A Gainesville man has been sentenced to 60 years in state prison for attempted murder and robbery.

Phillip Washington, 22, was found guilty on August 19 and sentenced Thursday morning, according to assistant state attorney Adam Urra.
Washington was convicted for crimes committed June 30, 2010 at Gator Liquor at 2305 Hawthorne Road.

Witnesses told police that Washington fired two round over the store’s counter where the store owner and his wife were working.

We all know that college football is huge in the Gainesville area. Tailgating, drinking, and celebrating are a huge part of the activities that go on around University of Florida`s campus during this time of year and staying safe after a big game, takes planning ahead. From allowing enough time for your tailgating grill to cool down before heading into the game or planning a designated driver to avoid being put under the pressure to drink and drive.  Younger people are more at risk to be involved in an alcohol related accident than older people.  If you plan on driving to the game and tailgating before, plan to have a designated driver to drive the vehicle home, or go knowingly you will leave your vehicle after the game and find a safe ride home.
Do not get a ride home from someone who has been drinking even if they say they are okay to drive. If you have any suspicion of the driver being intoxicated; find a new ride. Just because you aren’t the one driving does not make it any safer. Reports have shown that at least half of the deaths that have occurred due to drinking and driving accident, were the passengers in the vehicles. Always keep the local taxi cab phone numbers available in your phone, stay close to the public bus routes, and check with the university to see if they offer other options for safe rides home.  Remember, driving under the influence is no way to celebrate a big win.

Local husband and wife were killed late Saturday night (August 27th) after a Williston man was traveling in the wrong direction on U.S. Highway 27.Leonel Hernandez-Ocampo struck, Shelly Mohan-Bell Roberts and husband Tracey Lee Roberts head on after traveling North, on U.S. Highway 27 South. Both Shelly Roberts and Tracey Roberts were pronounced dead at the scene while Ocampo was taken to the hospital suffering minor injuries. Charges in the accident are still pending.
The deaths were the 44th and 45th of the year on Marion County Roads, having everyone wonder what can we do to be safer on the roads? Whether you are driving a short distance from the store to home, or a long distance trip we encourage everyone to follow the simple steps below to keep you and your family safe while driving.
1.    Always wear your seat belts, as the driver and require all passengers.
2.    Do not use the phone while driving. Excluding all incoming calls, outgoing calls, and texting while driving will keep you focused on the road, and your surroundings.
3.    Be alert; don’t drive if you are feeling sleepy.
4.    Avoid speeding. Timely plan ahead to avoid being in a rush, or running late for an appointment.
5.    DO NOT drink & drive; plan ahead with a designated driver, taxi company, or bus ride.
6.    Be sure your car has been maintained. Avoiding car accidents that could cause you vehicle to abruptly stop, or break down.
7.    Block distractions. Whether it is turning off your phone while driving, or requiring your passengers to be quiet, staying focused on the road requires all distractions to be at a minimum.
8.    Don`t Tailgate. Always leave enough room between you and the car in front of you, in case of quick brake reaction.
9.    Use turn signals. Notify the cars around you when you are getting over or turning. Making other drivers aware of your actions will reduce any chance of being hit.
10.    Be prepared. Adjust your mirrors, radio station, and seat preference before putting the car in drive.

A motorcyclist is accused of leading a high-speed chase through three counties at speeds up to 130 mph. A high-speed chase that resulted in the man and his female passenger in the hospital before his arrest.

The chase began late Sunday about two miles north of Otter Creek in Levy County, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Alan O. Harrison said.

The trooper said he spotted a motorcycle traveling 81 mph while headed north on U.S. 19 in a 65-mph zone.

Harrison and others said they chased the motorcycle north on U.S. 19 out of Levy County into Gilchrist County and then into Dixie County. During the chase, the man attempted to allude the police officers by reaching speeds up to 130 mph.

Harrison said the motorcyclist lost control about a mile south of Cross City. The driver was trying to evade several other law enforcement officers by cutting across a grassy area to get to the paved Nature Coast Greenway Trail.

He and the passenger were ejected from the motorcycle, Harrison said.

The driver, Ronald Lee Blakeslee, 24, of Clearwater, and his passenger, Amy Nease Barera, 22, of Oldsmar, were taken to Shands at the University of Florida following the crash.

Following his release from Shands, Blakeslee was booked into the Levy County jail on charges of fleeing and attempting to elude, speeding, driving while his license was suspended or revoked, operating a motorcycle without the proper endorsement, and having a tag that was both expired and revoked.