Gainesville Local News

Students evacuate library amid unexpected flooding         A University of Florida library is back open after a water leak caused flooding Sunday night. An over flooding toilet forced the Martson Science library to shut down.        UF spokesman Steve Orlando said most of the flooding was contained on the third floor with  minor drip through the second floor. Students working were asked to relocate while library staff closed down the floor.       There was no significant damage other than wet carpeting and puddles around bookshelves. Library staff set up several fans to dry up the area. Orlando said everything should be back up and running normal.  "By large there does not appear to be any significant damage other than some wet carpeting but everything is being dried up now."      The northeast corner restroom is the only remaining part of the library still closed accor...

 Newberry Six    In the shadows of this cemetery east of Newberry are traces of a horrific story, the 1916 lynching of six black men and women. A mob hanged the "Newberry Six" for their association with a 7th person... Boisy Long. He was on the run that August day, accused of stealing hogs and killing a deputy.      Descendants of Boisy Long gathered with Newberry residents Thursday night to break the code of silence. Historian, Janis Owens, was also present at the event to provide her knowledge on the tragic event through her research.  She said the 1916 crowd may have been 200-strong at the lynch hammock, bringing nooses prepared at Dudley Farm. "They touched the ropes and they all had an oath and were all complicit in it and then it was absolutely lock down it was a huge secret that sometimes people would allude to."       Angel Hunt a descendant of Boisy Long said the past can be horrifying, and she hopes peo...

Half Cent Campaign       Advocates for a proposed sales tax for schools are launching their campaign. The idea is to raise millions for school repairs and construction. All schools in Alachua County would benefit from the additional funding.      At Santa Fe High School, they'd like to fix the air conditioner and a host of other problems. Santa Fe High School Principal Beth McClear says students would benefit greatly. "Our air conditioners in our auditorium is never at capacity. Last night it was only a fourth and so when we do shows or any kind of activity, it is ungodly hot in there.      Parents are also voicing their concerns. One mother, Kimberly Baxley, said she notices the overcrowding in schools is becoming a growing problem. She said she had to move her child from Newberry High School to Santa Fe because it was overpopulated, but she came to realize that the issue was county wide.  "The kids are hot, t...

Gators in Motion                   As the saying goes, work hard play hard, and these kids are doing just that. Middle and high school students struggling with their grades are getting help thanks to a mentoring program called "Gators in Motion." Through tennis the kids create bonds with volunteers who become a support system for them. "I was struggling in biology and one of the volunteers helped me." said Camryn Ford Eastside Student.      The program pairs kids from low-income neighborhoods with the University of Florida students.  Tutors work one-on-one with them and the students couldn't be happier. Every week the students meet with the volunteers at the Florida Gymnasium where tables are set up for study sessions.  The Director for the program, Nasseeka Denis, said they are very involved with their members. "I attend teacher parent conference as well to ensure they are getting all the h...