Metro | Alachua County

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County gathers for celebratory parades of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

By Emma Parker , Jordan Ramos and Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 16

Hundreds of Alachua County residents took to the streets Monday, commemorating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through a series of county-wide celebrations. Jan. 15 marked the 40th anniversary of Gainesville's celebration honoring King, and Micanopy’s first annual march. The events were filled with signs, speeches, awards and hotdogs. 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Newest Alachua County sheriff speaks out on staffing shortages

By Sophia Bailly | Nov. 6

New Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey has spent his first month combatting staff shortages and advocating for increased funding from the state and county. 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Children’s Trust of Alachua County signifies Child Abuse Prevention month

By Megan Howard | Apr. 8

On April 5, staff members of Children’s Trust worked together to place the shining pinwheels in the grass along the sidewalk to raise awareness for child abuse to kick off Child Abuse Prevention month. 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville green burials save thousands of dollars compared to conventional burials

By Bailey Diem | Mar. 25

Nigel Rudolph, a public archaeology coordinator for the Florida Public Archaeology Network, has noticed the trend in the cemeteries he’s worked in.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Pilots and local residents descend on Gainesville for annual fly-in

By Daniel Bednar | Mar. 25

Hundreds of residents flooded the ramp area at Gainesville Regional Airport for the eighth annual Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day March 23, an event that gives the public a rare glimpse into the world of aviation.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville to begin $2.5 million-plus venue project for larger outdoor events

By Bailey Diem | Feb. 19

However, its frequent location changes in recent years have made the 55-year-old Gainesville resident question whether her city has the space for such events.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Pickleball creates competition, community in Alachua County

By Kairi Lowery | Feb. 19

Pickleball, a sport very similar to tennis, has taken the world by storm. First originating from boredom and badminton equipment in 1965, pickleball has now emerged as the fastest-growing sport with a 40% increase in popularity in recent years.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Budget adjustments spur questions about Gainesville’s approach to gun violence prevention

By Henry DeAngelis | Feb. 19

“This is my path,” she said. “My purpose is to reach survivors, to get them resources and to bring about the awareness that this is a growing public health issue.” 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Matthew Lewey: A story left behind

By Kairi Lowery | Feb. 12

However, Matthew Lewey, an unknown name to most, is an important part of Florida’s history, said renowned author and historian Paul Ortiz.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville residents express concerns about increase in residential development

By Bailey Diem | Feb. 5

As more residential developments are constructed, Bittner is worried about how the city’s culture and social dynamics will change. Many recently constructed residential buildings do not fit the historical aesthetic of Gainesville, she wrote in an email.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Sidewalks and substances: The Gainesville cyclist’s experience

By Bailey Diem | Jan. 16

Gainesville bicyclists often face concerns of distracted or impaired drivers, paths in poor condition and limited bike lanes.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County Court Judge Walter Green retires: What is to come?

By Kairi Lowery | Jan. 8

Defense attorney Eric Atria applied to fill this vacancy. Atria, known across Florida for being “sucker punched,” by his defendant in 2022, hit the ground running with his judicial campaign by seeking endorsements from county commissioners. 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville community organizes third pro-Palestine protest in a month

By Ella Thompson | Nov. 17

Despite consistent rain, community members gathered on the corner of University Avenue and Northwest 13th Street to protest for Palestine on Thursday evening. Over 100 community members attended the event organized by the Gainesville Solidarity Network, Students for Justice in Palestine, Party for Socialism and Liberation and Jewish Voice for Peace. 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Tax Collector’s office introduces translation device for clearer communication

By Nicole Beltran | Nov. 6

Pocketalk was installed into Alachua County’s three tax collector locations in September. The two-way translation device, resembling a cell phone, requires the user to speak into the device, which then translates speech verbally.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Taxidermist’s artwork resonates with clients throughout the state

By Alissa Gary | Oct. 6

When he’s not busy driving fire trucks for the Alachua County Fire Rescue, 54-year-old Patton, who goes by “JJ” with his friends, runs Wildlife Transitions Taxidermy, a company that grew from his passion for taxidermy. 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Man executed for 1996 murder Tuesday at Florida State Prison

By Ella Thompson | Oct. 4

Michael Duane Zack III woke up Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m. and met with his first wife, Ann-Kristin. He declined a last meal, met with his spiritual advisor and died by lethal injection by 6:14 p.m. that same day. 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County immigrants fear new SB 1718’s impact on health care

By Valentina Sandoval and Jinelle Vazquez | Oct. 2

Senate Bill 1718 took effect July 1 and is among the strictest immigration laws in the country. One of the controversial aspects of the law is the provision requiring any hospital that accepts Medicaid to ask about patients’ immigration status. Local advocacy organizations, health care workers and community members worry about the impacts the law could have on immigrant households across Alachua County.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County to greet new sheriff Monday

By Alissa Gary | Oct. 2

Emery Gainey, a Republican veteran of sheriff’s duties across Florida, will ascend into the role of Alachua County Sheriff Monday following his appointment to the position by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints Emery Gainey as next Alachua County Sheriff

By Alissa Gary | Sep. 8

Emery Gainey will take over the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office beginning Oct. 2, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ press release Thursday.

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Hurricane Idalia leaves Alachua County mostly unscathed, slams Big Bend region

By Kylie Williams | Sep. 5

As Florida’s Big Bend communities recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Idalia, the Alachua County community is grateful to not have met the storm's eye. Alachua County suffered minor damages. Several trees and power lines came down across Gainesville, and some roadways were blocked.