2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

A Farewell to Summer and Some Last Pieces of Advice

Aug. 5, 2015

So we’ve hit a lot of topics here. This was a new endeavor for me and I am glad to have had some of you along for the ride. Since this is my last column I thought I would do a little recap of some of the highlights from this summer. It was my intention with this column to provide automotive advice for college students. I may have missed the mark at some points, but I would like to leave you with a few nuggets that may at least get you through the rest of your college career.

Will Grier warms up prior to Florida's game against Vanderbilt on Nov. 8 in Nashville, Tennessee.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Grier impressing coaches, Morrison ahead of schedule

By GRAHAM HACK | Aug. 5, 2015

Coach Jim McElwain won’t give an edge to either quarterback going into Fall camp, but if you read between the lines, Will Grier appears to have emerged as the better passer and will be a leader on offense.

Antonio Morrison attempts a tackle during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Nov. 1, 2014.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Answering five Fall camp questions before the players hit the practice field

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 5, 2015

With the first day of Fall camp at the forefront, there are still a plethora of questions surrounding the team that new head coach Jim McElwain hopes to have answered before the season kicks off on Sept. 5. Well, like you, I’m not a fan of waiting. So with that said, here are my answers to five burning questions that have yet to be answered from this team.

METRO

County Commission, ACSO disagree over marijuana laws

By GRAHAM HALL | Aug. 5, 2015

Alachua County commissioners and county attorney Michele Lieberman are in the process of investigating whether the county can legally begin issuing civil citations for marijuana possession — a move similar to Miami-Dade County, which voted June 30 to allow police to issue $100 civil citations or give the option of community service for the possession of up to 20 grams of marijuana.

Rebecca Pardini plays in her home with Angel, a puppy she's taking care of for a friend. The 22-year-old was homeless for three years.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Former homeless woman dreams of college

By Melissa Gomez | Aug. 5, 2015

Rebecca Pardini used to be homeless.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Education professors get grant for research

By Li Stalder | Aug. 5, 2015

Patricia Snyder, a UF College of Education professor, received a $3.5 million federal grant in July for her research on early childhood learning.

O'Steen Brothers employees Eddie Wesley and John Ludwig work outside Infinity Hall on July 29, 2015.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Infinity Hall to house 10 companies

By Nina Cusmano | Aug. 5, 2015

Along with about 308 students, Infinity Hall will house more than 10 local companies this Fall.

Kendra Phillip (left), 22-year-old UF health education graduate, and Athena Wong, 19-year-old UF accounting sophomore, sign a giant card for Roselle Derequito at Blaze Wednesday. Derequito's sorority, alpha Kappa Delta Phi, held a fundraiser to raise money for her medical expenses.

METRO

GoFundMe for ill UF alumna raises more than $16,000

By Patricia Potestades | Aug. 5, 2015

Roselle Derequito started feeling sick a few weeks ago. She had a fever and a mild headache — nothing too out of the ordinary.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Senate approves agency heads, budget, 5 resolutions in final Summer meeting

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 5, 2015

After more than three months between nomination hearings, UF Student Government now has its entire Executive Branch agency heads approved.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Padron-Rasines has big plans for presidency

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 5, 2015

Upon first glance, Joselin Padron-Rasines seems quiet and reserved.

NATIONAL | NEWS

Candidates for first Republican debate face off tonight

By Ramon Peña | Aug. 5, 2015

After a moment of uncertainty, the first Republican Party debate of the election season today in Ohio promises to have an interesting showing, with hosts, times and finally debaters set.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Locals start petition against CMT’s series “Gainesville”

By Elena Castello | Aug. 5, 2015

“Gainesville,” a new show on CMT network, is set to air back-to-back episodes Aug. 20 at 10 p.m. While some may be excited that a reality television series will take place within their own city, others don’t think “Gainesville” will accurately represent all aspects of the show’s namesake city.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

New Releases To Check Out On Spotify

By Joshua Williamson | Aug. 5, 2015

“Hotline Bling” and “Right Hand” by Drake

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

GNV icon to travel to world’s best restaurant in Denmark

By Patricia Rosario | Aug. 5, 2015

Gainesville’s dearest icon and Maude’s Cafe performer Tom Miller is asking his family and friends to buy him a reasonably priced dinner in a small town for his 50th birthday.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

“Vacation” receives criticism for its sensitive comedy plot

By Kelsey Bona | Aug. 5, 2015

The newest installment of the “National Lampoon’s Vacation” series was released last week, only to be met with overly harsh criticism. Though it’s necessary to swallow any preconceived ideas of high comedy prior to seeing “Vacation,” the film is not bad — idiotic, yes, but certainly not the terrible movie it’s been made out to be.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A final goodbye, thank you to my Alligator family

By Melissa Mihm | Aug. 5, 2015

When I first got to UF, I struggled to find a group of friends. I had friends speckled throughout Gainesville, but I always felt like I was lacking that family away from family. I guess you could say, I eventually gave up.

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts and Laurels: Summer Finale Extravaganza

Aug. 5, 2015

Greetings and salutations, Gainesville! We welcome you to this most August occasion by which we end our Summer circulation of the Alligator and prepare our inkstained (not really because everything’s digital nowadays) hands for the coming of our Fall semester. But before we go, we must leave our valued audience for our even more valued swimsuits and margaritas and leave you with this final summer edition of…Darts and Laurels.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Hardcore thrash band No Fraud to perform at the Atlantic

By Joshua Williamson | Aug. 5, 2015

Punk veterans No Fraud are coming to Gainesville — a music scene the hardcore thrashers are more than familiar with.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Paynes Prairie: A breathtaking site that should remain state property

Aug. 5, 2015

In storytelling, it is a common occurrence for the protagonist to gain insight or make a personal breakthrough by retreating to nature.

UF's Lauren Haeger pitches during Florida's 5-0 win against Florida State on April 22, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Who was the Best Female Athlete at UF in 2015?

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 3, 2015

The Alligator Awards continue this week, with the sixth award being for "Best Female Athlete." Editor-in-chief Jordan McPherson and staff writer Ian Cohen join alligatorSports editors Graham Hall, Luis Torres and Graham Hack in a roundtable discussion to debate the five nominees. Debates will go in alphabetical order by the writer’s last name.

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