Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Micanopy man stabs man with butterfly knife, police said.

By Alyssa Ramos | Nov. 25, 2018

The victim’s thick denim jacket saved him.

Gainesville Police Department currently has 22 vacancies for officers as contract negotiations for officers on the force are underway. The city and police union are meeting today, and salaries and benefits are on the table.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville Police chief promotes 29 members to its department

By Alyssa Ramos | Nov. 25, 2018

This is the largest promotion the agency had in recent years

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man dies after jumping off I-75 Overpass

By Alyssa Ramos | Nov. 25, 2018

Officers are still investigating the case

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Lake Butler man accused of stealing over 300 pounds of copper from UF

By Alyssa Ramos | Nov. 21, 2018

The copper grounding wire cost $11,750

Janet Suggs, a 59-year-old Gainesville residents chants “Count Every Vote” outside city hall Sunday afternoon. About 50 people attended the Count Every Vote rally which was hosted by Our Revolution North Central Florida in order to support the Supervisors of elections as well as gain volunteers to assist with the recount.

METRO

Florida’s midterm elections have finally ended

By Dana Cassidy | Nov. 18, 2018

Two recounts, including the first statewide manual recount, took place.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police union criticizes GPD in letter after rap concert shooting

By Alyssa Ramos | Nov. 18, 2018

The letter said there were hundreds of noise complaints.

METRO

‘We stay true:’ Always True attracts a following wherever they go

By Angela DiMichele | Nov. 18, 2018

The company's pop up shop just closed but they plan to be at other exhibits

Volunteer Drew McCullough, 18, laughs as she watches a child fish for prizes during Sunday's “Hey, Neighbor!” carnival held at Magnolia Parke Square. McCullough, a UF sociology freshman, was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and received support from the UF Diabetes Institute's support group. The institute, along with UF's College Diabetes Network chapter, hosted the event to celebrate National Diabetes Awareness Month.

METRO

First 'Hey Neighbor!' carnival raises awareness for diabetes with face paint, food trucks

By Lina Ruiz | Nov. 18, 2018

More than 1,000 people attended the carnival.

Madeline Pumariega, chancellor of the Florida College System, makes a point at the Florida Priorities Summit.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Florida influencers say fixing education is going to take more money

By Christina Morales | Nov. 18, 2018

Education was the No. 1 priority at a Florida Influencers Summit in Miami

METRO

Alachua County rescue organizations prepare for the aftermath of dog racing ban

By Chrissy Voltoline | Nov. 17, 2018

An estimated 8,000 displaced greyhounds will need homes in the next two years.

METRO

More than 1,000 Thanksgiving baskets prepared for community

By Hannah Beatty | Nov. 17, 2018

Families received free baskets Thursday afternoon

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man accused of killing his wife and daughter

By Alyssa Ramos | Nov. 16, 2018

His daughter was a student at Buchholz High School

METRO

For the first time in Florida history, a statewide manual recount will take place

By Gillian Sweeney | Nov. 15, 2018

In Alachua County, 40 volunteers will review ballots by hand.

Russ Dye, 54, sits near his tent outside Grace Marketplace on Monday in four layers of clothes to shelter him from the cold. Dye said about 25 people at the shelter still need blankets and coats to bear the drop in temperatures.

METRO

Jackets, punk rock and shelter: Three ways to help Grace Marketplace in November

By Fotini Sisois | Nov. 15, 2018

The shelter will be open to anyone in need Thursday and Friday night.

Chick-fil-A’s stance opposing same-sex marriage has caused recent controversy and led to Change.org petitions to remove the fast food chain from college campuses.

METRO

Why did the chicken cross the road? New Chick-Fil-A to open on Archer this month

By Dana Cassidy | Nov. 15, 2018

It will be about a half mile from its old location.

Chrissy Sedgley, the director of operations at the Alachua County Humane Society, and Margot DeConna, the director of development, hold Bernard and Louie, 3- to 4-month-old jindo mixes inside the examination rooms at the shelter on Jan 16. DeConna said, originally, she thought the two dogs might need time to be socialized before being adopted, but after seeing them, DeConna said the dogs might get adopted sooner. “I think they’re going to be highly, highly adoptable,” she said.

METRO

Local animal shelters merge to form regional Humane Society

By Kelly Hayes | Nov. 14, 2018

The organization has two locations in Gainesville.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville teenager fatally hits man in wheelchair

By Alyssa Ramos | Nov. 14, 2018

It is currently unknown whether the teenager was under the influence

Photo caption: Waste gets pushed into trailers at Leveda Brown Environmental Park and will be transferred to New River landfill in Raiford.

METRO

The City of Gainesville and Alachua County discuss ways to reduce waste

By Alyssa Ramos | Nov. 13, 2018

This is the fourth time a meeting was held about zero waste.

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

Mayor Lauren Poe announces campaign for reelection

By Dana Cassidy | Nov. 13, 2018

The mayoral and City Commission District 4 seats will be on the ballot March 2019

Writer's caption: Gainesville residents gather around the front of the restored Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

METRO

Historic Cotton Club nightclub reopens as museum

By Taylor Roth | Nov. 13, 2018

The museum will commemorate the musicians that played