Metro | City County Commission - The Independent Florida Alligator

Edward Bielarski Jr., the general manager of GRU, speaks at a city commission meeting Thursday about a possible partnership between GRU and Florida Power & Light.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

GRU general manager pauses agreement with FPL

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 27, 2020

The manager emailed city commissioners announcing the pause

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission tables GRU plan

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 17, 2020

The commission unanimously voted to postpone the decision

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

County commission may install cameras on I-75 to prevent speeding

By Stephany Matat | Jan. 17, 2020

This option may be an alternative to spending $800,000 on traffic enforcement units

Gainesville Regional Utilities general manager Edward Bielarski Jr discusses increasing electric rates with the Gainesville City Commission on Wednesday during a meeting. Gas rates will increase by 0.57 percent, wastewater by 0.42 percent and water by 0.44 percent.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission to discuss future of GRU

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 15, 2020

A potential 30-year contract between GRU and FPL will be discussed

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Civil rights pioneer, former city mayor Ed Jennings Sr. dies at 82

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 12, 2020

Flags will fly at half-mast to honor Jennings

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

UF students create #SaveStrawsMidtown to protest straw policy

By Priya Dames | Nov. 24, 2019

While the Gainesville City Commission waits until Jan. 1 to start a plastic straw ban, six UF students decided to take matters into their own hands with a petition. They want a plastic straw policy in Midtown.

Mika Lee, 6, holds participates in the climate protest Sept. 20 at City Hall.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission discusses climate emergency, passes resolution supporting Green New Deal

By Lina Ruiz | Nov. 24, 2019

Gainesville city commissioners unanimously passed two motions Thursday relating to climate change.

Ibram X. Kendi answers an audience question during a question and answer session moderated by author and history professor Jack Davis while Kendi’s daughter sits in his lap at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Thursday night. About 1,230 people attended the event.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Hardcore Antiracist, softcore vegan: Ibram X. Kendi speaks at UF

By Ana Escalante | Nov. 21, 2019

Ibram X. Kendi spoke about dismantling oppressive systems, the role of the church in racism and teaching African American history in Alachua County Public Schools — all while holding his 3-year-old baby in his arms.

Flo Turcotte holds a candle for the vigil during the Transgender Day of Remembrance at Depot Park Wednesday night.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Standing in solidarity: Community holds vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance

By Alex DeLuca | Nov. 21, 2019

"La Joha" González Leal, 26, Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Lauren Poe speaks to a crowd of reporters and about 100 supporters Tuesday at the Public and General restaurant. Poe beat three opponents to win his second term as mayor of Gainesville.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville to be audited, former city auditor citing financial mismanagement

By Lina Ruiz | Nov. 19, 2019

A state official is set to investigate the city of Gainesville’s financial operations five months after the city’s auditor was fired from his position.

Adrian Hayes-Santos shakes City Commissioner David Arreola’s hand Tuesday during Hayes-Santos and Lauren Poe’s watch party at the Public and General restaurant. Hayes-Santos beat Robert Mounts to become Gainesville city commissioner for District 4.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Two City Commissioners’ emails no longer available online

By Lina Ruiz | Nov. 12, 2019

Two city commissioners opted out of publishing their professional emails Thursday.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

District 3 City Commissioner files for reelection

By Lina Ruiz | Nov. 4, 2019

City Commissioner David Arreola announced his reelection campaign with a video on social media Monday.

Jackie Korpela, known as Haley’s Vomit, a member of the Ocala Cannibals Roller Derby team, skates Saturday in the Gainesville Pride Parade that marched down University Avenue and ended at Bo Diddley Plaza.Correction: This caption has been updated to reflect the name of Korpela.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Showing their colors: Thousands attend Gainesville Pride Saturday

By Alex DeLuca | Oct. 27, 2019

A drag queen wearing a rainbow-feathered headpiece and matching wings walked down University Avenue on stilts, towering over spectators and tossing out candy.

Alachua County 4-H President Madison Hurm, 17, speaks at Tuesday’s County Commission meeting. The board proclaimed Oct. 6 through Oct. 12 as National 4-H Week in Alachua County.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

National 4-H Week proclaimed in Alachua County

By Lina Ruiz | Oct. 8, 2019

Alachua County Commissioner Robert “Hutch” Hutchinson and his colleagues have found a way to celebrate an organization involved with livestock, community service and public speaking that he said saved his life.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Sisterhood of the traveling mayor: Mayor Poe to visit Russian sister city

By Davio Rodriguez | Oct. 3, 2019

Months after his trip to Hawaii, Mayor Lauren Poe is on the road again.

In Dignity Village, just outside the main gate of GRACE Marketplace, Mark Venzke, 62, describes his plans to renovate his motorhome so he can move out of the 6-foot tent where he currently sleeps.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City and County Commission continue debate over funding of GRACE Marketplace

By Alex DeLuca | Sep. 29, 2019

Gainesville city commissioners are still attempting to remedy Alachua County’s lack of funding for local homeless centers.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission selects city manager

By Ashley Lazarski | Sep. 29, 2019

Gainesville is one employment contract away from securing a city manager.

Aaron Green, a 73-year-old Gainesville resident, speaks to the city commission Thursday night about polystyrene cups and containers. Green said the discussions about possibly banning single-use plastics was affecting his business, Fletcher’s Cocktail Lounge, which is located at 619 NW 5th Ave.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission repeals plastic ban, raises GRU rates

By Lina Ruiz | Sep. 12, 2019

The City Hall Auditorium overflowed Thursday night as Gainesville citizens discussed single-use plastic and utility bills with commissioners.

James McKnight, a 62-year-old Gainesville resident, speaks to county commissioners during public comment at a meeting on Tuesday evening. McKnight and his neighbors spoke about the lack of road maintenance at NE 27th Avenue in Northeast Gainesville.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

County commission repeals plastic ban ordinance

By Lina Ruiz | Sep. 10, 2019

Attempts to eliminate plastic in the community were overturned on Tuesday.

A pile of microplastic collected by The Florida Microplastic Awareness Project. Plastics like these are among the top ocean pollutants, according to Savanna Barry, a Cedar Key volunteer coordinator with the project.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

UF raises awareness during Microplastic Awareness Month

By Hannah Phillips | Sep. 8, 2019

The Florida Microplastic Awareness Project will host events educating the UF community about the potential dangers of microplastic during the fifth annual Microplastic Awareness Month.

Metro | City and County Commission