Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

Scherwin L. Henry is running for mayor. He served as the District 1 City Commissioner from 2006 to 2012.

METRO

Mayoral candidate: Scherwin L. Henry

By Alexa Volland | Mar. 13, 2013

As a former City Commissioner, Scherwin L. Henry is going back into politics to finish what he started.

Pope Francis I waves from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Wednesday. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who chose the papal name of Francis, is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

METRO

Habemus Papam: Argentine is new pope

By Andrew Kays | Mar. 13, 2013

After two days, white smoke from the Sistine Chapel signaled the end of the search for a new pope.

METRO

Mayoral candidate: Ed Braddy

By Billy Kennedy | Mar. 13, 2013

Ed Braddy is a back-to-the-basics guy who thinks Gainesville needs new leadership.

Mayor and City Commission candidates speak to students at the Chomp the Vote forum Wednesday evening at the Reitz Union.

METRO

Candidates battle, students weigh in

By Billy Kennedy | Mar. 13, 2013

With less than a week until Tuesday’s Gainesville city election, candidates discussed local business, the soft closing of bars, utility rates and homelessness Wednesday night.

METRO

Race fans flood Gainesville for Gatornationals competition

By Alex Harris | Mar. 13, 2013

Race enthusiasts are burning rubber to get to Gainesville this weekend for the 44th Annual NHRA Gatornationals competition.

Current District 4 Gainesville City Commissioner Randy Wells sits on a ledge at City Hall on Feb. 12. Wells is the current chairman of the Equal Opportunity Committee and Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission candidate: Randy Wells

By Colleen Wright | Mar. 12, 2013

Randy Wells says he needs three more years to get the job done.

W.E. “Mac” McEachern, 81, stands on the corner of Southeast Second Place and Southeast First Street on Feb. 12. McEachern is running for District 4 city commissioner.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission candidate: W.E. McEachern

By Kathryn Varn | Mar. 12, 2013

Every Friday for the past 25 years, W. E. “Mac” McEachern has been meeting with friends at breakfast restaurants around Gainesville.

METRO

Chipotle, McDonald’s, Taco Bell delivery starts

By Alex Harris | Mar. 12, 2013

Lazy foodies — rejoice!

METRO

Teachers wouldn’t take guns to school

By Michelle Jackson | Mar. 12, 2013

Bringing a gun to school is not something teachers nationwide would want in their job descriptions, and Gainesville teachers are no exception.

Michelle Manzione, a 23-year-old UF telecommunication senior, pays Sara Barner-Rasmussen, 32, while Nissa Barner-Rasmussen, 9, gathers cookies Monday at the Publix on 34th Street and Williston Road.

METRO

Local Girl Scout Cookies pricier than other areas’

By Alexa Volland | Mar. 12, 2013

Florida State University students will get their Girl Scout Cookies cheaper than the Gators.

METRO

Floridians value H2O quality over quantity

By Jacqueline Bond | Mar. 12, 2013

With more than 7,700 lakes, 700 springs and 825 miles of sandy beaches, people might not believe water is depleted in Florida.

METRO

Police arrest woman after she attacked another, pulled her weave

By Kathryn Varn | Mar. 12, 2013

An argument about a boyfriend led to the arrest of a Gainesville woman Monday after she allegedly attacked another woman and threatened her with various sharp objects.

Jacqueline Chung, manager of the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office, updates the County Commission on the proposed wage theft ordinance.

METRO

Wage theft ordinance discussion continues

By Kelcee Griffis | Mar. 12, 2013

When Carole Dunne worked long hours at a rehabilitation facility, she said, her boss expected her to go in early and stay late. She was never paid for her overtime work.

METRO

Florida Senate to hear bill on medical marijuana

By Jovahn Huertas | Mar. 11, 2013

UF student Guy Ginton may not need medical marijuana, but he supports it for people who do.

UF junior Alfredo Espinosa, 20, is running for District 4 city commissioner. Espinosa is a strong advocate for a new policy that would allow bars to soft close at 2 a.m.

METRO

Gainesville City Commission candidate: Alfredo Espinosa

By Samantha Shavell | Mar. 11, 2013

Alfredo Espinosa may not be the obvious person to run for City Commission, but that isn’t stopping him.

Fred Murry, a Gainesville assistant city manager, addresses the City Commission on Monday evening. During the meeting, building a center for the homeless population was discussed. Read the story at alligator.org.

METRO

City, county commissioners discuss ideas for proposed homeless shelter

By Kelcee Griffis | Mar. 11, 2013

At a joint county and City Commission meeting Monday, officials and citizens brainstormed ideas for what a proposed homelessness resources center housed in a former jail might look like.

METRO

Gainesville at high risk for sinkholes, experts say, but don’t panic

By Chad Furst | Mar. 11, 2013

Gainesville residents might be alarmed to know just how stable — or unstable — the ground they walk on is.

METRO

Swiper, no swiping: Police investigate ATM skimming scheme

By Kathryn Varn | Mar. 11, 2013

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office is looking for victims who could have been affected by an ATM skimming scheme at a Jonesville Publix last month.

Firefighter Joey Gonzalez, right, teaches Odette Hinson, left, how to operate the Jaws of Life at the Second Annual Citizens Fire Academy held Saturday at the Gainesville Fire Rescue training facility.

METRO

Citizens feel heat at Fire Academy

By Alexa Asendorf | Mar. 10, 2013

Eight Gainesville residents got a firsthand look at what it takes to be a firefighter during Gainesville Fire Rescue’s Second Annual Citizens Fire Academy on Saturday.

METRO

DNA evidence leads to rape suspect’s arrest

By Kathryn Varn | Mar. 10, 2013

A Gainesville man was arrested Wednesday after police used DNA evidence to link him to a Feb. 23 attempted rape at The Enclave Apartments.