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Attendees at the Welcoming Week International Festival hosted by the Greater Gainesville International Center dance with cultural dance performers at Bo Diddley Plaza in Gainesville on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

THE AVENUE

Gainesville residents gather for Welcoming Week International Festival kick-off

By Nicole Beltran and Bonny Matejowsky | Sep. 3, 2023

In the heart of downtown Gainesville, the sweet aroma of Afro-fusion dishes and layered rhythms of a Japanese drumming ensemble filled the air. A crowd of festival goers quickly emerged, eager to immerse themselves in the multicultural celebration of unity. The Greater Gainesville International Center hosted its annual Welcoming Week International Festival at Bo Diddley Plaza Sept. 2.

Florida freshman forward Megan Hinnenkamp takes on a defender in the Gators' 8-0 win against the Stetson Hatters Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023.

SPORTS | SOCCER

The Gators survive second-half push to remain unbeaten

By Austin Stirling | Sep. 3, 2023

The Florida Gators (3-0-2) drew against the Kennesaw State Owls (1-2-2) 1-1 Sunday night in Kennesaw, Georgia. The Gators, coming off a monster 8-0 victory against Stetson, and remained undefeated after the draw.

Midtown bars are seen on University Avenue in Gainesville on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Hurricane parties: How students celebrate storm days

By Megan Howard | Sep. 3, 2023

Many students who grew up in Florida know that an incoming hurricane almost always grants days off from school. Now that UF students live in their own spaces, they opt to throw “hurricane parties” to pass time.

Storm surge from Hurricane Idalia floods Athens Street in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Ivy Ceballo/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

NEWS | CAMPUS

Hurricane Idalia steers clear of UF’s main campus

By Bailey Diem and Garrett Shanley | Sep. 3, 2023

Idalia made landfall as a Category 3 storm roughly 90 miles west of Gainesville at Keaton Beach 8 a.m. Aug. 29. While initially predicted to bring large wind and rain to Alachua County, the area was mostly spared. The UF campus in Gainesville experienced only downed tree limbs and minor building leaks, UF Spokesperson Florida Bridgewater-Alford said.

METRO

Hurricane Idalia leaves minimal effects on health and emergency facilities

By Jinelle Vazquez | Sep. 3, 2023

As concerned Gainesville residents spent last week huddled around their TVs to follow Hurricane Idalia's path, first responders prepared for the worst. Hurricane Idalia made landfall as a Category 3 storm in Florida's Big Bend region Aug. 30. Although earlier projections predicted a direct hit to Gainesville, cities such as Cedar Key, Steinhatchee and Perry suffered the brunt of the storm's 125 mph winds and 7-foot water surges.

The Florida Gators volleyball team celebrates after they defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers 3-0 Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 8 Gators upset No. 5 Minnesota in three-set victory

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Sep. 3, 2023

The No. 8 Florida Gators (4-0) swept the No. 5 Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-2) 3-0 in their first home match of the season at the Stephen O’Connell Center Sunday afternoon.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.

ENTERPRISE | POLITICS

President Joe Biden flies into Gainesville Airport

By Sophia Bailly | Sep. 2, 2023

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrived at the Gainesville Regional Airport at around 1 p.m. Saturday to address damages in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD arrests 5 people after a 5 month drug trafficking investigation

By Jordan Ramos | Sep. 2, 2023

A local drug trafficking organization known as “Billy Blood” was dismantled by the Gainesville Police Department’s Drug Task Force unit. The organization was responsible for selling fentanyl, cocaine, molly, marijuana and prescription medications, according to a GPD press release.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Buchholz High School ranked No. 54 in Florida

By Alissa Gary | Sep. 1, 2023

Buchholz High School was ranked No. 54 best high school in Florida and No. 1 in Alachua County Public Schools by US News & World Report for the 2023-2024 school year. The school was also ranked No. 822 out of 17,680 public high schools in the country, putting it in the top 5%.

Aleks Szymczyk stands on the court in the Gators men's basketball's 81-60 win against South Carolina Gamecocks on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Szymczyk to miss 10-12 weeks of action

By Brandon Hernandez | Sep. 1, 2023

Florida men’s basketball sophomore forward Aleks Szymczyk will miss 10 to 12 weeks of action after he broke his foot in practice Tuesday, according to Chris Harry, senior writer for the Florida Gators.

A pair of Florida defenders tackle the Utah tailback in the Gators' win over No. 7 Utah Sept. 3, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Mental mistakes crush Gators in season opening defeat

By Jackson Reyes | Aug. 31, 2023

The Florida Gators (0-1) fell to the Utes (1-0) 24-11 in Rice-Eccles Stadium Thursday night to open their 2023 football season. The Gators failed to convert in the clutch and ended just 1-13 on third-down conversions.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

A Gainesville man led police on a high-speed chase after a domestic violence call

By Jordan Ramos | Aug. 31, 2023

A Gainesville man led police on a high speed chase — endangering a woman who flew out of his car — after police received a domestic violence call Wednesday.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Remembering David Flagg – former Gainesville mayor, Florida House representative

By Zoey Thomas | Aug. 31, 2023

When he wasn’t jumping from planes as an 82nd Airborne lieutenant, the Gainesville native, history buff and diehard Gators football fan served as a Gainesville city commissioner and mayor-commissioner from 1985 to 1988, followed by two terms in the Florida House from 1988 to 1992. During his time in office, he championed natural resource protection and gun safety legislation. He died Aug. 21.

NEWS

UF will resume classes Thursday following Hurricane Idalia

By Bailey Diem | Aug. 30, 2023

UF campus will reopen and classes will resume Thursday following Hurricane Idalia, according to an email sent to students Wednesday afternoon.

Florida senior linebacker Amari Burney celebrates with his defensive teammates after he sealed the Gators' win over No. 7 Utah Saturday night.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida looks for signature start in season opener

By Topher Adams | Aug. 30, 2023

The Gators open the 2023 season with a daunting road trip to the No. 14 Utes. This is Florida’s first regular season game west of Texas since a 1983 trip to the University of Southern California. And like those Trojans 40 years ago, Utah will provide an early litmus test for UF.

Florida volleyball's Elli McKissock (23), Sofia Victoria (4), Marlie Monserez (21) and Merritt Beason (13) celebrate during the Gators' loss to Mississippi State on Sept. 24. The team hosted Jacksonville Saturday for its annual Fan Day exhibition match.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 8 Gators defeat No. 2 Cardinal in commanding fashion with sweep

By Krisha Sanghavi | Aug. 29, 2023

The No. 8 Florida Gators (3-0) swept the No. 2 Stanford Cardinal (2-1) 3-0 Tuesday night. The team traveled to Palo Alto, California, for game three of the Tampa Bay Invitational.

NEWS

Alachua County orders evacuation for mobile homes, flood-prone areas

By Alissa Gary | Aug. 29, 2023

Residents of mobile and manufactured homes, substandard housing and flood-prone areas are under mandatory evacuation, according to Alachua County information about Hurricane Idalia.

Former UF linebacker Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. and former Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid compete in a play in the Gators' 29-26 victory Saturday, Sept. 3, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Know Your Enemy: Utah Utes

By Jackson Reyes | Aug. 29, 2023

This season’s matchup in Salt Lake City looks set to be another competitive game. I connected with Sean Overton, the sports editor of the Daily Utah Chronicle, to get his thoughts on the week one matchup in 2023’s first Know Your Enemy.

Amber Cabassa flashes her pink rotary dial phone purse at Regal Celebration Pointe on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Gainesville community celebrates the second annual National Cinema Day

By Alexandra Burns | Aug. 28, 2023

Gainesville’s three movie theaters — Regal Celebration Pointe, Royal Park and Butler Town Center — celebrated National Cinema Day Sunday with $4 tickets for all movies and showtimes and discounted snack prices. The theaters even brought back several classic films for the day, such as the award-winning “Lady Bird,” “Jurassic Park,” “Coraline” and “American Graffiti.”

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested after high speed chase

By Jordan Ramos | Aug. 28, 2023

A Gainesville man led police on a high-speed chase through the city, resulting in his arrest at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, according to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office police report. Police also found drugs.

El Caimán