Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

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

Finance major Peyton Hilford (left) looks at film negatives and slides with 20-year-old UF graphic design junior Maitane Romagosa inside the Repurpose Project during the Fall Trash Festival. “I love trash,” said Hilford, a 20-year-old UF junior.

METRO

Trash festival engages community in sustainability

By Gaby Newman | Oct. 11, 2015

In the middle of the lot Saturday, children decorated a dome.

Gainesville mayoral candidate Lauren Poe mingles at his first fundraiser on Oct. 9, 2015, at First Magnitude Brewery. During his speech, Poe said he plans to focus on children, quality of life and transportation.

METRO

Lauren Poe holds fundraiser for 2016 mayoral race

By Hunter Williamson | Oct. 11, 2015

Southern rock music, cold beer and local politics drew dozens to Gainesville mayor hopeful Lauren Poe’s first fundraiser Friday evening at First Magnitude Brewery.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police arrest gunman for attempting to enter College Park apartments

By Giuseppe Sabella | Oct. 8, 2015

Gainesville Police arrested a local man early Thursday morning after he reportedly tried to enter several apartments armed with a gun.

METRO

City officials finalize GRU ordinance

By Hunter Williamson | Oct. 8, 2015

During a Regional Utilities Committee meeting Thursday, city officials finalized a city ordinance to create a Gainesville Regional Utilities advisory board.

METRO