Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City votes to change alcohol sales laws

By Meredith Rutland | Nov. 17, 2011

Sunday might be the new Naterday.

Seven-month-old Lumen sits in the arms of her father, Brian Klepp, during a MoveOn.org protest in U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns' office Thursday. MoveOn.org members were supporting Occupy Wall Street.

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Protesters call for more job programs, taxes for the wealthy

By Alexander Klausner | Nov. 17, 2011

The young, old and Abraham Lincoln showed up to Rep. Cliff Stearns' Gainesville office Thursday afternoon.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Firehouse Subs grants $13,000 to Gainesville Fire Rescue

By Meredith Rutland | Nov. 16, 2011

You're paying for a sandwich at Firehouse Subs when an employee asks if you want to round your bill up to the next dollar for charity. Ever wonder where that money goes?

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Tijuana Flats to open new location

By Ayana Stewart | Nov. 15, 2011

The national Tex-Mex chain Tijuana Flats will be opening its second Gainesville eatery in early 2012. The new restaurant will be located in Butler Plaza on Archer Road.

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‘Tis the season for part-time work

By Magen Wetmore | Nov. 15, 2011

Working students have more on their minds than turkey and presents as the holiday season approaches.

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Alachua County facilities on EPA list of polluters

By Alyssa Hubbell | Nov. 15, 2011

Alachua County may be home to facilities on an Environmental Protection Agency watch list for releasing chemicals into the air.

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Tan tax fails to bring in expected revenue

By Emily Morrow | Nov. 15, 2011

More than a year after the 10 percent tax on indoor tanning bills was implemented, the IRS has reported it has come up short on the expected money made from the tax.

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Federal legislators push to pay disabled workers minimum wage

By Erin Jester | Nov. 15, 2011

U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns wants equal treatment for all workers, regardless of ability.

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County Ozone levels near maximum limits

By Benjamin S. Brasch | Nov. 14, 2011

Compared to Tampa, Gainesville can breathe easier - but not by much.

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StudentUniverse offers travel discounts for holiday breaks

By Jensen Werley | Nov. 14, 2011

The promise of turkey, cranberries and pumpkin pie will lure many students home for the holidays, despite travel costs that can put a dent in their wallets.

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Percentage of international students did not increase this year

By Erin Jester | Nov. 14, 2011

Pennsylvania now attracts more international students to its university campuses than does sunny Florida.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture decided it would delay implementing a 15-cent fee on fresh Christmas trees sold on farms that sell more than 500 trees a year.

METRO

Fifteen-cent Christmas Tree Tax delayed

By Emily Morrow | Nov. 14, 2011

Stephanie Asselin used to assemble her plastic Christmas tree in her Citrus County home every December. But year after year, the branches got a little more smashed and the scent got a little more musty, so three years ago she made the switch back to live Christmas trees.

St. Augustine Church members pray before noon Mass. According to a recent study, women who regularly attended religious services were 56 percent more likely to be optimistic and 27 percent less likely to show signs of depression.

METRO

Attending religious services, mental health may be linked

By Mary Anne Eades | Nov. 14, 2011

Anna Holmbraker attends church every week and leads songs during Mass. For the 20-year-old anthropology junior, church brings a sense of optimism and belonging.

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Starbucks unveils smartphone app that spreads holiday cheer

By Dara Schopp | Nov. 14, 2011

Holiday spirit filled the Starbucks line as new signs advertised the arrival of the peppermint mocha and gingerbread lattes.

A study conducted by researchers in England found that 16 percent of cellphones have feces on their surfaces, which harbor the E.coli bacteria.

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Study shows that cellphones carry bacteria found in feces

By Javier Peña | Nov. 13, 2011

History junior Liz McNeill uses her MacBook and BlackBerry to check emails and to send about 30 text messages every day.

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More Occupy Gainesville protesters arrested this weekend

By Morgan Watkins | Nov. 13, 2011

Police arrested 23 Occupy Gainesville protesters early Saturday morning for trespassing at Bo Diddley Community Plaza after the park had closed, sending three of them to the Alachua County Jail and giving the others notices to appear in court.

METRO