Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

A sign in front of the Alachua County Public Schools district office building is seen Sunday, June 6, 2021.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

First-grader unknowingly brought handgun to Meadowbrook Elementary School

By Aidan Bush | May 5, 2023

Parents were startled Wednesday after Alachua County Public Schools reported a first-grader accidentally brought a loaded gun to his classroom. No criminal charges were filed as the gun landed in the boy’s backpack from a series of events unknown to both the child and his mother, according to a release from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder over a stolen lighter

By Aidan Bush | May 1, 2023

A Gainesville man was taken into custody after he allegedly stabbed another man multiple times. Torrance Lee, 38, was charged with one felony count of attempted homicide without premeditation.

Vivian Filer, executive director of the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, speaks at a reception to begin Gainesville's 43rd-annual 5th Avenue Arts Festival Friday, April 28, 2023.

METRO | BUSINESS

Historic Black neighborhood honored in 43rd annual 5th Avenue Arts Festival

By Aidan Bush | Apr. 30, 2023

The Cultural Arts Coalition hosted the second day of its 43rd-annual 5th Avenue Arts Festival Saturday. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., attendees browsed vendors selling cultural items, singing performances and a variety of local-made art. The festival is held each year to celebrate Fifth Avenue, the city’s oldest Black neighborhood, according to Gainesville Neighborhoods United.

METRO

The cold, metal heart of a robot warmed by friendship

By Jake Lynch | Apr. 27, 2023

Nat 20 is Howard W. Bishop Middle School’s highest-rated robotics team, and they aim to prove themselves later this month at the VexIQ Middle School World Championship in Dallas, Texas. In the meantime, the team has plenty of work to do.

METRO

Museum program expands scientific learning for children

By Nicole Beltran | Apr. 26, 2023

Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Museum in the Parks is run by the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville and focuses on enhancing children's understanding of and engagement with wildlife by teaching them about topics such as plants, animals and entire ecosystems.

METRO

Gainesville students participate in state-wide walkout

By Aubrey Bocalan | Apr. 24, 2023

At noon Friday, students at UF, P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School and Eastside High School walked out of their classes to protest what they feel is government censorship in education.

METRO

‘Ava’s Law’ could expand protection for pregnant women after Gainesville tragedy

By Aidan Bush | Apr. 24, 2023

Florida Senate Bill 730 — referred to as “Ava’s Law” after the child former inmate Erica Thompson lost after giving birth in the Alachua County Jail in August 2021 — would allow women charged with felonies to request to delay their sentence until after they’ve given birth.

METRO

Caring and Sharing Learning School celebrates Earth Day with tree planting, poem reading

By Aidan Bush | Apr. 22, 2023

Kids of all ages danced, sang and performed poetry under the warmth of the sun Thursday morning, celebrating the environment and its impact.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville Regional Utilities will move forward with solar plant

Apr. 21, 2023

The City Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve a solar contract with Origis Energy, making construction of a plant in Archer the first solar project for Gainesville Regional Utilities.

The U.S. Physics Olympiad, or USAPhO, is a high school physics competition that started in 1986 in which students are tested on the mechanics and applications of physics concepts.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Gainesville physics prodigies strive toward Physics Olympics

By Aubrey Bocalan | Apr. 21, 2023

The American Association of Physics Teachers often gives this book to aspiring physics talent, and Mishra, 17, was in the top 50 highest scores at the U.S. Physics Olympiad. But it still wasn’t enough to get him a gold medal. As a senior, he has returned to the competition striving to do even better.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission officially votes to restore exclusionary zoning

By Siena Duncan | Apr. 20, 2023

The three ordinances will completely revert the city’s zoning codes back to what they were, including four different types of single family zones, residential conservation zones, mobile home zones, multi-family zones and mixed use zones.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville solar plans in Archer shed light on nuances of renewable energy

By Siena Duncan | Apr. 17, 2023

After over a year of contract negotiations, the Gainesville City Commission has decided to temporarily halt plans to build a solar plant, called the Sand Bluff Solar Project, until it receives approval from a state committee.

Farmer John Nix feeds bread to one of his escaped cows before taking them back to the pasture Saturday, April 15, 2023.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Feeding Florida in a changing climate

By Jack Lemnus | Apr. 17, 2023

Amy Van Scoik is driven by her passion for feeding people, but this mission grows harder each year as the climate becomes more unpredictable. It’s never clear what extreme weather to expect during the next season.

AP Environmental Science Teacher John Pettit sits in front of his illustration of climate change he made earlier in the day as an example for his students at Buchholz High School Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Gainesville environmental science teachers enlighten next generation

By Aubrey Bocalan | Apr. 17, 2023

The list of Florida state standards for science classes under environmental science include 39 items, 14 of which are specifically related to climate change, according to CPalms, a database of standards and resources created by Florida State University. Teachers are required to tailor lessons to topics like the costs of fossil fuels and greenhouse gases.

METRO

Financial savviness meets climate activism in We Are Neutral

By Aidan Bush | Apr. 17, 2023

Formerly called "Neutral Gator," We Are Neutral planted 200 trees to offset a Florida-South Carolina football game. Now, it stands in collaboration with over 85 businesses and organizations to promote green efforts across the nation.

Bucholz High School Earth Club volunteered at a coastal cleanup in Cedar Key on International Coastal Cleanup day.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Gainesville youth join fight to preserve natural resources

By Claire Grunewald | Apr. 17, 2023

In the fight against climate change, young Alachua County residents are on the frontlines, focused on defending their future.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Are Gainesville’s 2040 waste diversion goals attainable?

By Jake Lynch | Apr. 17, 2023

With the startling amount of waste becoming more than just an eye sore, three cities in the state have made it a goal to reduce their amount of waste. Gainesville joins Key West and Orlando in the fight to reduce waste and resulting greenhouse gases.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Rep. Chuck Clemons files Gainesville Regional Utilities bill

By Siena Duncan | Apr. 11, 2023

On Monday morning, Rep. Chuck Clemons (R-Newberry) filed legislation, House Bill 1645, that would put Gainesville Regional Utilities under state control if passed.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville teen shot at in drive-by

By Aidan Bush | Apr. 11, 2023

A group of Gainesville males allegedly shot at a teen Monday evening.

Caution tape lines the streets in downtown Gainesville early Monday morning, April 10, 2023.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Downtown Gainesville shut down after 2 late-night shootings

By Christian Casale | Apr. 10, 2023

The Gainesville Police Department deployed caution tape, swept crime scenes and ordered confused onlookers exiting the Main Street clubs to leave downtown in the aftermath of two shootings that occurred within minutes of each other early Monday morning.