Gainesville

With dim lighting and a spirit of celebration, the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce opened its doors to the business of the year awards to celebrate with business owners and community leaders. A cocktail reception sponsored by HCA Florida Healthcare was followed by the dinner for the awards.

A new Afro-Brazilian band that took form in the summer will hold its first performance at the city of Gainesville’s Holiday Parade on Dec. 7. A Very GNV Holiday Parade starts at noon from West Sixth Street and University Avenue and includes floats, dancers and live bands.

Dawn Beachy, 70, a Gainesville native, spearheaded the project in hopes of educating people about the history of racial terror in Alachua County.

The Florida Board of Education approved on Wednesday a formal plan to improve the academic performance at nine schools statewide, including Gainesville’s Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Elementary.

Despite a lingering deficit, recent figures show a surge in revenue, driven by increased green fees and higher player turnout.

The GRU Authority held a meeting Wednesday night, discussing cost-saving measures, federal funding for infrastructure upgrades, urgent repairs and the recent ballot referendum.

Eight local amendments appeared on ballots across north central Florida.

The annual Florida-Georgia rivalry will take a break from its traditional home and be played at NFL venues while EverBank Stadium is undergoing a $1.4 billion renovation.

The Santa Fe Teaching Zoo hosted its 28th annual “Boo at the Zoo” on Thursday, a Halloween event where students turn the 10-acre zoo into a whimsical realm for families to trick-or-treat.

Dog-on-dog attacks are not unusual in Gainesville. One dog owner tells his story of seeking accountability.