Metro | City County Commission - The Independent Florida Alligator

Nicholas Moore-Lefauve, a 20-year-old information systems and operations management major, puts on his "I Voted" sticker during the first day of early voting at the J. Wayne Reitz Union Monday morning. This is the third time Moore-Lefauve has voted in his life.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the Gainesville general election candidates

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

Early voting begins March 9

Robert Mounts, 77, of Gainesville, filed to run for the District 4 Gainesville City Commissioner position Friday morning, the last day to qualify to run for commission.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the City Commission candidates: Robert Mounts

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

The inside of Robert Mounts’ historic log cabin looks like a museum.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the mayoral candidates: Marlon Bruce

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

Marlon Bruce loves to sing.

Jennifer Reid, 31, of Gainesville, announced on Jan. 5 that she will run for mayor against incumbent Mayor Lauren Poe and Jenn Powell. Courtesy to The Alligator.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the mayoral candidates: Jennifer Reid

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

Superheros are important in Jennifer Reid’s house.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the mayoral candidates: Jenn Powell

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

Jenn Powell wasn’t thinking about politics four years ago. She wanted to travel the country after raising her three children.

Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe takes a selfie with city workers in front of Gainesville City Hall, located at 200 E. University Ave., on Thursday. Poe and city commissioners gave flowers to thank workers for helping after Hurricane Irma.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the mayoral candidates: Lauren Poe

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

Mayor Lauren Poe first ran for office in sixth grade for student government. He lost.

Adrian Hayes-Santos, 30, is running for the Gainesville City Commission At-Large Seat 1 in Tuesday’s elections

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the City Commission candidates: Adrian Hayes-Santos

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

He is the District 4 Incumbent

Gainesville residents gathered to share their affordable housing perspectives with city commissioners and officials.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Community gathers to offer affordable housing solutions

By Taylor Girtman | Feb. 21, 2019

About 120 residents met and offered about 100 ideas

Desiree Heyliger, 39, a former RTS bus driver, might get her job back with three years' worth of back pay after she claimed she was unfairly fired in 2015.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Former RTS bus driver will get her job back after three years

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 21, 2019

The decision came after a district court judge’s ruling

Emma Hennessey, a 19-year-old UF business sophomore, rides the “Rock and Roll” with 19-year-old Demarco Reaves Saturday evening at the Alachua County Fair. Reaves was happy to experience a local event because he was visiting Hennessey from North Carolina. Look at the gallery here.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Pig race causes Alachua County Commission to end fair contract

By Josephine Fuller | Feb. 19, 2019

A new partner will take over for coming fair

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

A former bus driver lost her job but won the lawsuit. Will she get her job back?

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 19, 2019

City has yet to make a decision on rehiring her

The bridge over 13th Street, nicknamed the DNA bridge, is empty early Thursday morning.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Redevelopment agency will discuss projects coming to Gainesville

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 17, 2019

After overhauling how it affects change in Gainesville, the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency will meet to talk about what it will do in the community.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission votes against pay raise for high-ranking officials

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 7, 2019

$19,222 had been previously budgeted for the increase

Bruce Blackwell, 77, of Gainesville, spoke in support of the conversion therapy ban. He said after hearing the story of a man who experienced suicidal thoughts after undergoing the therapy, it was up to him to right the wrongs of others.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission moves closer to banning conversion therapy

By Josephine Fuller | Feb. 5, 2019

A public hearing will be held later this month

Gainesville Police officers look on as Gainesville Fire Rescue workers enter a building on Northwest 13th Street late Tuesday night.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City and county will update emergency radio system

By Karina Elwood | Jan. 31, 2019

The Gainesville and Alachua County commissions decided to update the public safety radio system Thursday night.

Mayor Lauren Poe, Gainesville city commissioners and city staff listen to the public’s comments Jan. 18, 2019, during the Gainesville City Commission meeting at City Hall. The meeting was over four hours long, and the panel of legislators passed legislation that banned the use of plastic bags in Gainesville.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

The plastic ban: Gainesville will be 100 percent waste free by 2040

By Karina Elwood | Jan. 17, 2019

Citations will cost $250.

Deborah Bowie, 48, was chosen to be the interim Gainesville city manager. Courtesy to The Alligator.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission picks Deborah Bowie as interim manager

By Kelly Hayes | Jan. 17, 2019

A permanent city manager will be decided next commission meeting.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

County Commission discusses Gainesville redevelopment agency

By Josephine Fuller | Jan. 15, 2019

A decision has been postponed until Feb. 11.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

County Commission to discuss Gainesville redevelopment agency

By Karina Elwood | Jan. 14, 2019

The agency received $4.2 million from the county.

Gainesville City Manager Anthony Lyons speaks during the 2018 State of the City Address on Wednesday at the Gainesville Police Department.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Interim city manager to be decided Thursday

By Taylor Girtman | Jan. 13, 2019

Three candidates applied for the position.

Metro | City and County Commission