Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | POLITICS

Column: Post-mortem, post-Trump rally musings

Feb. 15, 2016

I’ve deliberately abstained from writing about the 2016 election. In both the Alligator and elsewhere, we are so constantly bombarded with election coverage and “hot takes” that I think the last thing the world needs is another college kid’s narrow perspective. However, I feel the need to describe my experience last Friday at the University of South Florida Sun Dome.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police: student crashed near Hub, charged with DUI

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 14, 2016

Police arrested a UF student Saturday night after they said he drove his Mazda off a small brick wall near the Hub.

METRO

Program helps veterans create businesses

By Jessica Rodriguez | Feb. 14, 2016

The Veterans Entrepreneurship Program, which helps disabled veterans start and run businesses, is accepting applications until Feb. 29.

METRO

Vigil honors fallen GPD officer 15 years after death

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 14, 2016

On the side of Northwest 16th Avenue, a group of Officer Scott Baird’s family, friends and colleagues lit candles in his memory.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police: student punched, threw shoe at officers

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 14, 2016

A UF student was arrested Sunday morning after police said he fought them outside Fat Daddy’s Bar on West University Avenue.

Lexie Matheo, a UF health science freshman, dances with Rosemary, 19, at Night to Shine. Matheo was Rosemary’s buddy, accompanying her the entire night. “It is almost like you're not even volunteering,” Matheo said. “It’s so fulfilling.”

METRO

Prom crowns guests with special needs during local event

By Felicia Solazzo | Feb. 14, 2016

After they posed for a photo with UF’s Albert and Alberta, people of all ages walked down a red carpet at Friday’s Night to Shine, a prom for people with special needs.

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Conference teaches at-risk children to overcome violence

By Kristen Solorzano | Feb. 14, 2016

At-risk children from Marion County and Alachua County learned about overcoming violence Saturday.

METRO

Tinder couples celebrate Valentine's Day

By Elizabeth Pantaleon | Feb. 11, 2016

About three months ago, Juan Juarez swiped right.

METRO

Local tech companies recruit at UF

By Nate Phillips | Feb. 11, 2016

Pizza, beer and innovation filled the old Firestone building on University Avenue on Thursday evening.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Missing Alachua County woman likely dead, police say.

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 11, 2016

Hannah Brim was five months pregnant when she went missing in January, according to a Gainesville Police incident report.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Suspected masturbator exposes himself to faculty member

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 11, 2016

Almost a full week after a man exposed himself to a UF faculty member, University Police released a timely warning to students, staff and faculty.

METRO

Local church holds prom for special-needs residents

By Felicia Solazzo | Feb. 10, 2016

The Tim Tebow Foundation and a local church are giving Gainesville residents with special needs a royal experience this weekend.

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Mayoral candidates debate plans to improve Gainesville

By Molly Donovan | Feb. 10, 2016

It was Braddy vs. Poe at Wednesday’s mayoral debate.

Pictured above is a fun bike, a 16-person pedal bar that allows people to pedal together to get to bars. Florida Fun Bikes, located at 530 W. University Ave., will have its grand opening on Feb. 11, 2016, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

METRO

Florida Fun Bikes debuts 16-person bike, hosts beer tours

By Sara Marino | Feb. 10, 2016

Sarah Freeman watched Florida Fun Bikes come to life from her job across the street.

METRO | POLITICS

Column: The Electoral College - a transient election topic

Feb. 10, 2016

America’s Founding Fathers have proven to be among the most influential people to have ever walked Earth. Several of the ideas and philosophical concepts that helped build this country more than 200 years ago remain applicable today. However, as visionary as they might have been, not all parts of their original design stand the test of time. Like the Founding Fathers, the Electoral College needs to become a part of America’s history, not its reality.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

RTS bus crashes into large rock

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 10, 2016

A Regional Transit Service bus crashed into a large rock Wednesday afternoon after its driver took a U-turn away from the normal route.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Woman arrested after biting, spitting on police

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 10, 2016

A Kissimmee woman was arrested Tuesday night after police said she threatened to stab a man with scissors.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF professor and runner dies after being found near Southwest Rec

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 9, 2016

A UF physics professor died in a hospital Monday morning from cardiac arrest, police said.

Jersey, an 11-year-old Brown Capuchins monkey, enjoys a snack Tuesday afternoon at the Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary. Jersey is one of the 25 monkies at the sanctuary.

METRO

Sanctuary raises funds for miracle monkeys

By Jessica Schein | Feb. 9, 2016

Bongo, a 21-year-old brown capuchin monkey, made a home at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary after years of living in a small laboratory cage.

The branch from a hackberry tree outside McCarty Hall snapped Tuesday morning. The roughly 20-foot long, 4,000-pound limb nearly injured a man as it fell, but it only brushed him, knocking him to the ground said UF economics junior Amanda Dempsey.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Twenty-foot branch hits man near Reitz

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 9, 2016

The branch of a tall hackberry tree near the Reitz Union snapped and nearly injured a man Tuesday. Workers will cut the tree down today.