Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | POLITICS

Walls do not provide immigration permanent fix

Sep. 2, 2015

Illegal immigration has been a constant talking point of recent election cycles. But what was usually reserved as a single debate question late into the general election has become a front-and-center issue within the GOP primary. From the Great Wall of Trump to the more empathetic Bush, we are seeing the big-tent party hosting many opinions on this single issue.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Undercover Gainesville Police online child-sex investigation results in 21 arrests

By Giuseppe Sabella | Sep. 1, 2015

Gainesville Police announced Tuesday the arrest of 21 people – including university students and staff – for reportedly soliciting sex with a minor after the conclusion of a five-day undercover operation.

Lina Mejia (left), 21, and Nicholas Acosta, 22, both UF architecture juniors, eat chips and guacamole at Chipotle on West University Avenue on Sept. 1, 2015.

METRO

Fungus threatens avocados

By Emily Mavrakis | Sep. 1, 2015

Paulina Magaña eats avocados three times a week.

Books-A-Million recently closed its location at 2601 NW 13th St. In its place, 2nd and Charles will open in the middle of November.

METRO

Books-A-Million closes, consignment store to open in place

By Megan Shea | Sep. 1, 2015

As students rush to purchase books at the beginning of the semester, there is one less bookstore in Gainesville.

METRO | POLITICS

Reitz to include more spaces for black and Hispanic students

By Ebony Joseph | Sep. 1, 2015

The newly expanded Reitz Union includes a wing that will make UF the first university to have more than one space to serve black and Hispanic students.

METRO

Lollicup holds contest to support campus organizations

By Jordanne Laurito | Aug. 31, 2015

This semester, 14 UF organizations will be buying bubble tea in hopes of earning cash prizes.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Local man arrested for DUI, crashes car into tree

By Giuseppe Sabella | Aug. 31, 2015

Gainesville Police arrested a local man early Monday morning after he reportedly crashed his car on 13th Street.

METRO

Emiliano’s closed for renovations, plans to reopen Friday

By Krystalle Pinilla | Aug. 31, 2015

Just in time for happy hour, Emiliano’s Cafe will reopen with a brand new look.

Maria Parsons, a Gainesville resident, protests at the corner of Northwest 39th Avenue and Northwest 97th Boulevard on Aug. 30, 2015. Her gas mask and gloves symbolize the pollution she said the biomass plant causes.

METRO

Gainesville residents protest biomass plant

By Hunter Williamson | Aug. 30, 2015

On Saturday morning, former Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan arrived at the Best Western Gateway Grand Hotel to receive an award for her work in public office.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Local man arrested for driving into church utility pole

By Giuseppe Sabella | Aug. 30, 2015

Gainesville Police arrested a local man early Sunday after he reportedly drove into a pole at St. Augustine Catholic Church.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police arrest men for taxi robbery, driver held at gun point

By Giuseppe Sabella | Aug. 30, 2015

Gainesville Police arrested three men Friday evening after they reportedly robbed a taxi driver at gunpoint.

METRO

Thrift 5 closes, Gator Stompin’ will still continue

By Briana Erickson | Aug. 30, 2015

Outside Thrift 5 on Main Street, students struggled to lift antique furniture, wooden chairs and old couches into trucks and cars parked on the street.

Riley, a 6-year-old Irish Setter and German Shepherd mix, retrieves a tennis ball in a man-made pond at Dogwood park on Aug. 26, 2015. The 15-acre off-leash dog park offers two swimming ponds that are both treated and maintained on a regular basis.

METRO

UF researchers find animal pathogen in Gainesville lakes

By Martin Vassolo | Aug. 30, 2015

Apollo, a 1-year-old boxer, loves to swim in warm water.

Guild members (from left) Scott West, Kayte Sands, Mollie Lassiter and Miranda Lipsig perform a skit during Thieves Guild auditions at the Thomas Center Galleries on Aug. 29, 2015.

METRO

Performers audition for Hoggetowne Medieval Faire

By Brooke Baitinger | Aug. 30, 2015

Sitting on a bench, Mollie Lassiter dreamed of a gown.

Miami-based group The Jellyfish Brothers played songs at The Jam on Saturday during the Road to III Points event, which promoted the III Points festival happening in Miami from Oct. 9 to 11.

METRO

The Jam hosts local and Miami DJs to promote festival

By Gabrielle Calise | Aug. 30, 2015

Blue and white lasers flashed through smoke as about 400 people danced to thumping beats and pulsing rhythms.

METRO | POLITICS

Larry Lessig: Is he a legitimate presidential candidate?

Aug. 30, 2015

The most interesting storyline of the 2016 Democratic primary is not how a former cabinet secretary cleaned her computer server — "like with a cloth or something" — or the flamboyant socialist steadily creeping upward in the polls.

METRO

Erika weakens, but preparation still advised

By Hunter Williamson | Aug. 29, 2015

Tropical Storm Erika degenerated to a trough of low pressure Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

An Alachua County Sheriff's Office police car is stationed outside Joseph Williams Elementary School Aug. 28, 2015.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Fugitive hiding across from a Gainesville elementary school arrested

By Giuseppe Sabella | Aug. 28, 2015

Local authorities arrested a fugitive hiding in a house near a Gainesville elementary school Friday afternoon.

James Franklin, chief hurricane forecaster, looks at an image of Tropical Storm Erika as it moves westward towards islands in the eastern Caribbean, at the National Hurricane Center, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, in Miami.

METRO

Locals remember past hurricanes as Tropical Storm Erika nears Florida

By Hunter Williamson | Aug. 27, 2015

Sarah Wolff and her family lived without power for two weeks, playing board games and reading books to pass time as the storm raged.

METRO

Experts: Tropical Storm Erika may impact Florida, preparation advised

By Hunter Williamson | Aug. 26, 2015

It’s too early to say if Tropical Storm Erika will impact Florida, but it’s not too early to start preparing for a hurricane.