Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

Destinee Collins, a 25-year-old drummer for the cover band timesUp and a worker at Dough Religion Pizza, jams out to cover songs like “Brick House” on Jan. 6, 2016 at the Oozoo Bar.

METRO

Dough Religion, ooZoo bar to close after a year of business

By Molly Vossler | Feb. 26, 2017

Following the sale of their building, Dough Religion restaurant and ooZoo bar will close this week.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Marion County deputy fired after leaving work to go on Tinder date

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 26, 2017

Contact Meryl Kornfield at mkornfield@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @MerylKornfield

METRO

Florida Sen. Perry proposes extra check on federal courts

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 26, 2017

A bill introduced by Florida Sen. Keith Perry on Tuesday proposes a new check on federal courts.

Killian Pennell, 3, plays with a Wiffle ball at the YMCA booth during Active Streets Gainesville at Depot Park on Sunday. Killian's dad, Kyle Pennell, said this is Killian's second time coming to Active Streets Gainesville.

METRO

Gainesville tops off arts weekend with street festival

By Max Chesnes | Feb. 26, 2017

Gainesville’s color and culture burst into life on South Main Street Sunday for the fourth annual Active Streets Gainesville celebration.

METRO

Officials: Gunman killed after firing at Sabal Trail, fleeing law enforcement

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 26, 2017

A man wielding a high-powered rifle was shot and killed in Citrus County, Florida, on Sunday after firing at the Sabal Trail Transmission pipeline and leading local law enforcement on a car chase, authorities said.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

MCSO: Two Marion County teachers touched students

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 23, 2017

Two Marion County Public Schools teachers were arrested this week for inappropriately touching students, the sheriff’s office said.

In this May 17, 2016 file photo, a new sticker is placed on the door at the ceremonial opening of a gender neutral bathroom at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle. A government official says the Trump administration will revoke guidelines that say transgender students should be allowed to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their chosen gender identity.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Poe rebukes Trump’s transgender order

By Molly Vossler | Feb. 23, 2017

Despite the revocation of a memorandum allowing transgender students in public schools to use the bathroom of their choice, Gainesville remains a sanctuary, Mayor Lauren Poe said Thursday.

Protesters gathered outside U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho's Gainesville office to demand a town hall meeting when he recesses.

METRO | POLITICS

Under Trump, Gainesville residents double as protesters

By Molly Vossler | Feb. 23, 2017

Andrea Berteit felt more comfortable growing up in East Berlin in the ’80s than she does living under President Donald Trump’s administration.

Thousands gather on the Ellipse near the back lawn of the White House at the conclusion of the Women’s March on Washington. Many of the marchers placed their posters along a few small fences to create “walls” near the White House.

METRO | POLITICS

Students reflect on documenting Women’s March on Washington

By Dominique Torres | Feb. 23, 2017

Aliya Miranda remembers standing in a sea of people as hundreds of thousands marched on Washington, D.C. in January.

METRO

Two protestors lodge themselves into Sabal Trail pipeline

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 22, 2017

Two protesters climbed into the 3-foot-wide entrance of the Sabal Trail pipeline early Wednesday morning, remaining for about six hours.

The sign for Walker Hall, which houses the African American Studies department and the Center for Jewish Studies, was found uprooted Wednesday.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Walker Hall sign found uprooted, raises concerns of safety

By Romy Ellenbogen | Feb. 22, 2017

When Sharon Burney saw her ofﬁce building’s sign uprooted Wednesday, she knew it wasn’t an accident. Around 8:30 a.m., the program assistant

METRO

Search to continue Friday for teenage airplane passenger

By Molly Vossler | Feb. 22, 2017

The search for a 17-year-old boy off the coast of Cedar Key will continue Friday, as Levy County officials look for the remaining passenger of a single-engine airplane that went missing more than a week ago.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Accused bank thief attempts jail break, deputies say

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 22, 2017

About seven months into his stay at the Alachua County Jail, an alleged bank thief was caught Tuesday plotting an escape, the sheriff’s office said.

METRO

Delayed renovations at county shelter limit adoptions

By Bernadette Gomez | Feb. 22, 2017

Renovations at Alachua County Animal Services are behind schedule, which means less space for incoming animals.

From left: Officer Ryan Foster rides Merlin and Cpl. Tracy Fundenburg rides Zeus. The two horses have been working for Gainesville Police’s mounted unit for about 10 years. On Tuesday, the horses retired.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police horses hang up their hooves after 10 years

By Catherine Dickson | Feb. 21, 2017

For the past decade, downtown Gainesville, with its noisy bars and drunken crowds, has been characterized by a less well-known sound: the clip-clopping of police horses.

METRO

As Gators basketball keeps winning, Mi Apá pouring up free Cuban coffee

By Molly Vossler | Feb. 21, 2017

Raise a cup of Cuban coffee to UF men’s basketball today.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Commissioners debate relocating Confederate statue

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 21, 2017

“Old Joe,” a statue of a Confederate soldier, isn’t standing on solid ground.

METRO | POLITICS

UF professors meet to discuss travel ban’s effect on Muslims

By Courtney Moberley | Feb. 21, 2017

President Donald Trump’s travel ban still weighs heavily on the minds of three panelists who discussed prejudice against people of Muslim faith Tuesday night.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Uber Promotions faces uncertainty after president’s sexual battery arrest

By Romy Ellenbogen | Feb. 20, 2017

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect that the criminal charges against Joey N. Friedman were dismissed and the case closed.

A line of people sit while listening to the speaker at the What Makes a President rally at Bo Diddley Plaza on Monday. The total crowd topped out at around 50, and there were chants such as "protect the press" and "release your taxes."

METRO | POLITICS

Gainesville protesters spend Presidents Day rallying against Trump

By Max Chesnes | Feb. 20, 2017

On a holiday when American presidents are celebrated, protesters in Gainesville carried handmade signs and stood in opposition to President Donald Trump.