Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO

Custard shop to open in former Book Lover’s Cafe location

By Ayana Stewart | Nov. 7, 2012

Thirteenth Street will get a little sweeter this spring.

President Barack Obama waves as he walks on stage with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

METRO

Obama secures re-election as Florida remains close

By Kathryn Varn | Nov. 6, 2012

Even after networks started calling the election for President Barack Obama, Florida remained persistently close.

Charles “Chuck” Chestnut addresses Democratic supporters after securing a seat on the Alachua County Commission. Chestnut and two other Democratic candidates who won seats on the commision learned of their victories Tuesday night at Cellar 12 downtown.

METRO

County Commission keeps Democratic majority

By Chris Alcantara | Nov. 6, 2012

After almost a year on the campaign trail, the fate of the Alachua County Commission rested on a set of bar graphs.

METRO

Trader Joe’s Gainesville location now accepting job applications

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Nov. 6, 2012

Trader Joe’s grocery store is accepting job applications starting today.

METRO

Man arrested for having marijuana, alligator hide

By Chris Alcantara | Nov. 6, 2012

A Gainesville man was arrested Monday afternoon after police found an alligator hide and a marijuana plant on his property.

John Roberts, 56, left, and Daniel Walters, 53, sit on a bench on Bo Diddley Community Plaza on Friday night. Temperatures will dip into the low 40s over the next few nights.

METRO

Cold weather supplies donated to homeless residents this week

By Audreyanna Loguerre | Nov. 6, 2012

Organizations keep homeless people warm and safe during the cold nights.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Phone scammers demand money for family members

By Michael Scott Davidson | Nov. 5, 2012

Two UF students have been targeted by phone scammers claiming to be holding their family members hostage in the past month, according to a University Police public bulletin.

Odori Hines, a 31-year-old UF alumnus, sorts food collected Monday during the Strike Out Hunger Food Drive at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. “It’s actually a lot of fun,” he said.

METRO

Food drive makes baskets of hope

By Kelcee Griffis | Nov. 5, 2012

For James Paulk, the Thanksgiving season is a reminder of growing up in a one-parent home.

Keith Perry, 53, hopes to reduce regulations to create jobs if elected to the state House of Representatives.

METRO

House of representatives candidate looks to aid job creation through deregulation

By Webb | Nov. 5, 2012

Though Keith Perry was born in Florida State University territory, he hopes to represent the Gator Nation in the state house of representatives.

Andrew Morey, a UF Levin College of Law alumnus, plans to focus on education and women’s reproductive rights if elected to the state House of Representatives.

METRO

Local attorney hopes to shift state’s focus to education, reproductive rights

By Webb | Nov. 5, 2012

Andrew Morey is passionate about education — he even married a schoolteacher.

METRO

UF study finds bedbugs capable of beating the odds, living longer

By Audreyanna Loguerre | Nov. 5, 2012

Bedbugs often sleep in others’ beds, but they don’t want to cuddle.

METRO

Study finds secret stash in popular energy drinks

By Michelle Plitnikas | Nov. 5, 2012

When students reach for a can of Red Bull to keep them awake through an all-night study session, they may be getting more caffeine than they expect.

METRO

City organizations send volunteers, money to storm victims

By Andrea Carroz | Nov. 5, 2012

Gainesville residents are helping Hurricane Sandy victims get back on their feet.

METRO

Man denied dollar, threatens to rob

By Chris Alcantara | Nov. 5, 2012

A Gainesville man’s request for a dollar from a stranger turned into an attempted robbery that landed him behind bars Monday morning.

METRO

Fest weekend kept local businesses busy with Gators gone

By Kelcee Griffis | Nov. 5, 2012

After Fest 11 rocked Gainesville last weekend, many business owners close to the action downtown said the punk-rock festival compensated for the mass migration to Jacksonville for the Florida-Georgia game.

METRO

Therapeutic papermaking workshop kicks off National Arts and Health Month

By Katina Prokos | Nov. 5, 2012

The Peace Paper Project helps participants tell their stories by bringing the age-old art of making paper by hand to communities around the world, Drew Matott, project co-founder, said.

METRO | POLITICS

Plays With Squirrels - You’re in charge of picking our president

Nov. 4, 2012

Have you been sad for the last 12 years and couldn’t put your finger on it?

A group of Hare Krishnas chant and dance at the 12-hour Kirtan of the Musical Meditation Festival on Saturday at the Krishna House, 214 NW 14th St.

METRO

Krishnas chant the day away for festival

By Noelia Trujillo | Nov. 4, 2012

More than 100 people attended the Musical Meditation Festival, at which devotees conducted Gainesville Krishna’s first 12-hour Kirtan, or chanting for the glorification of God, said chaplain Carl Woodham.

Dean Cheshire graduated from UF with an undergraduate degree in political science and a master’s of business administration. He said he hopes to bring a fiscally responsible student voice to the commission.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

UF alumnus hopes to bring new voice to commission

By Webb | Nov. 4, 2012

When Dean Cheshire was a student senator at UF, he never thought he would actually run for political office.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Former city commissioner, state representative seeks county seat

By Webb | Nov. 4, 2012

Charles “Chuck” Chestnut was born and raised in Alachua County and doesn’t plan on leaving.