COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

University

UF Health hosts transgender health talk in honor of Pride Month

By Alexandra Harris | June 26, 2021

In honor of Pride Month, UF Health hosted a webinar about transgender health Tuesday. With 121 attendees, Dr. Tudeen, physician and assistant professor at UF Health Family Medicine Main Street Clinic, and Dr. Sarah Virk, plastic surgeon and assistant professor in the UF Department of Surgery, spoke about transgender issues, hormone therapy, surgical procedures and more during an informative presentation and Q&A.

University

Iconic ‘The Office’ duo, will speak to students Wednesday

By Isabella Douglas | June 26, 2021

The free event is hosted by Accent Speakers Bureau in partnership with Student Government Productions and Student Activities and Involvement, which are student government agencies funded by student fees. Accent will pay Greater Talent Network, LLC $70,000 to perform at UF. The event was announced Monday on Facebook, and will host the duo in a 45-minute moderated conversation.

University

Santa Fe College celebrates Pride Month through virtual activities and events

By Antonia LaRocca | June 26, 2021

The college provides support for the LGBTQ+ community through its Pride Month events and activities from its LGBTQ+ Resource Center and Student Life.

Metro

Suspect dies in burning home after deputies shot at him

By Jake Reyes | June 26, 2021

A suspect was found dead in his burning home after Alachua County Sheriff Office deputies shot at him for threatening them.

Ziba Ahmadi, owner of Salon Ziba in Gainesville, threads Shavonne Carter's eyebrows, and breaks the previous record for most eyebrows threaded by one person in one hour on Wednesday, June 16, 2021.

Metro

Gainesville salon breaks Guinness World Record for most eyebrows threaded

By Isabella Douglas | June 26, 2021

The record to break was 62 pairs of threaded eyebrows in an hour. She accomplished 92.

Metro

Five teenagers shot at Gainesville American Legion

By Jake Reyes | June 25, 2021

A shooting at a party left five teens injured Thursday night.

UF volleyball huddles in a game against LSU in 2019. The Gators unveiled their 2021 schedule Thursday.

Sports

Florida volleyball unveils 2021 schedule

By Zachary Huber | June 24, 2021

Florida announced its 28-match schedule for the 2021 season Thursday.

The Florida lacrosse team added two transfers in as many days with the announced arrival of attacker Madison Rielly from Maryland.

Sports

Lacrosse attacker Madison Rielly transfers to Florida

By Karina Wilson | June 24, 2021

Attacker Madison Rielly joins the Gator Nation after three years as a Maryland Terrapin

Former Gator Bradley Beal was named to the US Olympic Team Wednesday.

Sports

Beal represents red, white and blue in Tokyo

By Michael Hull | June 24, 2021

Former Gator Bradley Beal will become the first UF alumnus to don the red, white and blue on the Olympic basketball stage.

University

COVID-19 Update: UF reports no positive cases for the third week of June

By Alexandra Harris | June 24, 2021

Thirty-seven students and 17 employees are quarantined or in isolation as of Tuesday. The numbers decreased by eight students and two employees since June 15.

University

Santa Fe College COVID-19 update: One student COVID-19 positive case was reported last week

By Antonia LaRocca | June 24, 2021

Santa Fe College reported one positive student COVID-19 case between June 15 and Monday. The college’s total number of reported positive cases since March 2020 is now 762.

UF lacrosse head coach Amanda O'Leary. The Gators fell to Loyola, 12-9 Friday.

Sports

Maryland defender Catherine Flaherty transfers to Florida

By Karina Wilson | June 23, 2021

Defender Catherine Flaherty joins the Gator Nation after two years as a Maryland Terrapin.

The Gators added former Aggie Elijah Blades to its secondary Friday.

Sports

Five-star kicker commits to Florida

By Faith Buckley | June 23, 2021

Gators snagged a five-star kicker in Trey Smacks Wednesday.

Florida left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco pitches against Jacksonville on March 14, 2021.

Sports

Gators baseball announce Summer League assignments

By Jesse Richardson | June 23, 2021

Nine Florida baseball players will begin their summer assignments in early July. Pitchers Hunter Barco and Brandon Sproat will play with Team USA.

Head coach Emily Glaser at UF Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, Florida.

Sports

UC Davis transfer Jacqueline Lucena headed to Gainesville

By Joseph Henry | June 22, 2021

Former UC Davis Aggie Jacqueline Lucena set to join Gators prior to upcoming season.

Lauren Waidner at UF Health Shands Children's Hospital. Waidner's charitable nature led her to volunteering all over Gainesville.

Sports

A helpful heart: Waidner finds inspiration and friendship through service

By Joseph Henry | June 21, 2021

“Use what you have to give back… and realize how lucky you are,” said Lauren Waidner as she reflected on a collegiate career dedicated to service.

Florida head coach Bryan Shelton and assistant coach Tanner Stump won their respective coach of the year honors from the ITA after an undefeated conference season and a national championship.

Sports

Shelton, Stump win ITA honors

By Ryan Zehnder | June 21, 2021

After the program’s first national championship, Florida men’s tennis coach Bryan Shelton and assistant coach Tanner Stump received national coaching honors from the ITA.

Metro

Community members and organizations are collaborating to create Swarthy, a grocery and retail store

By Lucille Lannigan | June 21, 2021

Swarthy Hair Co., a natural hair product business started by Hatdrika Noble-Monroe, has evolved into Swarthy, a community grocery store where Black-owned farms and small businesses can sell their products like fresh produce, haircare, candles, sage and other healthy alternatives.

Salem Commander brought her homemade candles to 4th Ave Foodpark's Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2021. Commander makes the candles herself and sells them at local markets.

The Avenue

4th Avenue Food Park Juneteenth celebration highlights Black-owned businesses

By Heather Bushman | June 21, 2021

4th Ave Food Park’s Juneteenth celebration featured five black-owned businesses Saturday. The event had live music and cuisine from the surrounding restaurants and food trucks.

LGBTQ community members shared their thoughts on how queer musicians influence their lives, the U.S. music industry and society.

The Avenue

Members of the LGBTQ community celebrate the legacy of queer musicians

By Karter Nancy | June 21, 2021

Throughout history, LGBTQ artists explored various genres to cement themselves in the music industry. LGBTQ community members shared their thoughts on how queer musicians influence their lives, the U.S. music industry and society.