Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO

3 Natives acai and juice bar hosts Gainesville grand opening

By Lexie Bajalia | Oct. 19, 2015

Since coming to UF, Alyssa Rubin has missed her favorite restaurant.

METRO

Gainesville observes National Forgiveness Day

By Jessica Morales | Oct. 19, 2015

Rachel Wayne stood in front of a microphone on Saturday and spoke about bullying.

METRO

GRU demands nearly $1 million from GREC

By Hunter Williamson | Oct. 18, 2015

Gainesville Regional Utility is demanding nearly $1 million in repayments from Gainesville Renewable Energy Center for overcharges since 2013.

METRO

They do: Same-sex couples exchange vows during Pride Days 2015

By Martin Vassolo | Oct. 18, 2015

The day before his wedding, Kevin Terrell needed a ring.

Reptar, a 1-year-old Chi Weenie, placed third in the Halloweener Derby at Kanapaha Veterans Memorial Park on Oct. 17, 2015. His owner, Swamp Restaurant manager Michael Brown, said Reptar had never raced before. “He did surprisingly well,” Brown said. “Honestly, I did not expect him to make it to the finish line.”

METRO

Dogs in costume race to raise money for cancer

By Kendaline Watt | Oct. 18, 2015

Michael Brown didn’t expect his dog to make it to the finish line Saturday.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man arrested for heroin in butt, weed in car

By Martin Vassolo | Oct. 18, 2015

Gainesville Police arrested a local man early Friday morning for reportedly having a cup of marijuana in his car and 6 grams of heroin in his butt.

METRO

Carson Springs hosts first animal fair

By Beatriz Martinez | Oct. 18, 2015

Barry Janks was afraid his warthogs were going to get stage fright Saturday.

Jeandona Doreste, a UF civil engineering fifth year, uses chalk to draw a light bulb coming out of a faucet on the intersection of Main Street and University Avenue. “Whenever I have the freedom to draw what I want, I tend to do what first comes to my mind,” said Doreste, who has come to Active Streets for the past two years.

METRO

The streets belong to us

By Charles Hatcher | Oct. 18, 2015

University Avenue was devoid of cars Sunday.

METRO

Small town mayor stops in Gainesville on bike trip from Tallahassee to Key West

By Brooke Baitinger | Oct. 15, 2015

Clint Johnson has no money and no idea where he’s sleeping tonight.

UF defensive back Deiondre Porter misses a tackle on Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs during Florida's 28-27 win on Sept. 26, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Florida football player Deiondre Porter arrested, faces four felony charges

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Oct. 14, 2015

Gainesville Police arrested UF football player Deiondre Porter Wednesday morning after police say he reportedly fired a gun in the direction of his pregnant girlfriend in late September.

Mary Myers, a 22-year-old UF family, youth and community sciences senior, sips from her beer at The Swamp Restaurant on Oct. 13, 2015. Myers said when game day rolls around she comes to the restaurant with her friends because it has a fun outside atmosphere.

METRO

Swamp Restaurant ranked a go-to

By Paisley Papineau | Oct. 13, 2015

The Gators are ranked top 10 in the country, and now, so is The Swamp Restaurant.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Authorities seek to stop flakka drug before its presence grows

By Giuseppe Sabella | Oct. 13, 2015

Synthetic drugs such as spice started to appear in Gainesville years ago, and now a deadly substance called flakka is making its way into the community.

METRO

City Commission advances GRU advisory board ordinance

By Hunter Williamson | Oct. 13, 2015

An ordinance to create a Gainesville Regional Utilities advisory board is making its way through the City Commission.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Deputies arrest jail inmate for spitting

By Giuseppe Sabella | Oct. 13, 2015

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a local man Tuesday morning after he reportedly spit on a jail inmate while already serving time for past crimes.

METRO

UF alumnus photographs Gainesville scooter riders

By Sara Marino | Oct. 12, 2015

Most weekends, Ismael Iribar stands near Midtown and waits for scooters.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Sheriff deputies arrest man for crack in butt

By Giuseppe Sabella | Oct. 12, 2015

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Lake Butler man Sunday night after he reportedly tried to hide cocaine in his butt during a search.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police arrest man for throwing beer bottle, causing $700 in damages

By Giuseppe Sabella | Oct. 12, 2015

Gainesville Police arrested a local man early Sunday morning after he reportedly threw his beer bottle at a car and caused $700 in damages Saturday night.

Addie Dalton, a board member for Gigi’s Playcenter, a nonprofit organization for children with Down Syndrome, snips a ribbon at the center’s grand opening on Oct. 11, 2015. The center provides a space for children and families with down syndrome to build confidence through learning, performing and socializing.

METRO

First GiGi’s Playhouse in Florida opens in Gainesville

By Daniela Bulla | Oct. 11, 2015

Mika Vuto’s daughter, Mia, was born with Down syndrome.

METRO

Durty Nelly’s bans smoking indoors to bring in customers

By Jennifer Louissant | Oct. 11, 2015

Gainesville’s oldest Irish pub has decided to become smoke-free.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Weekend Crime Roundup

By Giuseppe Sabella | Oct. 11, 2015

Police arrest local man after fight causes $400 in damage