Lightning cuts power for hours

 ALACHUA - A thunderstorm that pushed easterly through Alachua Wednesday morning not only deluged the area, but also generated intense lighting, which reportedly struck a power transformer at Rachael Boulevard and NW 126^th Terrace.  For nearly three hours, much of downtown Alachua and other areas of the city were without electricity as utility crews raced to replace the damaged equipment.  Meanwhile, Alachua Police Department officers directed traffic at the busy intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and County Road 241 where traffic signals were out.