2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Robert Thomas, 43, stands in front of his tent behind the old fire station in downtown Gainesville where he says it’s “more peaceful” on Thursday, June 10, 2021. Thomas doesn’t know what he’ll do if the SPARC arts center is built, but says he’s willing to fight for the people camped out on the property.

METRO

Future uncertain for Gainesville’s South Main Street homeless encampment

By Alan Halaly and Lucille Lannigan | June 18, 2021

The Old Fire Station, where about 15 people live in tents outside, has been vacant since 2018, and in February 2020, the city commission invited proposals for how to use the space. In April 2020, UF Center of Arts proposed replacing the Old Fire Station with a community center for wellness, arts and cultural engagement, but current residents have largely been left out of the conversation.

UF and FSU students part of the Global Medical Brigade in Panama in 2019.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF Global Brigades chapters makes lasting impact on international communities

By Camila Pereira | June 18, 2021

As international travel came to a halt with COVID-19, the humanitarian nonprofit organization, Global Brigades created TeleBrigades to allow students to still work virtually with these communities in need through a multi-week program.

NEWS

UF Health computer servers still down two weeks after cyberattack on two hospitals

By Alexandra Harris | June 18, 2021

Two weeks after a cyberattack on UF Health computers, its servers are still down.

'Getaway’ marks an era of musical experimentation for Driptones.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Driptones return with new single ‘Getaway’

By Heather Bushman | June 18, 2021

In their latest single, Driptones are “dripping different” — a new sound, new style, new direction. “Getaway,” out now, is the newest release from the Gainesville quartet.

The growing space for LGBTQ stories on kids and family programming begs the question of whether the public can place a level of responsibility on influential children’s media outlets to produce inclusive content.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

UF professionals discuss LGBTQ representation in children’s entertainment

By Brenna Sheets | June 17, 2021

For many members of the LGBTQ community, representation in different entertainment mediums can play a crucial role in personal development, especially in children. UF students and faculty examine the role influential corporations play in the evolving culture of young adult and kid-friendly media.

The Gainesville location will be Buff City’s twelfth Florida store.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Buff City Soap to open in Butler Town Center

By Heather Bushman | June 17, 2021

Buff City Soap, coming to Butler Town Center, specializes in vegan-friendly, cruelty-free soaps, handcrafted daily in each store.

Valerie Griffith, a Founders Club member of Oak Hammock at the University of Florida, participates in the CITRUS Study as a nurse puts a tourniquet on her arm on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

METRO

Gainesville retirement community participates in CDC COVID-19 study

By Alexandra Harris | June 16, 2021

The data will be used to determine if and when a booster COVID-19 vaccine would be necessary, Oak Hammock CITRUS study manager and RN Tiffany Bach said.

METRO

Florida Department of Health ends daily COVID-19 updates and death statistics

By Alexandra Harris | June 16, 2021

The Florida Department of Health will no longer release COVID-19 statistics daily, switching to reporting COVID-19 cases and vaccinations on a weekly basis. The number of fatalities will also no longer be provided.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Innovation Gators: Students share original solutions during Innovation Academy’s Summer A showcase

By Antonia LaRocca | June 16, 2021

UF students show off their skills during Innovation Academy’s Summer A showcase by presenting their innovative solutions to support health and wellness for Florida community members.

A digital sign in front of the Alachua County Public Schools district office building reads “Hiring HR Exec Director” on Sunday, June 6, 2021.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County Public Schools completes a full school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic

By Abigail Hasebroock and Maya Erwin | June 16, 2021

Alachua County Public Schools students, parents and teachers reflect on a full school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

40 Alachua County Public Schools students and staff are in quarantine

By Abigail Hasebroock | June 16, 2021

Alachua County Public Schools had 40 students and faculty members in quarantine as of Tuesday evening — a decrease of 45 cases since June 8, according to the school district’s COVID-19 dashboard.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College COVID-19 update: Four positive cases were reported

By Antonia LaRocca | June 16, 2021

Santa Fe College reported four positive student COVID-19 cases between June 2 and Monday, and one student who tested positive may have been on-site while carrying the virus.

A crane towers over the Evolve apartment complex construction site at 931 West University Avenue on Tuesday, June 16, 2021. Evolve is one of several new mid-rise apartment complexes under construction in midtown and downtown Gainesville.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commissioners approve development notifications for affected residents

By Alexander Lugo | June 16, 2021

Gainesville’s City Commission unanimously passed a motion that will notify residents of any future land development updates. The notifications would be sent to affected neighborhood associations and anyone who voluntarily signs up to receive them.

Florida's Thomas Mardal competes during the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Ark. / UAA Communications photo by Alex de la Osa

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Mardal’s journey to glory

By Kaitlyn Wadulack | June 14, 2021

“In my 16 years here, I don’t think we’ve had a guy that’s in the throwing events that has been as focused,” said associate head track and field coach Steve Lemke on Thomas Mardal.

Kayla Burnett wears one of their custom clothing items. Burnett hopes to create a safe space for LGBTQ and non-binary individuals by providing the freedom to explore their identity through art.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Neitherandboth introduces gender-neutral clothing to the Gainesville community

By Bryce Brown | June 14, 2021

Kayla Burnett is on a mission to provide customized gender-neutral clothing to people of all body types and identities. Through their business Neitherandboth, Burnett hopes to inspire Gainesville residents to express themselves and embrace their identity through their clothing.

Kristyn Lopez, 37, (right) gives a tattoo designed to emulate a tarot card to Franciso Martinez, 31, a Gainesville resident (left) on Sunday, June 13, 2021.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Walk-in tattoo event gives local community a way to support victims of sexual assault

By Karter Nancy | June 14, 2021

In an effort to raise money for victims of sexual assault, community members had their bodies marked with ink at the Still Not Asking For It tattoo flash event on Sunday.

A Pride Tree sticker at Swamp City Gallery Lounge on Sunday, June 13, 2021. Swamp City is running a pride month campaign, where patrons can take a photo of pride tree stickers placed in different locations for a chance to win $300 worth of accessories and products.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville cannabis and art lounge launches Pride Month campaign

By Heather Bushman | June 14, 2021

Swamp City Gallery Lounge is all about the green, but this June, they’re embracing the rainbow. The local glass art gallery and cannabis lounge is celebrating Pride Month with its #plantapridetree raffle campaign.

Aubrey Dolbeck, 21, a Gainesville business owner, looks at products she made on Friday, June 11, 2021. She sometimes searches for gems at Lake Alice.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

From dirt to amethyst, local crystal shop owner dedicates herself to uncovering nature’s beauty

By Melissa Hernandez de la Cruz | June 14, 2021

Aubrey Dolbeck uncovered her first gems in the mountains of Tennessee in February 2020. To most people, Dolbek’s initial finds were blobs of dirt. But after tediously cutting and polishing, Dolbeck birthed a captivatingly-cut Amethyst.

Dylan Perez, 6, uses blue butterfly flower pigment to paint on reusable paper at an eco-art event on Saturday, June 12, 2021.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Eco-friendly artists hold nature-based workshops at Artisans’ Guild

By Brenna Sheets | June 14, 2021

During the Artisan's Guild first eco-extravaganza event, attendees participated at artist’s station, where they workshopped a variety of eco-art activities like flower hammering, eco-printing, sewing with recycled textiles and tea tasting.

Tiffany Bach, the manager of the CITRUS Study, arranges files after collecting blood samples on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

METRO

Gainesville blood donation centers continue to face shortages

By Phong Huynh | June 14, 2021

Blood donation centers nationwide are still experiencing shortages caused by the pandemic. The center is in critical need of type O-, the universally accepted blood type, and O+, which can be accepted by everyone with a positive blood type.