim’s sister Marilyn Gifford, spoke to a small group of reporters after Sochor’s execution.
     She said the killer’s life choices are what brought him to the gurney where his life concluded.
     “The Sochor family was given the opportunity to say ‘Goodbye,’” Marilyn Gifford said. “He died peacefully. They get to bury him properly.”
     She said this murderer caused both the Sochor family and the Gifford family 45 years of tremendous anguish.
     “He had 45 years to return Patty’s remains to us,” the victim’s sister said, “who he chose not to. Without closure, every happy memory of Patty is immediately crushed by the tragedy of that night.”
     Marilyn Gifford said her family knows what this man did “to those other young girls.” 
     With this execution, she added, the family received “a modicum of closure.” 
     “Dennis Sochor was a lifelong brutal and sadistic man,” she said. “But justice tonight, is a ‘win’ for all of the women he hurt.”
     Execution ensures, she concluded, that no matter what laws change moving forward, the death of Sochor assures he will never be able to hurt another person again.
     Sochor’s efforts to stay his execution through the courts, challenging the method of his death, were rejected by both the Florida Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court. The time between administering 200 milligrams of a strong sedative and the two other chemicals to end his life took 13 minutes. Witnesses of the execution said there were no signs of Sochor suffering during the process. 
     Before his death, in his last statement, Sochor said he was sorry for killing Patricia Gifford, and that he was ready to die.
     Sochor was found guilty in 1989 of kidnapping and first-degree murder in the death of a Broward County woman whose body was never found. The jury that convicted Sochor voted 10 to 2 for the death sentence. 
     Socher was offered breakfast when he awoke early yesterday morning. Later, he declined his last meal. Socher took a shower, dressed, and was led to the execution chamber. There, he was secured and had needles inserted to receive a sedative and then two other chemicals -- ending his life. 
     This execution marks several milestones for the state’s system of executing certain prisoners. Sochor became the oldest person ever executed in Florida, so far. It heralds Florida’s 10th execution this year, as well as the 11th execution of a military service veteran during the Gov. Ron DeSantis’ terms in office. This execution is the 38th execution overall during DeSantis’ administration. DeSantis signed Sochor’s death warrant on June 10.
     However, there is another even older inmate with a destiny with death now.
     DeSantis signed a death warrant on June 26, and this time it’s for 80-year-old Dominick Anthony Occhicone Jr.
     Occhicone, who is now an octogenarian, is slated to be executed at Florida State Prison (aka Raiford Prison) near Starke on July 28. His lethal injection is set as a result of murdering two Pasco County residents in 1986, according to records.
     His sentence of death became final in 1991. Occhicone has been on Florida's Death Row for 40 years now, and if he dies by lethal injection, he will be the oldest man to be executed.
     Florida remains on track to carry out more executions in 2026 than all other states that execute people combined this year – just like last year.
     If carried to completion, Occhicone’s death will herald the oldest person ever to be executed in recorded Florida history. 
     DeSantis has ordered the warden at Florida State Prison near Starke to reschedule James Duckett’s execution for July 28 at high noon. Duckett enjoyed a short reprieve from his death sentence being completed as the state government checked DNA to confirm enough reliable evidence existed, as had previously been ruled, for the death sentence to be brought to bear.
     As noted, the same day, Occhicone is scheduled for execution at 6 p.m.
     Duckett’s original execution date of March 31 was postponed for DNA testing, which was inconclusive. The Florida Supreme Court lifted that stay of execution on July 8. If both executions proceed, it will be the first time in state history that two individuals are executed for murder on the same day. 
     According to the Florida Department of Corrections, executions were previously scheduled within days of each other in 1995, 1998 and 2000. Duckett, 68, was convicted of the 1987 murder and sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl in Lake County. Occhicone, 80, was convicted of murdering two people in 1986. Both men have spent decades on Florida Death Row.
 

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Suspected arsonist arrested

Joseph Jomall Antonio Hester

Story and Mugshot Provided
By Ocala Police Department Public Information Officer Jeff Walczak
Published July 14, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.
     OCALA -- The Ocala Police Department (OPD) recently arrested Joseph Jomall Antonio Hester, 20, for the July 3 arson that destroyed a home at 2029 S.W. Fourth St. in Ocala.
     Around 6:30 a.m. that Friday morning, officers arrived to find the residence fully engulfed in flames. Ocala Fire Rescue extinguished the fire, and no injuries were reported. The home was unoccupied at the time.
     Detectives determined the fire was intentionally set based on witness accounts, surveillance video, and threatening text messages sent to the homeowner shortly before the incident. The State Fire Investigator classified the fire as arson.
     Hester was located and taken into custody. He faces an arson charge filed by OPD Det. J.V. Zaino. Prior to the fire, Hester had been involved in multiple disturbances and property damage incidents at the residence.
     The OPD commends the teamwork between investigators, fire personnel, and community members in bringing this case to a close.

FDOT announces 9th Annual
Operation Southern Slow Down
to help keep roads safe
Information Provided
Published July 13, 2026 at 3 p.m.
     TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) joins the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FDHSMV) and its division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), as well as transportation and safety agencies across Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, in conducting Operation Southern Slow Down.
     This annual multi-state campaign is from Monday through Saturday (July 13-18). It focuses on reducing speed-related crashes through a combination of increased traffic law enforcement and public education.
     As part of Florida’s efforts, this campaign encourages drivers to take responsibility for making safe decisions along every mile of the state’s transportation system by slowing down, following speed limits, and looking out for the safety of others on the road. Operation Southern Slow Down contributes to Florida’s overarching transportation safety initiative, Target Zero, which aims to reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries down to zero.

Reckless driving will not be tolerated.
- FHP Col. Gary Howze

      “Unsafe driver behaviors like speeding are a major contributor to fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways,” said FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue. “Remember that your actions behind the wheel can have life-altering impacts: slow down and drive responsibly to help get everyone to their destinations safely.”
      The leader of the FHP commented, too.
     “Speeding is a conscious choice, and it’s one that costs lives,” said FHP Col. Gary Howze. “Operation Southern Slowdown brings Florida law enforcement and public safety partners across the Southeast United States together around a shared commitment to safer roads through increased enforcement, direct public outreach, and a unified message that reckless driving will not be tolerated. This initiative ensures that those who choose to drive recklessly are held accountable for putting others at risk.”
     Speeding continues as a significant factor in traffic fatalities across Florida, attributing to approximately 6 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to the 2024 Florida Traffic Crash Facts report. Targeted enforcement and education initiatives like Operation Southern Slow Down, now in its 9th year, are vital in Florida’s efforts to drive these statistics down and reduce dangerous driving behaviors, like speeding, to help prevent crashes.
     “Speed limits are in place to protect everyone traveling on our roads and highways, and enforcement of speeding and all traffic laws has proven to save lives in our region and nation,” said Allen Poole, director of the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety. “The goal for 'Operation Southern Slow Down' is not to write tickets but to get more drivers to see that traveling at slower and safer speeds prevents families and friends from losing loved ones in crashes that are preventable.”
Safety Tips & Reminders
     ● Faster speeds require longer stopping distances.
     ● Stay out of the far-left lane except when passing.
     ● Stopping distance quadruples when you double your speed.
     ● Drivers of larger vehicles need more time and distance to stop, especially on wet or uneven pavement.
     ● Slow down when approaching curves and brakes before entering.
     ● Set a good example for young drivers by following speed limits.
     ● Always wear your seat belt and ensure all passengers are buckled.
     ● Use extra caution in construction and school zones.
     ● Plan and allow extra travel time to avoid the temptation to speed.

Convenience store clerk
jailed for grand theft and fraud

Mugshot By DCSO – Graphic By HardisonInk.com

By Jeff M. Hardison © July 13, 2026 at 3:15 p.m.
     OLD TOWN -- A convenience store worker was arrested for allegedly stealing more than $10,000 but less than $20,000, according to the felony charge levied against her by the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), according to records.
    Natalee Dawn Maxwell is charged with one count of felony grand theft for stealing between $10,000 and $20,000; and one count of defrauding to obtain value of less than $20,000, according to court records.
     She was arraigned July 7, according to records. Maxwell’s pre-trial conference is set for Aug. 25, although court records are unclear about which judge she will be appearing before.
     Third Judicial Circuit Court Judge Mark Feagle may be presiding over the conference, although Dixie County Court Judge Jennifer Johnson is listed as well. There is an election, though, where Natasha Munkittrick Allen is running against Judge Johnson and that election will be decided Aug. 18.
     The prosecutor in this case, according to records is Third Judicial Circuit Assistant State Attorney Jarrett Thomas, and Maxwell is represented by Third Judicial Circuit Assistant Public Defender Robert Tucker.
    A DCSO investigation uncovered that she stole more than $15,400 during a period of several months by fraudulently voiding transactions that had been completed, where customers paid for goods – and then she voided those transactions while taking the money, according to records.
     Maxwell was working at the Marathon gas station and convenience store in Old Town, according to records. The DCSO reportedly noted on a social media site that it appreciates the cooperation of the business and its management throughout this investigation.
 

Suspected motor vehicle thief
nabbed on bicycle

Mugshot By DCSO – Graphic By HardisonInk.com
Information Provided
Published July 13, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.
     CROSS CITY -- On Sunday night (July 12) at approximately 7:09, Cross City Police Officer G. Duren received a tip that was called in regarding Michael Anthony Thomas, 48. Of Cross City who was reportedly riding a bicycle near Southeast 259th Street and U.S. Highway 19 in Cross City, according to records.
     Thomas is the suspect involved in a pursuit that occurred from July 11, the Cross City Police Department (CCPD) said, who used the vehicle he was driving to force a CCPD officers off the road, causing the officer to crash.
     As officers approached Thomas on the bicycle, he fled down Southeast Ninth Avenue, the CCPD said. He was confronted by CCPD K9 Sgt. M. Henry and partner K9 Drake, the CCPD said. Thomas complied with the sergeant’s commands and was taken into custody.
     “Our officers have been relentless in their pursuit of this suspect” Police Chief Jamey M. King said.
     CCPD Officer Duren arrested Thomas for grand theft of a motor vehicle; aggravated fleeing and eluding; aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer; and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, according to records

Branford man involved in fatal crash
By Jeff M. Hardison © July 12, 2026 at 8 a.m.
     ALACHUA COUNTY – A three-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon (July 11) resulted in the death of a Sarasota woman, according to information in a Florida Highway Patrol press release sent at 4:05 p.m. regarding the crash that happened at 12:44 p.m. that day.
     The next of kin of the 69-year-old Sarasota woman were contacted before the press release was sent, according to the press release that was based on information from crash investigator FHP Trooper C. Reul and homicide investigator FHP Cpl. J. Allen.
     At 12:44 p.m. on July 7, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and Northwest 175th Avenue (between Newberry and High Springs) in Alachua County a Ford F-350 pickup truck, driven by a 61-year-old Branford man, had a front-to-rear collision with a Toyota SUV driven by a 69-year-old Sarasota woman who was in standstill traffic, the FHP said.
     The Toyota SUV then went off of the highway, the FHP said.
     Then, the Ford driven by the man with a Branford residential address, the FHP said, hit the rear of a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that was driven by a 68-year-old man from Walhonding, Ohio.
     People with a Branford residential address on their license may live in Suwannee County or in Gilchrist County.
     The woman, the FHP said, died due to injuries suffered in the crash. The two men suffered no injuries, the FHP said. All three drivers were wearing seatbelts, the FHP said. There were no passengers in any of the three vehicles in the crash, the FHP said.
     The FHP did not note if the vehicles were northbound or southbound on U.S. 27 at the time of the crash.

Locker donation helps WPD
Variety show to help
Habitat for Humanity of Marion County

Williston Police Chief Mike Rolls, Habitat for Humanity of Marion County Chief Development and Retail Officer Joann Black, and others, are seen with the truck that brought lockers to the Williston Police Department from Ocala on July 8 as part of a donation from the non-profit. Also in this photo are the 27 lockers unloaded from the truck – set to be loaded into the WPD.
Photo Provided By Police Chief Mike Rolls

By Jeff M. Hardison © July 11, 2026 at 12 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     WILLISTON – The July 3 celebration of Independence Day in Williston, an annual tradition established to let people enjoy other places’ celebrations on the Fourth of July as well as the fun in Williston, included members of the Williston Police Department (WPD), and others, keeping people safe by directing traffic and staying on the lookout for ne’er-do-wells of the criminal variety.
     In the parking lot of Williston City Hall on the evening of July 7, WPD Chief Mike Rolls spoke with the Tri-County Area’s best journalist about how the men and women of the WPD were soaked by rain. Those WPD officers are part of the law enforcement presence that kept people safe during the Stars & Stripes Forever Independence Day Celebration 2026 – which was organized under the leadership of Williston Interim City Manager Latricia Wright.
      The City of Williston hosted its annual Independence Day Celebration that Friday (July 3) with a parade beginning at 5 p.m. The Independence Day celebration then continued in Levy County’s easternmost municipality at Horseman’s Park, 803 S.W. 19th Ave., beginning at 7 p.m. Fireworks were scheduled to begin at dark, but the start of that pyrotechnics show was delayed a little bit due to rain.
     The WPD officers became wet while performing their duties.
     Chief Rolls said he was shopping in the Habitat for Humanity of Marion County’s ReStore at 926 N.W. 27th Ave. in Ocala after that July 3 nighttime event.
     The Habitat for Humanity ReStore Ocala is a non-profit retail outlet specializing in the resale of quality new and used furniture, appliances, home decor, and building supplies at discounted prices. ReStore raises funds for Habitat for Humanity Marion County, which was established on Oct. 23, 1990. As of July 11, Habitat for Humanity Marion County has served more than 160 families -- which includes more than 600 children throughout the county. 
     Rolls said he noticed three units of nine lockers each, equaling 27 lockers, that are like the lockers students use in school to store backpacks and the like. They called to him as a method to help the WPD officers.
     Chief Rolls decided to buy the lockers for the WPD. Then, the officers could have a place to keep clean, dry clothes for those occasions when they may have to wrestle with a suspect and get blood on their clothes, which is best to rinse relatively soon with cold water, or when they are helping keep people safe at events and become drenched by rain and the like – such as on July 3, 2026.
     Rolls said he went to the ReStore checkout and started the process to have the lockers delivered to the WPD in Williston.
     That’s when Humanity of Marion County Chief Development and Retail Officer Joann Black learned why these lockers were to be delivered to the WPD. She told Rolls that the organization would donate the lockers and deliver them to the WPD on July 8.
     “We at Habitat for Humanity of Marion County are honored to help our police department and so glad the chief saw the lockers which were available,” Black noted for HardisonInk.com. “After a short conversation, he said he wanted to purchase for his officers so we were honored to offer them at no charge.”
     In communication with the daily news website publisher, Black mentioned an upcoming variety show that is a fundraiser for this Habitat for Humanity.
     The 250 For 250 Variety Show is going to be like a USO show for the Habitat For Humanity of Marion County’s Veteran Build.
     A USO show is a live entertainment performance organized by the United Service Organizations (USO) to boost the morale of United States military service members and their families. Featuring actors, comedians, and musicians, these events bring a “taste of home” to troops stationed at bases worldwide and in combat zones.
     Originating during World War II, the legendary “USO Camp Shows” acted as the largest booking agency in the world. Performers like Bob Hope, Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra traveled into active war zones to entertain soldiers. These shows provided a vital psychological break from the hardships and stress of wartime deployment.
     Today, USO Entertainment continues to partner with the entertainment and sports industries to bring celebrities, athletes and musicians to military personnel.
     With 2026 being the nation’s 250th year, Habitat’s 250 Home is for a veteran family.
     Habitat for Humanity of Marion County’s upcoming celebration features the 250 for 250 Variety Show at Ocala’s Marion Theatre on July 24. The show set for July 24 will generate funds to go toward the construction of the 250 Home.
     For the future of home builds, Habitat for Humanity of Marion County continues to partner with organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project to help build new, affordable houses for low-income families and veterans across the county. The homes rely on sweat equity, volunteer labor, and local projects.
     The 250 for 250 Variety Show is going to be live at the Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave., in Ocala.
     Audience members will “travel back in time” on July 24 at this 1940’s-style variety show. It is for one night only.
     “It will be a toe-tapping, star-spangled night filled with magic, singing, and swing dancing to celebrate Habitat’s 250th home build for a veteran family and the USA’s 250th Anniversary,” the promotion for the event notes. All proceeds will go towards building more homes in Marion County for families in need.
     Tickets cost $25.50 to $78. They can be bought by clicking this link.
     Promoters warn against purchasing tickets from locations other than this website or at the box office.
     At this upcoming event, VIP seating includes one free drink (alcoholic or non), a souvenir cup, premium seating, and early entry starting at 5:45 p.m.
     Premier seating includes a souvenir cup and early entry at 5:45 p.m.
     Doors for all other seating will be open at 6 p.m.

Felon arrested while armed with handgun

Graphic and Information Provided By LCSO
Published July 10, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
     BRONSON -- On Thursday (July 9), K-9 Deputy D. Dowling with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) arrested Peter Stefani, 25, of Cedar Key after locating him at the Marathon convenience store in Bronson.     Deputy Dowling was aware Stefani had an active felony warrant for Violation of Probation which stemmed from prior charges of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
     Deputy Dowling discovered Stefani was carrying approximately $2,530 in cash and a loaded Glock .45 caliber handgun in his waistband during the arrest.
     As a convicted felon, Stefani is prohibited under Florida law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Stefani was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon in addition to being arrested on the active felony warrant.
     Stefani was booked into the Levy County Jail and is currently being held with no bond.

Man accused of shooting at vehicles
after alleged bar fight in Dixie County

Mugshot By DCSO – Graphic By HardisonInk.com

Information From DCSO Social Media Post
Published July 6, 2026 at 10 p.m.
     DIXIE COUNTY – A recent social media post by the DCSO showed details of an arrest.
     During the early morning hours Monday (July 6), Dixie County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) deputies responded to Charlie's Bar on U.S. Highway 19 south of Cross City, after receiving a report of a fight followed by the alleged discharge of a firearm.
     Investigators determined that Kelton Lazo allegedly fought with two other males at the bar. As the two other men left the parking lot in separate vehicles, Lazo allegedly armed himself with a .22 caliber rifle and fired multiple rounds at both vehicles. Lazo then reportedly pursued the vehicles in his own vehicle before crashing into a fence. 
     After the crash, Lazo returned to Charlie's Bar, where he was located by responding law enforcers.
     Lazo was jailed on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill; shooting a missile into an occupied vehicle; and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage.
     Investigators reportedly determined that multiple rounds were fired at two occupied vehicles as they were leaving the area. No injuries were reported.
     The writer of the social media post noted that the DCSO is appreciative of officers with the Cross City Police Department for their assistance during this investigation. 

Unmarked avenue noticed in Jemlands



Both sides of the post that formerly held the missing sign – probably stolen -- are seen here. The numeric sign used to be above the stop sign -- which is a replacement sign due to a thief or thieves from before, too.

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © July 5, 2026 at 10:45 a.m.
All Coprights Reserved

     JEMLANDS – An unrecorded subdivision named Jemlands has fallen victim to, in all probability, a thief or thieves of Levy County government property.
     The street sign that designates the county-maintain road named Northwest 100^th Avenue, at its intersection with Levy County Road 347, has been stolen.
     A stop sign at that intersection was stolen previously within the past 13 years. The original developer of the subdivision, who may have placed some the still existing road signs, is no longer to be found -- and some of those first road signs are worse for the wear now.
     There is no specific public record in the provided historical sources identifying the exact individual or company that originally developed Jemlands in Levy County. Some roads that are recorded there on maps as linking between 100^th Avenue and 97^th Court have been blocked by private property owners. The Levy County Road Department maintains 100^th Avenue and 97t^h Court there currently, and that means no property owner can block those two main lime rock roads that are access points to residences, planted pine forests or quail sanctuaries, yet.


One of the signs in the unrecorded subdivision shows that the road signs from early development are worn out now. The NW 100th Ave sign is from the county and the other illegible sign is from a private land owner.

     One property owner recently blocked a formerly county-maintained thoroughfare in Levy County, and there are property owners who are neighbors of that land owner who are significantly inconvenienced as well as potentially in more danger – since an ambulance cannot reach at least one residence in that other part of Levy County – relatively close to Levyville (formerly named Sodom).
     Given the time period of land development, Jemlands, the unrecorded subdivision in unincorporated Levy County (and there is a similar “Jemlands” in Dixie County), was likely part of a larger post-World War II suburban expansion in Levy County. Back then, new residential developments emerged in Florida in the 1950s to 1970s. These projects were often developed by real estate companies or local builders responding to population growth and changing housing demand. Eventually, the Florida Legislature created grown management laws; however, as older native Floridians know, the wisdom of state legislators who create laws is sometimes circumspect, or fearful of developers who will cry and complain about property rights and the like.
     As for the missing sign at the intersection of Northwest 100th Avenue and Levy CR 347, the county government may replace it. The sign that was stolen from there was taken by a thief who may not be able to understand the concept of people living in a civilization where there are laws, or he, or she, or they just do not care enough about others to abide by laws.
     There is an iconic song titled Where the Streets Have No Name by the Irish rock band U2. That song is featured as the opening track on U2’s monumental 1987 album The Joshua Tree. Some say the song serves as a metaphor for a utopian, spiritual space free of societal divisions. The title may represent a yearning for a world where arbitrary labels, wealth and borders do not exist; rather than a world where a person is born or where they live is an indelible mark of class or privilege, or of being underprivileged.
     The state government of Florida designates Levy County as an Economically Distressed Rural County under the Rural Economic Development Initiative, which is administered by the state’s economic development agency, FloridaCommerce (previously named the Florida Department of Commerce).
     Northwest One-Hundredth Avenue, at CR 347, does have a name, though, even if some punk thief has stolen the sign that was paid for by taxpayers.

DCSO uses social media
to announce fatal shooting
‘Stand Your Ground’
already allegedly indicated

By Jeff M. Hardison © July 3, 2026 at 2 p.m.
     CROSS CITY – The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) on Friday morning (July 3) announced on a social media site that during the early morning hours of July 3, members of the DCSO responded to a reported shooting at a residence located on Northeast 484th Avenue in Old Town.
     One person was reported by the DCSO to have died from injuries suffered from being shot, and the case remains as an active and ongoing investigation.
     Johnny Louis Lee (age and city of residence not listed) was arrested at the scene on a misdemeanor level of violation of probation (VOP) warrant, according to the social media post by the DCSO.
     Investigators reportedly believe this incident may be a justifiable homicide by shooting, under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law (in Florida Statute 776.032), the DCSO posted on the social media site. 
     This notation, the DCSO adds, is not final because “this investigation remains ongoing and all facts and evidence will be thoroughly reviewed before any final charging decisions are made” on whether to arrest the person who is proved to have pulled the trigger of the gun that sent the bullet into the as-yet unlisted “victim” or alleged “assailant” in this incident or this crime, depending on who this is concluded.
     The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Scene Unit is helping the DCSO as investigators continue to process the scene and gather evidence, the DCSO noted on the social media site today (Friday, July 3).
     “Out of respect for the family and pending notification of next of kin, who is believed to be out of state, the identity of the deceased is not being released at this time,” according to what the DCSO noted on social media.

Woman dies
after boat crash
on Suwannee River
By Jeff M. Hardison © July 2, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.
Updated July 3, 2026 at 7 a.m. 
     GILCHRIST COUNTY – The body of a 44-year-old Suwannee County woman has been recovered from the Suwannee River after a nearly six-hour search, according to information from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
      After a boat crash on Wednesday night (July 1) at about 7:57 p.m., the FWC was notified.
     Two people went overboard and into the water after a 17-foot vessel struck a dock, the FWC said. The crash happened, just north of Rock Bluff Conservation Area, the FWC said.
     One of the two people who went into the water did not resurface, the FWC. The body of Amber P. Buda was recovered at about 1 a.m. today (Thursday, July 2), the FWC said.
     First responders and others began searching the area after the crash was reported, the FWC said.
     “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Amber Buda, as well as our colleagues with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, during this incredibly difficult time,” the FWC noted in a statement about the crash. 

FWC urges boaters to be alert
for jumping sturgeon
on the Suwannee River
Information Provided By FWC
Published July 2, 2026 at 8:15 a.m.
     LAKE CITY -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is urging boaters on the Suwannee River to go slow and maintain 360-degree awareness for jumping Gulf sturgeon, now through the end of summer.
     Gulf sturgeon are large fish that can exceed a length of eight feet, a weight of over 300 pounds, and possess strength to leap nine feet into the air. With water levels low this year, there is a higher than normal probability of undesired boater interactions with sturgeon that could result in damage to property or serious injuries.  
     Additionally, passengers should never ride on the bow of a boat or any other place that is not equipped with proper seating. Boaters have been injured by direct strikes from sturgeon. There is no warning; if a boater passes through when the fish is in the air, there is a chance of injury.
     To stay safe around jumping sturgeons, follow these three safe boating practices:
     1. Go slow. Slow speeds allow more time for the vessel operator to react if a sturgeon jumps in front of you.
     2. Be alert and pay attention to your surroundings. This includes what a boater sees and hears.
     3. Always wear a life jacket. If you're knocked out of the boat, hurt and unconscious, a life jacket will help keep you afloat. 
     Scientists have determined that sturgeon jump to refill their swim bladder to maintain buoyancy. While sturgeons can jump anywhere in the river, the fish in the Suwannee River are commonly observed jumping where they gather in “holding” areas. 
     Holding areas are where they spawn, usually the deeper holes in the river. Major holding areas in the Suwannee occur above Jack’s Sandbar; below Manatee Springs; between Fanning Springs and Usher Landing; below Old Town Trestle; below the confluence of the Santa Fe and Suwannee rivers; near Rock Bluff; and below Anderson Springs.
     Gulf sturgeon are protected under state and federal laws and cannot be harvested. To report sturgeon collisions, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Old Town man arrested
for 2023 fatal hit-and-run
Maximum 30-year
sentence for this crime

David Michael Coffey is in Dixie County Jail inmate clothing in this photo.

Information and Photo Provided
By FHP Lt. Joshua W Seay,
Troop B Public Affairs Officer
(and Florida Statutes)

Published July 1, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

     DIXIE COUNTY – Today (Wednesday, July 1), David Michael Coffey, 69, of Old Town was taken into custody on an active warrant stemming from a fatal crash that occurred on the evening of Oct. 28, 2023.
     The crash resulted in the death of a 42-year-old man from Old Town. Prior to the incident, the victim had been walking westbound in the westbound lane of Northeast 316th Avenue after the UTV he had been operating became disabled due to a mechanical failure.
     Coffey, operating a pickup truck, was traveling eastbound on Northeast 316th Avenue when he crossed the center line into the westbound lane. The left front of his truck hit the pedestrian, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
     Following the collision, Coffey fled the area and returned to his residence. The vehicle involved was located the following day.
      A traffic homicide investigation was completed, and a warrant was issued for Coffey’s arrest. He has been charged with felony hit and run involving death under Florida Statute 316.027(2)(c).
     If convicted of this crime, it carries severe, life-altering legal consequences.
     It is charged as a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison, 30 years of probation, and a $10,000 fine, according to records.
     There is a mandatory minimum prison sentence of four years, which increases if the driver was impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash, according to records.
     If convicted, the driver’s license will be revoked for at least three years, according to records.

Friday night crash
claims man’s life in Levy County
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 27, 2026 at 7:15 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     LEVY COUNTY – A 71-year-old man with a Morriston residential address died Friday night (June 26) in a single-vehicle crash in Levy County, according to a Florida Highway Patrol press release sent at 12:07 a.m. Saturday morning (June 27).
     As of midnight, the FHP had not contacted next of kin, according to the press release sent to media by FHP Sgt. Crystal Sollazzo from the Ocala headquarters of FHP Troop B. The press release is based on information in reports by crash investigator FHP Trooper Robert Davis and homicide investigator FHP Cpl. Justin Bard.
     Morriston is a census-designated place in eastern unincorporated Levy County, measuring about one-half of one square miles in size, with all of that being land. It is in the Gainesville Metropolitan Statistical Area. It and is bordered to the west by U.S. Highway 41, which runs north 13 miles to Williston and south 27 miles to Dunnellon. The area designated as Morriston has eastern, northern and southern borders that are not a singular road as noted for its western border of U.S. 41, according to records.
     The man was driving a pickup truck, the FHP said, and it is unknown whether he was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, which is noted to have been on June 26 at 8:10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. That is about 25 minutes before sunset on that evening, according to records.
     The pickup truck was westbound on Levy County Road 326, the FHP said.
     The driver failed to negotiate a curve to the right for westbound vehicles at Levy County Road 539, the FHP said. The speed limits on both CR 326 and CR 539 in Levy County vary depending on the specific zone, which goes through a rural stretch as well as a more populated and residential area, according to records. The posted maximum speed limits on those roads fluctuate between 30 and 55 m.p.h., according to records.
     After failing to negotiate that curve, the vehicle went into the tree line, the FHP said. The front of the pickup hit a tree, the FHP said. The vehicle caught fire with the driver trapped inside, the FHP said. The man suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash, the FHP said.

Williston hosts quarterly meeting
of Florida Police Chiefs Association #17

Williston Police Chief Mike Rolls is seen at the lectern where he led the quarterly meeting.

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © June 25, 2026 at 10:15 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     WILLISTON – About 40 people attended the quarterly meeting of the Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA), District 17, quarterly meeting on Thursday afternoon (June 25) in Williston.     District 17 of the FPCA includes Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion and Putnam counties. FPCA District 17 Director Chief Antoine Sheppard was unable to attend due to being at a funeral. Chief Sheppard leads the High Springs Police Department.
     Assistant FPCA District 17 Director Mike Rolls, the police chief of the Williston Police Department, led the meeting.
     Among the most local police chiefs attending this quarterly meeting was Chiefland Police Chief Scott Anderson.
     Bishop Willie A. Battles and the Unity Temple International Fellowship Church of Willison donated the catering, which was provided by Bruce Greenlee of Heavy B’s Barbecue and Leola Ivory of S & L Catering.
     Among the items on the menu were BBQ brisket, BBQ ribs, chicken and white rice, chicken and yellow rice, and BBQ chicken. There were drinks and desserts as well.
 

Among the volunteers from the Unity Temple International Fellowship Church of Willison who helped make the event a success were (from left) Katie Waller, Lashay Hickmon and Alexis Oliver. (Not pictured is Ivy Nichols, owner of Blooming Floral Boutique, who was out of the room when the photo was taken).
 

Todd P. Martin of the Crime Stoppers of North Central Florida is among the people speaking at the event.

     Among the presenters of the day was Todd P. Martin of the Crime Stoppers of North Central Florida, which serves Levy, Gilchrist and Alachua counties. Martin and others with that group provided an overview of Crime Stoppers’ mission, community partnerships, and public safety initiatives of Crime Stoppers of North Central Florida.
 Formerly named “Alachua County Crime Stoppers,” a trusted community partner for more than 40 years, it just announced earlier this month its official rebranding to be Crime Stoppers of North Central Florida.
     The new name better reflects the broader region it serves while continuing the same mission of helping to keep communities safe through anonymous tips and community partnership.
     While the name is changing, the commitment remains the same:
     ● Anonymous tips;
     ● Community safety; and
     ● Cash rewards for eligible tips.


Two of the other members of the support team that made this event a success are Sabrina Brown, Executive Assistant to Police Chief Mike Rolls (left), and Vicki Corbin, Executive Assistant to Williston Interim City Manager Latricia Wright.

     Also on the agenda were Jodie Goodman, executive director of business development at Haven Hospice and LaKacea Smith, a patient care representative with Haven, as they provided an overview of palliative care services as well as advanced care that is planned with a focus on compassionate support for patients and families during serious illness and end-of-life care.
     Niaah Ellis, an investigation manager with the Florida Department of Health in the Division of Medical Quality Assurance, was another speak noted on the itinerary for the day.
     The group met in the spacious R. Gerald Hethcoat Community Room of Williston City Hall. That room in City Hall was named in memory and in honor of former Mayor R. Gerald Hethcoat. He was a 47-year resident of Williston who passed away on July 1, 2020, at his home. He was 77.
     Hethcoat had a long history of service in Williston, including at the former hospital that used to exist in the city. Hethcoat served as a deacon of the church. He was interim fire chief in Williston for five years. He served on the Williston City Council for 20 years and was mayor for 16 years and retired in 2017. Among his many actions of service to the residents and visitors of Williston, Hethcoat was active and promoted all city functions. He helped obtain a grant for the Williston Public Library. He promoted and helped the Williston Women's Club get home mail delivery for the residents of Williston. 
     Hethcoat was on the board of the Palm Coast Medical Group. Among survivors, was his wife of 47 years, Billie Hethcoat.
     The quarterly meeting of those police chiefs and others was among the many activities this room has served since it was brought into service.