Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

An Island Flying Fox Bat, native to Indonesia, wraps its wings up for a nap at the Lubee Bat Conservatory during the 8th Annual Florida Bat Festival, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Gainesville, Fla. The conservatory houses over 200 individual bats of 12 different species while working with international organizations to save fruit bats and their habitats through research and conservation efforts.

METRO

Conservancy draws 2,500 for annual bat celebration

By Tatila Brock | Oct. 28, 2012

About 2,500 people attended the Lubee Bat Conservancy’s eighth annual Florida Bat Festival Saturday.

METRO

UF fan left with life-threatening injuries after Florida-Georgia

By Chris Alcantara | Oct. 28, 2012

A man was hospitalized and another was arrested following a fight outside EverBank Field in Jacksonville during the first half of the Florida-Georgia football game Saturday.

Fest patrons stand in a sold-out line for an event at High Dive, 210 SW Second Ave., on Thursday evening. Fest begins on Friday and will take place at the following venues: The Florida Theater of Gainesville, 8 Seconds, High Dive, The Atlantic, 1982, Loosey’s, CMC, The Lunchbox, Durty Nelly’s Pub, The Laboratory, Rockey’s Piano Bar, The New Top Spot and Boca Fiesta/Palomino.

METRO

Local businesses prep for today’s flood of Fest attendees

By Colleen Wright | Oct. 25, 2012

As about 300 bands gear up for Fest 11, about 8,000 people will flood into the city with empty stomachs and full wallets for a weekend of music.

METRO

Gator grabber featured at county fair

By Mark Patrick Kelly | Oct. 25, 2012

Bert Lucas hops into a pit of water with a natural born killer every chance he gets.

Yume Ume, which replaced Gainesville restaurant staple Rolls ‘n Bolls, hosted its grand opening Thursday. Entrees cost an average of $7 to $9 depending on the type of meat.

METRO

New restaurant rebrands itself, serves homestyle Japanese food

By Rachel Crosby | Oct. 25, 2012

Yume Umēe, which means “yummy dreams” in Japanese, recently replaced Gainesville restaurant staple Rolls n Bowls, located at 3117 SW 34th St.

METRO

Citywide garage sale kicks off

By Kewel Midelis | Oct. 25, 2012

From college students furnishing apartments to collectors looking to find a hidden gem, Gainesville’s first Great Garage Sale is expected to draw a crowd this weekend.

METRO

Friends of the Library book sale starts this weekend

By Rachel Crosby | Oct. 24, 2012

Hundreds of thousands of donations will soon be on sale at the biannual Friends of the Library Book Sale. This week, volunteers will make the final touches to the stands that students and families will scour for stories this weekend.

METRO

Festival to highlight bats’ environmental impact

By Jovahn Huertas | Oct. 24, 2012

This weekend, Gainesville residents will have a rare chance to get up close and personal with some furry, flying creatures.

METRO

Man buys car with stolen card info

By Chris Alcantara | Oct. 24, 2012

For Ryan Mychal-Brooks Burney, a nearly $12,000 purchase with stolen credit card information he bought for $500 seemed like a steal.

County Commissioner Mike Byerly sits in his office at an Alachua County Commission meeting Tuesday. Byerly is a 12-year commission incumbent.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission candidates face off

By Webb | Oct. 24, 2012

Gainesville doesn’t seem like the place for someone who went to the University of Georgia, Clemson and the University of Tennessee.

John Martin does a Gator Chomp at his campaign headquarters Monday. Martin was part of the Hawthorne City Commission for 13 years.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission candidates face off

By Webb | Oct. 24, 2012

John Martin doesn’t mind dancing to his own beat — especially at Gator basketball games.

Taylor Affleck, a 25-year-old Jimmy John’s employee, passes West University Avenue and Buckman Drive on Tuesday afternoon while delivering a sandwich to a customer.

METRO

City-wide survey aims to increase cycling safety

By Alex Catalano | Oct. 23, 2012

To access concerns about cycling safety, the city released a public survey Monday to gather information about cycling accidents. The data will identify dangerous areas in Gainesville to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Mushi, a 3-year-old Chow Chow mix, sits on Dan Kahn’s lap and looks at passersby outside Loosey’s in downtown Gainesville on Tuesday, two weeks after being hit by a car.

METRO

Resident goes into debt to save canine companion after accident

By Webb | Oct. 23, 2012

Though Mushi, a 3-year-old Chow Chow mix, is calm now, her owner, Dan Kahn, said she’s been fighting for her life.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Starke man arrested for sexual assault

By Chris Alcantara | Oct. 22, 2012

Gainesville Police arrested a man early Sunday morning after officers found him sexually assaulting a UF student in a field behind Midtown.

METRO

Child star’s band performs at local bar

By Michael Scott Davidson | Oct. 22, 2012

Frankie Muniz performed in Gainesville on Sunday, but he wasn’t the star of this show.

METRO

Students pleased by debate

Oct. 22, 2012

About 700 students, sponsors and invited guests gathered from 5 p.m. on to watch the live debate on three blow-up screens and two televisions.

METRO

First weekend of Alachua County Fair draws families

By Katherine Hahn | Oct. 22, 2012

The Alachua County Fair, which opened Friday and runs until Oct. 27 at the Alachua County Fairgrounds, offers rides, games, food, live bands, vendors and animal shows.

METRO

Motorcyclist injured in traffic collision

By Benjamin S. Brasch | Oct. 21, 2012

Police have blocked off northbound traffic on Southwest 34th Street at Hull Road after a crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV on Sunday night.

The Democratic National Committee bus sits outside of Turlington Hall on Sunday. Special guests including former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm and model Chanel Iman spoke to students about voting. “I’m here to urge Florida to vote,” Granholm said, “because the whole country is watching and everything you are doing is so significant to the rest of us.”

METRO

Boca Raton hosts final debate

By Katherine Hahn | Oct. 21, 2012

President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney will face off for the third and final presidential debate at 9 p.m. tonight. The event will take place about 300 miles away, but the impact will resonate everywhere — especially on the Internet.

METRO

County rezones area as residential

By Alex Catalano | Oct. 21, 2012

If you head east on Northeast 39th Street just beyond the Lamplighter Mobile Home Park, you’ll find a group of folks that live in a state of industry.