Jordan Ramos - The Independent Florida Alligator

The Rev. Ron Rawls marches in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebratory parade on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

Madilyn Gemme

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

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.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Islamic Community Center of Gainesville vandalized Thursday morning

By Jordan Ramos | Jan. 4

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

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Lake City man arrested after shooting at ex-girlfriend's car

By Jordan Ramos | Nov. 27, 2023

A Lake City man was arrested Sunday after shooting at his ex-girlfriend's car several times, with an additional person in the car, while in his own vehicle.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville resident drowned after fleeing from a traffic stop

By Jordan Ramos | Nov. 19, 2023

A person drowned after fleeing a traffic stop for a stolen scooter Thursday. They died at UF Health Shands Hospital early that morning, according to a Gainesville Police Department press release.

Courtesy of the Associated Press

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested after sharing child pornography over Kik and Discord

By Jordan Ramos | Nov. 14, 2023

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cybertip from Kik Sept. 10 because the man's account was reported for sharing child exploitation material, according to the arrest report.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by NBC News, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Rebecca Blackwell

METRO | POLITICS

Fact-checking DeSantis’ recent claims

By Jordan Ramos | Nov. 13, 2023

During his presidential run, Gov. Ron DeSantis has made many claims during stump speeches and debates. He has covered topics like his state’s financial stability, academic freedom and gender ideology.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

A Gainesville police trainee put on administrative leave after receiving child abuse allegations

By Jordan Ramos | Nov. 8, 2023

Larry Prunty III was charged with cruelty toward a child without great bodily harm, according to court records.

Courtesy of the Associated Press

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville police officer arrested after breaking into his girlfriend’s home and strangling her

By Jordan Ramos | Nov. 5, 2023

A Gainesville Police Department officer was arrested Oct. 28 after allegedly breaking into his girlfriend's home and strangling her following a night out the day before.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville Zaxby’s worker robbed the restaurant he worked at

By Jordan Ramos | Oct. 27, 2023

A Gainesville Zaxby’s worker robbed the store he worked at Oct. 21 and was arrested Thursday.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Alleged Gainesville Crips member arrested Monday after shooting at a coworker

By Jordan Ramos | Oct. 25, 2023

Police arrested a Gainesville man Tuesday after he allegedly committed a drive-by shooting against one of his coworkers over a dispute about him being in the Crips gang, according to a police report.