Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO

Shoppers vulnerable to credit card fraud

By Sara Marino | May 9, 2016

Local authorities said credit card fraud is a consistent problem each year.

METRO

Nonprofit thrift stores host discount deals, help students

By Jessica Rodriguez | May 9, 2016

College students seeking to empty or furnish their apartments often visit thrift stores at the start of a new semester. This summer, students can donate their gently used furniture or clothes, find deals and help local charities at nonprofit thrift stores around town.

Three Gainesville Police officers responded to the 34th Street Wall after one or more people spray painted a swastika on its memorial, which honors five students murdered in 1990. “It is sick,” a responding GPD officer said.

METRO

Memorial on 34th Street Wall vandalized with swastika, SS symbols

By Sara Marino | May 9, 2016

On April 30, at least one unidentified person marked the memorial with a white swastika within an existing red heart. A pair of white SS bolts were sprayed next to the heart.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF women’s basketball player Simone Westbrook arrested

By Ethan Bauer | Apr. 23, 2016

Police arrested Simone Westbrook, a guard on Florida’s women’s basketball team, early Saturday morning.

METRO

Trashy events ‘in’ this weekend

By Kathleen Hyatt | Apr. 19, 2016

A nonprofit thrift store will host two new events to promote sustainability throughout the weekend.

METRO

ASO SWAT team wins national competition in Missouri

By Martin Vassolo | Apr. 19, 2016

Members of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team traveled to Fredericktown, Missouri, and placed first in a four-day competition over the weekend.

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.