GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On the last day of college classes after her freshman fall semester, Maggie Paxton began drinking with friends in the dorms at the University of Florida – students call it “pre-gaming” – before hitting Gainesville’s popular Midtown bars across a busy street from campus. She was 18. …
Read More »University of Florida removes years of campus crime data online
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida removed nearly eight years’ worth of crime data online without public notification, leaving only limited details about crimes that occurred on or near campus during the past 60 days. UF reported its highest number of rapes and sexual battery cases last year. There …
Read More »What’s great about Gainesville
Richard Pusateri is a typical, everyday family man. On Tuesday, he took his wife and kids to Bo Diddley Plaza for a day out because of their love for the city. “I think it’s the people — that family feeling — you know people,” Pusateri said. “I’ve been here for …
Read More »Former UF quarterback faces years in prison, sex offender status if convicted
Jalen Kitna, the former backup quarterback for the University of Florida, would face years in prison and hundreds of dollars in fines and be required to register as a sex offender if he were convicted on the child pornography charges he is facing, according to a review of over 1,000 …
Read More »Land of the fee? Costly permits now required to film some YouTube, TikTok videos in national parks
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Social media mavens may need to think twice before pulling out their iPhones, GoPros or other video equipment when they’re recording in breathtaking national parks like Yosemite, the Grand Canyon or the Everglades. The National Park Service is now requiring permits that could cost hundreds of dollars …
Read More »Woman accused of animal cruelty faces potentially never owning another animal
Patricia Garibaldi is accused of cruelty toward animals — her 15 cats — which were found living in “deplorable” conditions in her home: debris stacked to the ceiling, roaches in the cats’ food and water bowls, feces and urine on every surface. The decision, which will be made by Judge Meshon Rawls, was postponed until March 6.
Read More »UF students react to Ben Sasse’s first day
On campus, students have been eager to share their opinions about the new University of Florida president.
Read More »New traffic lights installed on University Avenue, and a UF student was hit riding a scooter a block away
GAINESVLLE, Fla. – Two new traffic lights are up along the westbound lanes of University Avenue on Northwest 16th and 19th Streets. The lights are being installed by the Florida Department of Transportation. “They were looking at where we are seeing pedestrians cross where we don’t have good signals. So, …
Read More »Newberry Elementary students gain understanding about Treacher Collins Syndrome
First graders at Newberry Elementary School welcomed a special visitor Tuesday. One-year-old Finlee June, who was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the development of facial bones and tissues, was greeted by 130 excited first graders. The school recently read "We're All Wonders," a book about empathy and kindness.
Read More »Two former Gainesville mayors died in last week
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Two former Gainesville mayors died in the past week. James “Jim” Painter died Thursday from cancer at the age of 71, and Craig Lowe was found dead Saturday morning at the age of 65. Lowe’s cause of death remains undisclosed. From 1993 through 1996, Painter was Gainesville’s …
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