Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp

Alligator Staff Writer

Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp is a first-year Journalism major and a Metro News Assistant for The Alligator. You'll usually find her reading, watching movies and searching for creative ways to be more environmentally friendly. She loves going on spontaneous adventures and grabbing boba/coffee with friends.

Minca Davis

METRO

Alachua County Forever acquires vital portion of land for conservation corridor

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Nov. 14

Following years of collaboration with McNab and the Carr family, Alachua County Forever purchased this land, which is slated to become part of a wildlife corridor southwest of Micanopy. It will connect Barr Hammock Preserve and Price’s Scrub State Park, a vital development in statewide conservation efforts. The property formerly belonged to Archie and his wife, conservationist Majorie Harris Carr.

Visitors study boards detailing the history of Alachua County plantations and enslaved families Friday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp

METRO

Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center hosts panel on enslaved Africans in Alachua County

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Oct. 15

The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center hosted “In the Shadows of Plantations: Enslaved Africans in Alachua County'' Oct. 14 to honor the research of Hilliard-Nunn, one of the pioneers of UF’s African American Studies department.

Alexa Herrera

METRO

Days for Girls Alachua County Chapter opens new sewing center

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp and Alexa Herrera | Oct. 11

Working to prepare and distribute packages of period supplies to those in need both locally and internationally, the Days for Girls Alachua County Chapter quickly outgrew the confines of their old sewing center. More than 100 hundred people visited the grand opening of a more spacious facility on Sunday.

Outside of the Alachua County Animal Services building on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022.

METRO

Alachua County Animal Resources and Care hires new director, resumes animal intake

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Sep. 19

Alachua County Animal Resources and Care finds new director after a series of issues led to its closing and the resigning of its previous director.

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.

Ryan Friedenberg

METRO | BUSINESS

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

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Sep. 19

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.

UF students exit RTS buses at The Hub on Friday, Jan. 14, 2021.

Ashleigh Lucas

CAMPUS | BREAKING NEWS

Regional Transit System app left inaccessible to Gainesville residents for nearly a full week

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Sep. 8

Without a working app from Sept. 2 to Thursday, UF students struggled to find transportation to accommodate their daily schedules. City staff heard about connection issues with the RTS app Sept. 2 and immediately began working with the provider to restore function, city spokesperson Rossana Passaniti said.

Alachua County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler.

ELECTION | ALACHUA

Incumbent Marihelen Wheeler wins Democratic nomination for District 2 County Commission, will face unopposed Ed Braddy

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Aug. 24

Incumbent Marihelen Wheeler won the Democratic nomination and will face off against Republican candidate Ed Braddy for the District 2 Alachua County Commission seat in November.

Thousands of Alachua County residents including students, parents and teachers filled Santa Fe College’s gymnasium Saturday, July 30, 2022.

Meghan McGlone

METRO | PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Rally addresses Gainesville gun violence prior to school year’s start

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Aug. 1

Thousands of Alachua County residents including students, parents and teachers filled Santa Fe College's gymnasium Saturday for Alachua County's 23rd annual Stop the Violence Back to School Rally.

Terrell Bradley sits at a police advisory council meeting Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

Omar Ateyah

METRO

Protestors pressure police advisory council for law enforcement accountability

By Omar Ateyah and Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Aug. 1

Demonstrators at the police advisory council meeting Wednesday demanded law enforcement accountability and justice in the wake of the recent Terrell Bradley and Dovico Miles incidents.

Yingqun Zhu

METRO | PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Back-to-school rally revolves around youth violence

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | July 25

The Stop the Violence Back to School Rally will present parents and students with backpacks, school supplies and safety lessons in the Santa Fe College gymnasium Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.