Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO

Two teachers recognized by governor

By Allison Jones | Oct. 20, 2017

After 38 years of teaching, Esther Lynn Mauffray was recognized Tuesday by Gov. Rick Scott.

Smidge and Creek, who are 11-week-old puppies, wear sombreros and colorful ponchos. The brother and sister competed in a dog costume contest at The Swamp Restaurant’s Barktoberfest Yappy Hour.

METRO

The Swamp Restaurant hosts costume contest for dogs

By Eseverri | Oct. 19, 2017

Sunny, a 10-week-old goldendoodle dressed in an Oktoberfest outfit, had no expectations of winning a dog costume contest Wednesday.

METRO

Florida driver’s licenses change design

By Michele Rosalia | Oct. 19, 2017

Jordan Liebman, whose license is about to expire on his upcoming birthday, Nov. 5, will be among the first in Alachua County with a new design on his Florida license.

METRO

Matheson History Museum opens exhibit hall

By Renee Castro | Oct. 19, 2017

Matheson History Museum expanded its library collection to a building across the street.

METRO

UF cultural groups to perform on Bo Diddley Plaza

By Dayaun Waiters | Oct. 17, 2017

Anyone on Bo Diddley Community Plaza on Friday will visit West Africa and Brazil.

METRO

Music venue to host Tom Petty tribute concert

By Jessica Giles | Oct. 17, 2017

Erica Penley found her first Tom Petty record in a thrift store when she was 16.

METRO

Local church sells pumpkins for national carving contest

By Noelle Kough | Oct. 17, 2017

Michelle Belanger wants to win a pumpkin carving contest and donate the $10,000 prize to build a public, handicapped-accessible playground at Southwest Methodist United Church.

George “Fodder” O’Brien performs a mock exorcism of Richard Spencer to about 25 residents on Monday night at Maude’s Side Car Bar, located at 101 SE Second Place. The exorcism event was hosted by the absurdist mock church the Tabernacle of Hedonism to satirize Spencer’s appearance at UF on Thursday, church host Tom Miller said.

METRO

Tabernacle of Hedonism hosts Richard Spencer exorcism

By David Hoffman | Oct. 17, 2017

With a gray, beaded skull in his left hand, a percussion instrument made of fake goat toes in his right hand and mumbled versus of Tibetan throat singing, George “Fodder” O’Brien brought a mock exorcism of Richard Spencer to a chilling end Monday night.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD: Two women arrested for stealing at Walmart

By Catie Wegman | Oct. 16, 2017

Two Gainesville women were arrested Sunday afternoon after they attempted to steal 77 items from Walmart, Gainesville Police Department said.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD: Two UF students arrested after destroying roommate's laptop

By Catie Wegman | Oct. 16, 2017

One of two UF students who stole and destroyed their roommate’s laptop in July turned himself in Sunday, Gainesville Police said.

Erica Merrell and her associate from Wild Iris Books, Florida’s first feminist bookstore, laugh with patrons at the Pride Extravaganza event Sunday.

METRO

First Magnitude hosts fundraiser for queer history project

By David Hoffman | Oct. 15, 2017

As Jessica Holmer gazed at Mary Parrish’s portrait Sunday, she said she felt inspired.

Steven Edvalson raises his hands in victory after finishing his pumpkin pie on Sunday at Lucky’s Market. Edvalson ate his pie in fewer than seven minutes during a pie-eating contest at the grocery store.

METRO

Lucky’s hosts pie-eating contest, pumpkin decorating

By Morgan McMullen | Oct. 15, 2017

When Cassidy Littrell, 4, won a pie-eating contest Sunday at Lucky’s Market, she said she would spend her winnings on candy.

Marie McGrath, a STRIVE lead peer educator, tells students about the fair’s T-shirts. “We had this idea for the cactus shirt, because a) succulents are so hot right now,” McGrath said. “Also, you can have prickly feelings, but that doesn’t mean you have to hurt your partner.”

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Pop-up fair promotes healthy relationships between students

By Emily Nolan | Oct. 15, 2017

Students grabbed free succulent T-shirts with the phrase “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” and swarmed around buckets of colored dye Friday.

METRO | POLITICS

Let’s talk about the white supremacy that's in our own backyard

Oct. 15, 2017

A white supremacist coming to campus later this week has sparked calls for unity, but these only seem to falsely cover up divisions within our own campus communities.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Richard Spencer’s visit is not required by the First Amendment

Oct. 15, 2017

With the election of President Donald Trump, we have seen racism rise to the level of respectability.

METRO

Civic Media Center to celebrate its 24th anniversary

By Josephine Fuller | Oct. 15, 2017

A local activist organization and alternative library will celebrate 24 years of operation Friday.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD: Man arrested for throwing a shopping cart at another man

By Catie Wegman | Oct. 15, 2017

A Gainesville man was arrested Saturday night after he threw CVS baskets and a shopping cart at a man and yelled slurs at him, Gainesville Police said.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD: Woman arrested for driving drunk on 34th Street

By Meryl Kornfield | Oct. 15, 2017

A Gainesville woman was arrested for driving drunk after she turned the wrong way into traffic on Southwest 34th Street and called field sobriety exercises “fun” Saturday night, Gainesville Police said.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UPD: UF student bought beer with stolen coworker’s ID, debit card

By Catie Wegman | Oct. 15, 2017

UPDATE: The charges filed against Chandler Thomas Haines were dropped on March 27. No additional charges were filed.

METRO

Yoga studio hosts Harry Potter-themed yoga class

By Iesha Jones | Oct. 15, 2017

At the start of Saturday’s yoga class, the instructor, Maggie Rucker, gave participants a yoga mat — and a wand.