Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a wide-ranging package Friday that includes providing bonuses to help recruit law enforcement officers from other states and giving county sheriffs more autonomy over their budgets.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. In a case being watched by local-government groups, the Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments Nov. 4 in a fight about whether the Alachua County sheriff could transfer money within her budget without approval from the county commission. The court issued an order Tuesday scheduling arguments in an appeal by Alachua County. The 1st District Court of Appeal last year backed Sheriff Sadie Darnell in the dispute. Under state law, sheriffs propose budgets to county commissions, which then can make changes before giving approval. The legal dispute has centered on whether Darnell had unilateral authority to subsequently transfer money within her budget without approval from the commission, according to the appeals court.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. In late August 30 years ago, Sadie Darnell was seen in news photographs and videos around the world. She was a Gainesville Police Department lieutenant who served as the agency spokeswoman when five college students were murdered and mutilated and was a daily presence in the news. At other anniversary points of this pivotal tragedy, the Gainesville community has gathered for vigils or services of commemoration. The University of Florida stopped anniversary recognitions, such as tolling the carillon bells of Century Tower five times, after the 25th anniversary. It gradually subsided when the killings stopped, but uncertainty continued to rile the public until Rolling was eventually charged in November 1991.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – It was an upset in Alachua County, as Florida’s only current female sheriff was ousted in Tuesday’s primary election. Darnell has been sheriff in Alachua County since 2006 —14 years. “To be that sheriff who everyone will see that sheriff and see sheriff, not color or gender,” he told WCJB-TV. “I thought it was about time to have more black representation in Alachua County,” said Rich Heiss. The Alachua County Democratic Party also could not be reached.

Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell is being challenged by Clovis Watson Jr. in the August Democratic primary. There is no Republican in the race but a write-in candidate in November keeps the primary closed to only party voters. A write-in candidate will keep this primary race also closed. Two city council races will also be on the Democratic ballot, both facing Republican candidates that will be on the November ballot. Visit the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office for more about the candidates running and a sample ballot for the August primary.

iStock/junialTALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A state appeals court sided Friday with Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell in a dispute about whether she could transfer money within her budget without approval from the Alachua County Commission. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal upheld a circuit-court decision that said Darnell had the authority to move the money. Under state law, sheriffs propose budgets to county commissions, which then can make changes before giving approval. The legal dispute centered on whether Darnell had "unilateral authority" to subsequently transfer money within her budget without approval from the commission, according to Friday's five-page ruling. Also, the ruling said nothing in state law requires the sheriff to seek approval from the commission before transferring money.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A state appeals court sided Friday with Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell in a dispute about whether she could transfer money within her budget without approval from the Alachua County Commission. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal upheld a circuit-court decision that said Darnell had the authority to move the money. Under state law, sheriffs propose budgets to county commissions, which then can make changes before giving approval. The legal dispute centered on whether Darnell had "unilateral authority" to subsequently transfer money within her budget without approval from the commission, according to Friday's five-page ruling. Also, the ruling said nothing in state law requires the sheriff to seek approval from the commission before transferring money.