metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

A Clothesline project display located in the Gainesville Chamber of Commercefeatures a shirt created by a domestic abuse survivor and an infographic that explains how to get help Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022.

Metro

Domestic Violence Awareness Month highlights education on abuse in Gainesville

By Alexa Herrera | Oct. 31, 2022

During the month, the organization held multiple events to promote awareness, including a guest chef cocktail party Oct. 6, which is an annual fundraiser. During the event hosted at Oak Lane Wedding and Events, guests tried food from different vendors and could bid on items in a silent auction. The event raised the organization’s goal of $100,000 to help fund the services Peaceful Paths offers.

Delegates from Poland accept $20,860 presented to them by Mayor Lauren Poe and Commissioners Reina Saco and Harvey Ward, Oct. 26, 2022.

Metro

Gainesville donates $20,000 to Polish sister city to aid Ukrainian refugee efforts

By Aidan Bush | Oct. 27, 2022

The Gainesville City Commission welcomed delegates from Rzeszów and presented them with $20,860 for their efforts in aiding refugees from Ukraine over the past few months.

Attendees watch the mayoral debate between Harvey Ward and Ed Bielarski at UF Levin College of Law Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022.

Metro

Ward, Bielarski face off in mayoral debate hosted at UF

By Mickenzie Hannon | Oct. 26, 2022

Because neither Ward nor Bielarski secured a majority of votes cast in the Aug. 23 primary election, both candidates will compete in a run-off for the seat in the Nov. 8 general election.

Voting booths are seen in the Career Connections Center at the Reitz Union on Tuesday, Nov.16, 2021.

Metro

Follow the money: Ward leads Bielarski, Cammack clears $2 million in campaign contributions

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 25, 2022

With data from the Federal Election Commission, the Florida Division of Elections and the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections, The Alligator looked at where candidates stand financially ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

Metro

Alachua County to expand zoning for tourists looking to stay on farmland

By Aidan Bush | Oct. 25, 2022

The Alachua County Commission voted 3-1 Tuesday to adopt a proposal adding farm stays as a new form of overnight accommodation, similar to hotels and bed-and-breakfasts.

Metro

Man arrested for connection to fatal Southwest Parking Garage shooting in May

By Lily Kino | Oct. 25, 2022

Ny’trell Perry, 23, is being charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon in connection with the shooting at the Southwest Parking Garage located at 105 SW 3rd St., according to court records.

Alachua County and UF student teachers sit during a discussion held by Stephanie Killingsworth on the second day of the Chewing on Change professional workshop at the Florida Museum of Natural History Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022.

Metro

Alachua County teachers get hands-on science education experience at Florida Museum of Natural History

By Aidan Bush | Oct. 25, 2022

Educators toured fossil exhibits at the Florida Museum of Natural History alongside mammal paleontologists. Afterward, teachers made posters charting the horse’s evolution using what they learned, experiencing a lesson plan from the seat of a student.

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

Biden’s student loan relief plan temporarily blocked

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 22, 2022

The court temporarily halted the forgiveness plan, which would see some federal student loan borrowers receive up to $20,000 in relief, to consider a lawsuit that challenged the plan’s constitutionality. The White House can still review applications while the ban is in effect, and borrowers are still encouraged to apply.

Just two miles away from DeSantis’ keynote speech at the Alachua County Republicans’ annual fundraiser in Alachua, Florida, protesters made their voices heard at a street corner.

Metro

Demonstration rages near closed-door Gov. Ron DeSantis speaking engagement

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 21, 2022

Around 40 protesters decried the governor and his bid for reelection as DeSantis spoke in Alachua city's Legacy Park

Metro

Gainesville City Commission extends e-scooter hours, improves cyclist safety

By Aidan Bush | Oct. 21, 2022

Only the parking ordinance saw a split 4-3 vote, with Commissioners David Arreola, Adrian Hayes-Santos, Reina Saco and Mayor Lauren Poe in favor.

Social at Midtown is seen on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021.

Metro

UF student released from jail after being arrested for assaulting an employee at a Gainesville bar

By Lily Kino | Oct. 20, 2022

Kaleb Wiswall was arrested and booked into the Alachua County Jail Tuesday. He was originally held on a $20,000 bond but had the fee reduced to $2,000 by working through a bondsman, according to the jail.

Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses a crowd at Clark Plantation Wedding Venue in Newberry, Florida, on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021.

Metro

Closed to the press: Alachua County DeSantis fundraising event latest in continued trend of media blackouts

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 20, 2022

The Alachua County Republicans office informed The Alligator and other local outlets it won’t allow press at their annual Ronald Reagan Black Tie and Blue Jeans fundraising event, where DeSantis is set to deliver the keynote speech.

Gainesville city commissioners vote to eliminate exclusionary zoning despite opposition from some residents and elected officials Monday, Oct. 17, 2022.

Metro

Gainesville becomes first Florida city to eliminate exclusionary zoning after narrow City Commission vote

By Aidan Bush and Mickenzie Hannon | Oct. 18, 2022

Commissioners David Arreola, Adrian Hayes-Santos, Reina Saco and Mayor Lauren Poe voted in favor of the three ordinances; Commissioners Harvey Ward, Cynthia Chestnut and Desmon Duncan-Walker dissented.

Nine members of the UF wildlife ecology and conservation department’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Committee wrote a letter criticizing the guidelines and called upon the UF community to advocate for transgender healthcare access for children.

Metro

‘It’s hard to exist’: Transgender community grapples with ban on gender-affirming health care Medicaid coverage

By Melanie Pena | Oct. 17, 2022

Many transgender Floridians are being impacted by the Agency for Health Care Administration’s ban on gender-affirming care coverage, which went into effect Aug. 21. A motion for a preliminary injunction was heard and denied by a judge Oct. 12. The preliminary injunction would’ve temporarily blocked enforcement of the AHCA’s Medicaid policy during the trial.

The front of West End Golf Club stands covered in overgrowth Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.

Metro

Environmental benefits keep discontinued golf course green in Alachua County Commission vote

By Aidan Bush | Oct. 17, 2022

The Alachua County Commission voted 4-1 to reject a proposal seeking to turn the now-defunct West End Golf Club into a residential area with a maximum of 70 units. Only Commissioner Raemi Eagle-Glenn voted in dissent.

Visitors study boards detailing the history of Alachua County plantations and enslaved families Friday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Metro

Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center hosts panel on enslaved Africans in Alachua County

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Oct. 15, 2022

The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center hosted “In the Shadows of Plantations: Enslaved Africans in Alachua County'' Oct. 14 to honor the research of Hilliard-Nunn, one of the pioneers of UF’s African American Studies department.

Hannah Rone, 18, a senior at Newberry High School, waves to a crowd of people in the homecoming precession Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.

Metro

Newberry High School Homecoming parade returns for for first time since COVID-19 pandemic

By Sophia Bailly | Oct. 15, 2022

Newberry High Schools' sports teams, Homecoming court and other school organizations drove across the city of Newberry in trucks and cars to celebrate the first Homecoming parade since 2019. The parade kicked off at 3 p.m. Oct. 14.

The Gainesville Police Department building is located at 545 NW 8th Ave.

Metro

City Commission meeting on K-9 unit delayed for second time

By Omar Ateyah | Oct. 13, 2022

The meeting was originally slated for Sept. 20 before getting delayed to Wednesday. It’s now scheduled for Nov. 15 — almost two full months before it was originally scheduled — according to the city’s agenda.

Metro

Joseph Williams Elementary janitor arrested for soliciting sex from 14-year-old

By Lily Kino | Oct. 13, 2022

Justin Anderson, a 36-year-old Hawthorne resident, is being charged with lewd or lascivious conduct, according to the arrest report. Anderson was arrested at Joseph Williams Elementary School and booked into the Alachua County Jail Tuesday at 10:06 a.m.

Mayor Lauren Poe reads a proclamation from the city declaring Oct. 10 Indigenous Peoples Day Monday, Oct. 10, 2022.

Metro

Gainesville celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day

By Alexa Herrera | Oct. 12, 2022

Mayor Lauren Poe read a proclamation at City Hall Monday recognizing Oct. 10 as Indigenous Peoples Day.