Sara works as a multimedia journalist for WCJB TV20 News (ABC) in Gainesville, while attending graduate school at the University of Florida. Below are some of her best day-turn stories.
In a split second, two deputies lives were taken. "Initially there's so much shock it's hard to digest," said Dr. Meggen Sixbey, associate director for Crisis and Emergency Resources at the University of Florida. In the next 24 hours, the community was left with many questions.
One special woman in Trenton reached a major milestone Wednesday: a celebration few people have the chance to enjoy. "I never thought I'd make it," Virginia Hamler said. Hamler celebrated 100 years old life surrounded by family and friends, sharing memories, hugs, and even a little gossip.
Since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL multiple proposals have gone through the Florida legislature, and one of them could put a gun in the hands of your child's teacher. The Alachua County Commission has come out with a resolution opposing that bill and asking Governor Rick Scott to impose stricter gun laws.
"I can't imagine losing any of them," Von Ruder said. The 57-year-old Gainesville resident suffers from PTSD, Tourettes, and he lost his leg in a rock climbing accident more than 30 years ago. But his rabbits, all "19 or 20" of them take the pain away.
A resident of Eagle Trace Townhomes in Gainesville woke up to a fishy situation after he says dead fish surfaced in a nearby retention pond. "We were really concerned because we thought it was maybe fertilizer," said Alexander Black, who says he was worried the water was poisoned.
The former principal of Buchholz High School is transferring to the district's transportation department, and officials say he won't be dealing with students. Mike DeLucas was reprimanded back in September for commenting on a student's dress code violation he had noticed weeks before.
They didn't back down. In fact, people from around the country joined people in Gainesville to stand against Richard Spencer. They were assertive, but for the most part not violent. "Whose streets? Our streets! Whose streets? Our streets!" chanted hundreds of protesters who swarmed UF's campus.
Alachua County is seeing some serious damage after Irma as downed trees and power lines clutter the roads. As emergency crews work to clear it all out, some people are taking it upon themselves to help their neighbors. We may be dealing with tropical storm force winds, a shortage of gas and water, and emergency services are as busy as ever.