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Metro

Alachua County Public Schools to lift mask mandate after winter break

By Bryce Brown | Nov. 15, 2021

The Alachua County School Board voted 3-2 on Wednesday to allow parents to opt their students out of masking from Nov. 12 to Dec. 17. The board also voted to make masking completely optional for students of all grade levels after winter break. The decision is consistent with State Department of Education and State Department of Health requirements.

Graphic of Gainesville City Hall and the County Administration Building

Metro

Will Gainesville combat historic voter turnout lows in upcoming City Commission election?

By Meghan McGlone | Nov. 15, 2021

As of Sunday, almost 8,000 ballots have been cast according to the Supervisor of Elections Office — representing about 8.8% of total eligible voters in Gainesville. More than 6,000 of the ballots have been mailed in.

Southeast First Street is seen on Nov. 4, 2021. The Downtown Gainesville Strategic Plan will focus on improving safety and lifestyle in the area with more stop lights, better housing, wider sidewalks and more community events.

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City plan outlines new future for downtown Gainesville

By Bryce Brown | Nov. 15, 2021

The Downtown Gainesville Strategic Plan process began last fall when city management and elected officials met to create ways to improve the city.

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Music & Memory program unlocks elders’ pasts at retirement community

By Alexandra Harris | Nov. 15, 2021

To honor National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Oak Hammock Retirement Community at UF hosted a Music & Memory event Nov. 5. The organization uses music to help residents recall specific memories linked to songs that span across every era and genre.

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A relative stranger: Gainesville resident finds biological family after 28-year search

By Faith Buckley | Nov. 15, 2021

Lightner, a 72-year-old Gainesville resident, united with his half-sister Linda Crosby, a 77-year-old Flagler Beach native, for the first time Nov. 3.

James Dinh, artist of the new monument, speaks during the Veterans Day event at the Historic Evergreen Cemetery.

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Evergreen Cemetery unveils memorial at annual Veterans Day concert

By Jiselle Lee | Nov. 12, 2021

James Dinh, an artist from Los Angeles, spoke at the Veterans Day concert at Evergreen Cemetery.

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Marion County man arrested on UF’s Sorority Row

By Isabella Douglas | Nov. 10, 2021

Antonio Murray, 21, had a warrant for invading a home in Marion County at gunpoint, ACSO spokesperson Art Forgey said. He was booked at Alachua County Jail Monday with a $25,000 bond.

Metro

Who’s running for Gainesville’s open at-large seat?

By Troy Myers and Meghan McGlone | Nov. 8, 2021

Early voting for the special election begins Nov. 12 and ends Nov. 14, and registered Gainesville residents can vote at the Alachua Supervisor of Elections Office or the Millhopper Branch Library from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Gainesville adds additional legal counsel, other cities to potential lawsuit against DeSantis’ anti-protest law

By Jiselle Lee | Nov. 8, 2021

After passing a unanimous vote at a meeting Thursday, city commissioners voted in favor of adding Southern Poverty Law Center and Jenner & Block firm as outside counsel. The commission also voted to add other cities as plaintiffs.

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For-profit Tom Petty festival approved for three years amid controversy

By Jiselle Lee | Nov. 8, 2021

On Wednesday, the City Commission amended its meeting’s consent agenda, which means a motion can pass without discussion. They added one controversial item: the approval of a multi-year event at Depot Park to celebrate one of Gainesville’s Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, Tom Petty.

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East Gainesville festival celebrates Black-owned businesses

By Bryce Brown | Nov. 8, 2021

Swarthy East GNV, a new organization aiming to bring a grocery and retail store supporting local Black-owned farms and businesses to the east side of the city, hosted the first Revolution Before Evolution Festival.

Twins Aurora and Juniper Chong-Frisco, 1, paint during the 40th Downtown Festival & Art Show by Gainesville City Hall on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. A section of the festival was dedicated to children's crafts including painting, coloring and headband making.

Metro

Gainesville celebrates 40th annual art show’s return to in-person

By Zachary Carnell | Nov. 8, 2021

Hundreds of people attended the event, where guitar players, cello players and Egyptian-style belly dancers performed, accompanying artists who exhibited paintings, pottery, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, caricatures, water fountains and wind chimes.

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Gainesville man arrested for killing high school student in car crash, injuring victim’s mother

By Isabella Douglas | Nov. 5, 2021

Declan Lott-Kelley, 23, was charged with driving with a suspended license, the death of Audrey Cheves and causing serious bodily injury to her mother, Melissa, all while driving under the influence, a Gainesville Police Department arrest warrant read.

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Gainesville organization works to give educational boost to vulnerable children

By Omar Ateyah | Nov. 5, 2021

Eric Ramos started RamosStrong Motivational Group Inc. to help K-12 students gain a strong education despite difficult circumstances in their lives.

Jyoti Parmar delivers a speech in honor of National Immigrants Day at Gainesville City Hall on Oct. 27, 2021.

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Gainesville unveils data on immigrants for National Immigrant Day

By Meghan McGlone | Nov. 5, 2021

Members of the Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion committee presented data and recent initiatives on National Immigrants Day to improve immigrant relations in the city.

A cat is seen inside of the Alachua County Animal Services Building on Saturday, Oct. 23.

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Alachua County Animal Services bounces back from pandemic challenges

By Alan Halaly | Nov. 5, 2021

The Alachua County Animal Services shelter returned to a pre-pandemic normal with adoption rates as it resumed one of its in-person special events Saturday.

Linda and Robert Kasicki look at some of the oldest graves in Kanapaha Presbyterian Church Cemetery on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.

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Church hosts cemetery tour in honor of All Saints Day

By Allyssa Keller | Nov. 4, 2021

At least 40 people visited and toured the church cemetery and viewed the nearly 32 unmarked burials. These self-guided tours were held in honor of All Saints Day, which is on Nov. 1.

A "Suburban Heights" sign sits at Northwest 23rd Avenue on Thursday, May 20, 2021.

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Gainesville City Commission to hold workshop for community input on Suburban Heights development

By Meghan McGlone | Nov. 3, 2021

The City Commission discussed a new development plan, including a six-story building with 220 residential units, of which 10% would be affordable housing. As it stands now, the plan has room for retail, professional and restaurant services.

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Gainesville Nothing Bundt Cakes location to open in February

By Faith Buckley | Nov. 3, 2021

Amber and Derrick Robinson, the owners of the new Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise, will open a store in Butler Esplanade, located at 3228 SW 35th Blvd., in February 2022.

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Former UF resident assistant found guilty of sexual battery, kidnapping after two-year trial delay

By Isabella Douglas | Nov. 1, 2021

A former UF resident assistant was found guilty of attempted sexual battery, kidnapping and burglary Wednesday after about two years of a postponed trial. He’ll be sentenced Dec. 13.