metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

Outback Steakhouse will open its new building at 3770 SW Archer Road on Wednesday.

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Outback Steakhouse changes location

By Briana Erickson | Aug. 24, 2015

Outback Steakhouse restaurant is staying true to their slogan and keeping things fresh with a new location.

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'Politically incorrect' hinders social issues

Aug. 24, 2015

When someone embraces being politically incorrect, they really mean they are either: a) factually incorrect or b) a jerk. At the Aug. 6 Republican presidential debate, Donald Trump said, "I don’t frankly have time for total political correctness. And to be honest with you, this country doesn’t have time either." Contrary to what Trump may believe, political correctness is not stopping relevant political discourse but, rather, pushing it toward the real issues.

Brad Heron, piano player and owner at Rockey's Dueling Piano Bar, spent Sunday night out with his coworkers Sean Reed (left), Mayan Alvarado (middle) and Marylin Prado (right). He is one of 30 people who will participate in the Wheelchaired for a Day Challenge in Gainesville this month, which raises awareness of issues that affect the disabled community.

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Local man barhops in wheelchair to raise awareness for those with disabilities

By Brooke Baitinger | Aug. 23, 2015

Most people are familiar with rolling through Midtown on a Sunday night.

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ASO deputies cleared in shooting outside Winn-Dixie

By Giuseppe Sabella | Aug. 23, 2015

The state attorney cleared two Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies last week in the May 12 shooting of a man outside the Northside Shopping Center Winn-Dixie, according to ASO spokesman Art Forgey.

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Activists discuss black oppression, confederate statue

By Hunter Williamson | Aug. 23, 2015

Standing at the podium, Nailah Summers fought back tears as she listed names.

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County Commission, ACSO disagree over marijuana laws

By GRAHAM HALL | Aug. 5, 2015

Alachua County commissioners and county attorney Michele Lieberman are in the process of investigating whether the county can legally begin issuing civil citations for marijuana possession — a move similar to Miami-Dade County, which voted June 30 to allow police to issue $100 civil citations or give the option of community service for the possession of up to 20 grams of marijuana.

Kendra Phillip (left), 22-year-old UF health education graduate, and Athena Wong, 19-year-old UF accounting sophomore, sign a giant card for Roselle Derequito at Blaze Wednesday. Derequito's sorority, alpha Kappa Delta Phi, held a fundraiser to raise money for her medical expenses.

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GoFundMe for ill UF alumna raises more than $16,000

By Patricia Potestades | Aug. 5, 2015

Roselle Derequito started feeling sick a few weeks ago. She had a fever and a mild headache — nothing too out of the ordinary.

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GoFundMe for local man raises more than $16,000

By Ansley Pentz | Aug. 3, 2015

When her friend was shot about two weeks ago, Clara Edwards decided to make a GoFundMe page to help cover his medical expenses.

Daniel Roth, 6, snuggles his newly adopted boxer, Barney Collier, during a group photo of the “Paws on Parole” graduates. The dogs were named after characters in the movie Mission Impossible as the theme for their graduating class was "Mission Pawsible." Roth was able to take Barney home after the ceremony.

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Paws on Parole brings dogs, inmates together

By Ansley Pentz | July 29, 2015

Tania Rivera has been out of jail for less than a week, and she decided to go back.

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Survey: Floridians want to learn about endangered animals

By Ansley Pentz | July 29, 2015

Katy Taggart went to Kenya last summer on a wildlife ecology trip and decided to create a UF club.

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UF entrepreneur serves curry in honor of Greenberg

By Ansley Pentz | July 27, 2015

Parker Van Hart didn’t go to his friend and Grooveshark founder Josh Greenberg’s memorial service.

Sam Tarantino (left), co-founder of Grooveshark, a Gainesville-based music streaming service, speaks to family and friends of fellow co-founder Josh Greenberg, who was found dead on July 19.

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Grooveshark co-founder leaves behind a legacy

By Melissa Gomez | July 27, 2015

From now on, April 17 will be known as Josh Greenberg Day in Gainesville.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., right, poses for a photo at a rally, Sunday, July 26, 2015, in Kenner, Louisiana.

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Bernie Sanders’ grassroots movement reaches Gainesville

By Ramon Peña | July 27, 2015

Gainesville is “feeling the Bern” as Gainesville Wants Bernie, a local group, is hosting a meet-up Wednesday at High Dive bar per request of Democratic Party nominee Bernie Sanders.

Lily Woodard, who goes by the derby name Slang Blade, chases a group of runners during the Bull Run 5K.

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Gainesville has own Running of the Bulls

By Nina Cusmano | July 27, 2015

Allie Munch’s New Year’s resolution was to run a 5K race every month for the entire year.

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Co-founder of Grooveshark found dead in home

By Melissa Mihm | July 20, 2015

The co-founder of Grooveshark Music was found dead Sunday evening.

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A Tinder for shopping? There's an app for that

By Melissa Gomez | July 20, 2015

If you’ve ever wondered if there would be an application like Tinder but for shopping, look no further.

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Newberry branch library expands

By Sedona Huffty | July 15, 2015

As of Saturday, the Newberry branch library now offers a Snuggle Up Center, Teen Space and several other additions.

[FILE PHOTO] John Nordman, right, hands 8-year-old Micah Reed a chocolate milk at the Reichert House on Tuesday. Nine newly hired police officers served 128 students lunch.

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New police officers give back, serve lunch to at-risk youth

By Patricia Potestades | July 15, 2015

For children at the Reichert House, discipline and routine are what their teachers aim to instill in them daily.

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UF students bring home titles at national business conference

By Jenny Eason | July 15, 2015

Two UF students won national titles at the Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference in Chicago.

Captain Brian Helmerson of the Gainesville Police Department moves Thursday evening to separate protesters on the site of a monument on the corner of West University Avenue and North Main Street dedicated to fallen Confederate soldiers. One group called for the removal of the monument while the other called for the monument to stay.

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Confederate Controversy

By Laura Gomez | July 13, 2015

Based on the Confederate statue on the corner of Main Street and East University Avenue on Thursday, a crowd of protesters held signs that read, “End white supremacy” and “Tear it down.”