Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

Commissioner Susan Bottcher, second from the left, and residents cut the ribbon at a “first pump” ceremony Monday morning. The event was held because the Alachua County Emerging Leaders, with the help of the City of Gainesville, installed new bike pumps downtown.

METRO

Bicycle pumps installed in downtown Gainesville

By Bradley Norman | Apr. 7, 2014

Cyclists can now pump it up in downtown Gainesville.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Advantage Towing owner arrested for 2013 scooter theft

By Jenna Lyons | Apr. 6, 2014

Gainesville Police arrested the owner of a local towing company Friday afternoon after he helped cover up a scooter theft committed a year ago at Canopy Apartments.

A recent study has examined that ketamine, also known as Special K, can possibly help in the treatment of depression. It has also been shown to have more immediate effects on those with more serious types of depression.

METRO

Street drug ketamine could be used to treat depression

By Melissa Mihm | Apr. 6, 2014

A well-known street drug is now being considered for the potential treatment for depression.

Gainesville Fashion Week model Tamima Mehrotra sits through hair and makeup before an early-season editorial photo shoot last month. Hair: Nicole Collazo. Makeup: Niko Pifferetti

METRO

Gainesville Fashion Week sees growth, social media high

By Teodora Yordanova | Apr. 6, 2014

Now in its seventh season, Gainesville Fashion Week has grown each year in participation and social media presence.

Maddie Sortino, a 21-year-old UF food science senior, celebrates after a jump during the UF Falling Gators’ 16th Annual Skydiving Club Collegiate Boogie. The event took place Friday through Sunday at Kay Larkin Field at the Palatka Municipal Airport.

METRO

UF skydivers jump, fall to ground with inflatable gator

By Marisa Ross | Apr. 6, 2014

Anyone who looked up at the sky above Kay Larkin Field in Palatka, Fla., on Saturday would have seen about eight UF students riding their school’s mascot.

METRO

Florida Springs Institute's Ginnie Springs event promotes water conservation

By Erin Meisenzahl-Peace | Apr. 6, 2014

Water resources in Florida are similar to a college student’s bank account — overdrawn.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville's Summer Heatwave program seeks donations Final Four-style

By Alina Avalos | Apr. 6, 2014

Four was the lucky number this spring for Gators basketball, and with the help of the Gainesville community, it could be the lucky number for the city’s Summer Heatwave program as well.

Kenya Tolbert gets her make-up done by 21-year-old advertising junior Stephany Jones. Tolbert won a complete makeover for her senior prom at Eastside High School.

METRO

UF seniors give Eastside High student a prom makeover

By Christine Alvarez | Apr. 6, 2014

Kenya Tolbert closed her eyes as layers of Maybelline mascara were applied to her eyelashes. She was almost ready for prom.

METRO | POLITICS

Congressional hopeful Rush denies wrongdoing, Yoho responds

By Kelcee Griffis | Apr. 3, 2014

Despite news reports about his attempts to scrub his online record, Jake Rush’s campaign maintains he did nothing wrong.

METRO

Annual Santa Fe spring arts festival to draw 100,000 visitors

By Kristina Cabrera | Apr. 3, 2014

Pink roseate spoonbills on the Indian River Lagoon capture a perfect Floridian scene on the 45th annual Spring Arts Festival’s poster.

A 13-foot-4-inch bull alligator is mounted in the Heisman Trophy pose. He holds a football signed by Tim Tebow, Steve Spurrier and Danny Wuerffel.

METRO

Actual, 13-foot Florida bull alligator on Craigslist

By Melissa Mihm | Apr. 3, 2014

A Georgia man is looking to sell a 13-foot mounted bull alligator that’s been living under a blanket in his garage.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Church volunteer arrested on sexual assault charges involving a toddler

By Jenna Lyons | Apr. 3, 2014

Gainesville Police arrested a volunteer at a local church Wednesday on accusations of sexually assaulting a 2-year-old girl on the playground.

METRO

Grade-school students compete in solar engineering competition

By Emily Julson | Apr. 3, 2014

North Florida’s first-ever EnergyWhiz Expo on Saturday will feature competitions to build the best miniature solar car and solar cooker.

The City Commission held a meeting at City Hall on Monday afternoon to discuss issues like developing a plan for University Corners.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission votes to ban sale of e-cigarettes to minors

By Brooke Austill | Apr. 3, 2014

Gainesville city commissioners unanimously voted in favor of regulating the use of e-cigarettes in a commission meeting Thursday.

METRO

Gators basketball success shifting downtown Gainesville business dynamics

By Julianne Huhn | Apr. 3, 2014

The success of the Gators men’s basketball team may also lead to increased success for local businesses.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission runoff candidates criticize each other at city issue debate

By Hanna Marcus | Apr. 3, 2014

At the Thursday night City Commission runoff candidate forum, a debate about city issues was partially clouded by sharp comments from each candidate about her opponent.

METRO

New beer glass to help bar patrons ignore phones, interact

By Ellen Kirkness | Apr. 2, 2014

You can check if the Instagram you just posted has any likes, or you can enjoy a cold pint of Blue Moon. But you can’t do both.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

ASO arrests man with 11 grams of marijuana hidden in his butt

By Jenna Lyons | Apr. 2, 2014

In another case of hiding drugs in interesting orifices, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a local man Monday night after a traffic stop search revealed he was hiding about 11 grams of marijuana in his butt.

METRO | POLITICS

Rush’s campaign attributes comments to another gamer

By Kelcee Griffis | Apr. 2, 2014

Jake Rush said he did not write violent, sexual comments as Chazz Darling.

Tyler Ritz, a 19-year-old UF aerospace engineering sophomore, watches the History Channel’s “American Pickers” in his first-floor Simpson Hall room Wednesday afternoon. A recent study by consulting firm Deloitte found that millennials watch less TV than older people do.

METRO

Study: Millennials watch less TV, prefer more options

By Silvia Rueda | Apr. 2, 2014

Wendy Trantham doesn’t consider herself a TV person, but when the 19-year-old wants to catch up on a show, she does it the old-fashioned way: in front of her television set.