Metro | Alachua County - The Independent Florida Alligator

A man walks through the homeless encampment Southeast Fourth Place on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

North Central Florida nonprofits receive state grants to address homelessness

By Sara-James Ranta | Aug. 5

On July 30, TaskForce Fore Ending Homelessness allocated over $700,000 in state grant awards to Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry, Family Promise of Gainesville, Peaceful Paths, St. Francis House, Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Corporation, Another Way, Lee Conlee House and Catholic Charities Bureau.

Matheson History Museum President Robert Mounts speaks at the opening of Voices and Votes: Democracy in America on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Matheson Museum hosts ‘Voice and Votes: Democracy in America’ Smithsonian exhibit

By Lee Ann Anderson | July 22

In a partnership with the Matheson Museum, Alachua County Supervisor of Elections and League of Women Voters of Alachua County, the Smithsonian has made its way to Gainesville.

Claudia de la Cruz, the Party for Socialism and Liberation's 2024 presidential nominee, speaks at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

‘No lesser of two evils’: Socialist presidential candidate campaigns in Gainesville

By Morgan Vanderlaan | July 18

Over 70 community members packed into the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center Wednesday upon the arrival of Claudia de la Cruz, the Party of Socialism and Liberation’s 2024 presidential nominee.

Tracy Hasson aids 10-year-old Andrew Short at Special Olympics on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Special Olympics bowling competition draws nearly 150 local athletes

By Sara-James Ranta | July 15

Nearly 150 Special Olympics athletes from Alachua and Bradford Counties gathered at Alley Gatorz to participate in the Area 3 Central Bowling Competition. During the free event, 17 coaches and 45 volunteers aided the athletes.

Unveiled on Wednesday, June 21, 2024, the Waldo Remembrance quilt hangs at the entrance of the Alachua County Library District Waldo Branch to remind visitors of Alachua County’s history of racial violence.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County Remembrance Project quilt displayed in Waldo Branch library

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 21

On Friday, a remembrance quilt was temporarily displayed at the Alachua County Library District Waldo Branch honoring the lives of five lynching victims from the Waldo, Hawthorne, Rochelle and Campville areas.

A sign in front of the Alachua County Public Schools district office building is seen Sunday, June 6, 2021.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County School Board debates student code of conduct, grade minimums in public hearing, keeps books on shelves

By Sara-James Ranta | June 19

During its Tuesday meeting, the Alachua County School Board discussed policies regarding the elementary and secondary student codes of conduct, reading material and the Student Progression Plan, which would mandate students to receive a minimum of half credit on assignments.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Theresa Beachy, long-term CEO of Peaceful Paths to leave

By Kairi Lowery | June 17

Beachy will be leaving Peaceful Paths, and starting Oct. 1, taking a new position as an organizational strategist for the Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.

Kinley Murray and Clara J. Foltz costar in Alachua Children’s Theater’s rendition of Peter Pan as Wendy and Peter Pan respectively at Santa Fe high school on Friday, June 14, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua Children’s Theatre presents all-inclusive production of ‘Peter Pan’

By Sara-James Ranta | June 17

The Alachua Children’s Theatre showcased three “Peter Pan” performances at the Santa Fe High School auditorium June 14-15 for a crowd of over 100.

People gather for the Juneteenth Freedom Fest at Bo Diddley Plaza on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Freedom Festival unites Gainesville community to commemorate Juneteenth

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 17

The third annual Freedom Festival, hosted by the nonprofit Nathan Ross Inc. in partnership with the City of Gainesville, was held at Bo Diddley Plaza June 15 as a part of Alachua County’s Journey to Juneteenth celebration. Despite dispersing early due to rain, hundreds attended the event.

People attend the opening of the Alachua County Remembrance Project Juneteenth exhibit on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Remembrance Project Exhibit opening acknowledges history of Alachua County lynchings

By Morgan Vanderlaan | June 3

The Alachua County Remembrance Project was created by the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners in 2018. The project is dedicated to historical education to recall the history of racial injustice in Alachua County and make repairs within the community in honor of Juneteenth.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville Fire Rescue launches homeless sweep at Southeast Fourth Place

By Sara-James Ranta | May 26

Residents of a homeless encampment located along Southeast Fourth Place were removed by Gainesville Fire Rescue, the Gainesville Public Works Department (GNV Public Works) and the Gainesville Police Department in the early hours of May 16 following a February sweep of the street and a May 10 sweep of Haisley Lynch Dog Park.

Pinwheels displayed at Child Advocacy Center on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Children’s Trust of Alachua County signifies Child Abuse Prevention month

By Megan Howard | Apr. 8, 2024

On April 5, staff members of Children’s Trust worked together to place the shining pinwheels in the grass along the sidewalk to raise awareness for child abuse to kick off Child Abuse Prevention month.

A natural burial site is covered with special objects at Prairie Creek Conservation Sanctuary on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville green burials save thousands of dollars compared to conventional burials

By Bailey Diem | Mar. 25, 2024

Nigel Rudolph, a public archaeology coordinator for the Florida Public Archaeology Network, has noticed the trend in the cemeteries he’s worked in.

Lynn Whittaker attends the eighth annual Gator Fly-In on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Pilots and local residents descend on Gainesville for annual fly-in

By Daniel Bednar | Mar. 25, 2024

Hundreds of residents flooded the ramp area at Gainesville Regional Airport for the eighth annual Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day March 23, an event that gives the public a rare glimpse into the world of aviation.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Budget adjustments spur questions about Gainesville’s approach to gun violence prevention

By Henry DeAngelis | Feb. 19, 2024

“This is my path,” she said. “My purpose is to reach survivors, to get them resources and to bring about the awareness that this is a growing public health issue.”

Bo Diddley Plaza pictured on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville to begin $2.5 million-plus venue project for larger outdoor events

By Bailey Diem | Feb. 19, 2024

However, its frequent location changes in recent years have made the 55-year-old Gainesville resident question whether her city has the space for such events.

Abby Bennett plays pickleball on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Pickleball creates competition, community in Alachua County

By Kairi Lowery | Feb. 19, 2024

Pickleball, a sport very similar to tennis, has taken the world by storm. First originating from boredom and badminton equipment in 1965, pickleball has now emerged as the fastest-growing sport with a 40% increase in popularity in recent years.

Matthew Lewey in “An Era of Progress and Promise” published in 1910.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Matthew Lewey: A story left behind

By Kairi Lowery | Feb. 12, 2024

However, Matthew Lewey, an unknown name to most, is an important part of Florida’s history, said renowned author and historian Paul Ortiz.

Construction taking place at The Marlow Gainesville on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville residents express concerns about increase in residential development

By Bailey Diem | Feb. 5, 2024

As more residential developments are constructed, Bittner is worried about how the city’s culture and social dynamics will change. Many recently constructed residential buildings do not fit the historical aesthetic of Gainesville, she wrote in an email.

The Rev. Ron Rawls marches in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebratory parade on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County gathers for celebratory parades of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

By Emma Parker , Jordan Ramos and Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 16, 2024

Hundreds of Alachua County residents took to the streets Monday, commemorating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through a series of county-wide celebrations. Jan. 15 marked the 40th anniversary of Gainesville's celebration honoring King, and Micanopy’s first annual march. The events were filled with signs, speeches, awards and hotdogs.