Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

Cynthia Chestnut addresses a crowd of 30 supporters at her campaign launch at Gainesville City Hall on Monday, Sept. 27, 2021.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Cynthia Chestnut: 5 decades of unwavering public service in Gainesville, Alachua County

By Siena Duncan | Mar. 20, 2023

Cynthia Chestnut, 73, was the first Black woman to serve as a Gainesville City Commissioner, mayor, Alachua County Commissioner and state representative for District 23. She’s now a city commissioner, serving Gainesville for the second time since her tenure in the 1980s.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Florida House to hear Gainesville Regional Utilities state takeover bill

By Siena Duncan | Mar. 20, 2023

The Alachua County Legislative Delegation voted 4-1 March 17 to move a bill affecting Gainesville Regional Utilities to the floor of the Florida House of Representatives.

Two UF students are arrested by University Police Department officers in Turlington Plaza Friday, March 10, 2023.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF student protestors face felonies but receive community support

By Aidan Bush | Mar. 20, 2023

Two UF students’ academic futures could be in jeopardy after they were arrested at an abortion rights protest March 10.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Florida House to hear Gainesville Regional Utilities state takeover bill

By Siena Duncan | Mar. 17, 2023

The bill, filed by Rep. Chuck Clemons, would move power over regional utilities out of the Gainesville City Commission’s hands by creating a state-appointed GRU Authority. The board would consist of volunteers from the area served by GRU, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on a dozen child pornography charges

By Aidan Bush | Mar. 14, 2023

A Gainesville man was arrested Monday on suspicion of uploading over 30 child pornography videos.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man failed to rob Gainesville bank, pretended to have weapon

By Christian Casale | Mar. 14, 2023

A suspect was arrested by the Gainesville Police Department Tuesday after attempting to rob the Bank of America on West University Avenue.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Drafted bill could remove Gainesville Regional Utilities from City Commission control

By Siena Duncan | Mar. 10, 2023

A bill drafted for the Florida House of Representatives could put Gainesville Regional Utilities out of the city’s control.

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

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Rezoning controversy in Alachua County Public Schools, explained

By Lauren Brensel | Mar. 9, 2023

To the dismay of some parents, Alachua County Public Schools will rezone four of its 22 public elementary schools by August to balance enrollment.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on suspicion of sexual battery on homeless woman

By Aidan Bush | Mar. 6, 2023

A Gainesville man was put into custody after he allegedly tried to coerce a homeless woman into having sex with him for money.

METRO

Gainesville city manager resuspends police K-9 unit 2 weeks after reinstatement

By Aidan Bush | Mar. 6, 2023

The city’s short-lived reinstatement of its K-9 unit ended Friday after it was pulled due to community concerns and demands for transparency.

Gainesville community members gather at Heartwood Soundstage in protest of Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill Saturday, March 19, 2022.

METRO

Pride Community Center of North Central Florida may relocate after building sale

By Lauren Brensel | Mar. 6, 2023

After about 16 years serving the community in its current location, the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida may relocate by April.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission to seek solar agreement, sell utilities radio system

By Siena Duncan | Mar. 5, 2023

The Gainesville City Commission voted unanimously to both sell the Gainesville Regional Utilities worker radio system to Alachua County and move forward with contract negotiations for a solar plant in Archer.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested on attempted homicide, animal cruelty charges

By Aidan Bush | Mar. 3, 2023

A Gainesville man was put into custody Thursday night on suspicion of attempting to kill a woman for driving near his home.

Hungry students visited Bolay's new location on University Avenue to get the grand opening free meal on Thursday, March 2, 2023.

METRO | BUSINESS

Franchises, business ventures seek off-campus retail spaces

By Sarah Marks | Mar. 2, 2023

Underneath off-campus student apartment complexes, businesses hope to claim one of the recently built retail spaces, promising further development to the growing college town.

METRO

Organizers seek to end GPD’s K-9 unit in press conference

By Jack Lemnus | Mar. 1, 2023

Nearly a year and a half since one of its K-9s tore out Terrell Bradley’s eye during a traffic stop, GPD stated it will expand the unit in a Feb. 17 press release.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission to host public hearing on cottage neighborhoods, an affordable housing solution

By Siena Duncan | Mar. 1, 2023

The Alachua County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to hold a public hearing on guidelines for cottage neighborhoods, the newest solution to the area’s affordable housing crisis.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested for sexual battery

By Aidan Bush | Feb. 28, 2023

After allegedly forcing himself on a 20-year-old female victim, a Gainesville man was arrested on suspicion of sexual battery Feb. 25.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville Police Department reinstates K-9 unit after month hiatus

By Aidan Bush | Feb. 27, 2023

Marking over half a year since a police K-9 tore out a man’s eye during a traffic stop, the Gainesville Police Department’s K-9 unit announced its return from a monthlong hiatus.

METRO

Construyendo comunidad: María Eugenia Zelaya helps Hispanic immigrants with children’s education

By Valentina Sandoval | Feb. 27, 2023

Through her passion for education, María Eugenia Zelaya has made a name for herself in Gainesville’s Hispanic community. Zelaya divides her time between managing the nonprofit organization Children Beyond Our Borders as its executive director, teaching Spanish at Eastside High School and raising her two children.

METRO

UF alum selected as Gainesville’s first chief climate officer

By Jack Lemnus | Feb. 27, 2023

UF alumna and former associate researcher Dan Zhu began her position as the city of Gainesville’s first chief climate officer Feb. 27. After traveling the world fighting climate change, she’s now back to serve the city she’s called home for over 12 years.