2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

COVID 19 | UF

One year later: UF students share views on the pandemic

By Jiselle Lee | Mar. 11, 2021

Students have altered their lives to follow social distancing protocols, stressed over online classes and attended club meetings over Zoom. They missed packing Saturdays in The Swamp, crossing the stage in a cap and gown and spending Starbucks-fueled all-nighters in the library. A year later, UF students reflect on the impact of the past year. Some talk about their return to an empty campus, and others explain how their college memories have been confined to computer screens and kitchen tables.

Alena Drake (left) and Ashayla Blakely (right) graduated in 2020 from UF with bachelor's degrees in telecommunications on the production track.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

UF alumnae highlight the Black college woman's experience in web series 'Blackview'

By Kristin Bausch | Mar. 11, 2021

The series strives to emphasize the versatility of Black college women.

Midpoint Park & Eatery hosts a unique variety of restaurant and seating options.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

New food park opens in Gainesville’s Innovation District

By Veronica Nocera | Mar. 11, 2021

Midpoint Park & Eatery provides the community with a unique option for food and leisure.

First baseman Kendyl Lindaman notched a single and an RBI Wednesday against Stetson

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Echols crushes two long balls as Florida demolishes Kennesaw State

By Noah Ram | Mar. 11, 2021

Echols hit her third home run in as many games Wednesday night

UF rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat Stetson 10-7

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida steamrolls Stetson behind offensive onslaught

By Ryan Haley | Mar. 10, 2021

After early 5-0 deficit, the Gators scored 10 runs in the next four innings

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Voting precinct changes for the Gainesville Regular Election

By Jack Prator | Mar. 10, 2021

The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections sent an email Wednesday reminding voters of polling place changes for the election on March 16.

Alondra Arce, 20, a UF sustainability sophomore, paints a mural that says "Save Our Bright Futures" on Sunday, March 7, 2021. Arce recruited student volunteers to help her create the mural along 34th Street in Gainesville to raise awareness about Senate Bill 86, which would limit some students' access to state funding for college if passed.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Proposed Senate Bill could affect Florida Bright Futures

By Juliana Ferrie | Mar. 10, 2021

Students and parents around the state felt angered by the proposed bill. At UF, Alondra Arce, a 20-year-old sustainability studies and sociology sophomore, organized a group of students to paint a mural on the 34th Street Wall Sunday to bring awareness to the bill.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF funds a racial justice initiative research project

By Abigail Hasebroock | Mar. 10, 2021

Enrollment of Black or African American students at UF has stayed under 10% since 2008, and in the Fall, Black students made up 5.85% of UF’s total enrollment, according to the official enrollment data. This research initiative is one of the latest efforts to improve the Black experience at UF, a predominantly white institution.

COVID 19 | UF

COVID-19 Update: UF’s positivity rate under 1% for second week in a row

By Manny Rea | Mar. 10, 2021

On Sunday, the university’s positive cases recorded since March 18 totaled 9,013. Aside from a new cumulative milestone, infection trends continue to fall.

COVID 19 | ALACHUA COUNTY

More than 90 Alachua County Public School students and staff in quarantine

By Daniella Sevares | Mar. 10, 2021

As of Tuesday afternoon, there are seven active student cases and five active staff cases, representing students and staff who have reported a positive test result to ACPS in the past 10 days. The district’s total enrollment is 26,667 students.

Elliot Blue Monroe, a Key deer, eats his breakfast at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo on Feb. 26, 2021. Key Deer Awareness Day is March 11, 2021.(Photo by Antonia LaRocca)

NEWS | SFC

Gainesville and Florida organizations assist in Key deer conservation and awareness

By Antonia LaRocca | Mar. 10, 2021

Organizations like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo and the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine have worked together to find solutions to threats the species faces.

SPORTS | RECRUITING

Florida lands three-star quarterback

By Faith Buckley | Mar. 9, 2021

Nick Evers became the third 2022 Florida recruit following defensive end Francois Nolton and wide receiver Syveion Ellis.

The No. 6 Gators split a two-game series against then-No. 16 Florida State. Photo from UF-FSU game March 3.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball hopes to bounce back against Kennesaw State

By Rachel Slay | Mar. 9, 2021

The Gators take on the Kennesaw State Owls as the final stop before SEC Opening Weekend.

The Gators play their fifth game in six days Wednesday. Photo from UF-UM game Feb. 21. Courtesy of the SEC Media Portal.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators host Stetson for fifth game in six days

By Ryan Haley | Mar. 9, 2021

Exactly one week after a crushing extra-inning loss to Florida Atlantic, Florida will search for a fifth-consecutive win.

Another round of lockdown pitching carried the Gators to a 5-1 win against Georgia State. Photo from UF-UM game Feb. 19. Courtesy of the SEC Media Portal.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF baseball coach sets record with 557th win as Gators defeat Georgia State

By Sara Kate Dyson | Mar. 9, 2021

Gators take down Georgia State to earn Sully’s record-setting 557th win.

Jones patiently waited behind the former high school backup for years and only saw precious minutes in a few select games last season.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Gator fans, get excited for Emory Jones

By River Wells | Mar. 9, 2021

Living up to the legacy of Kyle Trask is no easy task, but Emory Jones has the tools to make it happen.

Jacob Young extended his hitting streak to 24 as UF defeated Sanford 8-4.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators look to carry weekend success into Tuesday night against Georgia State

By Sara Kate Dyson | Mar. 9, 2021

Gators face off against Georgia State in Tuesday night showdown.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

A year in quarantine trends

By Veronica Nocera , Kristin Bausch and Valeriya Antonshchuk | Mar. 8, 2021

Fashion, food and more prevailed in an unprecedented year.

Lillie Rooney, a 20-year-old UF Entomology senior, sits on RTS Bus 35 at the J. Wayne Reitz Union stop on campus on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. RTS is adding more buses to existing routes 12, 13, 20 and 38, continuing mask mandates and keeping capacities low for buses this Spring.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Students recap one year since COVID-19

By Sofia Echeverry and J.P. Oprison | Mar. 8, 2021

Virtual graduations, reduced capacity at football games and the rise and fall of COVID-19 cases have made for a tough past year. Many students have had to navigate questionable quarantine procedures, the loss of 2021's Spring Break and study abroad cancellations.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Early voting begins for the 2021 Gainesville Regular Election

By Jack Prator | Mar. 8, 2021

Voters can go in person to vote early from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at four locations: the Supervisor of Elections Office, the Millhopper Branch Library, the Reitz Union and the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center.