Destiny Johnson

Local and international artists have come to Gainesville to paint murals Downtown. Eleven walls have been painted, with plans for more in 2015.

Children's Table, a local food pantry, has been serving thousands for about 20 years. Recently though, they have started operating out of both a restaurant in Bronson and a gutted school bus.

Medical Reserve Corps in North Central Florida have found established other responsibilities for volunteers and employees despite the lack of disasters in the area. Levy, Alachua and Marion County have opened medical facilities to give community members who are uninsured the opportunity to receive medical attention.

Body-worn cameras have helped officers in Pasco County become more transparent with the public and are soon headed to the Gainesville Police Department.

Recent studies show that people are becoming addicted to their smartphones, which worries many locals. In response, some have given up their smartphones for flip phones that have only calling and basic texting technology.

In September, the County Commission voted to move Old Joe, Gainesville’s 111-year-old Civil War Confederate soldier statue, to Matheson Museum. But the museum has refused to home the statue, leaving Old Joe's statue standing where it is.

A conference in St. Petersburg this week will help forensic investigators stay up-to-date with modern practices and train skills that aid in handling evidence. This training, offered by the Florida Division of the International Association for Identification, can help investigators establish criminal convictions in court.

Photojournalism seems to be in decline. Although, Pulitzer prize winning teacher John Kaplan states that it's the Golden age for photojournalism, the lack of jobs in the field states differently.

Camille Loose is a 30-year-old recovering methadone addict who may be better known to some by her roller derby name, Jane Dough. Loose turned to the sport to help overcome her past issues.

Angela Martin goes by the name Angrilla RX8 when competing with the Gainesville Roller Rebels, a local all-star roller derby team. When she's not on the track, the animal-loving Army veteran is working to finish a master's degree in international relations.