Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

GRU Authority delays decision on Government Services Contribution

By Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 18, 2024

In its Wednesday meeting, The Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority board voted to reduce payments it makes for unused city services, and to organize a joint meeting with the city commission to discuss alternatives to cutting GRU’s annual $15.3 million Government Services Contribution (GSC).

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Alachua man arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after death of one pitbull

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 18, 2024

An Alachua man was arrested Thursday on multiple counts of animal cruelty after officers discovered one dead and three extremely malnourished pitbulls in his home.

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.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Sidewalks and substances: The Gainesville cyclist’s experience

By Bailey Diem | Jan. 16, 2024

Gainesville bicyclists often face concerns of distracted or impaired drivers, paths in poor condition and limited bike lanes.

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

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County School Board moves not to amend school zone boundaries

By Megan Howard | Jan. 12, 2024

The Alachua County School Board voted against rezoning the existing school boundaries for the 2025-2026 school year in a special hearing Thursday night.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission asks community to rewrite ceasefire resolution, discuss Florence landfill next steps

By Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 11, 2024

Despite severe weather warnings across Alachua County, the County Commission met Tuesday to discuss a ceasefire resolution and provide an update on the Florence landfill special use permit.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Stephen Foster Elementary School teacher arrested for drug possession, DUI charges

By Megan Howard | Jan. 10, 2024

Andres Correa III, 29, was arrested around 1 a.m. Jan. 7 on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance, resisting an officer without violence and driving under the influence.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Armed woman shot by deputies at Gainesville hotel

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 9, 2024

A woman staying at the Gainesville La Quinta Inn was shot by deputies Monday, after she refused to obey commands to drop the handgun she was holding.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

Alachua County Public Schools closed Tuesday for severe weather

By Megan Howard | Jan. 8, 2024

Alachua County Public Schools will be closed Tuesday due to bus safety concerns as a result of the National Weather Service’s wind advisory.

The Alachua County Criminal Courthouse on Main St. on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2024.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Newly enacted laws upend Florida’s criminal justice system

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 8, 2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed three new criminal justice bills during the legislative session that modify pretrial detention, tighten penalties for those accused of child sexual abuse and lower the threshold to apply the death penalty.

METRO | POLITICS

Gainesville residents, organizations fight GRU bill

By Bailey Diem | Jan. 8, 2024

The law went into effect July 1. It establishes the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority, a board made up of five governor-appointed members to oversee GRU in place of its general manager. The board took over Oct.1.

Eric Atria stands in front of the Judge Stephan P. Mickle, Sr. Criminal Courthouse on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Alachua County Court Judge Walter Green retires: What is to come?

By Kairi Lowery | Jan. 8, 2024

Defense attorney Eric Atria applied to fill this vacancy. Atria, known across Florida for being “sucker punched,” by his defendant in 2022, hit the ground running with his judicial campaign by seeking endorsements from county commissioners.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Judge lowers bail for former UF biological scientist accused of child abuse

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 7, 2024

A Gainesville judge reduced bond Wednesday for a former UF biological scientist accused of locking her two children in cages while going to work.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission hires permanent city clerk, agrees to 2.5% pay increases for charter officers

By Henry DeAngelis | Jan. 5, 2024

At its regular meeting Thursday, the Gainesville City Commission voted 6-0, with Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker absent, to appoint Interim City Clerk Kristen Bryant in a permanent capacity, filling the last of the city’s charter office vacancies.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Islamic Community Center of Gainesville vandalized Thursday morning

By Jordan Ramos | Jan. 4, 2024

The Islamic Community Center of Gainesville was vandalized early Thursday morning by unidentified suspect(s) who broke several windows.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man arrested for masturbating in front of children at Gainesville Target

By Daniel Bednar | Jan. 3, 2024

The Gainesville Police Department arrested a 57-year-old man Tuesday, on suspicion of masturbating in front of children at a local Target store.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

One dead after Christmas Day shooting at Gainesville Walgreens

By Daniel Bednar | Dec. 26, 2023

A Hawthorne woman is facing charges of first degree murder, attempted murder and child neglect after a Christmas Day shooting left one dead and another seriously injured.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County Public School salaries to potentially increase by 3.5%

By Kairi Lowery | Dec. 18, 2023

As the first semester of the 2023-2024 school year comes to an end, Alachua County Public School District employees prepare for the break and a potential increase in salaries.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

UF fraternity member arrested for battery, false imprisonment

Dec. 8, 2023

A UF Kappa Sigma fraternity member was arrested Thursday for alleged battery, false imprisonment and robbery by sudden snatching.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

Gainesville police respond to apartment shooting

Dec. 8, 2023

The Gainesville Police Department responded to a shooting at The Ridge apartment complex at 8:40 p.m. Thursday.