Metro

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County School Board debates student code of conduct, grade minimums in public hearing, keeps books on shelves

By Sara-James Ranta | June 19, 2024

During its Tuesday meeting, the Alachua County School Board discussed policies regarding the elementary and secondary student codes of conduct, reading material and the Student Progression Plan, which would mandate students to receive a minimum of half credit on assignments. 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Theresa Beachy, long-term CEO of Peaceful Paths to leave

By Kairi Lowery | June 17, 2024

Beachy will be leaving Peaceful Paths, and starting Oct. 1, taking a new position as an organizational strategist for the Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida. 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua Children’s Theatre presents all-inclusive production of ‘Peter Pan’

By Sara-James Ranta | June 17, 2024

The Alachua Children’s Theatre showcased three “Peter Pan” performances at the Santa Fe High School auditorium June 14-15 for a crowd of over 100. 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Freedom Festival unites Gainesville community to commemorate Juneteenth

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 17, 2024

The third annual Freedom Festival, hosted by the nonprofit Nathan Ross Inc. in partnership with the City of Gainesville, was held at Bo Diddley Plaza June 15 as a part of Alachua County’s Journey to Juneteenth celebration. Despite dispersing early due to rain, hundreds attended the event. 

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METRO

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority votes to fire Tony Cunningham

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 13, 2024

Following a 2-3 failed vote to terminate GRU General Manager Tony Cunningham in a special meeting Monday, Craig Carter, a member of the governor-appointed board who had previously voted down the motion, presented a new one calling for Cunningham to be fired.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission opposes selective admissions at P.K. Yonge, approves at-large election resolution

By Sara-James Ranta | June 12, 2024

During its Tuesday meeting, the Alachua County Commission opposed implementing a selective admission process at P.K. Yonge Developmental School and approved an at-large county election charter amendment to be placed on the November general election ballot.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF physical therapy professor vandalizes 81-year-old man’s car with stolen steak knife

By Lee Ann Anderson | June 12, 2024

UF physical therapy professor Giana Musolino damaged an 81-year-old man’s car in a Texas Roadhouse parking lot June 2 and was later apprehended by police Monday.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville Regional Utilities fiscal year 2025 budget draws disagreement

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 12, 2024

The authority failed to fire General Manager, Tony Cunningham, in a vote of 2-3. Additionally, a cut of over $20 million from the proposed budget was authorized while other aspects of the budget still remain unclear. 

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METRO

Community responds to Fifth Avenue/Pleasant Street Heritage Trail project

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 10, 2024

Originally proposed in the late 20th century, the Fifth Avenue/Pleasant Street Heritage Trail began as a way to commemorate the historical significance of one of Gainesville’s first Black neighborhoods. After decades of little progress, organizers of the project held a community meeting June 5 to gather insight.

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METRO

A. Quinn Jones Museum and School hosts second annual Juneteenth film festival

By Sara-James Ranta | June 10, 2024

On June 8, the A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center and the A. Quinn Jones School hosted the second annual Juneteenth film festival in collaboration with the Gainesville Office of Equity and Inclusion and Gainesville Parks Recreation and Cultural Affairs along with the Alachua County School Board and Public Information Office. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission opposes selective admissions at P.K. Yonge

By Grace McClung | June 8, 2024

The Gainesville City Commission passed a resolution Thursday condemning a proposal to implement a selective high school admissions process at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission passes first reading of GRU authority oversight referendum again

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 6, 2024

In its Thursday meeting, the Gainesville City Commission unanimously approved an updated ordinance that will place a referendum on the November 5 general election ballot to determine the source of GRU oversight. 

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METRO

'Coffee with a Cop' strengthens relationship between police, community in Gainesville

By Jose Carmona | June 6, 2024

This Wednesday, "Coffee with a Cop" took place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mi Apa Latin Cafe and was organized by Tu Fiesta Radio, which broadcast live interviews with several Gainesville Police Department officers and residents and offered snacks. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Efforts to complete the Fifth Avenue/Pleasant Street Heritage Trail are underway

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 6, 2024

A community meeting was held Wednesday night to discuss the future of the Fifth Avenue/Pleasant Street Heritage Trail. 

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METRO  |  ALACHUA COUNTY

Remembrance Project Exhibit opening acknowledges history of Alachua County lynchings

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 3, 2024

The Alachua County Remembrance Project was created by the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners in 2018. The project is dedicated to historical education to recall the history of racial injustice in Alachua County and make repairs within the community in honor of Juneteenth.

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METRO

Dialysis treatment center opens in Gainesville

By Morgan Vanderlaan | May 30, 2024

The Terrace Health and Rehabilitation Center, in partnership with Dialyze Direct, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new dialysis suite Wednesday.  

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission special meeting addresses fiscal 2025 budget

By Morgan Vanderlaan | May 29, 2024

The Gainesville City Commission held a special meeting Tuesday to present updates on the fiscal 2025 city budget. The city manager’s office discussed funding for the fire, police, parks, recreation and cultural affairs and public works departments. 

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METRO  |  BREAKING NEWS

Alachua County Fire Rescue, Gainesville Police Department extract man from I-75 car overturn

By Lee Ann Anderson | May 28, 2024

On Tuesday at 4:04 p.m., four Alachua County Fire Rescue units and one Gainesville Police Department unit were sent out to extract a driver from his vehicle after he lost control.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission accepts contract to purchase West End Golf Course

By Morgan Vanderlaan | May 28, 2024

In its Tuesday meeting, the Alachua County Commission unanimously approved a purchase contract of the West End Golf course by Viking Companies.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission GRU oversight referendum causes community debate

By Morgan Vanderlaan | May 28, 2024

Two opposing meetings, one by the city commission and the other by the Gainesville Regional Utilities authority, discussed the future of GRU May 23.