1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Two people light each other’s candles during an event on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021 to honor those killed during a school shooting in Parkland, Florida three years ago.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gainesville remembers Parkland shooting victims

By Alexander Lugo and Valeriya Antonshchuk | Feb. 15, 2021

About 80 students gathered in Plaza of the Americas on the evening of Feb. 14 to observe the third anniversary of the shooting. March for Our Lives Gainesville, a local branch of the national organization formed immediately following the tragedy to advocate for gun reform, honors the anniversary each year with a vigil on the plaza.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Preventing tragedy: New safety measures on University Avenue

By Sofia Echeverry | Feb. 15, 2021

UF will collaborate with FDOT, the city and UPD to enact traffic safety measures. These changes include lowering the speed limit, fixing and adding new crosswalks and installing signs for increased visibility.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville won’t ‘free the nipple’ following proposal to de-gender toplessness

By Michelle Holder | Feb. 15, 2021

The city commission voted 3-3 against the proposal at a Feb. 11 meeting, halting the “Free the Nipple" movement in Gainesville but passing a plan to begin drafting language changes to de-gender city codes.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Eastside High School Alumni Association to mentor current students

By Alan Halaly | Feb. 15, 2021

The goal of the organization is to guide current students while also funding school programs and scholarships. It is one of the few high school alumni associations in the Alachua County Public School system.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Judge Stephan Mickle Honored in Memorial Service

By Ben Crosbie | Feb. 15, 2021

Clad in face coverings and dark, formal clothing, about 60 friends, family and former colleagues of Mickle gathered at the Curtis M. Phillips Center at noon for the private service. Mickle, the first Black student to earn an undergraduate degree from UF, died of cancer Jan. 26 at 76 years old.

Tyson Torchia (left) and Nathaly Barrantes (right) hold their new kitten, Silas, at Alachua County Animal Services.

METRO

Valentine’s Day adoptions were $14 at Alachua County Animal Services

By Amy Dunn | Feb. 15, 2021

The shelter, located at 3400 NE 53rd Ave., held its Valentine’s Day adoption event from Feb. 9 to Feb. 13. Though adoption fees are normally $20 for cats and $40 for dogs, all fees were $14 for both animals during the weeklong event.

Becky Burleigh's announced her retirement as UF's head soccer coach after 26 years at the helm

SPORTS | SOCCER

An ode to Becky Burleigh

By River Wells | Feb. 14, 2021

Sports writer River Wells delivers an ode to Gators legend Becky Burleigh and writes about how her UF soccer team inspired his love for The Beautiful Game.

Pitchers Tommy Mace (left) and Jack Leftwich (right) are ready for another season playing baseball for Florida after imagining watching the team as fans.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

After a shortened draft, two star arms return for another year on the mound

By Ryan Haley | Feb. 14, 2021

Tommy Mace and Jack Leftwich hadn’t imagined themselves playing for the Gators beyond 2020. A pandemic and a shortened draft later, both are ready to don orange and blue for one final ride.

Maria Torres watches her shot during the SunTrust Gator Women's Golf Invitational on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators have mediocre first day at Moon Golf Invitational

By Michael Hull | Feb. 14, 2021

Florida is 11 strokes behind the leading South Carolina Gamecocks entering Monday.

Photo of GRACE Marketplace sign at 3055 NE 28th Ave. in Gainesville, FL.

SPANISH

La farmacia Grace está regalando al público 600.000 dólares de insulina

By Melissa Hernandez de la Cruz | Feb. 14, 2021

Grace marketplace ofrece más de 600.000 dólares de insulina para que pacientes reciban un suministro gratis para seis meses de la medicación.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Late rally, blowout gives Gators 2-0 start

By Noah Ram | Feb. 14, 2021

After a closer-than-expected win in the first game of the doubleheader, UF dominated the USF Bulls in game two.

Led by sophomores Yuxin Lin and Ricky Castillo, Florida carded a 15-under-par round Saturday afternoon after shooting 14-under-par the two rounds prior.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida tremendous in comeback, win Gators Invitational

By Michael Hull | Feb. 14, 2021

The Gators came back from seven strokes down in the final 18 holes to win their second straight Gators Invitational.

Cafe Sabroso ofrece un ambiente hogareño para los hispanos locales en el área del centro de Gainesville.

SPANISH

Sazón para tu corazón: Restaurantes latinos en Gainesville que deberías chequear

By Isabella Barnet and Kristine Villarroel | Feb. 14, 2021

Sin importar que decidas hacer este día de San Valentín, estos y más restaurantes de comida hispana están abiertos al público y pueden ser disfrutados en cualquier momento.

Grant Holloway, a former UF track star, was expected to compete in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida finish Tyson Invitational in sixth and eight place

By Myles Herbert | Feb. 13, 2021

In Florida’s final regular season indoor meet, the track and field team finished sixth and eighth.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators kick off spring against stiff competition at Moon Golf Invitational

By Michael Hull | Feb. 13, 2021

No. 8 Florida will compete against five other ranked teams in Melbourne Sunday through Tuesday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators projected to win SEC in coaches poll

By Ryan Haley | Feb. 13, 2021

After all five national polls named the Gators the top team, Florida is favored to win the SEC, as per the preseason coaches poll.

Senior Megan Skaggs was the first Florida gymnast to sport the shiny pendant after she posted a career-high 9.95 on the uneven bars. Photo courtesy of Tiffany Franco.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

“Stick chain” gives Florida extra edge

By Zachary Huber | Feb. 13, 2021

These props have now transferred from the gridiron to the powder-covered mats. The Gators debuted their glittery “stick chain” in a blowout victory over Missouri Jan. 29.

Senior Taylor Bresnahan scored a hat trick for Florida in a dominant, 14-7 victory over Lousiville.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida dominates Louisville in its season opener

By Karina Wilson | Feb. 13, 2021

UF ran out of the Bluegrass state as 14-7 victors for its first win of the season.

Mr. Tong and his elephant, Mae Dok, are the stars of "Elephant Keeper," one of the films being shown at Cinema Verde 2021.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Cinema Verde Film Festival goes green on the screen

By Katie Delk | Feb. 13, 2021

The film festival will feature 27 films about environmentalism.

METRO

‘Felt a moral obligation to help’: Gainesville’s Firefighters took part in Moderna vaccine trial

By Jiselle Lee | Feb. 13, 2021

In August, about 10 members of the Gainesville Fire Rescue team volunteered to become a few of the 30,000 nationwide participants in Moderna’s Phase 3 COVE vaccine trial.

El Caimán