1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

At the corner of Flaco’s and Vecino’s, a Block Party Weekend transformed 2nd Street into an ambient gathering space for two nights of live music, Cuban food, craft cocktails and more.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Like a good neighbor: Flaco’s and Vecino’s host block party weekend

By Heather Bushman | June 1, 2021

At the corner of Flaco’s and Vecino’s, a Block Party Weekend transformed 2nd Street into an ambient gathering space for two nights of live music, Cuban food, craft cocktails and more. As Flaco’s expands and live shows make their return, the block party was just one event among the many Flaco’s plans to host in the future.

The cafe is locally owned by second-generation Vietnamese American My Duyen Ti Ho, and she is excited to bring banh mi, rice paper rolls, phở and bubble tea to Gainesville.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

T-Yummi Cafe brings fast-casual Vietnamese cuisine to Butler Plaza

By Melissa Hernandez de la Cruz | June 1, 2021

T-Yummi Cafe and Vietnamese Pho Bowl joined Butler Plaza’s growing list of restaurants set to open in August. The Vietnamese shop plans to reinvent the tradition of healthy, fresh and great-tasting food.

Members of Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida at The Hatchetbury, May 13, 2021. (Courtesy to The Alligator)

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

A collaboration with a cause: The Hachetbury partners with Azazus to fundraise for Ronald Mcdonald House Charities

By Brenna Sheets | June 1, 2021

Alachua County’s first ax-throwing venue teamed up with local musician Azazus to create a song titled “Best Damn Moment.” Azazus will perform the single live at The Hatchetbury’s fundraising event on June 16. All proceeds will go toward supporting the families at Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida, a nonprofit charity organization that helps house the families of critically ill children at Shands Hospital.

Ricky Castillo hits his tee shot on the first hole during Singles at the 2021 Walker Cup at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Fla. on Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Chris Keane/USGA)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Castillo climbs leaderboard on final day at Grayhawk

By Joseph Henry | May 31, 2021

Ricky Castillo competed in the final round of the NCAA Championship as an individual and finished a stroke outside the top-10.

Florida's Jacob Young in a game against Jacksonville on March 14. Young and the Gators welcome Miami, South Alabama and South Florida to Florida Ballpark for regional competition beginning Friday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

NCAA Regional matchups are set in the Swamp

By Jesse Richardson | May 31, 2021

The Florida Gators earn the 15-seed and host Miami, South Florida and South Alabama in their home ballpark. They take on USF this Friday at noon.

A Florida bag at Mark Bostick Golf Club in Gainesville, Florida. UF took home the hardware with a 21-under-par team performance at the Fighting Irish Classic.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida falls out of team competition, Ricky Castillo hangs around in Arizona

By Joseph Henry | May 30, 2021

The Gators’ season came to a close for everyone except Ricky Castillo, who will tee it up for one more round in Arizona.

Shannon Kavanuagh (17), Brianna Harris (20) and Kaitlyn Dabkowski (33) walk together against Cincinnati on May 6.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida lacrosse seniors “ride the wave” with matching tattoos

By Karina Wilson | May 30, 2021

Brianna Harris, Shannon Kavanagh and Kaitlyn Dabkowski all have something in common, but it’s not lacrosse.

Florida's Joe Pagdin walks the fairways of Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, Florida. Pagdin shot 79 Saturday as the Gators slipped down to a tie for 22nd in the national championship.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators move backwards during day two of NCAA Championships

By Joseph Henry | May 30, 2021

Florida needs a strong Sunday to advance to Monday’s final round of stroke play at the NCAA Championship after high scores derail their second round.

SPANISH | SPANISH COVID

No son los típicos trabajadores de primera línea: cómo ContraCOVID informa a los desinformados

By Isabella Barnet | May 30, 2021

Mas de un año después del primer caso de COVID-19 en el condado de Alachua, el capítulo ContraCOVID de Gainesville se mantiene firme en el cumplimiento de su misión: proporcionar información actualizada y multilingüe información para la comunidad. ContraCOVID fue fundado por estudiantes y profesionales de la Escuela de Medicina de Harvard. El capítulo local de Gainesville fue fundado a mediados de junio de 2020 por 5 estudiantes universitarios en la UF.

Florida's Talitha Diggs runs during the third day at the NCAA Indoor Championships on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Ark. / UAA Communications photo by NCAA Images

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators boast 18 total entries to nationals after fourth day of NCAA East Preliminary

By Kaitlyn Wadulack | May 29, 2021

Gators track and field have 18 total entries to nationals — 10 for the men and eight on the women’s side.

The Florida softball team huddles on February 27 in a game against Louisville. The Gators' season ended Saturday with a second straight Super Regional loss to Georgia.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

There’s no pound for the Bulldogs, Gators go home

By Julianna Reichenbach | May 29, 2021

Well, that was ruff. Florida loses to Georgia to end season in Super Regionals duel, waves goodbye to Kendyl Lindaman, Katie Chronister, Jaimie Hoover, and Jordan Matthews.

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

Florida taken down by Tennessee

By Jesse Richardson | May 29, 2021

The No. 13 Florida Gators have been eliminated in the SEC semifinals after a 4-0 loss to Tennessee after the offense mustered just four hits.

Clayton Brown vaults himself over the bar in the high jump during the Pepsi Florida Relays on Friday, April 2, 2021 at Percy Beard Track at James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville. The Gators participated in their first outdoor meet of the season last week. / UAA Communications photo by Courtney Culbreath

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Third day of NCAA East Preliminary leaves two Gators double-booked for nationals

By Kaitlyn Wadulack | May 28, 2021

The Florida Gators men's track and field team has 10 entries in the NCAA Outdoor Championships and Clayton Brown and Joseph Fahnbulleh qualified for two events each Friday.

Freshman Joe Pagdin walks through practice at Mark Bostick Golf Course. Pagdin is currently tied for 73rd at the NCAA Championships in Scottsdale, Arizona.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators mediocre, Castillo thrives in day one of NCAA Championship

By Michael Hull | May 28, 2021

Ricky Castillo kept Florida afloat in the first round of the NCAA Championship and shot a 2-under-par Friday.

Florida pitcher Natalie Lugo pitches against South Carolina April 24, 2021. Lugo pitched two innings Sunday evening against UCF and got the save.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Bulldogs blank Gators to set up must-win Super Regional Saturday

By Julianna Reichenbach | May 28, 2021

The Florida softball team has not lost a series all season. Today, Georgia bullied the Gators into a weekend-opening loss to force two must-win games.

Florida's Sam Riffice prepares to return a ball against South Florida on May 9. Riffice defeated South Carolina's Daniel Rodrigues 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to win the individual singles national championship Friday afternoon.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Seeing double: Riffice wins individual singles championship for second title in five days

By Ryan Zehnder | May 28, 2021

Sam Riffice won his second national championship in less than a week in the individual singles final Friday afternoon when he beat No. 2 Daniel Rodrigues 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.

METRO

Waldo Road poses threat to Gainesville’s homeless pedestrians

By Juliana Ferrie | May 28, 2021

Twenty-one pedestrians and 17 bicyclists were hit on the state road from January 2016 to March 2021, according to data from the Gainesville Police Department. Three additional pedestrians were hit in the parking lot of the Circle K at 20 NE Waldo Rd during the same time frame.

Balloons were tied to the sign of Swamp Car Wash in memory of Bobby Hopkins Jr., on Thursday, May 27, 2021.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

One man is dead after shooting at a Gainesville car wash

By Jake Reyes | May 28, 2021

Eugene Javon Patrick turned himself in to the Alachua County Jail Tuesday, more than a week after fatally shooting 36-year-old Bobby Bernard Hopkins, Jr. in the chest, according to a Gainesville Police Department press release.

Shariff Manlosa (second from the left) stands on the graduation stage at Santa Fe College's Drive-Thru Grad Walk with his daughters, Monina (left) and Sofia (third from the left), and his wife, Margarita (right) on Thursday, April 29, 2021.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College graduates remember their pasts and look toward the future

By Antonia LaRocca | May 28, 2021

Santa Fe College graduates share the struggles and joys they faced on their paths to graduation and look forward to the future.

Sam Riffice against TCU on March 17. Riffice is set to compete in the individual singles title match Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Riffice upsets No. 1 Draxl in three-set thriller, advances to individual final

By Ryan Zehnder | May 27, 2021

Junior Sam Riffice upset No. 1 Draxl in a three-set semifinal thriller and will face South Carolina’s Daniel Rodrigues on Friday for the individual singles titles.

El Caimán