The Independent Florida Alligator

As you step across the gravel parking lot of Cypress & Grove Brewing Co., the smell of hops brewing will transform into the smell of coffee beans. This is the aroma of Morning Brew, the brewery’s new coffee venture that soft-launched earlier last month. Its grand opening is set to take place Aug. 8 as the brewery celebrates its ninth anniversary. The soft launch provides a window for the brewery to fine-tune the cafe, train the staff and smooth out any wrinkles in their systems.

Why did the rooster cross the road? To get to the fire station, of course. Picture where roosters typically are: a barn, a countryside, a chicken coop. The last place you’d think to find one is beside a Walmart and a fire station. But that’s where you’ll find Dawg. Dawg is a silver rooster with a loud crowing — loud enough to be heard over the sound of the fire station's alarms. While he may look lost and aimlessly wandering around, Dawg knows exactly where he is and what he’s doing.

For Anna Poacelli, coming to college was the perfect opportunity to fulfill her lifelong dream of being in a band. A year after joining indie-trio Paul’s Ribs, the 20-year-old seeks something new: a solo career. Her first independent single, “Farmhouse,” is set to release July 10. The song is about her dream of getting married and moving to a farm. “During that year spent on the farm, we would be creative, and we would renovate our own bathroom,” Poacelli said.

As the nation celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, local leaders and community advocates reflect not only on the nation’s past, but also on the future of policymaking and advocacy in their communities. Marihelen Wheeler: From classrooms to the county commission For Marihelen Wheeler, the idea of local leadership didn’t begin in a county building. It began in a classroom.

The Alachua County Democratic Party held its Florida House of Representatives District 21 candidate forum Thursday ahead of the Aug. 18 primary elections. House District 21 encompasses Alachua and Marion counties. The 90-minute Q&A forum took place at the Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center, a historic African American cultural spot in Gainesville. Five Democratic candidates qualified for the ballot: Antione Fields, Jacquelyn Randall, Malik J. Moore, Xavier J. Monroe and Sylvain Doré.

It’s a bright, sunny day. What do you do? You could take the ever-popular float down one of the numerous springs near Gainesville; it can be a refreshing and relaxing experience. Or you could visit the crowd-pleasing Paynes Prairie, brimming with wildlife like bison, horses and alligators. What if I told you that these natural environments may not exist one day? While enjoying these landscapes can be a memorable experience, it is important to consider that our actions may cause harm.

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Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. We inform. You decide. Thursday, July 02, 2026 The district maintained a ‘B’ despite a stricter grading scale The Florida Department of Education released school and district grades Wednesday. Alachua County Public Schools maintained its overall B rating, and 13 schools exhibited a change in grades. This year, Florida districts, high schools and combination schools faced stricter grading requirements, according to an ACPS press release.

For senior Ally Wright, the decision came down to one question: Was $400 worth six football games? The University of Florida released season student tickets earlier this year at a price about 50% higher than the previous year’s. Coming out to a $376.25 total, including fees, the elevated price has raised concerns among students about whether the season ticket package is worth the cost. After purchasing tickets last season, Wright decided she wouldn’t for her senior year.

Community members, military speakers and Gold Star families, a title for the immediate family of U.S. military service members who died in line of duty, gathered outside Gainesville Health & Fitness Tuesday evening. Held at the gym’s main center, to celebrate the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary with patriotic displays, military tributes and the unveiling of a large eagle sculpture created to honor service members and remember those who died in military service.