News

1. Gainesville Commissioners switching up their decisions on downtown parking. February 4th, 2022 a meeting was suppose to be held at 1PM to make a decision on downtown parking which many businesses claim is hurting their business, but at the last moment the commission rescheduled it to 10AM. “It’s nice to know they’re postponing the paid parking to talk to employers and business owners downtown but this is something that should have already happened because those are the people who will be affected the most,” said a local employee that described parking being scary because she has to walk 10 to 15 minutes away for work.
   

2. Gainesville Police Department raided Colliers International commercial real estate agency alleging that Michael Ryals and Daniel Drotos had a scheme to defraud/organized fraud and theft of trade secrets. Drotos faces an additional charge of offense against intellectual property. Gainesville Police had a show of force at their offices with the State Attorney’s office stating that their crimes were egregious against their former employer Bosshardt Realty.

3. Gainesville city commissioners voted Thursday to apply for a federal grant that could contribute to providing free rides for everyone on Regional Transit System buses.

   Within two minutes of the agenda item being introduced at Thursday’s City Commission meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to sign a resolution that is required to apply for federal aid. The money would be distributed by the Florida Department of Transportation in the form of a $200,000 grant.

4. The Tipsy Gamer is bringing nerd culture to Gainesville. The Tipsy Gamer is a downtown business that has just opened bringing the culture of nerds to the local flavor. It’s a card trading store and has arcade games.

5. Gainesville Fire Rescue responded to a fire Thursday morning at Alachua County Feed & Seed, which forced the closure of Northwest Sixth Street and Northwest 23rd Avenue. Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Hillhouse has said the fire is still under investigation.