English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Gainesville, FL

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Officers arrested a man accused of pretending to be an attorney and wrongfully charging his clients, including the city of Gainesville’s Office of Equity and Inclusion.

Florzelle Fields, 50, was arrested on Saturday on multiple fraud charges as well as probation violations.

According to the sworn complaint, Florzelle Fields represented himself as an attorney between 2022 and 2025 despite never having a valid law license in Florida.

Investigators say Field misrepresented himself to 19 victims, defrauding them of more than $55,000. He claimed to be a legal mediator and promised to file legal documents for clients.

As part of the scheme, detectives say Fields created a resume filled with false credentials and experience. He claimed to have a doctorate and a law degree, as well as claimed to be a member of bar associations and a mediator with the Florida Supreme Court. All of the statements were false.

The complaint describes a pattern of behavior in which Fields represents himself as a lawyer or law expert to clients, takes their payment, and does little to no legal work for them.

Fields was the CEO of Zion and Company LLC, a supposed mediation and arbitration firm located at 11 N.W. 33rd Ct., Gainesville.

The City of Gainesville’s Office of Equity and Inclusion was listed as one of Fields’ victims for which he provided mediation services. TV20 received the following statement from a city spokesperson regarding the arrest.

Saucy! by KFC, one of Kentucky Fried Chicken’s newest enterprising endeavors, is inviting the community to celebrate its grand opening in Gainesville on March 26 with free giveaways.

The chicken tender and sauce-focused restaurant has been renovating the former PDQ Chicken at 3403 W University Ave. in the Westgate Shopping Plaza since November 2025.

Starting at 11 a.m. during the grand opening, customers can get special giveaways and complimentary bites.

Mainstreet does not have a paywall, but pavement-pounding journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 18, a Saucy Soirée Party will feature free swag bags, Sauce Bar tasting guided by a Sauce Sommelier, live DJ, custom merchandise, photobooth, games and more.

The Saucy’s dining room will operate daily from 10 a.m. to midnight and keep the drive-thru open until 2 a.m. Sundays through Wednesdays and 3 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.

Self-serve kiosks aim to provide a “tech-forward space” in the bright pink interior, as “vibe dining” comes at 9 p.m. when the lights go down and the music turns up for an experience beyond the plate.

“Gainesville is full of energy thanks to its vibrant college community, and we’re excited to bring Saucy! into the mix,” said Saucy General Manager Andrew Grosshans in a press release.

Since its first location came to Orlando in 2024, Saucy has opened six other restaurants across Florida, with 10 more planned for this year. Gainesville serves as a key milestone, according to the release.

Saucy’s menu aims to remix fast food for a new generation, with 12 different sauces to go with chicken tenders rooted in KFC’s original recipe in customizable combinations. Customers can also order Sammies, Chick’itos and Grand’itos (tortilla-wrapped tenders), rice bowls, salads and sugar-dusted Puffie pastries for dessert.

“At Saucy! By KFC, our focus is simple: irresistible freshly prepared chicken tendies, unforgettable signature sauces to mix and match to find the perfect flavor, and a high-energy atmosphere that makes guests want to come back again and again,” Grosshans said.

Saucy! by KFC, one of Kentucky Fried Chicken’s newest enterprising endeavors, is inviting the community to celebrate its grand opening in Gainesville on March 26 with free giveaways.

The chicken tender and sauce-focused restaurant has been renovating the former PDQ Chicken at 3403 W University Ave. in the Westgate Shopping Plaza since November 2025.

Starting at 11 a.m. during the grand opening, customers can get special giveaways and complimentary bites.

Mainstreet does not have a paywall, but pavement-pounding journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 18, a Saucy Soirée Party will feature free swag bags, Sauce Bar tasting guided by a Sauce Sommelier, live DJ, custom merchandise, photobooth, games and more.

The Saucy’s dining room will operate daily from 10 a.m. to midnight and keep the drive-thru open until 2 a.m. Sundays through Wednesdays and 3 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.

Self-serve kiosks aim to provide a “tech-forward space” in the bright pink interior, as “vibe dining” comes at 9 p.m. when the lights go down and the music turns up for an experience beyond the plate.

“Gainesville is full of energy thanks to its vibrant college community, and we’re excited to bring Saucy! into the mix,” said Saucy General Manager Andrew Grosshans in a press release.

Since its first location came to Orlando in 2024, Saucy has opened six other restaurants across Florida, with 10 more planned for this year. Gainesville serves as a key milestone, according to the release.

Saucy’s menu aims to remix fast food for a new generation, with 12 different sauces to go with chicken tenders rooted in KFC’s original recipe in customizable combinations. Customers can also order Sammies, Chick’itos and Grand’itos (tortilla-wrapped tenders), rice bowls, salads and sugar-dusted Puffie pastries for dessert.

“At Saucy! By KFC, our focus is simple: irresistible freshly prepared chicken tendies, unforgettable signature sauces to mix and match to find the perfect flavor, and a high-energy atmosphere that makes guests want to come back again and again,” Grosshans said.

This is a paid press release. Contact the press release distributor directly with any inquiries.

Beer. Horsepower. America. American Rebel Light Beer and Matt Hagan Ignite Gainesville Ahead of NHRA Gatornationals Weekend

GAINESVILLE, FL AND NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESS Newswire / March 5, 2026 / American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:AREB), the force behind American Rebel Light Beer - America's Patriotic Beer, is bringing the horsepower to North Florida this Thursday, March 5th at Total Wine & More in Gainesville, Florida.

Fans are invited to meet 4-time NHRA World Champion Matt Hagan - driver of the American Rebel Light Funny Car for TSR Nitro Racing - at Total Wine & More (3965 Plaza Blvd, Suite 10, Gainesville, FL 32608) from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Swing by, grab a cold case of American Rebel Light, hang with the champ, snap photos, and soak in the patriotic vibes.

PLUS - one lucky fan will walk away with two tickets to the 2026 NHRA Gatornationals!

"This is exactly the kind of high-octane, fan-first activation that's fueling Rebel Light's rapid national rollout," said Andy Ross, CEO of American Rebel. "Matt Hagan is a proven winner and a true American Rebel, our beer will be flying off shelves at Total Wine, and we're just getting started. Gainesville - get ready to Rebel Up! We're coming for you!"

The event highlights American Rebel Light Beer - America's Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer's surging momentum in the beer space, with strong retail partnerships, motorsports visibility, and growing consumer demand for a premium domestic light lager that proudly stands for American values.

Event DetailsWhat: Matt Hagan Meet & Greet When: Thursday, March 5th, 5:00 - 6:00 PM Where: Total Wine & More, 3965 Plaza Blvd, Suite 10, Gainesville, FL 32608

Come early, come thirsty, and come ready to celebrate with American Rebel - America's Patriotic Brand™, Matt Hagan.

WHAT'S IN THE CAN: A BETTER‑FOR‑YOU PREMIUM LIGHT LAGER BUILT TO WIN - Just like Matt Hagan!

American Rebel Light Beer is America's Patriotic Beer-crafted for beer drinkers who want a crisp, clean, easy‑drinking domestic light lager with a "better‑for‑you" profile, aligned with a brand that celebrates freedom and the American spirit.

American Rebel Light Beer is positioned as a premium domestic light lager brewed for taste, quality, and consistency at scale-highlighting:

Story Continues

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -UF Health leaders celebrated the opening of a new orthopaedic surgical center Thursday, aiming to expand access to specialized care and allow many patients to return home the same day as their procedures.

The 24,000-square-foot UF Health Orthopaedic Surgical Center, located at 3480 Hull Road, includes eight operating rooms equipped with specialized orthopaedic technology designed for procedures ranging from joint replacements to sports medicine surgeries.

Officials say the facility is designed with patient recovery in mind, allowing many patients to avoid overnight hospital stays and recover at home.

“We know that patients do better when they get to go home, be among their families, pain levels are less at home than they are in the hospital, rehab courses move more quickly and generally outcomes are better for patients who get to recover in their own homes,” said Dr. C. Parker Gibbs Jr., chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at the UF College of Medicine.

The new center will expand access to UF Health’s nationally ranked orthopaedic and sports medicine program, which serves patients across North Florida and beyond.

UF Health is also one of just five medical centers nationwide selected by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to provide specialized sports medicine and performance care for Team USA athletes.

Gibbs said the experience gained from treating elite athletes helps doctors improve outcomes for all patients.

“When you care for elite-level athletes, the demands for outcomes, the demands for performance are so high,” Gibbs said. “When you learn to take care of that level an athlete, we can translate those same outcomes to our own patients and they deserve those kinds of expectations.”

UF Health leaders say that national recognition has helped attract patients from across the country seeking advanced orthopaedic treatment.

“We’ve been identified as one of the top orthopedic centers in the country with the honor of taking care of our Olympic athletes,” said Michael Holmes, senior vice president and regional president for the UF Health Greater Gainesville market. “So we have athletes right here from the University of Florida, throughout the University of Florida and throughout the country that come here for that dedicated care.”

Officials say the new surgical center is expected to improve access to care while helping patients recover more quickly and return to their daily activities sooner.

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Following the lead of their colleagues in the House, the Florida Senate voted 29-6 to pass a bill that places constraints on municipal utilities while also permanently establishing the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) Authority.

The bill (HB 1451) will now head to Gov. Ron. DeSantis for approval as the Florida First District Court of Appeal and Eighth Judicial Circuit continue to consider litigation that would dissolve the GRU Authority.

DeSantis signed a bill by former state Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry, in 2023 to create the authority, and he currently appoints the five board members.

Mainstreet does not have a paywall, but pavement-pounding journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible.

State Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, sponsored the bill while state Rep. Demi Busatta, R-Coral Gables, filed the mirror bill in the House. But in its final committee, Busatta added a 26-word amendment that preempts any changes to the GRU Authority without naming the entity in particular.

The Senate bill didn’t include the language, but on the Senate floor, Martin added Busatta’s amendment, drawing critique.

State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, asked about the GRU preemption and, after hearing it was designed for Gainesville in particular, brought up recent referendum efforts that would do the opposite of Martin’s bill.

The Gainesville City Commission placed two referendums before voters that would remove the GRU Authority from the city charter and return utility control to the commission. Both referendums passed overwhelmingly but are caught in court.

The GRU Authority continues to dispute the referendum, especially because a large percentage of utility customers live outside city limits and could not participate in the vote.

Martin said the referendum information wasn’t in the bill but that he could look into it.

Smith said the referendum language likely was kept out of the bill in order to not draw attention to the fact that Gainesville voters were united against the Legislature’s actions. He then asked why the Senate should side against the referendums.

“We have the jurisdiction here in the Florida Legislature to make policy decisions, and this is the best policy,” Martin said. “After talking with individuals and stakeholders from the Gainesville area, this is where we landed.”

Even though the amendment impacts only GRU, no local meetings or hearings have been held on the issue. The Alachua County Legislative Delegation never addressed the amendment, nor have its members discussed the bill publicly except on the House and Senate floor.

Smith then wanted to know if the amendment had always been a part of the bill.

“Was the Gainesville utility issue at any point in your bill until you added it just now?” Smith questioned.

“I can go back and look,” Martin said of the amendment he had just added.

“I just want to know if this is an issue that the Florida Senate has vetted through the committee process,” Smith followed up.

“There’s a lot of discussions that we have,” Martin responded. “You’ve carried some bills. Like I said, I’m happy to look.”

“Just trying to get an answer,” Smith said. “I mean, did you decide behind closed doors then that this is the policy we should have? Because the Senate has not vetted this, and I still can’t get an answer yes or no. It seems like this was not included in in the Senate bill, and this is a last-minute change to overturn the will of the voters in Gainesville. Is that correct?”

“I’ve previously answered the best that I can the previous two responses,” Martin concluded.

State Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Green Cove Springs, represents northern Alachua County, including parts of Gainesville. She spoke out in support of the amendment.

Bradley reminded the Senate that governance of GRU had been on ongoing discussion even before the 2023 bill that created the authority. She said a “damning” audit before the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee prompted the changes, and since the authority was established, rates have gone down and debt has stabilized.

“Since that time, the tide is turning at GRU,” Bradley said. “It was a successful, important step that the Legislature took. Rates are coming down; debt is being stabilized.”

But she said the Gainesville City Commission unilaterally stepped in to strip the Legislature’s addition to the charter.

“This has to stop,” Bradley said. “The ratepayers deserve consistency and long-term stability in Gainesville. Your amendment does that, and it’s the right thing to do.”

State Sen. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, represents the southern portion of Alachua County. While he didn’t speak on the floor, he voted for the amendment and bill.

Following the lead of their colleagues in the House, the Florida Senate voted 29-6 to pass a bill that places constraints on municipal utilities while also permanently establishing the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) Authority.

The bill (HB 1451) will now head to Gov. Ron. DeSantis for approval as the Florida First District Court of Appeal and Eighth Judicial Circuit continue to consider litigation that would dissolve the GRU Authority.

DeSantis signed a bill by former state Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry, in 2023 to create the authority, and he currently appoints the five board members.

Mainstreet does not have a paywall, but pavement-pounding journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible.

State Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, sponsored the bill while state Rep. Demi Busatta, R-Coral Gables, filed the mirror bill in the House. But in its final committee, Busatta added a 26-word amendment that preempts any changes to the GRU Authority without naming the entity in particular.

The Senate bill didn’t include the language, but on the Senate floor, Martin added Busatta’s amendment, drawing critique.

State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, asked about the GRU preemption and, after hearing it was designed for Gainesville in particular, brought up recent referendum efforts that would do the opposite of Martin’s bill.

The Gainesville City Commission placed two referendums before voters that would remove the GRU Authority from the city charter and return utility control to the commission. Both referendums passed overwhelmingly but are caught in court.

The GRU Authority continues to dispute the referendum, especially because a large percentage of utility customers live outside city limits and could not participate in the vote.

Martin said the referendum information wasn’t in the bill but that he could look into it.

Smith said the referendum language likely was kept out of the bill in order to not draw attention to the fact that Gainesville voters were united against the Legislature’s actions. He then asked why the Senate should side against the referendums.

“We have the jurisdiction here in the Florida Legislature to make policy decisions, and this is the best policy,” Martin said. “After talking with individuals and stakeholders from the Gainesville area, this is where we landed.”

Even though the amendment impacts only GRU, no local meetings or hearings have been held on the issue. The Alachua County Legislative Delegation never addressed the amendment, nor have its members discussed the bill publicly except on the House and Senate floor.

Smith then wanted to know if the amendment had always been a part of the bill.

“Was the Gainesville utility issue at any point in your bill until you added it just now?” Smith questioned.

“I can go back and look,” Martin said of the amendment he had just added.

“I just want to know if this is an issue that the Florida Senate has vetted through the committee process,” Smith followed up.

“There’s a lot of discussions that we have,” Martin responded. “You’ve carried some bills. Like I said, I’m happy to look.”

“Just trying to get an answer,” Smith said. “I mean, did you decide behind closed doors then that this is the policy we should have? Because the Senate has not vetted this, and I still can’t get an answer yes or no. It seems like this was not included in in the Senate bill, and this is a last-minute change to overturn the will of the voters in Gainesville. Is that correct?”

“I’ve previously answered the best that I can the previous two responses,” Martin concluded.

State Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Green Cove Springs, represents northern Alachua County, including parts of Gainesville. She spoke out in support of the amendment.

Bradley reminded the Senate that governance of GRU had been on ongoing discussion even before the 2023 bill that created the authority. She said a “damning” audit before the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee prompted the changes, and since the authority was established, rates have gone down and debt has stabilized.

“Since that time, the tide is turning at GRU,” Bradley said. “It was a successful, important step that the Legislature took. Rates are coming down; debt is being stabilized.”

But she said the Gainesville City Commission unilaterally stepped in to strip the Legislature’s addition to the charter.

“This has to stop,” Bradley said. “The ratepayers deserve consistency and long-term stability in Gainesville. Your amendment does that, and it’s the right thing to do.”

State Sen. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, represents the southern portion of Alachua County. While he didn’t speak on the floor, he voted for the amendment and bill.