Identifying Local Problems

Taxpayers out $1.9 million to exit parking garage deal

Recently the city of Gainesville has paid out a local business owner for the South West Downtown parking garage. The payout will be 1.9 billion taxpayers dollars. The garage will then be used by an eight story hotel that is to be built on a parcel of land adjacent to the parking garage.The problem lies with whether or not the payout will be a waste of taxpayer dollars. Taxpayers are unsure whether or not this deal will be beneficial in the end.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160121/ARTICLES/160129902/1003/NEWS?p=1&tc=pg

Women cops hope to arrest sexist behavior in GPD

Women in the GPD have taken actions to report and expose the sexism inside the department. They've reported people like Capt. Brian Helmerson who has retired rather than facing termination. It  appears that the women have been going through harassment for years, but pushed it aside as insignificant. Until the women compared stories did they realize that it wasn't a small matter and tha something had to be done. The department is instituting sexual harassment seminars, and promoting more awareness into the matter in the department.

  http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160123/ARTICLES/160129860/1002/news01?p=1&tc=pg

Rally to Protect Paynes Prairie

Supporters of Payne's Prairie have gathered together to protest Governor Rick Scott, who has, over the years, reduced State Park funds causing the parks to cut back on maintenance. They believe that when the parks reach critical states that he will then "rescue" them by leasing the lands to timber companies, and cattle ranchers and hunters. This will make him seem like a hero for parks, and slowly privatize public lands. The parks will soon become the victim of under funding, but eventually of pure profit.

http://fieldguide.blogs.gainesville.com/755/rally-to-protect-paynes-prairie/

Blaze destroys Monteocha family's home

The Gainey family lost there home to a fire. The cause is undetermined at this point, but the fire department believes it was unintentional. The Gainey family inherited the trailer from their grandfather, who recently passed away. 

 http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160122/ARTICLES/160129872/1002/news01?p=1&tc=pg

Woman bites off fingers of 89-year-old man

A woman assaulted a man at their group home. During trhis assault the woman bit off two of his fingers at the knuckles. he only statement she had was to confirm that she had bitten off his fingers. The man is at the hospital, and police reported that he sustained bruises and major blood loss.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160123/ARTICLES/160129852/1002/news01?Title=Woman-bites-off-fingers-of-89-year-old-man