Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO

Survey: Internet tops banks as most-hated service provider

By Hanna Marcus | Jan. 15, 2014

Americans don’t seem to connect with their Internet service providers.

The 32nd annual bamboo sale is underway and will run through February at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. The nonprofit is selling pots of bamboo ranging from about $50 to about $400.

METRO

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens holds bamboo sale through February

By Bella Zabinofsky | Jan. 14, 2014

The 32nd Kanapaha Botanical Gardens bamboo sale is underway.

METRO

Gainesville firefighter rescues construction worker

By Jenna Lyons | Jan. 14, 2014

Gainesville Fire Rescue pulled a construction worker out of a collapsed trench Monday afternoon after a 14-foot wall of clay and sand trapped him.

METRO

Florida Players theater company to include 'Spring Awakening' in lineup

By Leland Henry | Jan. 14, 2014

A UF club is putting the spotlight on its new venture in hopes of drawing a greater audience. The student-run theater company Florida Players’ spring season now features a musical, something that has not been done by this club in two years.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested for battery, drunk off of cough syrup

By Jenna Lyons | Jan. 14, 2014

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a local man Monday night who became belligerent after drinking bottles of cough syrup and large amounts of caffeine.

METRO

New Asian restaurants add flavor to University Avenue

By Griffin Horvath | Jan. 14, 2014

Two new Asian restaurants are spicing up University Avenue.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Florida woman found dead in local hospital parking garage

By Jenna Lyons | Jan. 13, 2014

Gainesville Police is investigating both a suspected murder that took place early Monday in a parking garage at North Florida Regional Medical Center and a subsequent suicide.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County sets flu shot record for K-12 students

By Lynna Lawrence | Jan. 13, 2014

Even though this flu season has brought an increase in life-threatening cases to Alachua County, the health department provided vaccinations for a record number of the county’s children.

METRO

Colorado marijuana law ignites discussion in Gainesville

By Hanna Marcus | Jan. 13, 2014

With a new year comes change, and Colorado is following suit by turning over a different kind of leaf.

METRO

'Lazy Delivery' service brings groceries, toiletries to Gainesville doorsteps

By Ashley Kobza | Jan. 13, 2014

At-home delivery isn’t just for takeout anymore.

A protester stands on the corner of West University Avenue and Gale Lemerand Drive on Friday in objection to weekend The Ringling Bros. Circus appearance in Gainesville. Protesters gathered with signs to voice their opinions on the circus’s treatment of its animals.

METRO

Gainesville circus stop brings out fans, animal rights protesters

By Brooke Baitinger | Jan. 12, 2014

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus came to Gainesville for the first time in its more than 100-year history, and many animal rights activists wanted to make sure it will be the last.

METRO

Gainesville residents voice frustrations over roam towing

By Hanna Marcus | Jan. 12, 2014

Every day in Gainesville, cars disappear.

Signs placed on Northwest 16th Street indicate ongoing construction. Many sections of the street are scheduled for closure while the area undergoes improvements.

METRO

Road construction causes delays for drivers on 16th Avenue

By Alyssa Pivniouk | Jan. 12, 2014

Motorists driving on Northwest 16th Avenue may need to modify their daily traffic routines due to the road construction project that started last week.

Gainesville dog rescue organization Plenty of Pit Bulls hosted an adoption event to celebrate the opening of the Robertson's Animal Hospital on Saturday. Boomer is one of a few dogs who attended the event. 
This caption has been changed to reflect an editing error: Boomer was not adopted at the event; he was there to socialize with other pets.

METRO

Plenty of pit bulls feel the love at animal hospital grand opening

By Kai Su | Jan. 12, 2014

Owner and veterinarian Jessica Robertson cradled a 2-month-old pit bull in her arms and smiled as it covered her cheek in tiny kisses.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville weekend police beat: Holiday Inn stabbing, butcher-knife threat

By Jenna Lyons | Jan. 12, 2014

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a local woman Saturday morning after deputies reported she threatened her boyfriend with a butcher knife while he was in bed.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Alachua man arrested after huffing cleaning duster spray

By Jenna Lyons | Jan. 9, 2014

Gainesville Police arrested an Alachua man whom officers said passed out behind the wheel of a car after huffing cans of cleaning duster spray.

A new restaurant will replace Kay Bros. BBQ at 1620 W. University Ave. The Coop is set to open on Saturday and will feature a Southern-inspired menu.

METRO | BUSINESS

The Coop to open Saturday in former Kay Bros. location

By Briana Erickson | Jan. 9, 2014

Kay Bros. BBQ may have closed at the beginning of December, but starting Saturday, Gainesville residents can visit a new restaurant in the same location.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission to vote on county fire rescue grant

By Sarah Lapp | Jan. 9, 2014

The Alachua County Commission will vote Tuesday to accept or deny a $2 million grant awarded to Alachua County Fire Rescue.

METRO | POLITICS

Darts & Laurels 1/10/14

Jan. 9, 2014

Predictably, this first week of classes was a blur of syllabi, underheated RTS buses and overpriced textbooks. But you made it!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study saying Americans may be drinking too much alcohol and then lying to their doctors about how much they drink. A UF expert said this can be dangerous.

METRO

CDC study: Patients lie to doctors about alcohol consumption

By Christian Cooper | Jan. 9, 2014

Julia Rae Varnes wasn’t surprised when she saw a recent study about adults and their drinking habits.