Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Florida bill limits citizen-led school book objections to once per month

By Sara-James Ranta | July 8, 2024

Following state education reforms allowing the removal of elementary through high school level books containing themes including race, sexuality and gender among others, new legislation aims to limit the number of citizen book objections to school district library materials. Local politicians, teachers and parents expressed differing opinions concerning the state of Alachua County book challenges.

METRO

Unveiling Gainesville’s tolerance in the face of the AIDS pandemic

By Ben Nielsen | July 1, 2024

When 20-year-old UF anthropology major Fiona Garber and a group of her peers were tasked with a research project as a part of UF’s Alexander Grass Scholars Program, she chose to delve into the impact of the condition and the effect of the AIDS pandemic on a local scale.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Florida Attorney General releases a new edition of cold case playing cards

By Lee Ann Anderson | July 1, 2024

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody along with the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, Florida’s Sheriffs Association and Florida Department of Corrections announced June 10 that over 5,000 decks will be sent across the state with the purpose of generating new cold case leads from inmates, according to an Office of the Attorney General news release.

A display on recent presidential elections at the "Voices and Votes: Alachua County" exhibit at the Matheson Museum.

METRO

‘Voices and Votes: Alachua County’ exhibit opens at Matheson Museum

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 29, 2024

Following its opening Wednesday, the “Voices and Votes: Alachua County” exhibit focuses on Alachua County democracy, spanning as far back as the 18th century when the Spanish and British Empires fought for control of Florida. The display continues to modern day, showcasing historical predicaments like the 2000 election dispute between former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Al Gore.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on suspicion of attempting to run a man over with his car

By Lee Ann Anderson | June 28, 2024

On Wednesday, a Gainesville man allegedly attempted to run over a man with his car following a heated argument about money.

METRO

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority makes Ed Bielarski permanent general manager

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 27, 2024

In its Wednesday meeting, the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority approved a motion to make former authority Chair Ed Bielarski permanent GRU general manager.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County’s initiative to help English-limited residents passed its second phase

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 26, 2024

The commission unanimously passed the second phase of Alachua’s Language Access Policy, which works towards breaking down language barriers within the community.

Patrons stretch at a First Magnitude Brewing Company drag yoga event on Sunday, June 23, 2024.

METRO | BUSINESS

First Magnitude’s Drag Yoga sessions combine inclusivity with introspection

By Sara-James Ranta | June 25, 2024

Under a canopy on a warm day, about 30 attendees gathered to practice mindfulness, grounding and positive affirmations at a drag yoga session June 23.

Women's rights protesters organize in front of at City Hall on Monday, June 24, 2024.

METRO

Women’s March marks the second anniversary of the overturn of Roe v. Wade

By Avery Parker | June 24, 2024

The sun glared down on about two dozen demonstrators Monday as they marched down West University Avenue chanting “bans off our bodies.”

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Law enforcement respond to unfounded Oaks Mall active shooter, hostage situation

By Lee Ann Anderson | June 23, 2024

On June 21, the Gainesville Police Department and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call made about a possible active shooter and hostage situation inside of a bathroom at The Oaks Mall, which later turned out to be unfounded.

People board and exit an RTS bus Wednesday, July 24, 2019 by the The Hub at UF.

METRO

RTS app outages cause riders difficulty

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 21, 2024

Riders of the Regional Transit System reported experiencing app glitches since Tuesday, and the technology is still not working properly.

Unveiled on Wednesday, June 21, 2024, the Waldo Remembrance quilt hangs at the entrance of the Alachua County Library District Waldo Branch to remind visitors of Alachua County’s history of racial violence.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County Remembrance Project quilt displayed in Waldo Branch library

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 21, 2024

On Friday, a remembrance quilt was temporarily displayed at the Alachua County Library District Waldo Branch honoring the lives of five lynching victims from the Waldo, Hawthorne, Rochelle and Campville areas.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission passes single room occupancy ordinance through second reading

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 20, 2024

In its Thursday meeting, the Gainesville City Commission passed an ordinance covering restrictions on single room occupancy (SRO) residences through a second reading.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville Regional Utilities attorney requests supervisor of elections stop GRU referendum

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 20, 2024

On June 19, GRU Attorney Scott Walker wrote a letter to Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton debating the legality of the GRU referendum slated to be placed on the November general election ballot.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Newberry Education First board member arrested for soliciting sex with a minor

By Lee Ann Anderson | June 20, 2024

Searby initiated conversation with the 15-year-old boy through Snapchat June 19 and sent a detailed description of sexual encounters Searby had with older adults when he was around the same age as the boy.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville homeless man charged with attempted murder of girlfriend’s son

By Lee Ann Anderson and Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | June 19, 2024

On Monday, William Briscoe was arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of his girlfriend’s son, who escaped the incident unscathed.

METRO

Downtown Juneteenth Jubilee commemorates emancipation, Black history

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 19, 2024

Bo Diddley Plaza was brought to life on Juneteenth with bubbles and hula hoops strewn across the lawn. People young and old lined the brick walls, eyes glued to the performances on the center stage to celebrate Black history.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission passes GRU authority oversight referendum for the fourth time

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 19, 2024

In a Tuesday special meeting, the Gainesville City Commission unanimously passed the second version of a GRU authority oversight referendum, which will allow constituents to determine where the power will fall in the November general election.

A sign in front of the Alachua County Public Schools district office building is seen Sunday, June 6, 2021.

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.

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.