Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | POLITICS

Your heroes — and villains — are dead, but that’s OK; find new ones

Nov. 19, 2017

Harvey Weinstein. Roy Moore. Louis C.K. Sen. Al Franken. Kevin Spacey. President Donald Trump. That’s just off the top of my head. No, the gross crimes and actions these men have been accused of aren't the same and don't share moral equivalency. But the varying shades of sexual misconduct, assault allegations and rape charges indicate a systemic problem beyond Hollywood or Washington, D.C.

Gainesville Police officer Bobby White, also known as “Basketball Cop,” and 16-year-old entrepreneur James Edwards pose for a selfie Oct. 6 in Highland Court Manor neighborhood. The selfie went viral after White posted it to his Basketball Cop Foundation Facebook page, and White has since been dedicated to helping Edwards launch his own lawn-care business.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville ‘Basketball Cop’ helps teen start lawn business

By David Hoffman | Nov. 16, 2017

James Edwards never imagined going viral.

Alexandra Gleason, 9, signs her name on her design, which won first place for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office’s ice cream truck. The truck’s design was unveiled Thursday as part of Operation CONE, which stands for Community Outreach Neighborhood Engagement.

METRO

Operation CONE: ACSO unveils colorful ice cream truck

By Jessica Giles | Nov. 16, 2017

While most ice cream trucks play a catchy jingle while taking a whirl around the neighborhood, this one flashes red and blue lights with a siren to announce its presence.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD investigating sexual battery at Tivoli Apartments

By Meryl Kornfield | Nov. 16, 2017

Gainesville Police is investigating a sexual battery that happened at Tivoli Apartments on Wednesday night.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police: After 27 years, 78-year-old’s remains identified

By David Hoffman | Nov. 16, 2017

Nearly three decades after a 78-year-old Gainesville woman went missing, police have identified her remains.

METRO

Socialist group organizes anti-Trump event

By Taylor Sharpe | Nov. 16, 2017

In the past year, Pete Taylor has felt that enough was enough.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD: Man stabs another man at party

By Meryl Kornfield | Nov. 15, 2017

Gainesville Police arrested a suspect in a stabbing at Village Crossing Apartments on Tuesday.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF to consider policy change post-Housing scandal

By David Hoffman | Nov. 14, 2017

After an internal audit revealed two former UF Housing and Residence Education officials allegedly withdrew more than $470,000 in university funds for personal use, UF is considering how to best prevent future fraud.

METRO

3 Natives changes name, menu

By Heaven Taylor-Wynn | Nov. 14, 2017

3 Natives, which changed its name and branding Saturday, will begin offering lower prices and new menu options.

METRO

Gator kills Gainesville family’s dog at Newnans Lake

By Jessica Giles | Nov. 14, 2017

A Gainesville woman lost her yellow labrador, Beignet, to an alligator lurking in Newnans Lake on Nov. 4.

Seven-year-old Jakhari McFadden admires the Nordic Hall design in his new “Minecraft: Essential Handbook.” The second-grader and every student at Sidney Lanier Elementary School now has access to free books with the school’s new book house, which was unveiled at about 11 a.m. Tuesday in the cafeteria.

METRO

Local elementary students get book house library

By David Hoffman | Nov. 14, 2017

Latrell placed a book about jungle animals on his head and abandoned his shoes as he showcased his Michael Jackson dance moves in the Sidney Lanier Elementary cafeteria. The 10-year-old was living his dream of being a king.

Latino’s Sound Machine, a local latin music band, plays at Felipe’s Taqueria, located at 1209 W. University Ave., during a fundraising event for Cuban hurricane victims. The event raised $540 for construction supplies.

METRO

Latin band hosts fundraiser for Cuban hurricane victims

By Maria Dominguez | Nov. 14, 2017

About 20 people danced to salsa music, ate tacos, drank margaritas and gave money to hurricane victims in Cuba Monday night.

Veterans for Cannabis founder Joshua Littrell speaks about opioid deaths among veterans Saturday outside the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, located at 1601 SW Archer Road. Littrell and four other veterans protested by filling a casket with empty prescription pill bottles. “Each one of these bottles is a brother and sister no longer with us,” he said.

METRO

Pro-cannabis veterans protest opioids outside VA hospital

By David Hoffman | Nov. 12, 2017

For more than two years, U.S. Navy veteran Gabriel George wasn’t in control.

Sofia Otero, 6, works on her painting alongside other children at the 36th annual Downtown Festival & Art Show on Saturday.

METRO

Gainesville hosts 36th downtown art show

By Eseverri | Nov. 12, 2017

Jacob Ascher, a 12-year-old artist, used his tie-dyed colored pencil box to store his cash.

METRO

Local leaders petition to protect LGBTQ+ state workers

By Jessica Giles | Nov. 12, 2017

Local officials started a petition Friday to protect LGBTQ+ state employees from being fired because of their sexual orientation.

METRO

Pastor calls for UF to remove Confederate monument

By Jessica Giles | Nov. 12, 2017

While Gainesville quietly removed one downtown Confederate monument in August, UF hasn’t evicted one that stands on a property they manage in St. Augustine.

Pez, a 5-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi, looks up at attendees of the first Pup Ruck 5k at Depot Park on Sunday. The event was held to raise money for the Pets and Patriots Foundation, which helps veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder acquire service dogs.

METRO

Dog owners, pets race through Gainesville for veterans

By Lawson Nuland | Nov. 12, 2017

Pet owners gathered to race and raise money for veterans who need service dogs.

METRO

Gainesville turtle experts discuss El Salvador die-off

By Sofia Arriaga | Nov. 12, 2017

After hundreds of sea turtles were discovered dead off Central America’s coast, Gainesville sea turtle experts are theorizing about the cause of the deaths.

METRO

3rd annual Food Fest attracts about 4,000

By David Hoffman | Nov. 10, 2017

As 4-year-old Ella giggled and jumped to the “Cupid Shuffle,“ which blasted throughout Santa Fe College’s main parking lot Thursday night, 39-year-old Jerry Farris couldn’t help but shake his hips to the beat, too.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UPD: Two top UF Housing directors accused of $470K fraud

By David Hoffman | Nov. 10, 2017

Two more arrests have been made in the UF Housing and Resident Education scandal now totaling more than $470,000 in alleged credit card fraud.