Maria Valencia

The Freewheel Project, set to open this August, is already collaborating with community to bring bike education and accessibility. It hopes to provide training and tools to those who would not otherwise have access in an attempt to help grow the local cycling community.

State parks were identified by former interim secretary of the DEP Jon Steverson in a draft strategic plan as test cases for allowing commercial businesses to graze cattle, timber and hunt in the parks. Gov. Rick Scott appointed Steverson as DEP secretary today.

Fifteen inches of rain fell over 48 hours throughout the weekend, said Maj. Scott Harden of the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office. According to Harden, 200 homes and 50 streets and roads have flooded.

The Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department adopted its 352ArtsRoadmap Cultural Plan on Thursday. The 10-year plan aims to enhance and promote the city's arts community through an arts council and website.

The relocation of the Union Street Farmers Market downtown location has brought changes for vendors. Charlie Lybrand, owner of Land of Flowers Farms and director of the market, said his business has decreased 50 percent since the move. Others saw increases.

After learning about the Bo Diddley Community Plaza redevelopment efforts come early 2015, local Gainesville market vendors are raising concern about the possibility of being relocated to a different area.

Gainesville taxi business owners and drivers are concerned with the lack of regulations regarding Uber ride-sharing service since its arrival in late August. The decision on whether to impose regulations on Uber will ultimately be left up to the city commission.