COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Fans of both Florida and USF wait in line for pizza at Italian Gator following the Gator’s 31-28 win over the Bulls Saturday, Sept 17, 2022.

Metro

Selling in the Swamp: Gators football fuels Gainesville gameday micro-economy

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Sep. 19, 2022

Students, alumni and loyal fans flock to Midtown just to see the Gators play at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, sometimes traveling hours from out of town. Beneath all the noise is a thriving gameday micro-economy, ranging from some of the most popular restaurants in Gainesville down to every booth stationed along West University Avenue.

Tup Tim Thai restaurant as seen after the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation health inspection.

Metro

Tup Tim Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar reopens after health department shutdown

By Melanie Pena | Sep. 19, 2022

Tup Tim Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar, located at 1228 W. University Ave. near the Publix Super Market at University Village Market, was shut down by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Sept. 13 for health violations. The infractions included multiple rodent droppings, one dead rodent and dead roaches, according to the inspection report. Following two inspections, the restaurant, which was a go-to spot for some Gainesville residents, was cleared to open.

Metro

Gainesville housing project passes first vote despite split commissioner, citizen support

By Aidan Bush | Sep. 19, 2022

The Gainesville City Commission voted 4-3 Sept. 15 to turn the lot on the corner of Southwest Second Avenue and Southwest 10th Street into a 12-story housing complex and standalone five-story building. The proposal was made by real estate firm CA Ventures.

A top 5 banner is seen on Buckman Drive on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.

News

Top 5 banner thieves strike again

By Alissa Gary | Sep. 19, 2022

Nineteen banners boasting UF’s No. 5 status were hung on lamp posts around campus Sept. 12. By the next day, 14 of them had disappeared, said Mark Helms, assistant vice president of facilities services.

Florida head coach Billy Napier during the No. 18 Gators narrow victory over the South Florida Bulls Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.

Sports

Gators escape upset with narrow victory over South Florida

By Jackson Castellano | Sep. 17, 2022

No. 18 Florida defeated South Florida 31-28 to avoid a disastrous upset Saturday night. Despite allowing more than 400 yards in offense, the Gators would survive to see an above .500 record once more. The Bulls missed a 48-yard field goal which would've sent the game into overtime.

Florida freshman Lauren McCloskey throws the ball into play against the South Florida Bulls Sept. 1, 2022.

Sports

Florida soccer drops SEC opener to Tennessee despite late comeback attempt

By Jackson Reyes | Sep. 17, 2022

The Gators lost Friday night’s match to the Volunteers 2-1. UF sophomore forward Maddy Pirrello was a bright spot for Florida as she became the 25th player in program history to score her first goal in her first start.

Florida's Merritt Beason lays down a kill during a game against Texas A&M on Oct. 16, 2021. Beason laid down a career-high 18 kills against South Carolina, leading the Gators to their first road SEC win of the season.

Sports

No. 16 Florida upsets No. 4 Wisconsin in front of largest regular-season crowd ever

By Brandon Hernandez | Sep. 17, 2022

A career night for sophomore outside hitter Merritt Beason propelled Florida to a massive road win. The Gators defeated the No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers in a dramatic five-set match.

Florida head coach Billy Napier during Gator Walk prior to his team's game against Kentucky Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

Sports

Gators looks for rebound against South Florida following Kentucky loss

By Topher Adams | Sep. 16, 2022

Last year, Anthony Richardson wowed the country with his highlight plays against South Florida. This year, he and the Gators face the Bulls again, looking to build from last week’s loss to the Kentucky Wildcats.

The first Bento location at 3832 W. Newberry Rd Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. Bento will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Sept. 20.

Metro

Gator-grad franchise takes Florida: Bento celebrates 20 years

By Ashleigh Lucas | Sep. 16, 2022

Johnny Tung, 42-year-old co-founder of Bento, said he never imagined the amount of success Bento would have when their first location, 3832 W. Newberry Road, opened almost 20 years ago on Sept. 20, 2002.

Metro

Local contractor arrested for threatening Gainesville city commissioners

By Lily Kino | Sep. 14, 2022

Terry Martin-Back, a 68-year-old Gainesville resident, was booked into the Alachua County Jail around 4 p.m. Monday. He’s being charged with written threats to kill, do bodily injury or conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, according to his arrest warrant.

After UF scientists encountered the macaw, a Twitter account popped up with the username @UF_Macaw.

News

Non-native blue-and-gold macaw pays unexpected visit to UF scientists

By Fernando Figueroa | Sep. 14, 2022

Eight tropical avian specialists and several birders at UF had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when a rare blue-and-gold macaw perched itself on a tree outside of the Tropical Ecology and Conservation Lab on Newell Drive Tuesday morning.

News

‘Technology of truth’: Ethereum’s ‘The Merge’ makes big changes for UF students, professors invested in cryptocurrency

By Malori Malone | Sep. 14, 2022

Ethereum hosted a two-part cyber event Saturday expected to dramatically change the ways that the cryptocurrency market works through “The Merge.”

The Florida volleyball team celebrates during a match against the Virginia Cavaliers Aug. 27, 2021.

Sports

No. 16 Florida sweeps rival Florida State in Sunshine Showdown

By Ethan Eibe | Sep. 14, 2022

The No.16 Gators completed multiple comebacks to sweep the Florida State Seminoles in front of a rowdy crowd Tuesday night. Florida will now prepare for an away match at No. 4 Wisconsin Friday night.

Metro

Gainesville Amazon facility cleared after written bomb threat

By Heather Bushman | Sep. 13, 2022

Gainesville Police Department officers responded to a written message on a whiteboard in the facility, located at 2121 NW 67th Place near Northside Park off of U.S. Route 441, around 9 a.m., GPD Chief Inspector Jamie Kurnick said. The message indicated the presence of a bomb in the building.

Metro

23-year-old man dead after Archer Road motorcycle crash

By Heather Bushman | Sep. 13, 2022

An SUV collided with a motorcycle and killed its driver, a 23-year-old man, at 6:31 a.m. at the intersection of Southwest Archer Road and Clark Butler Boulevard, Gainesville Police Department Chief Inspector Jamie Kurnick said. No roads are blocked as of Tuesday afternoon.

Opinion

Grappling with imposter syndrome at a top five university

By Halima Attah | Sep. 12, 2022

Earning the title of a top-five public university last year, UF has become a space for some of the nation’s most gifted individuals — something that often prompts students to go the extra mile when doubting their own skills. Questions of academic ability often become questions of belonging, with a single less-than-superior grade housing the potential to make students worry about whether they deserve to have a spot here.

Florida’s first presumptive case of monkeypox was identified May 22.

News

UF students confront pandemic fatigue, lingering anxiety as monkeypox cases rise in Alachua County

By Melanie Pena | Sep. 12, 2022

As of Sept. 10, there are nine monkeypox cases reported in Alachua County, with one of the cases belonging to the 15 to 19 years age range, and another in the 20 to 24 years age range. The number of reported cases increased by five since Aug. 29. Now, as monkeypox casts a familiar air of uncertainty, UF students worry they could face another viral outbreak.

Soup sits on a shelf at the Santa Fe Food Pantry Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.

News

Santa Fe College Saints Food Share pantry experiences a high demand head of food drive

By Claire Grunewald | Sep. 12, 2022

SFC’s food pantry, Saints Food Share, encountered an increased demand for food from students since school started, Sarah Blanc, a SFC civic engagement and service specialist, said: The pantry is getting three times the number of normal requests for food ahead of its Hunger Action Month Food Drive.

The Enson Market, an international grocery store, sits at University Towne Center in Gainesville Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022.

The Avenue

Gainesville Asian markets give customers a ‘taste of home’

By Erina Anwar | Sep. 12, 2022

Some may be looking to break out of their comfort zone with Asian snacks. Others may want to reminisce on a childhood favorite with a home-cooked meal. With these four favorites to choose from — Tahanan Filipino Bistro & Shop, Chun Ching Market, Enson Market and India Bazaar — fresh ingredients and groceries aren’t far from reach in Gainesville.

Customers wait outside Brownie Guy on its final day Monday Sept. 12.

The Avenue

Gainesville favorite Brownie Guy to close after owner Chris DeVeau’s death

By Lauren Brensel | Sep. 12, 2022

The store, located at 602 NW 75th St. Suite B near Newberry Square, will sell its final batch of brownies at 11 a.m. Monday, continuing until 10 p.m. or when it sells out. Purchases are cash only.