Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

Furniture being thrown out at the Niche apartment complex during remodeling Aug. 18, 2022.

METRO

Furniture excess contributes to landfill waste, students weigh cheap, eco-friendly alternatives

By Fernando Figueroa | Sep. 6, 2022

Many movers aren’t aware of the environmental impact their choice to throw out furniture has, with bulk items packing landfills. In a city with a frequent base of students moving in and out of furnished and unfurnished apartments, strategies like furniture recycling and thrifting have become popular Gainesville options.

METRO | POLITICS

Allegations of voter fraud, suppression linger following Alachua County’s primary election

By Heather Bushman | Sep. 6, 2022

Allegations of felon voter fraud, a lack of Republican ballots at select precincts and late-night result deliveries have cast doubt over Alachua County’s primary election process for some residents. A portion of voters point to what they feel is incompetence, leading to demands that Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton take accountability.

Items damaged in the Peach Valley Cafe fire Monday, Sept. 5, 2022.

METRO | BUSINESS

No one hurt as early Monday morning fire breaks out at Peach Valley Cafe

By Allie Sinkovich | Sep. 6, 2022

No one was harmed at Peach Valley Cafe, located at 3275 SW 34th St. near Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Gainesville Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Stephen Hesson said.

Elementary schools are desperate to fill teacher positions across both the state and county.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County Public Schools face teacher vacancies amid statewide school staff shortage

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 6, 2022

Around 48 K-12 teacher openings were listed on the Alachua County Public Schools website as of Sunday. As school administrations and state politicians look toward short-term solutions, those in the education system are left to grapple with low salaries among the long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shands Cancer Hospital and Medical Center is seen.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

Select UF Health Shands dispatchers, paramedics unanimously vote to unionize

By Heather Bushman | Sep. 4, 2022

The 84-member union of dispatchers, flight paramedics and ground paramedics will bargain with UF Health for higher wages and industry-standard training as it negotiates its first contract.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission asks city to delay vote on elimination of single-family zoning

By Aidan Bush | Sep. 2, 2022

Gainesville’s contentious single-family zoning elimination faces opposition again — this time from members of the Alachua County Commission.

Plastic bottles and cartons were placed inside of orange and blue bins for recycling on Southwest 23rd Drive in Gainesville on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

METRO

Gainesville zero waste ordinance goes into effect after years in progress, further limits single-use plastics

By Fernando Figueroa | Sep. 2, 2022

The ordinance joins the ever-growing list of local sustainability-oriented commercial policies dating back to 1997.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Hawthorne man sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for production of child pornography

By Claire Grunewald | Sep. 2, 2022

A Hawthorne man who was originally arrested in Gainesville was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for creating child pornography.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man arrested in Gainesville sentenced to more than 38 years in federal prison for drug charges

By Christian Casale | Aug. 31, 2022

Thomas was initially arrested Sept. 9, 2020, when he was stopped by Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force deputies on I-75 in Gainesville.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

2 Gainesville Police Department officers hospitalized after exposure to suspected opioids during an arrest

By Lily Kino | Aug. 29, 2022

Two Gainesville Police Department officers were given an opioid overdose treatment Sunday after being exposed to suspected narcotics during an arrest.

METRO

Micanopy receives $3 million to improve internet connection for low- to moderate-income residents

By Alexa Herrera | Aug. 29, 2022

The town of Micanopy will receive almost $3 million to expand broadband access from the Community Development Block Grant coronavirus program. The money will be used to create internet access for low- to moderate- income residents.

Voters watch as election results release at an election watch party at Cypress & Grove Brewing Company Aug. 23.

METRO | POLITICS

Brandon Peters narrowly secures Democratic nomination for State House race, will face Chuck Clemons

By Aidan Bush | Aug. 28, 2022

Brandon Peters defeated Olysha Magruder in the race for Florida’s 22nd State House District. Peters won by a narrow margin, receiving 550 more votes than Magruder. In Nov. Peters will face off against Republican candidate Chuck Clemons.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville 3-year-old child fatally shot with firearm from unlocked case

By Lily Kino | Aug. 25, 2022

A 3-year-old boy died after shooting himself with a firearm he found in an unlocked case, according to a Gainesville Police Department press release.

The loan forgiveness plan will reduce or erase the debt of up to 43 million Americans, including select UF graduates, if the U.S. Supreme Court doesn’t block it.

METRO | POLITICS

Biden student loan relief plan could clear up to $20,000 of some UF students’ debt

By Heather Bushman | Aug. 25, 2022

UF alumni bogged down by student loans can take a breath, as some Gators will see much of their debt forgiven. President Joe Biden announced relief provisions for those with student debt from the U.S. Department of Education Wednesday.

Two individuals hold up signs for Circuit Judge Sean Brewer Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2022.

METRO | POLITICS

Sean Brewer and AuBroncee Martin advance to runoff in 8th Judicial Circuit judge race

By Topher Adams | Aug. 24, 2022

Brewer led the race with almost 38% of the votes, with Martin finishing second with more than 25%. Weisman and Skop finished third and fourth, respectively.

A graphic showing the District 2 and 3 candidates moving to the run-off, as well as the District 4 winner Bryan Eastman.

METRO | POLITICS

Gainesville City Commission District 2 and 3 move to run-off, Bryan Eastman wins District 4 seat

By Christian Casale , Anushka Dakshit and Alissa Gary | Aug. 24, 2022

Ed Book and James Ingle from District 2, as well as Dejeon Cain and Casey Willits from District 3, will face off in a runoff election Nov. 8. Bryan Eastman won the District 4 race.

Harvey Ward, a candidate for Gainesville mayor, attends election watch party with supporters at
Cypress & Grove Brewing Company Tuesday, August 23, 2022.

METRO | POLITICS

Harvey Ward, Ed Bielarski head to run-off in mayoral race

By Mickenzie Hannon , Jackson Reyes and Kyle Bumpers | Aug. 24, 2022

Gainesville’s primary election will determine the city’s mayor if a candidate receives the majority of the votes cast. Because Ward and Bielarski didn’t secure at least 50% of votes as of midnight Wednesday, they will compete in a runoff for the general election slated for Nov. 8.

METRO | POLITICS

Republican politicians suggest ‘voter suppression’ during Alachua County primary election

By Aurora Martínez , Lucille Lannigan , Veronica Nocera , Averi Kremposky and Lauren Brensel | Aug. 24, 2022

State Sen. Keith Perry, R-Ocala, released a statement after polls closed “regarding Alachua County Voter Suppression.” Multiple Alachua County precincts in both Newberry and High Springs went without Republican ballots for several hours, the statement read.

Danielle Hawk smiles at her supporters at her watch party Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022.

METRO | POLITICS

Danielle Hawk secures Democratic nomination for US House seat, will face incumbent Kat Cammack

By Fernando Figueroa and Melanie Pena | Aug. 24, 2022

Kat Cammack and Danielle Hawk were declared the winners of their Florida’s 3rd Congressional District primaries, as reported by the Associated Press at 7:22 p.m and 8:39 p.m. respectively.

Alachua County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler.

METRO | POLITICS

Incumbent Marihelen Wheeler wins Democratic nomination for District 2 County Commission, will face unopposed Ed Braddy

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Aug. 24, 2022

Incumbent Marihelen Wheeler won the Democratic nomination and will face off against Republican candidate Ed Braddy for the District 2 Alachua County Commission seat in November.