1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Editorial: Myths Un-Mythed - reality versus imagination

Apr. 18, 2016

We live in a world full of myths. Never mind the tales of a big, green, gamma-radiated “Avenger” who, for some reason, seems to break through every article of clothing except his shorts, or the tales of a “hell week” that drain all happiness and restfulness from students as they descend in a Walking Dead-like fashion upon their neighborhood libraries and Starbucks, indiscriminately feasting on raw study guides and fresh coffee.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Everything and nothing has changed - reuniting with old friends

Apr. 18, 2016

There’s something about the end of the Spring semester that provokes a certain type of introspection. Daily rituals, people and locations take on a deeper meaning as you assess how far you’ve come and where the hell you actually plan on going. It’s a discomforting mixture of nostalgia for another year gone by and the hesitant acknowledgement that time will continue to move at this swift pace. Everything you encounter becomes a symbol of change as friends continue to graduate and you’re left with a completely different Gainesville than the one you first encountered so long ago. In reality, these thoughts are most likely a thinly veiled attempt at procrastination, but that doesn’t make them any less profound.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Comedy and jigsaw puzzles leave me in puzzles

Apr. 18, 2016

So, it’s my final column of the semester. I’d say it was a pleasure writing for you all, but that’d be a lie. Y’all are kind of pretentious, to be honest. It makes me uncomfortable to be around you.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Guest Column: The power of consumerism in animal welfare and social justice

Apr. 18, 2016

Animal welfare is an issue often overlooked by a vast majority of people. When consuming animal products, individuals often don’t realize the suffering and pain that results from the industry. As a society, it is important for us to understand the origins of the products we consume and to place economic pressure on companies that exhibit blatant disregard for animal suffering. Together, we have the ability to effect positive change in the industry by manipulating supply and demand, a process that has proven to be tremendously effective thus far. The recent policy shifts of the Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises are just two examples of the power consumers have to sway the policies of large corporations.

Bridget Sloan celebrates after her vault during the NCAA Gymnastics Super Six on April 16, 2016, in Fort Worth, Texas.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

END OF AN ERA: Bridget Sloan ends UF career on a high note

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 17, 2016

Bridget Sloan dismounted from the higher uneven parallel bar.

Cheyenne, a 30-year-old mixed-breed horse, was rescued by Okeechobee Animal Control when she was found thin and frail walking down a county road.

METRO

A Heaven for Horses - A local farm provides a forever home for rescues

By Molly Donovan | Apr. 17, 2016

Not far from the relentless traffic on Interstate 75, animals find peace at Mill Creek Farm’s Retirement Home for Horses.

Delanie Gourley pitches during Florida's 14-10 loss to LSU on March 14, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Top-ranked Gators softball sweeps No. 5 Ragin' Cajuns

By Matt Brannon | Apr. 17, 2016

Kelly Barnhill stood in the pitcher’s circle, having given up a leadoff hit and a walk in the top of the second inning.

Gator Motorsports project manager David Kanner poses for a photo inside Gator Motorsports’ $90,000 Formula-style racecar, which will compete in at the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers Competition at the Michigan International Speedway in May.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF group to race in Michigan for Formula competition

By Stephanie Belina | Apr. 17, 2016

Benjamin Boulch will race a blue-and-orange car as he represents UF this May.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Venezuelan animators tells students to dream

By Isabel Bonnet | Apr. 17, 2016

Nelson Bustamante motivated 50 UF students to dream big on Friday.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

GPD: Police arrest two students in connection with sexual battery

By Martin Vassolo | Apr. 17, 2016

Gainesville Police arrested two men early Saturday morning in connection with a sexual battery that occurred hours earlier.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF law students empower youths through football

By Meryl Kornfield | Apr. 17, 2016

When Kevin Edwards shouted “hard work” on Saturday, about 30 children chanted back “dedication” at Fred Cone Park in east Gainesville.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SG Supreme Court nominees not reconsidered, not included on the agenda

By Melissa Gomez | Apr. 17, 2016

UF’s Student Government won’t revisit the Student Body President’s nominees for UF’s Supreme Court, a committee ruled Sunday evening.

NEWS | CAMPUS

La Casita, Institute of Black Culture rebuilding

By Katelyn Newberg | Apr. 17, 2016

Two historic buildings on University Avenue will be rebuilt in the next two years.

Pictured above is Tina, a 1-year-old grey tabby cat. On Friday, Gainesville Police arrested 22-year-old UF student Madeleine Joan Kaye after they said she demanded a $20 ransom for Tina’s safe return. Kaye never had possession of the cat, but said the ransom was a joke.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF student arrested after pretending to hold cat hostage

By Martin Vassolo | Apr. 17, 2016

When Tina the tabby cat went missing, her supposed captor set the ransom at $20.

Diego Hidalgo returns a ball during Florida's 6-1 win over Troy on Jan. 17, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators secure No. 2 seed in SEC Tournament with win over UT

By Dylan Dixon | Apr. 17, 2016

With the Southeastern Conference tournament set to begin on Wednesday, the Florida men’s tennis team had one final test to prepare itself for the postseason.

Jenn Spencer, a volunteer from All Cats Healthcare Clinic, interacts with Scarlett, a 1-year-old spotted hyena, at Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation on Saturday. The conservation held its first Spring Safari Saturday, an event that allowed visitors to roam the grounds without a tour guide.

METRO

Conservation opens doors for Spring Safari

By Sara Marino | Apr. 17, 2016

About 1,000 people visited the Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation for its first Spring Safari.

UF's Anna Danilina returns a ball during Florida's 6-1 win over USF on Jan. 27, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida women's tennis team finishes undefeated in SEC

By Jake Dreilinger | Apr. 17, 2016

The Southeastern Conference features nine teams in the top-25, including the reigning NCAA champion in Vanderbilt.

Maria Torres tees off during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational at UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Torres wins title, Florida places second at SEC Championship

By IAN COHEN | Apr. 17, 2016

Although the Florida women’s golf team finished in second place at the Southeastern Conference Championship on Sunday, coming up five strokes short of first-place Alabama, Maria Torres made history.

Freshman Gordon Neale hits a ball during Day 2 of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 21, 2016, at the Mark Bostic Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Men’s golf finishes tied for third at SEC Championship

By Ray Boone | Apr. 17, 2016

The Florida men’s golf team made a valiant effort early during the final round of the Southeastern Conference Championship on Sunday.

METRO

Making prom fabulous, one girl at a time - UF graduates continue charity tradition

By Brittany Spino | Apr. 17, 2016

Finding the perfect prom dress is a milestone for some high- school students, but paying a hefty price can be unrealistic for their families.

El Caimán