Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

All libraries except for Library West, which is one of two 24-hour spaces on campus, will resume their usual hours from prior to COVID-19 closures upon reopening in August.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville responds to UF’s COVID-19 management

By Jiselle Lee and Jack Prator | Mar. 12, 2021

Residents and city leaders alike have expressed frustrations with Florida politicians and UF’s response to the pandemic. After UF reopened in the Fall, COVID-19 cases climbed and the university’s decision to return to in-person classes brought protests. But some residents agree Gainesville was better off than many other cities over the past year.

A pedestrian jaywalks across West University Avenue on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

A new county-wide ordinance bans individuals from standing on the road median

By Emil Munksgaard Grosen | Mar. 12, 2021

The city passed a similar ban last month, which raised concerns about the homeless population among experts and community members.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

A pedestrian hit and killed in Alachua on Highway 441

By Anna Wilder | Mar. 11, 2021

A 47-year-old man was killed in a crash in Alachua around midnight Thursday after being hit by a car.

The annual event, previously held in Gainesville, was hosted at the Alachua County Agricultural and Equestrian Center in Newberry for the first time this year.

METRO

40th Annual Alachua County Youth Fair and Livestock Show Held in Newberry

By Ben Crosbie | Mar. 11, 2021

The event featured shows where children ages 8 to 18 presented animals they raised.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Voting precinct changes for the Gainesville Regular Election

By Jack Prator | Mar. 10, 2021

The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections sent an email Wednesday reminding voters of polling place changes for the election on March 16.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Early voting begins for the 2021 Gainesville Regular Election

By Jack Prator | Mar. 8, 2021

Voters can go in person to vote early from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at four locations: the Supervisor of Elections Office, the Millhopper Branch Library, the Reitz Union and the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center.

Law enforcement from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office stand near crime scene tape on Southeast 46th Terrace on Friday, March 5, 2021, where a person died after a shootout between ACSO deputies and the individual.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

One dead following shootout with Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies

By Chasity Maynard | Mar. 5, 2021

The deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on paid leave per department policy, Alachua County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Art Forgey said. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the ACSO Office of Professional Standards will investigate the deputies’ actions.

Pedestrians walk down West University Avenue on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. Signs down the road redirect traffic due to ongoing construction on the road, near UF campus and Midtown.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF student injured in deadly University Avenue crash files lawsuit against Uber and drivers

By Anna Wilder | Mar. 5, 2021

Michelle Berglass, a 19-year-old UF student, filed a lawsuit against Uber and the owners and drivers of the cars that hit her and four other students as they stood on a sidewalk near West University Avenue. She is seeking more than $100,000 in damages.

Photo of the missing Leachianus “Leachie” gecko. [Photo courtesy of Mike Southwick]

METRO

Gecko goose chase: Police can’t confirm if Facebook sleuths found missing $1,800 gecko

By Lucille Lannigan | Mar. 5, 2021

Chantz Chick, the owner of the shop, had recently purchased two $1,800 geckos — one male and one female Leachianus “Leachie.” They lived comfortably in the store for about two months, hiding in greenery and eating fruits, before the female went missing one day.

The exterior of the Civic Media Center in downtown Gainesville on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. A yellow and black donation box can be found outside of the Civic Media Center where people can drop books off to contribute to the Gainesville Books to Prisoners initiative.

METRO

Downtown Gainesville nonprofit aims to inspire Florida prisoners through literature

By Alan Halaly | Mar. 3, 2021

A donation of $20 sends books to six prisoners, according to the organization's Instagram page. The nonprofit has fulfilled more than 60 requests during its first few months back in operation.

METRO

Local Asian Americans react to national increase in anti-Asian hate

By Jiselle Lee | Mar. 3, 2021

Some Asian Gainesville residents feel safe in the college town, others feel aggressions due to cultural and racial discrimination.

Boy Scout Troop 125 places invasive plants into a plastic trash bag for proper disposal. [Photo courtesy of Rich Bennett]

METRO

Great Invader Raider Rally removes invasive plant species

By Alexandra Harris | Mar. 2, 2021

Instead of working in locations scattered throughout the city as done in previous years, organizers encouraged people to remove invasive plants in their own yards and neighborhoods, said Geoffrey Parks, Nature Operations Supervisor for the Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department.

A purple vending machine owned by the Gurl U Cute Hair Boutique sits near the entrance of Oaks Mall in Gainesville on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. The vending machine has wig bundles and false lashes for purchase.

METRO | BUSINESS

Wigs, false eyelashes and hair bundles available in new Oaks Mall vending machine

By Lucille Lannigan | Mar. 1, 2021

The machine’s opening comes as Thomas celebrates the anniversary of her business, Gurl U Cute Inc. Hair Boutique, in Jacksonville, which she opened after struggling to purchase wigs in the past.

A portrait of former band director Richard E. Parker hangs inside the band room at Eastside High School on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. Parker was the Eastside marching band director from 1970 to 1990.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Eastside High School alumni band members carry on distinctive high-energy style

By Alan Halaly | Mar. 1, 2021

Since former Eastside High School band director Richard E. Parker's death in 2016, former band members have come together every few months to honor and educate people about the marching band’s old style and community impact through performances at community events and street parardes.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Campus Security Authority reports rape at UF fraternity house

By Jiselle Lee | Mar. 1, 2021

On Friday, UF issued a timely warning email to notify the campus community of the incident, which took place at an unknown fraternity house Feb. 20.

Pedestrians cross West University Avenue on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, near a memorial at the site of a car crash that killed Sophia Lambert, a UF student, in January.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Families of UF students killed on West University Avenue filed lawsuits for wrongful death

By Anna Wilder | Feb. 26, 2021

One of the main attorneys representing both families said the cases involved drivers who were violating a variety of laws and regulations. The lawsuits are seeking over $100,000 in damages. Lambert’s case also lists Uber as a defendant, as one of the drivers was on a Uber Eats delivery trip at the time of the crash.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Community grocery store may be built in East Gainesville following City Commission vote

By Alan Halaly | Feb. 25, 2021

Commissioner Gail Johnson, policy experts and community activists proposed a plan for the city to look into creating a community grocery store in East Gainesville, where several neighborhoods qualify as food deserts. The commission unanimously passed the plan.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man jumps from Millhopper Bridge into I-75 traffic

By Michelle Holder | Feb. 25, 2021

At 3:35 p.m. the 911 communication center operator received a call about a disturbed and upset person on the bridge. The center received several calls after, and an ACSO officer was sent to the scene before the man jumped.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Three-year-old struck and killed by a truck in Gainesville

By Emil Munksgaard Grosen | Feb. 25, 2021

Following the crash, the toddler was rushed to UF Health Shands Hospital in critical condition, according to a Gainesville Police Department press release. He died as a result of his injuries shortly after arriving there.

Lisa Blum and Jenice Bushnell stand in front of Gator Mania with their 12-foot fiberglass alligator. [Photo courtesy of Lisa Blum]

METRO | BUSINESS

Family-owned UF apparel store Gator Mania goes out of business

By Jiselle Lee | Feb. 25, 2021

Gator Mania was one of the last local family-owned UF merchandise stores in Gainesville. In the last year, the city has seen the closing of many other staple businesses near the university, such as The Swamp restaurant and Daybreak Pleasant Street.