Metro

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METRO  |  POLITICS

Gainesville rally calls for gun safety, end to gun violence

By Claire Grunewald | Apr. 5, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Monday a permitless carry bill, which will get rid of the required application and training to carry a concealed firearm. This was a week after a mass shooting occurred at a Nashville private school. These two events, and many more, prompted the demand for gun violence protests across the state.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville sexual offender arrested on felony registration failures

By Aidan Bush | Apr. 2, 2023

Edward Deon Cain, 64, faces a total of nine felony charges: one count of failure of a sexual predator to report a change in vehicles owned, one count of failure of a sexual predator to report a change in cellular telephone number, two counts of failure of a sexual predator to register an internet identifier and five counts of providing false sexual predator registration information.

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METRO

Gainesville’s ​Fresh Laundry & Cafe, Wash King offer free laundry day fused with literacy training

By Kailee Johnsen | Mar. 30, 2023

Both ​Fresh Laundry & Cafe and Wash King offered a free laundry day Tuesday. LaundryCares Foundation, in partnership with Loads of Learning GNV, organized the event to transform everyday places into learning places.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission approves cottage village ordinance

By Siena Duncan | Mar. 29, 2023

The Alachua County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve cottage villages as appropriate housing. 

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METRO

Gainesville residents take flight at Gator Fly-In

By Aidan Bush | Mar. 27, 2023

Hundreds of Gainesville residents hit the tarmac March 25, looking to celebrate UF military alumni, see planes up close and take to the skies themselves.

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METRO  |  K-12 EDUCATION

Pause the period: State bill would ban mention of menstruation in elementary schools

By Lauren Brensel | Mar. 27, 2023

Rep. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, is the sponsor of House Bill 1069, which would also limit discussions of sexuality, reproduction and sexually transmitted diseases to grades six through 12. The bill passed through each of its committees and will be heard on the Florida House of Representatives floor March 30. 

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METRO  |  POLITICS

Alachua County labor union leaders oppose proposed legislation

By Claire Grunewald | Mar. 27, 2023

Over the years, Florida Republicans have introduced bills targeting the ways public employee unions operate. Most of the previous bills haven’t been able to cross the threshold into becoming laws. But some union leaders fear that might change this legislative session.

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METRO  |  POLITICS

Micanopy votes out anti-LGBTQ commissioner, appoints first Black female mayor

By Jack Lemnus | Mar. 27, 2023

Draped in rainbow flags, the historic, small town of Micanopy thronged to the polls on election day — on the ballot: a review of the community’s stance on LGBTQ inclusivity. 

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF Student arrested on human trafficking, traveling to meet a minor charges

By Aidan Bush | Mar. 23, 2023

A UF student was taken into custody in Pinellas County March 17 after attempting to purchase sex with a 14- and 15-year-old girl over the internet, according to an arrest report.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man arrested on sexual assault, robbery charges after 1 year of police searches

By Aidan Bush | Mar. 22, 2023

A man was put into custody March 19 on suspicion of raping a Gainesville woman, nearly a year after the incident.

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METRO

Tensions high at second Gainesville Police Department K-9 unit community meeting

By Aubrey Bocalan | Mar. 22, 2023

The second meeting to discuss the K-9 unit was held at Williams Elementary Tuesday night. About 30 people attended including retired police officers, city officials and community activists, all of whom voiced their opinions on whether the K-9 unit should be reinstated. 

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville teen arrested for alleged Buchholz High School shooting threat

By Aidan Bush | Mar. 21, 2023

A Gainesville teen was arrested this week on suspicion of threatening to commit a mass shooting at Buchholz High School.

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METRO

Gainesville bakery treats customers to South American delicacies, gives back

By Nicole Beltran | Mar. 20, 2023

Marliz Arteaga, 40, and her husband Leandro Soria, 41, are the owners of Dulce Manjar Bakery, an artisanal bakery specialized in South American treats. Dulce Manjar’s selection has previously included products like sweet bread and upside down pineapple cake.

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METRO

First Black Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton works to restore trust

By Lauren Brensel | Mar. 20, 2023

As the first Black person to be elected Alachua County’s Supervisor of Elections, Kim Barton, 60, said she’s come full circle since then.

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METRO

Voleer Thomas dedicates career to East Gainesville service journalism

By Jake Lynch | Mar. 20, 2023

For the last five years, Voleer Thomas has worked as a reporter for the Gainesville Guardian, which was founded in 2005 to address gaps in the Gainesville Sun’s coverage of Gainesville’s Black community.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Amanda Figueredo commits to safety in Gainesville SWAT unit

By Aidan Bush | Mar. 20, 2023

Amanda Figueredo, 31, recently received accolades after her rise in GPD, earning the officer of the year title. But her community involvement extends past policing into diversity programs and child mentorship.

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METRO

A one-woman show: Hawthorne’s mayor inspires next generation of women

By Jack Lemnus | Mar. 20, 2023

Hawthorne Mayor Jacquelyn Randall isn’t weighed down by the many hats she wears. As an educator, clinician, mayor and mother, she devotes her life to serving others and empowering female youth. 

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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. 

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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.

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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.