COVID-19

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

More than 20 people say they were scammed by a man who lived in Gainesville

By Troy Myers | Feb. 25, 2022

For around a month, UF students Jeremiah Gu, Luke Morris and Mitch Valdes’ cash and food was disappearing. The three roommates began to find themselves in what they describe as a roommate nightmare.  Once their cash and food started disappearing, the roommates suspected their 26-year-old roommate Kody Moniz was responsible for the thefts from video camera footage. After kicking him out, they discovered Moniz’s criminal record.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

A mother’s car stolen with her toddler still inside

By Troy Myers | Feb. 25, 2022

A Gainesville woman’s car was stolen Thursday morning at around 7 a.m. with her toddler in the back seat.  Her car was stolen off of Southwest 35th Place and found about 40 minutes later with her unharmed child still inside.

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METRO  |  K-12 EDUCATION

ACPS signs the highest salary package in district history

By Emma Behrmann | Feb. 24, 2022

Alachua County Public Schools and the Alachua County Education Association agreed to the largest salary package offered in the district’s history Wednesday.  The salary package amounts to $10.5 million, the largest offer that has ever been on the table for employees in Alachua County, ACEA President Carmen Ward said. 

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THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

The Year of the Tiger: Asian student groups celebrate Lunar New Year throughout February

By Eileen Calub | Feb. 24, 2022

On UF’s campus, the Vietnamese Student Organization, the Chinese American Student Association and the Korean Undergraduate Student Association hold yearly celebrations showcasing cultural traditions and student talent. 

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THE AVENUE  |  ART AND THEATER

New Works Festival Returns in person to Hippodrome Theatre

By Ben Crosbie | Feb. 24, 2022

Last year’s New Works Festival took place over Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year marked the festival’s return from the digital stage.

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NEWS  |  CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Gator Party wins Executive Ticket, 44 Senate seats in Spring SG elections

By The Alligator Staff | Feb. 24, 2022

By 10 p.m., Gator Party seized the Executive Branch and grasped the majority of Senate seats for the third consecutive year.  More than 9,000 students cast their ballots by Wednesday, a 37% increase from last Spring’s 6,650 total ballots.

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SPORTS  |  SOFTBALL

Lugo’s no-hitter propels Gators to 8-0 win over North Florida

By Jose Tovar | Feb. 24, 2022

UF pitcher Natalie Lugo threw a complete-game no-hitter against North Florida Wednesday. Head coach Tim Walton helped her accomplish that. 

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SPORTS  |  BASEBALL

Gators pitching carries load in weekday win over North Florida

By Carson Cashion | Feb. 23, 2022

 “His stuff is good enough to get anybody out.” That’s what head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said of Brandon Sproat after a career day for the pitcher.

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Firefighters responded to fire alarms at a Gainesville daycare

By Troy Myers | Feb. 23, 2022

Gainesville Fire Rescue crews arrived at Kid City USA at 1127 NW Seventh Ave., about eight minutes after a fire alarm system notification at 3:45 a.m., according to a GFR press release.

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NEWS  |  CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Voter turnout for the first day of SG elections increased 4.75 times since last year

By Maia Botek | Feb. 23, 2022

Students cast 5448 ballots on the first day of SG elections, voting in eight polling locations across campus from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Last Spring, 1146 ballots were cast on the first day. During the Fall, 4697 students voted on the first day. Ballot counts do not include absentee ballots. 

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METRO  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Two arrested after shooting at Gainesville apartment complex

By Troy Myers | Feb. 23, 2022

The pair planned to rob a neighbor’s apartment, according to the arrest report. When the neighbor’s friend confronted him, an argument broke out.

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METRO

Youth Council swearing-in event seeks to bring new solutions to gang violence

By Erina Anwar | Feb. 23, 2022

The new council was sworn in Monday at the Thomas Center. About 60 parents, city and county commissioners, executives of youth organizations and other community leaders attended. 

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SPORTS  |  SOFTBALL

Gators rely on North Florida’s weak defense to win 7-1

By Jose Tovar | Feb. 23, 2022

The Florida Gators earned their 11th win of the season after beating North Florida 7-1 Tuesday night. The Gators took advantage of seven UNF errors to win the game.  

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SPORTS  |  MEN'S BASKETBALL

Castleton scores career-high 29 in loss to Arkansas

By Joseph Henry | Feb. 22, 2022

“We have to be desperate, we have to be urgent now,” said Florida forward Anthony Duruji following Tuesday night’s loss to No. 18 Arkansas.  Colin Castleton set a new career-high in points, but it wasn’t enough to take down the Razorbacks. 

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SPORTS  |  BASEBALL

Gators rout Hatters in Deland

By Carson Cashion | Feb. 22, 2022

Not much could have gone better for Florida on Tuesday night, dominating Stetson in an 8-1 victory on the road.

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SPORTS  |  OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators use clutch performances to beat No. 9 Georgia

By Joshua Morgan | Feb. 21, 2022

The Florida men’s tennis team was able to pick up a much-needed 4-2 victory over No. 9 Georgia on Sunday, as two consecutive consolation wins have put the team back on track as they move onto the rest of the season.

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NEWS  |  CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF community protests Don’t Say Gay bill

By Fernando Figueroa | Feb. 21, 2022

The UF Young Democratic Socialists of America and Take Action Florida collaborated with Arcenas and Katz to gather 130 students and community members to march from the corner of West University Avenue and 13th Street to Cora Roberson Park.  The 1-mile-march protested the “Don’t Say Gay” companion bills HB1557/SB1834 which passed its first reading in the House on Thursday. The bills would prohibit “discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels.” These policies could destroy students’ bonds with teachers, like Arcenas’ bond with Leach at Sebring High School.  

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NEWS  |  CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SG elections this week will determine 50 new senators and executive ticket

By Maia Botek | Feb. 21, 2022

More than 100 candidates, including two independents, will run to represent the Gator, Change and Communist parties in 50 Senate seats, which are organized by college and year Change and Gator parties also have candidates running for the executive ticket, which includes the Student Body President, Vice President and Treasurer. Polling locations will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The locations are the J. Wayne Reitz Union Computer Printing Lab, Health Science Center Library, Norman Hall Educational Library, Southwest Recreation Center, Springs Library and Recreation Room, Broward Recreation Room, Levin School of Law and Heavener Room 202.

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METRO  |  K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County Education Association offers salary proposal

By Emma Behrmann | Feb. 21, 2022

The ACEA and the ACPS bargaining teams reviewed the proposed salary increases for teachers and education professionals, like librarians, media specialists and school psychologists.  The proposal would provide education support to professionals and teachers with an additional $0.55 per hour. 

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METRO

Alachua County hopes to improve animal shelter conditions with new facility

By Carissa Allen | Feb. 21, 2022

As of Friday, the shelter holds 148 dogs and 46 cats, Williams said, but not all of these animals are up for adoption. For about a year, the shelter has been coordinating with Animal Arts Design Studios, a consulting firm which specializes in designing spaces for the care and shelter of animals, including vet clinics and shelters. It generated a needs assessment for the new shelter, recommending an increased animal holding capacity of 149 dogs and 61 cats.