Caroline Brauchler

Collected Works

NSM.today •

UCF baseball accused of tampering with bats, Lovelady denies

The UCF baseball team has been accused by a former player of cheating by tampering with bats, according to a statement from head coach Greg Lovelady.

In the statement from UCF Athletics, first obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, Lovelady said the former player who recently quit had a video of a current UCF player who allegedly had removed a tamper-proof sticker from a certified bat and placed it on a bat that had not been certified.

“We have no evidence of the use of illegal bats,” Lovelady said
NSM.today •

Not a 'random act': authorities investigate Waterford Lakes shooting

Orange County Sheriff’s Office authorities have released the ages of the victims injured in a shooting on Saturday at the Waterford Lakes Town Center, saying they "do not believe this was a random act," according to a press release.

The 14-year-old female, 15-year-old male and 19-year-old male were hanging out behind buildings just north of Regal Cinemas when they were shot from a vehicle before 8 p.m., according to the release. OCSO arrived on the scene at 7:52 p.m. and made contact with the v
NSM.today •

Three injured in Waterford Lakes shooting, officials say

Three people were injured during a shooting on Saturday at the Waterford Lakes Town Center, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the scene at North Alafaya Trail at 7:52 p.m. and made contact with the two males and one female who had been shot, according to OCSO.

All three teenagers were transported to the hospital to receive treatment. Two were transported to the hospital from the scene, and one was transported to the hospital by a third party. Their injuries
NSM.today •

UCF community protests DeSantis' higher education policies and more

Students, alumni and some faculty banded together at UCF as part of a statewide walkout demonstration on Memory Mall on Thursday to protest Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent pushes in educational reform.

The students protested the proposed legislation announced for 2023 that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion programs and the teaching of critical race theory, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

While students at some Florida colleges and universities were encouraged to
NSM.today •

Suspect in Pine Hills shootings charged with murders of Dylan Lyons and T'yonna Major, officials say

The suspect being held in custody in connection to the shootings in Pine Hills on Wednesday has now been additionally charged for the murders of journalist and UCF alumnus Dylan Lyons, 24, and T’yonna Major, 9, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect was initially charged for first-degree murder in connection to the fatal shooting of Nathacha Augustin, 38, that occurred Wednesday morning. He now faces the two additional charges of first-degree murder for the later shootings
NSM.today •

Remembering Dylan Lyons, UCF alumnus and journalist

Dylan Lyons devoted his life to journalism — until the very end.

Lyons, a reporter for Spectrum News 13 and a UCF alumnus, was fatally shot Wednesday. He and photojournalist Jesse Walden, also from Spectrum News 13, were reporting at the scene of a shooting that occurred earlier in the day when the suspect returned to the scene and shot the two journalists, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Lyons was 24.

Walden survived and is being treated for his injuries. The suspect also sho
NSM.today •

Former UCF President John C. Hitt dead at 82

Former UCF President John C. Hitt died Monday at the age of 82, according to a university press release.

Hitt served the UCF community as president for 26 years until his retirement in 2018. The university credits Hitt’s leadership as an instrumental part of fostering UCF's high level of growth, with a 211% increase in enrollment since Hitt took the helm in 1992, according to UCF's website.

“We will always remember Dr. Hitt as a visionary leader, a champion of education and a beloved member of
Ocala Gazette •

MCPS releases updated data on mental health and discipline

Behavior specialists from Marion County Public Schools studied trends in mental health and discipline over the past year and have identified primary concerns with student drug use and fighting.

In comparison to the previous school year, the rate of expulsions has been much higher this school year. As of Feb. 2, about 80 students had committed offenses that resulted in expulsion, while the previous year’s rate was about 120 for the entire school year.

There is a perfectly reasonable explanation
Ocala Gazette •

MCSO to conduct random K9 drug, firearm classroom searches

Middle and high schools in Marion County are preparing to conduct random drug and weapon searches on students “in the very near future,” according to a Marion County Public Schools news release.

Schools and classrooms will be selected at random for weekly searches through a computer program. Students, staff and faculty will be asked to exit the classrooms and leave all personal belongings, which will be searched by a Marion County Sheriff Office’s K-9 unit in coordination with the Safe Schools
NSM.today •

UCF football player Justin Hodges arrested on Thursday, police records show

UCF defensive back Justin Hodges has been dismissed from the football team after his arrest on Thursday, according to the Orlando Police Department, UCF Athletics Department and Orange County jail records.

Hodges is being charged with home invasion robbery with a firearm and a mask, according to the Orange County Inmate Database's booking record.

Following the arrest, UCF Athletics spokesperson John Heisler issued a statement via email on behalf of the football program and athletic department.
Ocala Gazette •

Local doctor enters crowded Florida House District 24 race

After announcing his candidacy for the Florida House of Representatives District 24 seat, Dr. Stephen Pyles said he wants to “put a doctor in the House.”

Pyles is a longtime Marion County resident who specializes in pain management at the Pain Treatment Centers in Ocala. He is one of several candidates running in a special election for the vacant House seat.

The seat was vacated after Ocala Republican Joe Harding resigned on Dec. 8 after being indicted by a federal grand jury on several counts
Ocala Gazette •

Former representative runs again for Florida House in District 24

Charlie Stone is no stranger to holding public office. So, when the District 24 seat of the Florida House of Representatives was vacated, the veteran Republican legislator felt he would be the most experienced person for the job.

Stone, 74, is running in a special election for the seat vacated by Ocala Republican Joe Harding after his resignation. Harding resigned on Dec. 8 after being indicted by a federal grand jury on several counts of fraud based on illegally obtaining pandemic-related loan
Ocala Gazette •

Zoning changes proposed for overcrowded schools in southwest Marion County

The Marion County School Board is considering a proposal to change the zoning for several schools that are overcrowded in the southwest area of the county.

Students who attend Horizon Academy, Liberty Middle School, Sunrise Elementary School and Marion Oaks Elementary School may have the school they are zoned for change in the 2023-24 school year.

“I do want to say very clearly that this is a start,” said Superintendent Diane Gullet. “It does not address all of our localized overcrowding, but
Ocala Gazette •

Inmate death at Marion County Jail prompts FDLE investigation

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the death of inmate Scott Whitley III, 46, who died in custody while on suicide watch at the Marion County Jail after a confrontation with officers.

Whitley was being held on a felony charge of resisting an officer with violence and a misdemeanor for violation of an injunction for protection against exploitation of a vulnerable adult, officials say.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office officials said that on the morning of Nov. 25, Whitley r
Ocala Gazette •

School board rejects sheriff’s proposal to take over safe school department

The Marion County School Board on Thursday rejected Sheriff Billy Woods’ proposal to absorb the school district’s Department of Safe Schools into the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

The department, led by Dennis McFatten, falls under the jurisdiction of the superintendent and oversees the communication between schools and law enforcement and implements security measures and emergency preparedness, according to MCPS.

Woods’ proposal was for the sheriff’s office to take over this department, hir
Ocala Gazette •

School impact fees recommended to be suspended for 12th straight year

Marion County school district officials, struggling with overcrowded schools and ways to fund new buildings, on Tuesday declined—for now—to request a renewal of a key funding source that could help ease the crisis.

The Marion County School Board once again recommended that the Marion County Board of County Commissioners continue to suspend impact fees rather than terminating or reinstating them. This long-standing trend could change, however, once the district receives the results of two studie
Ocala Gazette •

Teacher of the Year finalists for 2023 announced

Six special teachers received a big surprise in their classrooms on Friday: a golden apple. This was no ordinary apple—the award signified the educators’ nominations for 2023 Teacher of the Year and one teacher’s award as the 2023 Rookie Teacher of the Year.

Lindsey Bigelow from Ocala Springs Elementary School, John Gibb from Lake Weir High School, Cheryl Goldner from Saddlewood Elementary School, Nedra Huggins from Belleview Middle School and Jamie Roche from Maplewood Elementary School all ar
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