Metro

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville’s first Black Mayor and City Commissioner since Reconstruction is remembered by family

By Melanie Pena | Feb. 28, 2022

Butler was elected into the city commission in 1969, becoming the first Black man elected to the body since Reconstruction, an era marked by post Civil War opportunities. Later, in 1971, he became the first Black Mayor to hold that office in 100 years. However, he wanted to be remembered for who he was rather than being the first.

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METRO

A doula works to “create space” for Black mothers’ voices

By Lucille Lannigan | Feb. 28, 2022

When Julia Rainer had her first daughter, she felt silenced.  Her experience pushed Rainer to take action to ensure other mothers didn’t experience what she had. She began researching doulas, professional labor assistants who provide prenatal, birth and postpartum care. Rainer became certified about five years ago. She has assisted 15 births since. This mistreatment of Black women is a small part of a larger healthcare issue, seeping into the foundation of systemic marginalization and discrimination. 

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Semi truck crashes into bus Friday morning, hospitalizes seven people

By Lily Kino | Feb. 26, 2022

The 2007 Freightliner bus had 39 passengers on board during the collision at 6:30 a.m., according to FHP. One person was in critical condition when they arrived at the hospital, one in serious condition, three in fair condition and two in good condition, said Ken Garcia, Shands Hospital spokesperson. 

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METRO  |  POLITICS

Florida’s 15-week abortion ban bill stirs up students, residents, local representatives

By Thandie Brown and Carissa Allen | Feb. 25, 2022

A GOP-backed proposal banning abortion procedures after 15 weeks of pregnancy could change the narrative for women’s reproductive rights in Gainesville.  The Florida Legislature is expected to pass the controversial Fetal and Infant Mortality Reduction bill, HB5. It passed the House with a 78-39 vote Feb. 17.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

More than 20 people say they were scammed by a man who lived in Gainesville

By Troy Myers | Feb. 25, 2022

For around a month, UF students Jeremiah Gu, Luke Morris and Mitch Valdes’ cash and food was disappearing. The three roommates began to find themselves in what they describe as a roommate nightmare.  Once their cash and food started disappearing, the roommates suspected their 26-year-old roommate Kody Moniz was responsible for the thefts from video camera footage. After kicking him out, they discovered Moniz’s criminal record.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

A mother’s car stolen with her toddler still inside

By Troy Myers | Feb. 25, 2022

A Gainesville woman’s car was stolen Thursday morning at around 7 a.m. with her toddler in the back seat.  Her car was stolen off of Southwest 35th Place and found about 40 minutes later with her unharmed child still inside.

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METRO  |  K-12 EDUCATION

ACPS signs the highest salary package in district history

By Emma Behrmann | Feb. 24, 2022

Alachua County Public Schools and the Alachua County Education Association agreed to the largest salary package offered in the district’s history Wednesday.  The salary package amounts to $10.5 million, the largest offer that has ever been on the table for employees in Alachua County, ACEA President Carmen Ward said. 

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Firefighters responded to fire alarms at a Gainesville daycare

By Troy Myers | Feb. 23, 2022

Gainesville Fire Rescue crews arrived at Kid City USA at 1127 NW Seventh Ave., about eight minutes after a fire alarm system notification at 3:45 a.m., according to a GFR press release.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Two arrested after shooting at Gainesville apartment complex

By Troy Myers | Feb. 23, 2022

The pair planned to rob a neighbor’s apartment, according to the arrest report. When the neighbor’s friend confronted him, an argument broke out.

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METRO

Youth Council swearing-in event seeks to bring new solutions to gang violence

By Erina Anwar | Feb. 23, 2022

The new council was sworn in Monday at the Thomas Center. About 60 parents, city and county commissioners, executives of youth organizations and other community leaders attended. 

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METRO  |  K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County Education Association offers salary proposal

By Emma Behrmann | Feb. 21, 2022

The ACEA and the ACPS bargaining teams reviewed the proposed salary increases for teachers and education professionals, like librarians, media specialists and school psychologists.  The proposal would provide education support to professionals and teachers with an additional $0.55 per hour. 

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METRO

Alachua County hopes to improve animal shelter conditions with new facility

By Carissa Allen | Feb. 21, 2022

As of Friday, the shelter holds 148 dogs and 46 cats, Williams said, but not all of these animals are up for adoption. For about a year, the shelter has been coordinating with Animal Arts Design Studios, a consulting firm which specializes in designing spaces for the care and shelter of animals, including vet clinics and shelters. It generated a needs assessment for the new shelter, recommending an increased animal holding capacity of 149 dogs and 61 cats.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UFPD identifies the suspect who recorded a victim in a dorm shower in December

By Lily Kino | Feb. 21, 2022

Deontre Donnell Mason, 24, was arrested and released from a $10,000 bond Dec. 7 after University of Central Florida Police Department officers arrested him, according to a police report.

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METRO

A. Quinn Jones Museum celebrates Black love with weekend events

By Erina Anwar | Feb. 21, 2022

The A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center partnered with the UF Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere to host two back-to-back events: one virtual event celebrating music and one in-person event celebrating Black artistry. Both events celebrate Black love in creative outlets and give insight toward the history that made this expression possible.

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METRO

Where Gainesville’s Cuban community stands seven months after the July protests

By Melanie Pena | Feb. 18, 2022

Through social media, Gainesville residents organized more than three protests during the summer. At the protests’ peak about 70 Cubans, second generation immigrants, students and residents attended.  Now, seven months later, where do Cuba and its displaced people stand?  

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Cynthia Chestnut begins her term as City Commissioner

By Melanie Pena | Feb. 18, 2022

With her hand on the Bible her mother gave her 49 years ago, Cynthia Chestnut repeated the oath of office during her City Commissioner swearing-in ceremony. On Thursday morning, Chestnut was sworn in as At-Large Seat B City Commissioner outside Gainesville City Hall after winning the special runoff election Jan. 25. The position will be a four-year term with elections every two years starting this year, according to a City of Gainesville press release. 

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METRO  |  BUSINESS

Alachua County Animal Resources & Care introduces new adoption program

By Thandie Brown | Feb. 16, 2022

Adopters can pay $14 during February and answer some basic questions about themselves and their lifestyle to be matched with their perfect companion, the county announced online. 

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Bomb threat at Gainesville High School

By Jiselle Lee | Feb. 15, 2022

At about 11:30 a.m., Gainesville Police Department school resource officers called for nine additional GPD officers to the school, including the University Police Department’s bomb dogs, Gainesville Police Department spokesperson Graham Glover said.

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METRO  |  BUSINESS

Gainesville mother helps others create family memories

Feb. 11, 2022

Kathy Stewart’s children, now teenagers, were always on the go. They needed a website that would be able to keep up with their active lifestyles.  In response, Stewart founded Fun4GatorKids, a website that lists events for Gainesville families. The 12-year-old website was the first of its kind to provide an up-to-date calendar directory on events for Gainesville families.

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METRO  |  POLITICS

‘Don’t Say Gay’ bills will silence discussion of sexual orientation, gender identity in classrooms

By Carissa Allen | Feb. 7, 2022

The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ companion bills, HB1557/SB1834, are circulating through the Florida legislature. The pair of bills would limit discussions about LGBTQ+ and transgender identities “in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”