Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville Regional Utilities rate increase disproportionately affects low- and fixed-income residents

By Meghan McGlone | Oct. 18, 2021

GRU’s average cost for electric, water and wastewater went up by 4% in October. The average cost for GRU’s electricity went up about $6, and the total bill rose almost $10. From 2023 to 2027, electrical rates will go up 3% and wastewater will go up 5% yearly, according to GRU.

Ekisinga Ministries, pictured here in Buwenda, Uganda on Aug. 25, 2021, works with local churches to gauge the needs of the community and provide sustainable safe water solutions. Courtesy of Steve Nutzmann.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Sixth grade Alachua County student provides clean water sources for hundreds in Uganda

By Desiree Anello | Oct. 18, 2021

When Craig “Tre’” Smith III realized there were children his age who don’t have easy access to clean water, he set a firm goal to raise funds for those children and began Aug. 16.

Johnston Chiropractic Health Center is seen on Northwest 13 Street on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Johnston Chiropractic Health Center closes doors amid sexual assault claims, protests

By Isabella Douglas | Oct. 18, 2021

The chiropractic center, located on 1405 NW 13th St., permanently closed Oct. 11 following sexual abuse allegations made against 67-year-old owner John Johnston.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man charged with stalking, voyeurism after being caught on student Ring footage

By Faith Buckley | Oct. 18, 2021

Matthew Henry, 56, was charged with stalking and three charges of voyeurism in the first degree after allegedly looking through a 19-year-old UF student’s window at Windsor Park, according to an affidavit filed in a UF student’s name Tuesday.

Rev. Ron Rawls (left) and Rev. Gerard Duncan (right) stand next to Ruby Williams’ house after painting it a bright yellow on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.

METRO

Gainesville residents paint seniors’ houses in Porters Quarters

By Jiselle Lee | Oct. 18, 2021

Alachua Habitat for Humanity donated brushes and paint to help get the volunteers started in their mission. The volunteers who came to help paint were people of all ages and professional backgrounds, working elbow-to-elbow. There were more people than brushes.

A customer examines a serving platter among the shelves of plates in the ReStore on Oct. 12. The store relocated on Sept. 28 to 2301 NW Sixth St. with a soft opening. It plans to hold a ribbon-cutting Nov. 5

METRO

Alachua Habitat for Humanity relocates its ReStore

By Emma Behrmann | Oct. 15, 2021

Alachua Habitat for Humanity’s donation-driven, home store, known as the ReStore, moved location to expand the reach of its affordable housing mission to East Gainesville.

Dave Trezak (second from the right), Sioux tribe, helps to display a handmade, Native American quilt at Gainesville City Hall on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day

By Meghan McGlone | Oct. 13, 2021

Mayor Lauren Poe introduced a proclamation officially acknowledging Indigenous Peoples Day Monday at city hall. He also unveiled a new sign honoring indigenous people in front of city hall.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission appoints Cynthia Curry as interim city manager

By Meghan McGlone | Oct. 13, 2021

Cynthia Curry was appointed to the interim city manager position after city manager after Lee Feldman resigned Sept. 13, following the resignation of three other city charter officers, including City Commissioner Gail Johnson.

METRO

Alachua County Public Schools to accept mask exemption forms for high schoolers

By Bryce Brown | Oct. 11, 2021

Despite some parents’ opposition to the county’s public school mask mandate until Oct. 19, the Alachua County School Board decided on Oct. 5 to extend it for at least another four weeks.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man dies in Alachua’s Copeland Park shooting at unauthorized party

By Isabella Douglas | Oct. 11, 2021

A Gainesville man died from gunshot wounds early Sunday morning after attending a party near Copeland Park in the city of Alachua.

The building that housed Felipe's Mexican Taqueria is seen on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. The lot will be used for a new student apartment building that will have affordable housing units.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Proposed apartment building to bring affordable housing closer to UF campus

By Meghan McGlone and Jiselle Lee | Oct. 11, 2021

The City Commission will make the final decision this month on the construction of an affordable housing and student living apartment building with 151 housing units, 10% of which will be for affordable housing, according to a Friday city press release.

A sign is seen on the corner of Southwest Fourth Avenue and Southwest Third Street discouraging Florida Vintage Market shoppers from parking in the Porters Quarters neighborhood on Oct. 19, 2021.

METRO

Porters Quarters residents meet with local officials to express parking concerns

By Jiselle Lee | Oct. 11, 2021

During the last Florida Vintage Market two weeks ago, residents of Porters Quarters, a historically Black neighborhood established in 1884, came home from church Sunday and found dozens of cars parked on their lawns and in front of their driveways with no explanation.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Alachua County Public Schools bomb threats persist despite arrests

By Jiselle Lee and Isabella Douglas | Oct. 6, 2021

The incident marked the seventeenth threat against Alachua County Public Schools since Aug. 19.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County Public Schools, Florida public schools face new testing possibility

By Emma Behrmann | Oct. 6, 2021

This legislation would replace the FSA with three shorter tests administered in the fall, winter and spring. These tests would provide information about students’ growth throughout the year to the students, teachers and parents, fostering improvement opportunities.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville’s interim director of equity of inclusion aims for change in new position

By Meghan McGlone | Oct. 6, 2021

Gainesville’s City Commission voted Aug. 19 to appoint Folston as the city’s interim director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion. The office works to improve Gainesville and its businesses through promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, Folston said.

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METRO

Hundreds march through Gainesville in support of abortion rights

By Jiselle Lee | Oct. 4, 2021

Alongside 650 other Women’s March events happening simultaneously across the country, Gainesville pro-choice advocates marched in a rally Oct. 2. Activists highlighted reproductive issues, such as access to abortion and menstrual products, equitable prison birth conditions and Florida's Heartbeat Act bill proposal.

Protestors gather at the corner of West University Avenue and Southwest 13th Street before marching to Cora P. Roberson Park on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021.

METRO | POLITICS

Florida lawmakers to hear Texas-style heartbeat abortion law, Gainesville residents express mixed views

By Faith Buckley | Oct. 4, 2021

In Florida’s bill, abortion would be allowed until detection of a fetal heartbeat, which generally happens about six weeks into a pregnancy. With proper documentation, exceptions are available or victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville disparity study seeks to create opportunities for local businesses

By Meghan McGlone | Oct. 4, 2021

Atlanta-based law firm Griffin & Strong is conducting the disparity study in the city, CEO Rodney K. Strong said. The firm will determine if Gainesville is experiencing discrimination within its marketplace.

Lainey Norton (left), 6, attends a tennis lesson led by Christopher Scott Champion (right), 35, during the program at T.B. McPherson Park on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. The pilot program offers discounted lessons for East Gainesville residents.

METRO

East Gainesville tennis program aims to level the playing field

By Faith Buckley | Oct. 4, 2021

Historically, more expensive and higher maintenance sports like tennis haven’t always been accessible to Black children like Dallis. Historic barriers like income disparities and post-effects of segregation linger today.

METRO

Florida manatees dying at unparalleled rates due to loss of food source

By Omar Ateyah | Oct. 4, 2021

A large number of the manatees in Florida waters reside in the Indian River Lagoon near Palm Bay, which has seen a significant amount of algae that prevents seagrass from growing adequately. Seagrass is the vegetation that grows in these waterways and acts as a major source of nutrition for manatees.