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Monday, October 20, 2025

Metro

Gainesville Police Department currently has 22 vacancies for officers as contract negotiations for officers on the force are underway. The city and police union are meeting today, and salaries and benefits are on the table.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD SWAT team to resume in March

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Jan. 8, 2019

The team was deactivated about two months ago

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF student accused of drunk driving, breaking a light pole

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Jan. 8, 2019

Police said he crashed into and broke a light pole.

Harry Jones, a 61-year-old formerly incarcerated Alachua County resident, registers to vote Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, at the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections office. Jones, who has been out of prison for 13 years, had his right to vote restored after Amendment 4 passed in the 2018 midterm election. Tuesday was the first day Amendment 4 was put into effect. About 50 people registered to vote in Alachua County, said TJ Pyche, the elections office spokesperson.

METRO

Voting rights restored for felons in Alachua County

By Karina Elwood | Jan. 8, 2019

About 50 people registered to vote at the Alachua County Elections office.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police arrest man accused of attempted murder for November concert shooting

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Jan. 8, 2019

His bond is set at $1,250,000.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD: Man arrested for hiding cocaine in between beer cases

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Jan. 7, 2019

His bond is set at $185,000.

METRO

Alachua County buys Serenola Forest for $3.2 million

By Josephine Fuller | Jan. 7, 2019

The 111-acre forest will likely feature accessible trails, observation platforms and more.

METRO

Gainesville prepares to implement Amendment 4

By Karina Elwood | Jan. 7, 2019

Felons will be able to register to vote on Tuesday.

FILE - This Aug. 15, 2017, file photo shows an arrangement of pills of the opioid oxycodone-acetaminophen in New York.

METRO

Newberry mayor fights against teen opioid addiction in county

By Karina Elwood | Jan. 7, 2019

In 2016, Alachua County ranked second in the state for opioid addiction among adolescents.

A girl stares out the window of an Alachua County school bus on West University Avenue.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Study finds discrimination among special needs applicants in charter schools

By Kelly Hayes | Jan. 7, 2019

The study sent 6,452 emails to schools in 29 states and Washington D.C.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Proposed bill could ban texting while driving

By Kelly Hayes | Jan. 7, 2019

It will go into effect Oct. 1 if passed.

During his lunch hour, 26-year-old UF chemical engineering doctoral student Virat Upadhyay serves himself Krishna Lunch using their new to-go containers. Krishna staff has started using the containers in order to help keep food servings — and customers — warm.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission is stepping closer to banning plastic

By Karina Elwood | Jan. 7, 2019

The law would ban the use of plastic bags and foam containers.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man arrested after identifying as 'your mama'

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Jan. 7, 2019

He was charged with resisting an officer without violence.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Two men accused of punching delivery driver for pizza

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Jan. 6, 2019

Police arrested two men Friday accused of stealing a $23 pizza.

METRO

Donuts, bubble tea and burgers: The Gainesville restaurants opening in 2019

By Kelly Hayes | Jan. 6, 2019

A local bar closed after five years.

Jimmy Toney, the 45-year-old pastor of The Pentecostals of Gainesville, leads a vigil for the victims of the I-75 accident last Thursday. People filled the church Sunday evening to support the families of the victims and pray for their recovery. “They’ve been stuck in hospitals with doom and gloom and death,” Toney said. “I just think it meant the world.” // Chris Day, The Alligator

METRO

Church remembers I-75 victims

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Jan. 6, 2019

About 400 people attended the vigil.

A four vehicle crash on Interstate 75 at mile marker 394 caused seven deaths and a diesel fire Thursday afternoon.

METRO

All I-75 lanes are open following repairs from crash

By Kelly Hayes | Jan. 5, 2019

Crews worked on the highway from Friday afternoon to early Saturday.

METRO

More lane closures Friday night, slow traffic after fatal I-75 crash

By Kelly Hayes | Jan. 4, 2019

The damage to the highway spanned across several hundred feet.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

FHP releases names of the 5 children, 2 men who died in Florida I-75 crash

By Taylor Girtman | Jan. 4, 2019

The semi driver who started the crash has had eight traffic citations in Palm Beach County since 2003.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

ACFR: 7 killed in fiery crash on I-75

By Taylor Girtman | Jan. 3, 2019

The multi-vehicle crash caused a fuel fire and injured others.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD: Man arrested for pointing laser at an officer

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Jan. 1, 2019

The officer was responding to a call of gunfire in a neighborhood.

Solutions by The State News