Metro

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Metro

Businesses prepare for tobacco tax increase

By JACQUELYNE SMITH | Mar. 26, 2009

Smokers will have yet another incentive to kick the habit after an April 1 tax increase, and local retailers are bracing themselves for the effects. The federal excise tax will increase for small cigarettes from 39 cents to $1.01 per pack and from $3.90 to $10.07 per carton, according to the U. S. Department of the Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau's Web site.

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Three arrested for stealing $5K from store

By KATIE EMMETS | Mar. 26, 2009

A Gainesville Wal-Mart Supercenter employee and two other people were arrested Wednesday after being accused of stealing almost $5,000 from the store.

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Losing candidates discuss outcome of city elections

By RACHAEL PINO | Mar. 26, 2009

Losing City Commission candidates said they anticipate bright political futures, despite landslide victories by incumbents in Tuesday's Gainesville City Elections.

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Tallahassee Nudist club to hold annual nude Olympics

By HUNTER SIZEMORE | Mar. 25, 2009

No shoes, no shirt, no pants, no problem.

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Metro

UF to buy road near hospital

By CHELSEA KEENAN | Mar. 25, 2009

A portion of Archer Road will receive an $8 million face-lift come October if everything pans out.

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Officials find 2.5 pounds of pot on highschoolers

By KATIE EMMETS | Mar. 25, 2009

Officials found a gun and 2.5 pounds of marijuana in the backpacks of three Eastside High School students Tuesday.

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Metro

Gainesville restaurant not closing from bad business

By EMILY FUGGETTA | Mar. 25, 2009

The 43rd Street Deli added its 13th Street location to a growing list of businesses closing in Gainesville, but the restaurant isn't suffering the same plight as those buckling under financial strain.

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SPJ rescinds Ocala Mag. awards amid plagiarism charges

Mar. 25, 2009

Amid accusations of plagiarism, the North Central Florida Society of Professional Journalists Professional Chapter decided Wednesday to rescind awards given to the former editor of Ocala Magazine.

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Metro

Board of Governor completes 2–day meeting session

By CHELSEA KEENAN | Mar. 25, 2009

The Board of Governors will conclude its two-day set of meetings in Tallahassee today after discussing on Wednesday the impact Florida's 11 public universities have on the state's economy.

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Metro

Two men charged with grand theft for stealing signs

By KATIE EMMETS | Mar. 24, 2009

Two men were arrested Monday and accused of stealing chairs, signs and flags.

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UF graduate charged with DUI manslaughter

By THOMAS STEWART | Mar. 24, 2009

Amanda Boyd, 23, who graduated from UF in December, has been charged with DUI manslaughter for a crash in September.

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UF Military girlfriends cope with latest deployments

By RACHEL KOPEC | Mar. 24, 2009

President Barack Obama's foreign policy hits close to home for some women. They are the few, the proud, the military girlfriends.

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UF student's idea chosen for Hardee's commercial

By MARA RUDOLPH | Mar. 24, 2009

One UF student got a taste of commercial success after creating a new advertisement for a nationwide Hardee's contest.

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Metro

Number of on–campus voters increases

By EMILY FUGGETTA | Mar. 24, 2009

The number of people who voted on campus in city elections Tuesday more than quadrupled those who voted in 2006.

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Incumbents sweep City Commission elections

By HUNTER SIZEMORE | Mar. 24, 2009

Both Gainesville city commissioners who were up for re-election will serve another term, voters decided in Tuesday's citywide election.

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Metro

Candidates, activists prepare for election results

By HUNTER SIZEMORE | Mar. 23, 2009

The battle lines are long-drawn.

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Gainesville Police Department ride–along opens eyes

By KATIE EMMETS | Mar. 23, 2009

Editor's note: Katie Emmets spent Friday night patrolling with Gainesville Police officers to write this story.

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UF sophomore to appear on BET reality TV show

By MALIKA WRIGHT | Mar. 23, 2009

One student's opportunity as reality show cast member was the career booster she always imagined.

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Metro

Candidates make election night plans as campaign ends

By EMILY FUGGETTA | Mar. 23, 2009

After nearly two months of intense campaigning, Gainesville City Commission candidates will draw the curtain on election season today.

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Metro

Gainesville's third Zaxby's restaurant opens downtown

Mar. 23, 2009

After restaurants such as Guthrie's and Joe's Deli shut down in Gainesville, a new Zaxby's is opening up shop.