The University of Florida campus in Gainesville looked brighter and felt safer for those who returned this spring. UF recently completed a series of security enhancements to the campus, which include the addition of surveillance cameras and the conversion of nearly 60% of pole-mounted lights to brighter and more energy-efficient LED technology. The improvements include the addition of more security cameras across campus and electronic access control to buildings and offices. They are part of a project approved in June 2019 by the UF Board of Trustees as part of the Campus Safety Plan, which c ..read more

Since 1987, Santa Fe College has celebrated Women’s History Month by honoring the achievements of women in Alachua and Bradford counties during their annual Women of Distinction and Promise ceremony. Women of Distinction are women who have enriched the community through their contributions to the arts, business, education, social services, government and other philanthropic ventures. These extraordinary women are examples for all women, balancing careers, families and community service, while making our community a better place for everyone. SF also recognizes Women of Promise – young women i ..read more

As part of its efforts to support emerging biotechnology companies with addressing key challenges of bringing new therapies to market, Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced it has become a founding sponsor of Momentum Labs in Alachua, Floria. Momentum Labs will serve as a collaborative laboratory and office space for growing biotech businesses in the greater Gainesville region. The venture is spearheaded by Concept Companies, a national real estate development firm headquartered in Gainesville. “From a regional and state perspective, Momentum Labs provides critical infrastructure and busines ..read more

Ellianos Coffee, a southeast-based drive-thru specialty coffee brand, is coming soon to Newberry, Florida. Ellianos reports that it signed the agreement with new franchisees Eric and Randi Preston, and is looking forward to serving the Newberry community. Eric and Randi have a combined 35 years of experience in the food service industry in North Florida. Eric, who is also currently positioned as Ellianos Coffee’s Director of Operations and Logistics, commented on their new venture, “It has always been our dream to own our own business, and we are very excited to open our Ellianos Coffee franc ..read more

Worthmann Construction, a local roofing, and exterior home improvement company, announces a celebration event for their 3rd Annual Free Roof Giveaway winner. Starting in 2019, Worthmann’s Free Roof Giveaway was created to thank the local community for their support and business. This giveaway is aimed at helping an in-need member of the surrounding area with replacing their roof, a project and cost some can’t undertake despite their extreme need.   To celebrate this year’s winner, Sara Hannah, a local resident and mother, Worthmann is hosting a celebration event for local community membe ..read more

When Jeff Rudolf is explaining his work, he turns to the kitchen. “Everyone knows the smell of a lemon or a lime. Most people enjoy mint or lavender. Those fragrances are terpenoids,” said Rudolf, a chemist at the University of Florida. “Everyone knows what terpenoids are, even if they don’t know the name.” In addition to their culinary uses, terpenoids see use as the anti-cancer drug Taxol and the anti-malarial artemisinin. It’s this potential for use in medicine that has attracted Rudolf’s research group to the terpenoids. One of their goals is to understand how nature produces the dizzying ..read more

The University of Florida reinstated a vehicle-restricted zone designed to improve pedestrian safety on campus on Jan. 9. The vehicle-restricted zone will be marked with signs and flashing red lights that will activate from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on weekdays when pedestrian traffic is heaviest. The campus community is encouraged to visit our frequently asked questions page to learn more about which vehicles can enter the restricted zone when active. Additionally, the map below illustrates the vehicle-restricted zone entry points and alternate routes.   Vehicle-restricted zone frequent ..read more

Consumer sentiment among Floridians fell slightly four-tenths of a point to 64 from November’s revised figure of 64.4. On the contrary, national sentiment rose nearly 3 points. “As the year winds down, annual average consumer confidence stands at 64.3 points in 2022, its lowest level on record since the series began tracking consumer confidence in 1985. This is an indication that consumer attitudes have been overwhelmingly gloomy in 2022. The second-lowest annual average was 65.6 points and dates to the Great Recession in 2008,” said Hector H. Sandoval, director of the Economic Analysis Progr ..read more

CHW Professional Consultants, a leading planning, surveying, engineering, landscape architecture, and construction services firm announces the enhancement of its multi-disciplinary team with the addition of an Ecological Services Department.  Andy Woodruff joins CHW as Vice President and Senior Ecologist bringing over 30 years of ecological and environmental expertise in markets such as commercial, residential, transportation, marine, agricultural, mining, geophysical, and wetland mitigation projects. He offers the experience and portfolio to assist CHW in launching this new line of serv ..read more

The next date for the CIty of Gainesville’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Assessment Workshop is Thursday, January 05, 2023 | 05:30 PM to 07:30 PM.   The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) wants to hear from you! Please join one of four public workshops that are being held across the city in various locations to provide your thoughts, opinions and feelings to inform the PRCA Master Plan Update.   The Vision 2020 Master Plan was initially conducted in 2012 to help guide the department for 20 years. Since 2022 is the 10-year mark  PRCA is updating t ..read more