Press release from Alachua County Supervisor of Elections

Kim Barton, Alachua County Supervisor of Elections, has released the following statement:

“Our office has received numerous calls from voters who received apparently-handwritten postcards encouraging voting by mail. These mailers list our office’s number and the email address of a staff member. Some of the mailers have included political statements endorsing the Democratic Party.

“These postcards are not from our office or any of its employees. Any mail that comes from our office will have our office’s return address clearly listed, and most mail that we send will include the United States Postal Service’s official election mail logo. We will never send mail or other communications endorsing one candidate or party over another.

“Publicly-available voter lists can be requested by anyone, including people who do not live in Florida. Many of the pieces we have seen have out-of-state postmarks. Alachua County is not the only Florida county with voters who have received similar postcards.

“Members of our team have been concerned by some callers’ threatening tones. In all of our interactions, we strive to both be respectful and uphold high levels of customer service. We ask that others conduct themselves respectfully in return.” 

STATEWIDE — Florida has seen a new record of coronavirus numbers broken again with nearly 9,000 new cases, reported the state on Friday, as the drinking of alcohol is being suspended at bars statewide.

The Florida Department of Health reported on Friday that there were 8,942 new cases, 39 new deaths and 212 hospitalizations.

Orange County saw the biggest jump yet at 1,062 cases. Polk County came in at 209 cases, while Seminole County was close at 198. 

As a response to the announcement of the jump in numbers, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is suspending the consumption of alcohol at bars statewide.

“Benghazi matters.  Not just because Americans were murdered. Not just because terrorists attacked a U.S. consulate. But because the White House and the State Department have engaged in misdirection at the highest levels to cover up whatever happened there,” Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, wrote in U.S. News.

The Gateway Pundit reported Secretary of State Hillary Clinton blamed an “awful” internet video for the deaths of four Americans in the terror attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi.

Hillary made the comments just three days after the assault on the compound that killed Ambassador Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty.

The State Department released a phone transcript this week that proves Hillary Clinton knew the Benghazi massacre was a planned attack and not a protest.

Judicial Watch obtained the documents this week.

In the joint Gainesville City and Alachua County Commission Meeting, Alachua Commission reversed their earlier decision and reinstated their order requiring wearing masks.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – In a 3 to 2 vote, the Alachua County Commission decided to end their ordinance requiring the use of face masks in public spaces in the county.

Commissioners Byerly, Cornell, and Chestnut voted to eliminate the ordinance, while Commissioners Warren and Chairman Hutchinson voted to keep it in place.

On May 1, the Commission had voted to enact an ordinance requiring face coverings in interior public spaces, like businesses. The order came shortly after the Governor announced the phased reopening of the State.

According to the Gainesville Police Department and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, no citations have been issued for lack of facial coverings.

TALLAHASSEE — Restaurants and many retail stores outside of Southeast Florida can start reopening Monday with limited occupancy as part of the first phase of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ economic-recovery effort after the coronavirus caused massive shutdowns.

DeSantis on Wednesday outlined what he described as a step-by-step plan that will allow restaurants outside of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties to have outdoor seating and occupancy up to 25 percent, with operations complying with physical-distancing guidelines.

The first phase — following guidance from the White House to governors — also will allow hospitals and other medical providers to conduct elective procedures.

However, movie theaters will remain closed, as will bars, gyms and hair salons, and visitors will continue to be prevented from going to hospitals and nursing homes. And while DeSantis said the state won’t issue fines, gatherings of 10 or more people will continue to be prohibited.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Coronavirus cases increased by the hundreds Monday for a new total of 27,058 COVID-19 patients, 4,000 hospitalizations and 823 deaths Monday evening.

Earlier in the day, there were 26,660 cases, 789 deaths and 3,842 hospitalizations. That represents an increase of 389 more patients, 34 more deaths and 158 more hospitalizations.

Miami-Dade continues to be the hardest-hit county in Florida with 9,657 total cases. Orange County, which is the worst locally, has 1,216 cases — 12 more than Monday morning.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Local and federal authorities on Thursday identified a 13-year-old Memphis girl believed to be involved in the March 31 Zoom bombing of a University of Florida Student Government meeting.

No charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing, UF Police Chief Linda Stump-Kurnick said.

Shortly after the incident, UPD, working with UF Information Technology, reached out to the FBI Jacksonville – Gainesville Resident Agency for assistance. Using information provided by UPD and UFIT, the FBI followed a lead to Tennessee, where FBI agents there identified the girl, who said the incident was meant to be a joke.

“This is absolutely not a joke,” Stump-Kurnick said. “We take these matters very seriously, and we will pursue any and all leads to help ensure anyone involved in incidents like this is held accountable.”

The incident happened during a virtual Student Government Senate meeting. The public meeting was suddenly interrupted by pornographic images, and swastikas and racial slurs drawn and written on a screenshare presentation.  The hackers also made death threats against a Student Government member. Student senators quickly ended the meeting.

UF President Kent Fuchs tweeted shortly after the meeting to condemn the messages of hate and called on UFIT and UPD to investigate.