Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

Michael Andreu, a UF associate professor of forest resources and conservation, shows a Westwood Middle School student how to identify a tree based on its leaf. Andreu was with the Kids in the Woods program, which was funded by a grant from the U.S. Forest Service.

METRO

Westwood sixth graders embrace hands-on, outdoor curriculum

By Sophia Karnegis | Mar. 17, 2015

Local sixth graders returned to the woods last week to sow the seeds of their middle-school curriculum.

METRO | POLITICS

Obama right to call out Iran deal critics

Mar. 17, 2015

The Mexican standoff between Iran, the U.S. and Israel over the nuclear talks due to end this month have already caused a bunch of ruckus in their respective countries. The talks had wide-reaching effects, including Tuesday’s elections in Israel and the legacies of our sitting president and the legislators who’ve made it their life’s work to oppose him. The deal comes at a time when the Middle East is once again the center of world chaos and general upheaval.

METRO

Powdered alcohol legalized but may be banned in Florida

By Justin Ross | Mar. 16, 2015

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved last week four types of Palcohol, a powder intended to be mixed into liquid to make an alcoholic beverage.

Joan Canton, vice chair of Southwest Advocacy Group, cuts the ribbon in front of the new Southwest Health Clinic at 816 SW 64th Terrace. The clinic, which will offer health care services to Linton Oaks and surrounding neighborhoods, opens Tuesday.

METRO

New clinic brings health care to southwest Gainesville

By Carla Vianna | Mar. 16, 2015

Anthanette Manns can say goodbye to the three bus trips she used to take to see a doctor. As of today, all Linton Oaks residents — and those in surrounding neighborhoods — will have a clinic within walking distance.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GNV woman charged with DUI, hit and run

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Mar. 16, 2015

Gainesville Police arrested a local woman Sunday evening with a blood alcohol more than three times the legal limit after she reportedly hit two cars.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Local man stabbed following fight about pack of cigarettes

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Mar. 16, 2015

Gainesville Police arrested a local man Sunday afternoon after he reportedly stabbed another man over a fight about cigarettes.

Talbot Elementary School students and Gainesville community members begin running during Joey’s Run Saturday morning at Westside Recreation Center. The run was hosted by Joey’s Wings Foundation in memory of 10-year-old Joey Xu, who passed away from a rare form of kidney cancer in November.

METRO

‘Joey’s Run’ 5K honors life of Gainesville boy who loved to run

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Mar. 15, 2015

More than anything, Joey Xu loved to run.

METRO

1,404 doughnuts abandoned at Dunkin’ Donuts

By Carla Vianna | Mar. 15, 2015

One-hundred and seventeen forgotten boxes sat in the back of the Northwest 13th Street Dunkin’ Donuts on Saturday morning.

METRO

Well-known cartoonist popular for hip-hop graphic novel to present at CMC tonight

By Dana Hatchett | Mar. 12, 2015

A well-known cartoonist is in town to share the ideas behind his work.

Lucas Jewell is a District 1 candidate for Gainesville City Commission.

METRO

Lucas Jewell aims to work on jobs, transportation

By Melissa Mihm | Mar. 12, 2015

Lucas Jewell is the youngest candidate in the 2015 City of Gainesville elections.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Charles Goston aims to lower GRU rates, honor past

By Emily Cardinali | Mar. 12, 2015

When he was flying in helicopters over the dense, dark jungle of Vietnam for the U.S. Army, Charles Goston learned he cannot wait for truth.

Yvonne Hinson-Rawls is the incumbent District 1 candidate for Gainesville City Commission.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Yvonne Hinson-Rawls’ Gainesville past inspires platform

By Emily Cardinali | Mar. 12, 2015

Yvonne Hinson-Rawls loves to stand at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and admire the beauty of the land in her district.

Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, 3617 Archer Road, drew a crowd at its grand opening in January by giving away free pizza. It’s celebrating Pi Day on Saturday by offering any pizza for $3.14 all day and is expecting an equally large turnout.

METRO

Get your pizza pi for $3.14 in honor of Pi Day at local restaurant

By Aaron Albright | Mar. 12, 2015

Pizzas will be at a special “pi” price at Blaze Pizza on Saturday in celebration of Pi Day.

METRO

Works in progress: road construction around Gainesville

By Carla Vianna | Mar. 12, 2015

Depot Avenue

A member of drag racer Terry McMillen’s pit crew services the Top Fuel dragster at a National Hot Rod Association media event near Piesano’s Pizza on Wednesday at noon. Pit crew members at the event demonstrated starting the dragster’s engine, removing it, rebuilding it and then reattaching it before starting it again.

METRO

Dragster engine rebuilt as teaser to GatorNationals

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 11, 2015

In advance of the 2015 GatorNationals — the third race event in the 2015 National Hot Rod Association Top Fuel series — nine-year professional drag racing veteran Terry McMillen and his crew from Amalie Motor Oil demonstrated just how much work goes it takes to prepare to drive down the quarter-mile track.

Both 32-ounce jugs and one-gallon jugs of beer, sold at Swamp Head Brewery, are legal container sizes in Florida. Lobbyists are trying to legalize the 64-ounce size beverages.

METRO

Growler bills hold promising changes for Florida craft beer industry

By Carla Vianna | Mar. 11, 2015

Florida craft beer lovers may soon be able to purchase 64-ounce growlers.

Scherwin Henry is a District 1 city commissioner candidate.

METRO

Scherwin Henry aims to bring job diversity, better economy to Gainesville

By Hunter Williamson | Mar. 11, 2015

Scherwin Henry is a family man.

Chris Weaver is a District 1 city commissioner candidate.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Chris Weaver aims to reduce GRU rates, engage students in city

By Ariana Figueroa | Mar. 11, 2015

Chris Weaver wants voters to know that even though he hasn’t lived in Gainesville long, he is still qualified to represent them.

METRO

Advisory board discusses issues in tent city surrounding shelter

By Emily Cardinali | Mar. 11, 2015

Gainesville’s Empowerment Center Oversight Advisory Board discussed Wednesday how to govern the tent city around Grace Marketplace, called Dignity Village, after the city acquires the land from the state in the next few weeks.

Jay Curtis is running for the at-large Gainesville City Commission seat in District 1.

METRO

Jay Curtis aims to make Gainesville No. 1 city to start a business

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Mar. 10, 2015

After dropping John Travolta off at the Oscars, Jay Curtis didn’t stick around.