Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
Atlanta Black Star · Gainesville, FL
Nearby: Gainesville, FLMarco Rubio has made it a point to attend his son’s college football games, even when it requires flying hundreds of miles from Washington on a government aircraft. At a recent University of Florida Gators game, the secretary of state arrived at Gainesville Regional Airport aboard a military jet, where security officers and a convoy of SUVs were waiting to transport him to campus. For most parents, following their children’s college sports careers can be an expensive commitment. For Rubio, taxpayers have been footing much of the bill. A Washington Post investigation found that Rubio has accumulated more than $1.2 million in government flight costs while traveling to Gainesville, Florida, where his son Anthony plays football for the University of Florida. Although federal rules require Rubio to reimburse the government for personal travel, the estimated reimbursement based on commercial airfare would be about $18,000.
Sun-Times · Gainesville, FL
Nearby: Gainesville, FLArkansas hung tough and made some big in-set comebacks against No. 4 Florida on Sunday but were defeated by the Gators in three sets in Gainesville (22-25, 20-25, 23-25).
Palatka Daily News · Palatka, FL
Nearby: Palatka, FLPutnam First Cancer Fund officials stand with the ceremonial $20,000 check that represents the amount the cancer fund, which helps financially support people undergoing cancer treatment, received from the Pink Out Putnam breast cancer awareness fundraiser. (Photo submitted by Loretta Cribbs) Palatka Daily News Putnam First Cancer Fund had plenty to celebrate earlier this week as they accepted a pair of donations that totaled $22,000. Holden Crews, an employee at Beck Chevrolet Buick in Palatka, donated $1,000 to the cancer fund, which provides financial assistance to cancer patients to help cover things like groceries and bills. At the beginning of October, Crews announced he would be donating the commissions he earned in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Beck Chevy matched Crews’s donation, bringing the amount to $2,000.
Palatka Daily News · Palatka, FL
Nearby: Palatka, FLFrom left, Bradlee and Loretta Cribbs and Wayne and Julie McClain stand on either side of some of the human and pet food that was donated at Saturday’s Friendsgiving in Palatka. (Photo submitted by Loretta Cribbs) Palatka Daily News For the second year in a row, a group of Putnam County residents gathered to celebrate a variation of Thanksgiving while giving back to three local organizations. The second annual Friendsgiving took place Nov. 8 at Coventry Oaks Farms in Palatka, where about 115 gathered for food and fellowship. In addition to eating food, they donated nonperishable food for people in need and brought food for the area’s animals. Pictured is some of the food that was donated during Saturday’s Friendsgiving with the intent of being given to the Bread of Life soup kitchen in Palatka. (Photo submitted by Loretta Cribbs) The donations are going to the Bread of Life soup kitchen and to the Putnam County Animal Services Department shelter.
