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Dr. Joseph Tyndall receives the second Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine administered at UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital on Dec. 16, 2020. (photo by Julia Coin)

COVID 19 | UF

Falling COVID-19 cases, rising vaccines and emerging variants approach the county one year later

By Manny Rea | Mar. 12, 2021

With downward trending cases and increasing vaccine availability, things are finally starting to look up in Alachua County. But it comes after months of watching the number of cases and death toll rise. Here's how UF and Alachua County managed the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All libraries except for Library West, which is one of two 24-hour spaces on campus, will resume their usual hours from prior to COVID-19 closures upon reopening in August.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville responds to UF’s COVID-19 management

By Jiselle Lee and Jack Prator | Mar. 12, 2021

Residents and city leaders alike have expressed frustrations with Florida politicians and UF’s response to the pandemic. After UF reopened in the Fall, COVID-19 cases climbed and the university’s decision to return to in-person classes brought protests. But some residents agree Gainesville was better off than many other cities over the past year.

Joe Harris, a 91-year-old homeless person, receives his second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Vaccines were given to St. Francis House staff members and homeless people by Gainesville Fire Rescue firefighters and paramedics.

COVID 19 | ALACHUA COUNTY

Gainesville Fire Rescue gives out second round of vaccines at local homeless shelter

By Jiselle Lee | Mar. 12, 2021

Gainesville Fire Rescue administered 17 second doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to its staff and members of the Gainesville emergency homeless shelter Wednesday morning.

A pedestrian jaywalks across West University Avenue on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

A new county-wide ordinance bans individuals from standing on the road median

By Emil Munksgaard Grosen | Mar. 12, 2021

The city passed a similar ban last month, which raised concerns about the homeless population among experts and community members.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

A pedestrian hit and killed in Alachua on Highway 441

By Anna Wilder | Mar. 11, 2021

A 47-year-old man was killed in a crash in Alachua around midnight Thursday after being hit by a car.

The annual event, previously held in Gainesville, was hosted at the Alachua County Agricultural and Equestrian Center in Newberry for the first time this year.

METRO

40th Annual Alachua County Youth Fair and Livestock Show Held in Newberry

By Ben Crosbie | Mar. 11, 2021

The event featured shows where children ages 8 to 18 presented animals they raised.

Freshman Katie Kistler rounds second base against Charlotte Feb. 20

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Top-10 matchup this weekend as Florida welcomes Kentucky

By Noah Ram | Mar. 11, 2021

Florida will play its highest-ranked opponent this season when it hosts No. 9 Kentucky.

Sophomore Tre Mann led the Gators with 22 points Thursday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators survive second-round scare against Vanderbilt

By Declan Walsh | Mar. 11, 2021

Florida escaped with an unconvincing 69-63 victory over Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament Thursday.

Florida has focused on individual workouts amid connective cancelations

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida lacrosse stays sharp during unexpected week off

By Karina Wilson | Mar. 11, 2021

Two postponed games led to an unexpected week off for the Gators. Individual workouts kept them afloat.

No. 26 duo McCartney Kessler and Marlee Zein preserved their consistency and stacked up a six-match win streak in the doubles category. Photo from UF-Texas A&M match Feb. 28.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Another SEC-riddled weekend for Gators tennis

By Jesse Richardson | Mar. 11, 2021

Women return home to battle Missouri at 5 p.m. while the men take on the Rebels in Oxford at 6 p.m.

Sophomore Thayer Hall leads the team with 369 kills on the season through 26 matches, 144 more kills than the next-best player.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida finally plays ranked opponent, hosts Missouri

By Noah Ram | Mar. 11, 2021

No. 7 Florida welcomes in its first ranked opponent this weekend: No. 25 Missouri.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Remembering when COVID-19 shut down sports

By Christian Ortega , Declan Walsh , Zachary Huber , Noah Ram , Rachel Slay , Ryan Haley and Sara Kate Dyson | Mar. 11, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic swept through the sports world and canceled all organized activities. Florida athletes and coaches reflect on what happened 365 days ago and how they feel now.

Blaise Bicknell's racket caught fire as he boasts a perfect SEC record this season. Courtesy of the UAA.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Blaise Bicknell holds undefeated record, wins SEC honor

By Jesse Richardson | Mar. 11, 2021

Blaise Bicknell’s racket caught fire as he boasts a perfect 9-0 record in duals competition.

COVID 19 | UF

One year later: UF students share views on the pandemic

By Jiselle Lee | Mar. 11, 2021

Students have altered their lives to follow social distancing protocols, stressed over online classes and attended club meetings over Zoom. They missed packing Saturdays in The Swamp, crossing the stage in a cap and gown and spending Starbucks-fueled all-nighters in the library. A year later, UF students reflect on the impact of the past year. Some talk about their return to an empty campus, and others explain how their college memories have been confined to computer screens and kitchen tables.

Alena Drake (left) and Ashayla Blakely (right) graduated in 2020 from UF with bachelor's degrees in telecommunications on the production track.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

UF alumnae highlight the Black college woman's experience in web series 'Blackview'

By Kristin Bausch | Mar. 11, 2021

The series strives to emphasize the versatility of Black college women.

Midpoint Park & Eatery hosts a unique variety of restaurant and seating options.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

New food park opens in Gainesville’s Innovation District

By Veronica Nocera | Mar. 11, 2021

Midpoint Park & Eatery provides the community with a unique option for food and leisure.

First baseman Kendyl Lindaman notched a single and an RBI Wednesday against Stetson

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Echols crushes two long balls as Florida demolishes Kennesaw State

By Noah Ram | Mar. 11, 2021

Echols hit her third home run in as many games Wednesday night

UF rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat Stetson 10-7

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida steamrolls Stetson behind offensive onslaught

By Ryan Haley | Mar. 10, 2021

After early 5-0 deficit, the Gators scored 10 runs in the next four innings

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Voting precinct changes for the Gainesville Regular Election

By Jack Prator | Mar. 10, 2021

The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections sent an email Wednesday reminding voters of polling place changes for the election on March 16.

Alondra Arce, 20, a UF sustainability sophomore, paints a mural that says "Save Our Bright Futures" on Sunday, March 7, 2021. Arce recruited student volunteers to help her create the mural along 34th Street in Gainesville to raise awareness about Senate Bill 86, which would limit some students' access to state funding for college if passed.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Proposed Senate Bill could affect Florida Bright Futures

By Juliana Ferrie | Mar. 10, 2021

Students and parents around the state felt angered by the proposed bill. At UF, Alondra Arce, a 20-year-old sustainability studies and sociology sophomore, organized a group of students to paint a mural on the 34th Street Wall Sunday to bring awareness to the bill.

El Caimán