Ginnie Springs Memorial Day 2026 is OK

Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz tells Gilchrist County Commission Vice Chairman Bill Martin that people visiting Ginnie Springs this past Memorial Day Holiday enjoyed a safe weekend. A couple of years ago, a man was killed during the weekend there.

Story and Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © June 3, 2026 at 11:15 a.m.
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     TRENTON – As the Gilchrist County Commission met Monday (June 1), there were several things discussed, and at one point, Gilchrist County Commission Vice Chairman Bill Martin asked Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz about Ginnie Springs during the three-day Memorial Day Weekend.

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     A couple of years ago, the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) and others responded to incidents, including one where a man died after being shot by a .40 caliber pistol at that site during Memorial Day Weekend.
     The sheriff said the 2026 version of what happened at that privately owned recreational facility in Gilchrist County was one of the years where there were fewer complaints than normal for the huge event.
     “We were prepared for the worst,” the Sheriff Schultz said.
     Among the enforcement actions used this past Memorial Day Weekend in Gilchrist County as the “Click It or Ticket” program, the sheriff said, where Florida motorists who fail to buckle-up will be cited and fined for violating that state law. 
     Led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and local agencies, the “Click It or Ticket” initiative typically runs in late May, heavily coinciding with the Memorial Day travel period, according to records.
     Florida has a primary enforcement law for seat belts. This means law enforcement officers can stop and ticket a person solely for not wearing a seat belt; they do not need to observe another traffic violation first.
     Adults (people who are 18 years and older) who are driving or who are in the front-seat passenger side must be buckled up. If the driver or front-seat passenger is unbuckled, they can be issued a ticket.
     Minors (under 18) who are drivers are responsible for ensuring all passengers under 18 are properly secured by a safety belt or in a child restraint device, regardless of where those passengers sit in the vehicle. Children aged 4 years and younger must be secured in a federally approved car seat. Children ages 4 through 7 must use a car seat or booster seat (unless they are taller than 4’ 9” or weigh more than 80 pounds).
     There are county parks in Gilchrist County where springs are an inviting treat, and Fanning Springs State Park is near to Gilchrist County in Levy County, and Manatee Springs State Park, deeper in Levy County, are among the springs where people visit.
     Levy County also has county parks that have springs as attractions in them.
     The Gilchrist County Tourist Development Council has a dominant ad on the Calendar Page, which can be clicked for a link to that website; and the Levy County Tourist Development Council has ads on all seven pages, including the Home Page, to click on for instant access to that website. The Dixie County Tourist Development Council does not have an ad on the daily news website yet.

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Florida executes another murderer

Florida Department of Corrections Director of Communications Jordan Kirkland, at the final media briefing, said the execution was carried out without incident on June 2.
 

Story and Photo By John S. Koch of Independent News Service
HardisonInk.com Correspondent
Edited By Jeff M. Hardison, Publisher © June 3, 2026 at 6:30 a.m.
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     STARKE (INS) -- Florida flawlessly executed another death row inmate on Tuesday evening (June 2) shortly after 6 p.m. in Florida State Prison (aka Raiford Prison) near Starke (Bradford County).

     Andrew Richard Lukehart, 53, was executed by lethal injection 30 years after the first-degree murder of a baby, according to records, as his life ended following a 29-year stay as a Florida Death Row inmate.
     Lukehart was put to death for the February 1996 murder of 5-month-old Gabrielle Hanshaw, his girlfriend’s daughter, as he committed the capital-level of felony while he was on probation for severely beating an 8-month-old baby previously, according to records.
     Lukehart became the eighth man lawfully executed in Florida in 2026, and he is the 15^th inmate to be put to death in the United States in 2026.
     Florida leads the nation again this year in moving people from death row to graves − as Gov. Ron DeSantis keeps signing death warrants in the Sunshine State at a more rapid pace than any of his predecessors and faster than any governor in any other state.
     According to Florida Department of Corrections Communications Director Jordan Kirkland, Lukehart declined his last meal earlier the day of execution.
     Court documents show Lukehart was convicted and sentenced to death by a 9-to-3 jury vote. Through his attorneys, he filed motions with both the Florida Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court challenging his conviction and execution method. Both courts, in unanimous decisions, declined to rule in Lukehart’s favor.
     Shortly after 6 p.m. on June 2, prison staff members, who are all volunteers, Lukehart to a gurney ready to receive the mixture of three chemicals that would end his life. Florida Department of Corrections Director of Communications, Jordan Kirkland, at the final media briefing, said the execution was carried out without incident.
     The condemned man chose against having a last meal, Kirkland had told the media at a previous briefing.
     Lukehart had a Catholic priest by his side at the time of his execution, and his last words after lifting his head and looking out at the witnesses said in a strong voice, “I’m sorry.” 
     He also asked God to forgive those individuals who were putting him to death. From the moment the team warden declared that the execution phase had begun to the moment the State of Florida’s sentence was carried out, the process took 17 minutes.

Old Town meth trafficker
sent to federal prison
Information Provided By United States Attorney’s Office,
Northern District of Florida
Published June 2, 2026 at 5 p.m.
     GAINESVILLE -- Ronald Carl Peavy II, 49, of Old Town (Dixie County) was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.     The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. 
     “This drug trafficker’s days of running deadly narcotics in our community are over thanks to the excellent investigative work by the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office with support from the DEA,” U.S. Attorney Heekin said. “Meth has been a scourge that devastated entire communities for far too long.” 
     A Dixie County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO)deputy found the defendant’s car parked in the middle of an intersection in the early morning hours. After several minutes of the car not moving, the deputy approached and found the defendant asleep with the car running but placed in park. The deputy woke up the defendant and ensured he was not suffering from a medical problem. After smelling marijuana in the vehicle, the deputy searched the car and found two zippered cases, one of which contained more than 400 grams (14 ounces) of methamphetamine, and the other contained approximately 77 grams (about three ounces) of marijuana. 
     “The successful prosecution of this offender sends a clear message that drug trafficking has serious consequences,” Dixie County Sheriff Darby Butler said. “The substantial quantity of methamphetamine recovered in this case represented a significant threat to the safety of our community. Thanks to the diligence of our deputies and the strong collaboration between our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, dangerous drugs were removed from our streets, and an offender was held accountable for his actions. We remain committed to working alongside our partners at every level to keep Dixie County safe.”
     The case involved a joint investigation by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the DCSO. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner and Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.

USCG urges preparedness
or 2026 Atlantic hurricane season
NOAA forecasts below-normal season

A summary infographic showing hurricane season probability and numbers of named storms predicted from NOAA's 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook.
Image Created By National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

By Jeff M. Hardison © June 2, 2026 at 7 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     TRI-COUNTY AREA – Be prepared.
     “Be Prepared” is the official motto of the global Scout movement (which includes Scouting America, Scouts Canada, and The Scout Association in the United Kingdom) as well as the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
     It was first coined by Scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell in 1907. He was a British soldier. Upon hearing the Scout motto, someone asked Baden-Powell the inevitable question.
     “Be prepared for what?”
     “Why, for any old thing,” he replied, according to writers who followed the history of the motto.
     In the book, Scouting for Boys, Baden-Powell wrote that to “Be Prepared” means “… you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty.”
 

“It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season.”
     -- NOAA National Weather Service Director Ken Graham

     In regard to the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, residents and visitor in the Tri-County Area are reminded to prepare evacuation routes, as well as to prepare shelter-in-place resources.
     The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Southeast District, based in Miami, reminds mariners and residents of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands to prepare for the 2026 hurricane season. 
     The Atlantic hurricane season started on June 1 and lasts through Nov. 30, with the peak period of historic activity having occurred between mid-August and late October. 
     The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center anticipates a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year. Forecasters predict a 10 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 35 percent chance of a near-normal season, and a 55 percent chance of a below-normal season. 
     It is essential for mariners and the other members of the public to take proper measures before a storm arrives. Everyone is advised by the USCG to ensure they have proper equipment, have a hurricane mooring plan or a safe place to store a trailered boat. The USCG recommends, as well, to monitor the weather and VHF-FM channel 16 prior to a voyage and while being out on the water. 
     The USCG recommends the following preparedness tips for this hurricane season: 
     ● Know Your Hurricane Risk. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Find out how rain, wind, water and even tornadoes could happen far inland from where a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall. Start preparing now. 
     ● Make an Emergency Plan. Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands your hurricane plans. Include the office, kids’ day care, your boat, and anywhere else you frequent in your hurricane plans. Ensure your business has a continuity plan to continue operating when disaster strikes. If you have a boat, make sure it’s ready to move when Port Condition Yankee is announced to minimize drawbridge closure impacts. 
     ● Know your Evacuation Zone. You may have to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane if you live in an evacuation zone. Learn your evacuation routes, practice with your household and pets, and identify where you will stay. Follow the instructions from local emergency managers, who work closely with state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies and partners. They will provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community and appropriate safety measures.
     ● Recognize Warnings and Alerts. Have several ways to receive alerts. Download the FEMA app and receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Receive community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), which require no sign-up.
     Port condition changes in advance of storm systems and hurricanes will be available on the Coast Guard Navigation Center website. 


A summary graphic showing an alphabetical list of the 2026 Atlantic tropical cyclone names as selected by the World Meteorological Organization: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Leah, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, and Wilfred. The official start of the Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
Image Created By NOAA

     As noted above, the USCG has cited the NOAA forecast for a reduced number of hurricanes in the 2026 season.
     The NOAA has noted key factors driving NOAA’s forecast for this year's hurricane season in the Atlantic.
     The Atlantic season is expected to be below-normal due to competing factors. El Niño is expected to develop and intensify during the hurricane season, while ocean temperatures in the Atlantic are expected to be slightly warmer than normal and trade winds are likely weaker than average. El Niño conditions tend to support less tropical storms and hurricanes, while warmer ocean temperatures and low winds support a more active year.
     “Although El Niño’s impact in the Atlantic Basin can often suppress hurricane development, there is still uncertainty in how each season will unfold,” NOAA National Weather Service Director Ken Graham said last month. “That is why it’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season.”
     For more information about hurricanes and hurricane preparedness, visit NOAA’s and FEMA’s websites, where there are widgets that provide hurricane tracks and other updates. These can be found at https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes,  http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes, http://www.nhc.noaa.gov, and http://www.fema.gov.
     There are also links to information on the websites maintained by Emergency Management Departments in the Tri-County Area.

Suspects Jailed May 25, 2026 through May 31, 2026
Published June 1, 2026 at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Suspects Jailed May 25, 2026 through May 31, 2026
Published June 1, 2026 at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Suspects Jailed May 18, 2026 through May 24, 2026
Published May 26, 2026 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Lights on - Door locked
Chiefland Walgreens'
electrical mystery noticed

The sign says an electric outage shut down this store.

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © May 31, 2026 at 8 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
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     CHIEFLAND – For some period of time on Saturday morning (May 30), the Walgreens at 2227 N. Young Blvd. (U.S. Highway 19) in Chiefland was closed, allegedly due to an electrical outage.
     At 10:44 a.m. that very day, however, the lights for the sign outside the store were working and the software that notes the time of day was functioning correctly as well.
     The lights in the store were lit. The electric door wanted to open, but it appears to have been locked shut.
     Hence, it is a mystery that was noticed.


The sign makes a statement, even if it is not correct from a grammar perspective. It seems incorrect from a factual point of view, too, according to all of the visible electric items working at the time.


The lights were on as seen from outside.


The electric power was working as was the program that tells the sign the time of day.

LCSO accepts
$10,000 donation to help K9s

Seen here are (front row, kneeling) Deputy Rich Peters and K-9 Bohden and (back row, from left) Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum, Deputy Brandon Cobb, Sgt. Kevin Kinik, donor Nancy Moody, Deputy Dakota Dowling and K-9 Ellzey, and Deputy Alton Horne.

Story and Photo Provided By LCSO
Published May 28, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
     BRONSON -- Nancy Moody, the wife of Bob Moody, is deeply connected to law enforcement in Levy County.
     Her brother-in-law is retired Levy County Sheriff Horace Moody. She is also a huge dog lover. Combine these two characteristics and her donation made in honor of her husband Bob comes as no surprise. Bob Moody was a long-time manager and radio personality of a radio station serving Levy and surrounding counties.
     Mrs. Moody with love and respect for her late husband made a large donation of $10,000 to ensure the safety of our newest K-9’s on patrol safeguarding the Levy County public. Her donation has purchased new ballistic vests made specifically for each Levy County K-9 to protect them from harm as they “complete the mission” providing safety to our citizens and removing drugs from our community. This donation was made not only to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office but to the Florida Sheriff’s Association K-9 vest grant program for all Sheriff’s offices.
     Joining her today during the presentation is her brother-in-law Horace Moody (pictured) with many other family members. Mrs. Moody was also presented with a lifetime membership to the Florida Sheriff’s Association (FSA) by Mickey Moore, FSA Director of Membership and Donor Relations and by Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum.
     Sheriff McCallum expressed his sincere thanks to Nancy and the entire Moody family for this generous donation.

Suspected business burglar busted

Mugshot By GCSO – Graphic By HardisonInk.com
Information Provided By GCSO Lt. Keagon Weatherford
Public Information Officer
Published May 28, 2026 at 7 p.m. 
     TRENTON -- The Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office (GCSO) recognizes the outstanding work of deputies who quickly identified, located and arrested a man suspected to be responsible for a burglary and theft at a business in the southwest section of Gilchrist County.
     On Monday (Memorial Day, May 25), deputies responded to a reported burglary after employees discovered that personal property valued at approximately $4,500 had been stolen from a restricted employee area during business hours.
     Surveillance footage, combined with investigative techniques, and proactive patrol efforts, helped deputies quickly identify Travis Lamons Thompson, 42, of Trenton as being the thief. Within hours of the report, deputies located Thompson and conducted a traffic stop. Further investigation and evidence recovered during the case helped establish probable cause, leading to Thompson's arrest on charges of burglary and grand theft.
     This case is a prime example of how proactive policing, teamwork, and thorough investigations help bring offenders to justice and protect the residents and visitors at homes and businesses in Gilchrist County, the GCSO noted.
     Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz commended the deputies involved for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving the people in the community. Their swift actions and attention to detail resulted in a quick arrest and demonstrated the hard work the GCSO deputies put in every day to keep Gilchrist County safe.
 

Chiefland woman stays
at scene of fatal hit-and-run
Story, Photos and Video By Jeff M. Hardison © May 24, 2026 at 7 p.m.
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     ALACHUA COUNTY – A pedestrian was hit by three vehicles and only the driver of the third stopped at the scene of the fatal crash, according to information in a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) press release.
     In the early morning hours of May 24, a 34-year-old man from Gainesville was in the roadway for currently unknown reasons in the area of Southwest State Road 24 near the intersection of 81st Street, the FHP said in the press release that was sent after next of kin were notified. This area is not illuminated by streetlights, the FHP said
     At least two unknown vehicles struck the pedestrian, followed by a third vehicle, driven by a 34-year-old Chiefland woman, which stayed on scene to report the incident, the FHP said. The pedestrian died as a result of his injuries, the FHP said.
     This is currently being worked as a criminal investigation. Anyone who knows information related to this incident is asked to please contact the Florida Highway Patrol - Traffic Homicide Division at 386-754-6270.

Perry man sent back to federal prison
for 10 years for distributing meth
Information Provided By Office of John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Published May 20, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
     TALLAHASSEE -- Robert “Bobby” Shane Willis, 46, of Perry, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
     “Keeping our communities safe and our streets drug-free is a top priority for my office,” Heekin said, adding, “and we will continue to back up the excellent investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners with aggressive prosecutions to send drug traffickers to prison where they belong.”
     According to court records, on March 5, 2025, the defendant sold 6.6 grams of 97 percent pure methamphetamine during an undercover law enforcement operation. The defendant was on federal supervised release at the time of the offense, having been sentenced in 2018 to nine years in prison for multiple drug-trafficking and firearms offenses.
     “Bobby Shane Willis has been involved in the illicit drug trade in Taylor County and the City of Perry for years, said Chief Jamie Cruse Jr. of the Perry Police Department. “This is not his first conviction for such crimes, having chosen to follow a career as a criminal, participating in the drug trade and committing offenses that are closely associated with the illicit sale of drugs the entire time, and while on Supervised Release for the same offense. Willis’ conviction and incarceration will remove him from a society to which he has distributed dangerous drugs for years.
     “The Perry Police Department is proud to partner with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Attorney’s Office, in a concerted effort to remove Willis and other dangerous career criminals that continuously spread the poison of dangerous drugs to the youth and other Citizens of North Florida,” Chief Cruse said.
     Taylor County Sheriff Padgett said, “Bobby Shane Willis is an individual who has spent years committing crimes and putting the safety of our community at risk. Thanks to the hard work and strong partnership between the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Perry Police Department, and our federal law enforcement partners, he will no longer be able to prey on the citizens of this community. This ten-year sentence sends a clear message that those who repeatedly victimize others will be brought to justice.”
     When he is released from prison, the defendant will serve 10 additional years on supervised release.
     “This joint investigation removes a career offender from our North Florida streets,” said DEA Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar. “Methamphetamine has been all too present in this area, and we are committed to stopping the flow of this poison into our communities.”
     This conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Perry Police Department, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, and the DEA. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.

Suspected repeat
child sex molester arrested

Photo By GCSO-Graphic By HardisonInk.com

By GCSO Lt. Keagon Weatherford
Public Information Officer
Published May 18, 2026 at 2 p.m.
     TRENTON – Last Wednesday (May 13), the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) received a call in reference to a possible sexual battery.
     Once deputies arrived on scene, The GCSO completed action to obtain an arrest warrant for Travis Wade Mathis, 36, of Trenton, for lewd or lascivious molestation on a person younger than 12 years old.
     In February of 2018, Mathis was adjudicated as a violent felony offender and a sexual predator by a judge following a conviction for attempted sexual battery on a victim younger than 12 years old. Mathis was released from prison on Aug. 6, 2025, after serving seven years under the care, custody and control of the Florida Department of Corrections for that offense.
     On Friday (May 15), Mathis was taken into custody on a warrant during a targeted felony traffic stop conducted by the GCSO in the area of Gilchrist County Road (CR) 232 and CR 337. After being taken into custody, Mathis admitted to investigators, post-Miranda, actions that showed he had committed the crime of lewd or lascivious molestation on a person younger 12 years old.

GCSO busts
another suspected drug pusher


Mugshot By GCSO- Graphic By HardisonInk.com
By GCSO Lt. Keagon Weatherford
Public Information Officer
Published May 15, 2026 at 3 p.m.
     CITY OF FANNING SPRINGS -- As part of an ongoing Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) investigation connected to the suspected drug sales by people using the Cadillac Motel, additional arrests and charges have been secured following the execution of search warrants.
     On Tuesday (May 12), GCSO deputies executed a search warrant at a residence located on Southwest 81st Terrace in the City of Fanning Springs. During the investigation, Heather Michelle Woods, 34, was located at the residence and later connected to illegal drugs discovered inside a vehicle parked in front of the home.
     K9 Reed conducted a free air sniff of the vehicle and alerted positively to the presence of drugs. A subsequent search of the vehicle produced a black cross-body bag belonging to Woods. The bag contained approximately:
     • 12.1 grams (about a half ounce) of Methamphetamine
     • 3 grams of Fentanyl
     • 41 grams (almost an ounce and a half) of Marijuana
     • Buprenorphine (Suboxone) strips
     • Multiple syringes containing methamphetamine residue
     • Drug paraphernalia including digital scales and syringes
     After being read the Miranda Warning and acknowledging that she understood her rights, Woods admitted ownership of the bag -- and she admitted to possessing the illegal drugs as well as occasionally selling methamphetamine.
     Woods was arrested and charged with:
     • Possession of Methamphetamine
     • Possession of Fentanyl
     • Possession of Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
     • Possession of Marijuana Over 20 Grams
     • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
     Additionally, while lodged at the Gilchrist County Jail, Woods was served with multiple active Gilchrist County arrest warrants stemming from the broader investigation into violation of drug laws.
     Those other warrants included charges for:
     • Sale of Methamphetamine Within 1,000 Feet of a Specified Area
     • Trafficking in Methamphetamine Over 14 Grams
     • Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Sell
     • Sale of Methamphetamine
     • Use of a Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony
     • Possession of a Controlled Substance Without a Prescription
     The GCSO remains committed to aggressively targeting illegal drug activity and to prosecute those individuals or groups of people responsible for distributing dangerous drugs within the community.

GCSO busts two at Cadillac Motel

Mugshots By GCSO – Graphic By HardisonInk.com

By GCSO Lt. Keagon Weatherford
Public Information Officer
Published May 15, 2026 at 8:15 a.m.
     CITY OF FANNING SPRINGS -- After receiving numerous complaints from individuals who expressed concern regarding the possible ongoing criminal activity at the Cadillac Motel in Fanning Springs, the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) conducted an extensive investigation into the matter.
     As noted earlier this week in the listing of people arrested by the GCSO as shown in HardisonInk.com, Johnny Lee Coleman, 55, of Chiefland, was arrested and charged on May 8 with the following offenses:
     • Sale of Methamphetamine Within 1,000 Feet of a Specified Area
     • Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Sell, Manufacture, or Deliver
     • Possession of a Controlled Substance Without a Prescription
     • Possession of Cocaine
     • Possession of Marijuana Over 20 Grams
     • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
     During the execution of the search warrant connected to this investigation, Meagan Elizabeth Brant, 33, of Fanning Springs, was arrested and charged with resisting an officer without violence.
     The GCSO investigation revealed continued illegal drug activity occurring in close proximity to public areas and places frequented by visitors to the City of Fanning Springs, in the Gilchrist County part of that municipality, which is also partially in Levy County.
     Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz makes it clear that the GCSO will not tolerate the sale or distribution of illegal drugs in Gilchrist County. Criminal activity that threatens the safety and quality of life of the residents of, and visitors to, Gilchrist County will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted.
     The GCSO notes its appreciation to the individuals who reported suspicious activity and assisted law enforcement by speaking up. Community involvement plays a critical role in keeping Gilchrist County safe.

Suspect arrested for attempting
to murder Marion County deputy

To see and hear the unedited body camera footage provided by the MCSO, click on the PHOTO. Some of the language includes curse words.

Information and Video Provided
By Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Published May 14, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.
     MARION COUNTY -- On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, two Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives arrested Heriberto Medina Marquez, 38, for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.
     At approximately 5 p.m. on May 13, MCSO Deputy Robert Fitch responded to the area of 11775 N.W. 10th Place in Dunnellon in reference to a suspicious person. As Deputy Fitch exited his vehicle, he was immediately ambushed by Marquez, causing the deputy to fall to the ground. Marquez then climbed on top of Deputy Fitch and repeatedly stabbed him in the chest before fleeing into a nearby wooded area. 
     As another deputy arrived on the scene, Marquez emerged from the woods, and the deputies took him into custody without further incident.
     After being placed in a patrol vehicle, Marquez told deputies, “I should have killed you, you know that right.”  Deputy Fitch suffered minor injuries during the attack. His bulletproof vest saved his life by stopping the knife blade from penetrating past it.
     Following interviews and the collection of evidence, MCSO Major Crimes detectives determined that Marquez intentionally attempted to take the life of Deputy Fitch. Marquez was transported to the Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond.

DCSO arrests suspected drug trafficker

Mugshot By DCSO – Graphic By HardisonInk.com

By Jeff M. Hardison © May 11, 2026 at 3 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     CROSS CITY – The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) recently arrested a woman suspected of being a methamphetamine trafficker as well as a fentanyl trafficker, according to records.
     Jena Marie Hindsley, 38, of Old Town was arrested for sales of methamphetamine, according to records.
     Two DCSO deputies utilized a confidential source who contacted Hindsley on May 5 to complete the purchase of illegal drugs, according to records. They sought $20 worth of methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to records.
     After completing the purchase of a relatively small amount of those two illegal drugs on May 5, according to records, on May 6, DCSO deputies T. Reed and C. Baumgartner executed a search warrant.
     Three people who were in the yard in front of the camper-trailer where Hindsley was selling drugs from were allowed to leave after they were searched and were found to have no drugs on them on May 6, according to records.
     As the deputies were executing the search warrant signed by Dixie County Court Judge Jennifer Johnson, Hindsley said she would cooperate with the search, according to records.
     Hindsley told the deputies that there was heroin, methamphetamine and a loaded firearm in the camper, according to records. She told the deputies the weapon was being held by her “on consignment” by a drug buyer whose name she could not recall, according to records.
     The deputies found “… a box with a child’s photograph on it located on a stand to the left side of the front door.”
     Inside that box, was a plastic bag with 54 grams of methamphetamine (almost two ounces), according to records. Another plastic bag with 19 grams of fentanyl were in the box, too, according to records.
     There was a 9 mm pistol recovered, as well during that search, according to records. Hindsley is a convicted felon, according to records.
     Paraphernalia and other items were found during the execution of the search on May 6, too, according to records.
     On May 7, through investigative techniques, the DCSO located $2,500 in money believed to be proceeds from illegal drug sales, as well as a .22 caliber revolver, and more paraphernalia connected with this defendant.
     Hindsley was charged with sale of methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell methamphetamine; trafficking in methamphetamine (more than 24 grams); trafficking in fentanyl (more than 4 grams); possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and four counts of possession of drug paraphernalia (syringes, scales, baggies and spoons), according to records.
     Her total combined bonds are currently $520,000, according to records.

K9 adds
to Gilchrist County School District Safety

Sheriff Bobby Schultz is seen with the new K9 named Maverick and the dog’s handler, GCSO Deputy Bryant Davidson, and Gilchrist County Superintendent of Schools Gina Geiger.

Story and Photo
Provided By GCSO Lt. Keagon Weatherford
Published May 7, 2026 at 4 p.m.
     TRENTON -- the Gilchrist County School District partnered with the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) this summer to apply for the Florida Safe Schools K9 Grant.     Through this partnership, the agencies were awarded nearly $100,000 in grant funding dedicated to enhancing school safety across Gilchrist County.
     Because of this grant funding, the GCSO was able to purchase and train a firearm detection/therapy K9, GSP Maverick, from Southern Coast K9.
     The grant also provided funding for a brand-new fully outfitted K9 vehicle, training, equipment, and supplies needed for Maverick’s first year of service, saving Gilchrist County taxpayers nearly $100,000.
     K9 Maverick will be handled by GCSO Deputy Bryant Davidson and will serve in schools throughout Gilchrist County. Maverick’s role will include proactive firearm detection, campus safety support, and positive interaction with students and staff. His presence is another step forward in ensuring our schools remain safe, secure, and welcoming environments for everyone.
     Sheriff Bobby Schultz and the men and women of the GCSO are grateful for the continued partnership with Superintendent Gina Geiger and the Gilchrist County School District and for opportunities like this that allow the GCSO to improve public safety while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.