2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Semi truck crashes into bus Friday morning, hospitalizes seven people

By Lily Kino | Feb. 26, 2022

The 2007 Freightliner bus had 39 passengers on board during the collision at 6:30 a.m., according to FHP. One person was in critical condition when they arrived at the hospital, one in serious condition, three in fair condition and two in good condition, said Ken Garcia, Shands Hospital spokesperson.

Sarah Reznick guards the net during a rainy conference affair against Vanderbilt 2021. She recorded nine saves in the quarterfinals matchup against Maryland.

NEWS

No. 7 Gators struggle on the road, fall 18-8 to No. 5 Maryland

By Topher Adams | Feb. 26, 2022

The Gators made their first road trip of the season but were treated to an 18-8 defeat by the hosting Maryland Terrapins.

Phlandrous Fleming Jr advances the ball for the Florida Gators against No. 2 Auburn, Feb. 19

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Fleming scores season-high in hometown win versus Georgia

By Jackson Castellano | Feb. 26, 2022

Phlandrous Fleming Jr. scored a season high 27 points in his hometown of Athens, Georgia on Saturday to sweep the season series against the Bulldogs.

The Florida softball team ravaged DePaul University in a lopsided 11-3 victory in UCF Knights Friday. Photo from UF-Alabama game April 16.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida demolishes DePaul 11-3 with a 15-hit performance

By Jose Tovar | Feb. 26, 2022

Florida softball (13-0) run-ruled the DePaul Blue Demons on the first day of the UCF Knights Classic Friday. The Gators scored seven runs in the third inning to catapult to an 11-3 win.

Megan Skaggs during a home meet with the Oklahoma Sooners, Feb. 25.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida records sixth-highest team score in the nation, toppling Oklahoma

By Madeline Lawson | Feb. 26, 2022

Gators remain undefeated as Trinity Thomas earns the 13th perfect score of her collegiate career and sixth on floor.

Hunter Barco delivers a pitch during the matchup with Jacksonville, March 14, 2021.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators lean on Barco’s greatness, win series opener against Panthers

By Carson Cashion | Feb. 25, 2022

Hunter Barco delivered a career-high strikeouts with 12 on Friday night, silencing the Georgia State Panthers in a 4-1 victory.

Florida's Kiara Smith pictured during a Jan. 28, 2021 game against Mizzou. Smith led Florida with 18 points versus Vanderbilt Thursday, but 28 turnovers plagued the Gators.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida careless with the ball, drops game at Vanderbilt

By Caleb Wiegandt | Feb. 25, 2022

Florida turned the ball over 28 times in a loss to Vanderbilt Thursday night. Kelly Rae Finley was still all smiles after, saying they’ll use the ugly loss for fuel creeping into March.

METRO | POLITICS

Florida’s 15-week abortion ban bill stirs up students, residents, local representatives

By Thandie Brown and Carissa Allen | Feb. 25, 2022

A GOP-backed proposal banning abortion procedures after 15 weeks of pregnancy could change the narrative for women’s reproductive rights in Gainesville. The Florida Legislature is expected to pass the controversial Fetal and Infant Mortality Reduction bill, HB5. It passed the House with a 78-39 vote Feb. 17.

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.

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.

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.

Lion dancers perform at the UF Vietnamese Student Organization's Lunar New Year show at the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom on Saturday, Feb. 12. The performers are members of JiaTing, Surge and Pi Delta Psi.

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.

Teroy Roberts and Jay Nixon in the performance "Terrence." (Courtesy of Michelle Bellaver)

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.

Members of Gator and Change Parties await Student Government election results on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at the Reitz Union.

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.

Pitcher Natalie Lugo throws before a game against Alabama April 18, 2021. The fifth-year senior dealt through two strikeouts during Florida's doubleheader with Ole Miss.

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.

Florida's Brandon Sproat pitches against Jacksonville on March 13, 2021. Sproat pitched 8.1 innings Tuesday in Florida's 2-1 win over South Carolina.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Judge Gloria Walker of the Eighth Judicial Circuit leads the first-ever Alachua County Youth Activities Advisory Council members in an oath at the council's induction at the Thomas Center on Monday, Feb. 21.

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.