Representatives from more than 60 local organizations gathered Thursday on the steps of Gainesville’s City Hall, demanding the city divest from weapons corporations supporting the Israeli Defense Force as the war in Gaza intensifies.
The referendum, slated to be on the November ballot, would give citizens the opportunity to decide if GRU should be controlled by the city, or by the state-appointed GRU Authority. GRU’s decision Wednesday could prevent the referendum from appearing on the ballot.
Alachua County is negotiating with UF to build a new animal shelter on a 12.6-acre section of campus. The $3 million ground lease would allow Alachua County to occupy a section of the swine unit, situated two miles southwest of UF’s main campus.
On July 9, Alachua County commissioners unanimously voted in favor of an amended investment policy. Groups supporting the Palestinian cause remain unsatisfied, denouncing the City of Gainesville for failing to follow the county's lead.
Implemented over the summer, changes to parking rates in downtown Gainesville cause concern among business owners and customers.
Loran Kenstley Cole, 57, became the first person to be executed in Florida in 2024, marking the 13th execution this year and the 106th in Florida since the United States Supreme Court’s reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976.
The goal of the East Gainesville Legacy Community Engagement Project is to build low maintenance, affordable housing at the market rate on the 13-acre property owned by the county. The project is also meant to decrease poverty and promote routes that are walkable for civilians and bicyclists.
Gainesville da la bienvenida a los funcionarios locales recién elegidos. Los miembros que forman parte y están involucrados en la comunidad hispana se encuentran reflexionando sobre lo que depara el futuro para su representación en la política local.
With financial assistance from the state hard to acquire, steady cost increases on essentials have caused many Alachua County residents to rein in their discretionary spending.
Members part of and involved in the Hispanic community find themselves reflecting on what the future holds for their representation in local politics as new local government officials make their way to office.
The Alachua County School Board at its meeting Aug. 21 unanimously put funds toward four school resource officer programs.
The upcoming primary election season brings eight open seats and six competitive races in Alachua County.
Equal Ground Education Fund, a Black-led voting rights organization aiming to increase civic engagement through voter education and preparedness, sponsored the event. Speakers shared information from multiple organizations, including the Alachua County NAACP, Social Justice Committee of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Gainesville Residents United and Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, D-Gainesville.
On July 30, TaskForce Fore Ending Homelessness allocated over $700,000 in state grant awards to Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry, Family Promise of Gainesville, Peaceful Paths, St. Francis House, Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Corporation, Another Way, Lee Conlee House and Catholic Charities Bureau.
Following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ June veto of all requested state arts and culture funding, the City of Gainesville agreed to provide $150,000 for the Hippodrome Theatre’s operations in a six to one vote, with Commissioner Reina Saco dissenting.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cybertip from Kik, an online messaging app, on “child exploitation” May 29 related to a user under the name “jamestk91.” The tip included 18 pornographic videos depicting both pre-pubescent and pubescent minors shared in private chats from April 19 to April 22, according to the arrest report.
The Gainesville Police Department arrested a pastor Sunday on suspicion of raping his 15-year-old niece, who was booked into UF Health Shands Hospital for examination a day after the incident.
From fiscal years 2018 to 2022, 3,996 minors like Mikhail Lawson have been transferred to the adult judicial system. During the same period in the 8th Judicial Circuit, 132 minors have been taken to criminal court, with approximately 63% being Black, according to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
In a partnership with the Matheson Museum, Alachua County Supervisor of Elections and League of Women Voters of Alachua County, the Smithsonian has made its way to Gainesville.
The resource center was formed after surveys conducted within the community presented needs across five different social disparities — social economics, social assistance, transportation, housing and education.
Solutions by The State News
