2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Seven out-of-the-ordinary spots to spend your Valentine’s Day

By Emma Witmer | Feb. 13, 2018

It’s Valentine’s Day and you still don’t know what to do? Gainesville has plenty of ways to impress your valentine with something different than last year. If the standard dinner and a movie isn’t your style, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Here are seven nontraditional ways to spend the holiday with that special someone.

The Impossible Burger is a meatless option that tastes, looks and feels like real meat.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Loosey’s becomes first Gainesville venue to serve vegan ‘Impossible Burger’

By Gabriella Paul | Feb. 13, 2018

It was a Midtown fairytale.

Richard Stehli, a veggie fest volunteer, uses an apple cutter and corer for granny smith apples during the VegFest at Plaza of the Americas in 2011.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

VegFest returns to Gainesville this weekend

By Taylor McLamb | Feb. 13, 2018

VegFest, a celebration of a healthy, sustainable and compassionate lifestyle, will return due to high demand Saturday at Depot Park.

Gator BTW, located at 1402 W University Ave.

METRO

Burrito Brothers has been replaced by a burger, taco and wings restaurant

By Megan Ricker | Feb. 13, 2018

A burger, taco and wings joint moved into the spot Burrito Brothers once occupied — and it will possibly name one of its tacos after the former restaurant’s owner.

Sidhika Balachandar learns to manipulate superconductors in her award-winning project. Balachandar is a finalist for the Regeneron Science Talent Search.

METRO

A Gainesville high schooler will compete nationally to win as much as $250,000

By Sabrina Conza | Feb. 13, 2018

While leaving her UF dual-enrollment class with friends, Sidhika Balachandar got a call. She found out the project she’d been working on for a year was selected as a top 40 finalist for a nationwide science and math competition.

Summer place Apartments, located at 3361 SW 41 Place. Two people are dead after an apparent shooting.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Two dead at Summer Place Apartments after apparent shooting, police say

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 13, 2018

Two hours after shooting and killing two people and abducting the office manager at Summer Place Villas on Tuesday, a Gainesville man was taken into custody in another state, Gainesville Police said.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD: UF alumnus drives straight toward fire rescue truck

By Robert Lewis | Feb. 13, 2018

A UF alumnus called 911 drunk while driving early Sunday, and an operator told him to pull over, Gainesville Police said.

Coach Cameron Newbauer said even with mounting loses, he's happy with the mentality of his team. “They’ve bought into just being the best we can every moment and not playing the scoreboard,” he said.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Despite UF’s women’s basketball team’s current five-game losing streak, coach Cameron Newbauer isn’t deterred

By Justin Ahlum | Feb. 13, 2018

It has been a rough past couple of weeks for Florida’s women’s basketball team.

NCAA President Mark Emmert's contract goes through October 2020.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Tired of the mind-numbing debate over whether college athletes should be paid or not? Here’s a solution.

By Morgan McMullen | Feb. 12, 2018

College football has a problem.

METRO

County and city commissions meet, vote on community redevelopment representation

By Amanda Rosa | Feb. 12, 2018

Gainesville and Alachua County commissioners concluded months of debate on the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency with an agreement Monday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Welcome, UF Class of ‘22

By Elliott Nasby | Feb. 12, 2018

Maddie Schmidt waited anxiously all day until 6 p.m.

METRO

East Gainesville infrastructure is under renovation. This is what’s happening.

By Lauren Staff | Feb. 12, 2018

The city is spending $19.6 million to rebuild part of East Gainesville.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Nine UF graduate students will work in developing countries this summer

By Kayla Turner | Feb. 12, 2018

Growing up in rural Nepal, where water is the most limited resource, Krishna Bhattarai was inspired to research water efficiency and help others.

Florida center Kevarrius Hayes recorded five rebounds and two blocks in the Gators' 65-41 win over South Carolina on Saturday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Strong defense sets bar for Gators against South Carolina

By Jake Dreilinger | Feb. 12, 2018

South Carolina guard Frank Booker sprinted toward the basket on a fastbreak opportunity midway through the second half. With no one in his sight, Booker went up for what appeared to be an easy layup, only to have Florida center Kevarrius Hayes come from behind to swat the ball off the backboard and into the hands of guard Jalen Hudson.

Senior Kennedy Baker earned her third career perfect 10.0 against Alabama on Friday.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Kennedy Baker, veteran teammates remain in mid-season form for UF gymnastics team

By Alana Gomez | Feb. 12, 2018

Before the No. 5 Gators walked onto the mats of the O’Connell Center, the team sat down and described its individual goals heading into its meet against No. 9 Alabama on Friday.

Sophomore Grant Holloway will defend his NCAA Championship title on Friday in Eugene, Oregon

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Grant Holloway greeted by familiar face after breaking NCAA record

By Alanis Thames | Feb. 12, 2018

Stan and LaTasha Holloway watched eagerly from the sidelines as their son, sophomore Grant Holloway, peeled off without hesitation at the sound of the starting gun.

Siblings Matt and Becca Hamilton were the USA's representatives as the mixed-doubles curling team in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Why aren't we talking more about curling? It's the greatest sport of all time.

By Morgan McMullen | Feb. 11, 2018

I can’t speak for everyone, but these Winter Olympic games have been hard to keep up with.

Student Body President candidates Ian Green, Janae Moodie and Revel Lubin answer audience questions at the Black Student Union debate. This is the first time in UF history three black students have run for Student Body president.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Candidate denies being on committee during first SG debate

By Christina Morales | Feb. 11, 2018

Challenge Party presidential candidate Janae Moodie falsely denied serving on a 2016 Senate committee focused on online voting during a debate Sunday.

Christian Aguilar, Carlos Aguilar, Alex Aguilar and Claudia Aguilar pose for a photo on Alex's 15th birthday.

NEWS | FEATURES

‘I want to finish out what he started’: UF student carries on brother’s legacy

By Jessica Giles | Feb. 11, 2018

Alex Aguilar still remembers how his older brother Christian’s eyes gleamed when he first toured UF in April 2012.

Guest David Ison is dancing with Jeana Fraser, UF sophomore serving with Project Princess as Queen Elsa.

NEWS | CAMPUS

‘Night to Shine’ gives those with special needs their own prom experience

By Vivian Nguyen | Feb. 11, 2018

Ella Zsembik smiled in a sequined dress as she took a picture Friday night with her favorite UF football player, quarterback Feleipe Franks.

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