Sotomayor Media Creations LLC
Heather Reinblatt
Multimedia Writer and Editor
United States
United States
Sotomayor Media Creations LLC
WUFT
When Tara Lee, a 67-year-old Gainesville transgender woman, transitioned 14 years ago, she never expected to go through it alone. Yet, she said she lost her immediate family and felt ostracized by coworkers at the post office in the process. Lee said the relationship with her ex-wife and their daughter was strained throughout her transition.
When the cows are nearby, idly grazing by the colonies, John Peterson knows it's a good day for the bees. They aren't agitated, which means he might be able to escape with only a few stings when he goes to collect honey.
A historic downtown Gainesville building will soon reopen its doors as a library, archive and community meeting space thanks to a state grant. The Matheson History Museum received a $300,000 special category grant from the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources.
Matthew Russell is followed by nightmares that are not confined to sleep. They shape shift, a collection of other people's emergencies. He cannot see them, but he hears them. They are the voice of a mother acknowledging the death of her son and an elderly man taking his last breath.
The days leading up to and after July Fourth can be frightening for some veterans. Those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can become overwhelmed by the sound of fireworks, especially when they're unprepared for them on days surrounding the holiday.
A Panama City Beach man accused of breaking into dozens of business across the state of Florida was arrested and is currently being held at the Bay County Jail under a $975,000 bond. Dwayne Bruce Officer, 43, is suspected of breaking into 20 Gainesville businesses the night of June 8.
Esther Wallace said she did not truly understand the severity of rising utility costs until she found herself sitting at the dining room tables of residents desperate to keep their lights on. "People were visibly distressed," said Wallace, executive director of ACTION Network, a federation of about 10 congregations in Gainesville.
The Alligator
A local organization protested outside a Gainesville-based robotics company Wednesday in response to the U.S. Army awarding the business millions of dollars for drone development. In recognition of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 85th birthday, the Gainesville Coalition for Peace set out to raise awareness about what members believe is misallocated taxpayer money being spent on military projects instead of community betterment.
As residents bundle up to escape the low temperatures, farmers are worried less about themselves and more about their crops. John Steyer, 77, owner of Little Bit Nursery in Starke, said his crops were severely damaged last week when the temperature dropped dozens of degrees in one day.
Generation Progress
VOICES This article is part of our campaign on Student Debt. Check out more reporting, research, and actions on Student Debt → In a perfect world, a college degree would come nicely packaged with a career and wrapped in a clean slate.
The Fine Print
In a perfect world, a college degree would come nicely packaged with a career and wrapped in a clean slate. But an outdated financial aid system and unregulated tuition keep some students scrambling to lift their heads above the rough waves of debt.
Gainesville Today
During the week of Feb. 3, FIGHT Inc. hosted Justice Week, a five-day campaign that aimed at increasing awareness about domestic human trafficking and slavery. BY: HEATHER REINBLATT An estimated 244,000 children are at risk of being trafficked in the U.S. every year, even in Alachua County.
Creativity held no boundaries Feb. 1 as science and art students came together in research.
Article on pg.10 As you yawn and slide between the covers in your soft flannel pajamas tonight, ready to let go of the day and drift into dreamland, someone out there is hard at work. Six of Gainesville's night owls share stories from their nocturnal jobs to remind you that the world is never really asleep
This Halloween, the littlest vampires are the most dangerous, as a local West Nile case spurs the need for prevention.
Gainesville is doing its part to help build an awareness and understanding of autism, which is the fastest-growing developmental disorder in the U.S. Feature can be found on pg. 13.
Ocala Magazine
ETC. FILMED In ocaLa story: heather reInblatt photos: olIvIa hendrIcks rythIng starts wIth an Idea. Most s are quickly forgotten, but once in a while e is an idea that simply cannot be pushed e. Demanding attention and execution, a per-must follow up and make it happen.
ETC. Bach anequestrian and By HeatHer reinBlatt Banj s Ocala will sOOn discOver that country and classical make beautiful music together. the Ocala Symphony Orchestra has teamed up with Music City Hit Makers out of nashville, tenn., which will pair the orchestra with three of nashville's top songwriters.
what'snews That's So 2011 PHOTO: MARISA SYLVESTRE REMEMBER LEG warmers, Rubik's Cube and travel agents? There are certain fads that define a year or era. Some come back in style while others are gone for good.
school provided by its oppor-educational quality the have is unsurpassable system, parents does not lack educational school may not COUNTY County's public though, ONE THING MARION public schools in Marion some, For With smaller over 44 their children. to a private school. system.
STORY: HEATHER REINBLATT AND JOHN SOTOMAYOR THE EFFORTS OF DR. BOYER TAPS INTO THE INNEREXPLORER NATIVE AMERICANS AND SPANISH EXPLORERS IN MARION COUNTY ADVANCES INTEREST IN THE ART OF ARCHEOLOGY.
photo STORY BYJOHN SOTOMAYOR AND HEATHER REINBLATT a finish WHAT A HORSE RACE! Over the course of a year, the dedicated committee members of the Marion Cultural Alliance's signature event, Horse Fever II, have gallant-ly organized one of the most highly talked about and visible public juried art shows in Marion County history.
what'snews Filmed in Ocala MARION COUNTY is known for horses, not indie lms. But it can be, as many young aspiring artists live and showcase their work here, and are now even lm-ing on location. Ocala will get a dose of this creativity on March 17 when Erica Summer's, or Keeka Production's, independent lm, "Loverboy," premieres.
My editor's note for our annual Charity Register. We had over a 100 charities participate.