Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO

Fundraiser for horses pushes for greater turnout

By Madison Behm | Apr. 19, 2016

You can lead Sherman to water, but you can’t make him drink.

METRO | POLITICS

Darts & Laurels: 04/20/2016

Apr. 19, 2016

This is it, readers. Spring 2016: We did it — we did the thing. Many of you may still feel weary of the flurry of finals and papers ahead.

Horner examines one of her pieces in her Gainesville studio; though she makes art to sell, she also makes art for pleasure, like the piece she holds.

METRO

Art that speaks: Local multimedia artist paints with possessions

By Molly Donovan | Apr. 18, 2016

Jenna Horner prefers dead flowers.

METRO

Veterans, founders of Human Hug Project stop in Gainesville

By Martin Vassolo | Apr. 18, 2016

It was one vision in between endless nightmares that inspired a former United States Marine Corps sergeant.

METRO

Paynes Prairie Visitors Center completes first renovations

By Lauren Johnson | Apr. 18, 2016

The first phase of renovations for Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park’s Visitor Center since the 1980s is complete, and it cost about $700,000.

Cheyenne, a 30-year-old mixed-breed horse, was rescued by Okeechobee Animal Control when she was found thin and frail walking down a county road.

METRO

A Heaven for Horses - A local farm provides a forever home for rescues

By Molly Donovan | Apr. 17, 2016

Not far from the relentless traffic on Interstate 75, animals find peace at Mill Creek Farm’s Retirement Home for Horses.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD: Police arrest two students in connection with sexual battery

By Martin Vassolo | Apr. 17, 2016

Gainesville Police arrested two men early Saturday morning in connection with a sexual battery that occurred hours earlier.

Pictured above is Tina, a 1-year-old grey tabby cat. On Friday, Gainesville Police arrested 22-year-old UF student Madeleine Joan Kaye after they said she demanded a $20 ransom for Tina’s safe return. Kaye never had possession of the cat, but said the ransom was a joke.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF student arrested after pretending to hold cat hostage

By Martin Vassolo | Apr. 17, 2016

When Tina the tabby cat went missing, her supposed captor set the ransom at $20.

Jenn Spencer, a volunteer from All Cats Healthcare Clinic, interacts with Scarlett, a 1-year-old spotted hyena, at Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation on Saturday. The conservation held its first Spring Safari Saturday, an event that allowed visitors to roam the grounds without a tour guide.

METRO

Conservation opens doors for Spring Safari

By Sara Marino | Apr. 17, 2016

About 1,000 people visited the Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation for its first Spring Safari.

METRO

Making prom fabulous, one girl at a time - UF graduates continue charity tradition

By Brittany Spino | Apr. 17, 2016

Finding the perfect prom dress is a milestone for some high- school students, but paying a hefty price can be unrealistic for their families.

METRO

Week of outdoor painting continues in High Springs

By Sydney Denninger | Apr. 17, 2016

Saturday marked the beginning of a weeklong art series.

Alachua County Sheriff Rural Services Unit officers and the UF College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Rescue Team worked together on Thursday to rescue a 1-week-old calf that had fallen into a 15-foot sinkhole in Newberry, Florida, and had been trapped in the hole for about a day.

METRO

Week-old calf saved from 15-foot sinkhole

By Martin Vassolo | Apr. 14, 2016

A little black heifer turned a week old Thursday, just a day after it was rescued from a sinkhole.

METRO

Gainesville to host 2016 biathlon, all participants to medal

By Brianna Ellis | Apr. 14, 2016

Gainesville’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department will host the first race of the 2016 Gainesville Biathlon Challenge on April 23 at 8 a.m.

METRO

Fundraiser optimistic despite lower attendance for Epilepsy Foundation event

By Lauren Johnson | Apr. 14, 2016

Despite a decrease in registration, Mandy Hancock said she hopes to raise $22,000 for Gainesville’s Epilepsy Foundation of Florida on Sunday.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua Commission takes on risky water in West Alachua County Wells

By Molly Donovan | Apr. 13, 2016

After more than an hour of discussion Tuesday, county commissioners unanimously voted in favor of sending a letter to the state, voicing concerns about high nitrate levels in West Alachua County wells.

METRO

Hogtown touts bigger, better festival this Saturday

By Hannah Ogden | Apr. 13, 2016

The fifth-annual Hogtown Craft Beer Festival will include more than just beer.

METRO

Massive book sale to make its regular appearance in Alachua County

By J.W. Glass | Apr. 12, 2016

Thousands of books will go on sale Saturday, but a line will begin for the Friends of the Library’s Spring 2016 Book Sale on Thursday night, said P.j. van Blokland, a sorter for the organization and a professor in the UF Food and Resource Economics Department.

METRO

American Dream film previews in Gainesville before PBS showing

By Catherine Dickson | Apr. 12, 2016

The Alachua County Labor Coalition will join the Civic Media Center, located at 433 S. Main St., to screen “Dream On” today at 7 p.m. The film will later air on PBS.

METRO

Wildlife foundation welcomes guests to roam grounds for the first time in spring

By Nicole Dan | Apr. 12, 2016

For the first time, the Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation will host a spring safari.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF Department of Religion chair sentenced to probation, counseling

By Martin Vassolo | Apr. 11, 2016

A UF professor accused of spying on his underage adopted daughter was sentenced to five years of probation and at least 30 months of counseling.