2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Nearing Cora P. Roberson Park, protestors march down Southwest 6th Street. The protest started at the corner of University Avenue and 13th Street.

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.

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.

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.

The Alachua County Animal Services building is seen on Friday, Jan. 28.

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.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UFPD identifies the suspect who recorded a victim in a dorm shower in December

By Lily Kino | Feb. 21, 2022

Deontre Donnell Mason, 24, was arrested and released from a $10,000 bond Dec. 7 after University of Central Florida Police Department officers arrested him, according to a police report.

Co-founders of Flavorful, a Gainesville catering service focused on African cuisine, tell their story during the A. Quinn Jones Museum's Black Literature and Love event on Saturday, Feb. 19.

METRO

A. Quinn Jones Museum celebrates Black love with weekend events

By Erina Anwar | Feb. 21, 2022

The A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center partnered with the UF Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere to host two back-to-back events: one virtual event celebrating music and one in-person event celebrating Black artistry. Both events celebrate Black love in creative outlets and give insight toward the history that made this expression possible.

NEWS | CAMPUS

“Little signs of hope” grow in McCarty Woods year after conservation protests

By Lucille Lannigan | Feb. 21, 2022

On Feb. 12, about 40 volunteers gathered in the woods to plant native shrubs and trees for the first time in the woods’ history. Save McCarty Woods, the organization leading conservation efforts for the area, raised more than $7,000 on Gator Giving Day, Soltis wrote in an email.

The Cade Museum for Creativity & Innovation opened to the public Saturday, May 19. The museum encourages learners of all ages to think like an inventor, meet an inventor, and be an inventor. The grand opening event featured interactive activities in the museum’s Creativity and Fab Labs, as well as the unveiling of two completed exhibits.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

“Cade After Dark” event series inspires to be a first round pick for Gainesville nightlife

By Dazion Prosser | Feb. 21, 2022

The Cade Museum hosted its “Cade After Dark” event Feb. 18. The event featured a football party theme centered around the tailgate atmosphere of a Super Bowl celebration. For $15 per person, at least 50 attendees indulged in finger food, drinks, enthralling sports-themed activities and chances to win prizes upon entering in a free raffle during the three-hour event. The 21-and-up event catered to adults who wished to take a timeout from adulthood and tap into their inner child.

The Gators set high expectations for the 2022-2023 season as one of the most represented universities on the U.S. National Team.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Gators swim and dive secures 10th consecutive men’s SEC Championship

By Ethan Eibe | Feb. 20, 2022

“We are going to enjoy this, but we have a lot more work to do.” Anthony Nesty and his Florida swim and dive program captured their tenth men’s SEC championship in a row on Saturday.

Third baseman Charla Echols swings through a pitch against Louisville on Feb. 27

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators gain their 10th consecutive win against Florida A&M

By Vanessa Sanchez | Feb. 20, 2022

Florida softball finished the T-Mobile tournament unbeaten, defeating the Florida A&M Rattlers 8-0 Sunday.

Nina Rickards pulls up for a jump shot against Georgia Feb. 28, 2021. She led the Gators with 17 points during Sunday's loss to LSU

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Tigers keep Gators at bay in the bayou, 66-61

By Brenda Bogle | Feb. 20, 2022

A tough shooting night from the Gators at the free-throw line resulted in their first road loss in SEC play, as the Tigers captured a 66-61 victory.

Florida's Sterlin Thompson eyes a hit and runs down the first base line against Jacksonville on March 14, 2021.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators burned by Flames: Drop second-straight season opening series

By Ethan Budowsky | Feb. 20, 2022

Florida baseball has rough start to the 2022 season, falling to Liberty in two games of home opening series.

ABOUT US

The Alligator is hiring lifestyle writers!

By Alligator | Feb. 20, 2022

The Avenue, the arts, culture and entertainment section of The Alligator, is hiring! We are looking for a team of four ambitious staff writers who are well versed in arts, theater, film, music, food and drink, fashion, lifestyle and Gainesville nightlife. These positions will be paid.

Ben Shelton during a match against TCU March 17, 2021.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators tennis picks up 4-2 win over No. 7 Virginia

By Joshua Morgan | Feb. 19, 2022

Florida men’s tennis was able to bounce back nicely from an opening round defeat in the ITA National Team Indoor Championships, defeating No. 7 Virginia 4-2 in a consolation matchup.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators drop first game of the season against Liberty, 6-4

By Carson Cashion | Feb. 19, 2022

Florida fell in its second game of the season, a 6-4 loss to Liberty. @CarsonCashion has the recap.

The Florida softball team during a game against Louisville Feb. 27, 2021. The Gators were edged by Mississippi State Sunday, 1-0 to drop game two of a three-game series.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

No. 4 Gators sweep Saturday doubleheader against Villanova, Louisville

By Caleb Wiegandt | Feb. 19, 2022

Freshman pitcher Lexi Delbrey followed up an SEC Freshman of the Week honor with eight crippling Ks to beat Louisville, the second of two wins for No. 4 Florida Saturday. “She’s special,” fifth-year pitcher Natalie Lugo said about her teammate.

Tyree Appleby and Colin Castleton celebrate Florida's upset of No. 2 Auburn Saturday afternoon

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Florida makes magic in upset over No. 2 Auburn

By Jackson Castellano | Feb. 19, 2022

Tyree Appleby and Colin Castleton were in agreement post-game, describing the feeling of defeating No. 2 Auburn, the highest-ranked opponent Florida has beaten at home. "Amazing,” Appleby said. “In one word, amazing.”

UF lacrosse fell to No. 2 North Carolina Saturday

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

No. 7 Florida falls at home to No. 2 North Carolina

By Topher Adams | Feb. 19, 2022

Florida LAX struggled to keep up with No. 2 Tar Heels, falling 15-11 at home.

Members of the Florida softball team celebrate after a victory over USF May 21, 2021. Florida fell to UCLA Sunday, ending its season.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

No. 4 Florida romps No.14 Duke to open T-Mobile tournament

By Brenda Bogle | Feb. 19, 2022

Despite giving up the most runs against one opponent so far this season, Florida dominates at home to claim their seventh consecutive victory of this young season with a 9-3 win over Duke.

Florida's Sterlin Thompson swings against Jacksonville on March 13, 2021. Thompson hit a solo home run on Tuesday against the North Florida Ospreys en route to a 11-2 victory.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Barco, Thompson show out in Gators’ Opening Day win

By Carson Cashion | Feb. 18, 2022

Hunter Barco threw six scoreless innings in Florida’s opening game of the season against Liberty on Friday night, allowing just one hit and walk.

COVID-19