1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF partners with foundation to fund Blockchain Lab

By Fernando Figueroa | Feb. 14, 2022

UF received $270,000 to provide resources to students who want to learn and develop blockchain technology including cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Blockchain is a complex technology, and its applications have not yet been fully defined. Some popular applications of the blockchain include cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin and non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, which are typically digital artworks, like Bored Ape.

Florida's Phlandrous Fleming matches up against Florida State's Matthew Cleveland during a Nov. 14 game.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida hoops gets trampled by No. 5 Kentucky, 78-57

By Jesse Richardson | Feb. 12, 2022

Kentucky center Oscar Tshwiebe proved too much for Florida to handle in a 21-point loss to the Wildcats. “He’s probably the best rebounder I’ve ever played against.” Colin Castleton said.

Cheyenne Lindsey runs the bases March 3 against Florida State. The senior hit a walkoff grandslam against Michigan Saturday to give UF a 4-0 win.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Lindsey’s grand slam gives Florida its third win at the USF-Rawlings Invitational

By Jose Tovar | Feb. 12, 2022

Cheyenne Lindsey, who had struck out the previous inning, crushed Michigan’s Meghan Beaubien’s 2-1 pitch deep into the outfield to give Florida a 4-0 win — its second of the day — on Day 2 of the USF-Rawlings Invitational in Tampa.

Danielle Pavinelli plays against Cincinnati March 26. She scored her 100th goal of her career at UF Sunday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida Lacrosse opens season with dominant 21-7 win against Kennesaw State

By Topher Adams | Feb. 12, 2022

Florida women’s lacrosse team opened its season with a dominant 22-7 victory over the Kennesaw State Owls. Florida outshot the visitors 37-18 and were on the frontfoot the entire game.

Cincinnati kicker Evan McPherson (2) celebrates his game-winning field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime Jan. 30.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

From the Swamp to SoFi: Gators in the Super Bowl

By Joseph Henry | Feb. 12, 2022

From their days on UF campus until now, catch up with the careers of five former Gators before the Rams and Bengals clash in Super Bowl 56

Elizabeth Hightower winds up in the pitcher’s circle against FSU March 3. Hightower earned her first win of the season Friday after a dominant relief appearance.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida debuts season with 3-0 win against Illinois State at USF-Rawlings Invitational

By Jose Tovar | Feb. 11, 2022

Florida took its first win of the season Friday against Illinois State. The Gators took an early lead in the second inning to secure the 3-0 victory.

Trinity Thomas leads her team in celebration against Missouri Jan. 29, 2021. Thomas announced Monday she will return for her fifth season at UF.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Reed is perfect again as No. 4 Florida Gymnastics edges out No. 5 LSU

By Madeline Lawson | Feb. 11, 2022

UF defeated LSU 198.150-197.852 Friday night in a top-five matchup.

Natalie Lugo steps through and delivers a pitch against South Carolina on April 24th. Lugo delivered six scoreless innings of relief in Florida's 7-1 victory over Oregon State Thursday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball hopes to rebound after disappointing end to 2021 Season

By Jose Tovar | Feb. 11, 2022

The Gators softball team is looking for an offensive spark this season after losing back-to-back games against Georgia at the NCAA Super Regionals last May. Florida scored 101 runs in seven 10-inning matchups during the fall.

Florida's Nina Rickards pictured during a Feb. 15 game against Kentucky. Rickards scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds in 35 minutes of action Thursday.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators triumph in a slugfest, beat Mississippi State

By Caleb Wiegandt | Feb. 11, 2022

No. 19 Florida looked a little shaky in their first game as a ranked team in over 5 years.

Denisha Williamson-Walker shampooes a client's hair at her Locs by Dee salon located at 4040 W Newberry Road Unit 1300 on Friday, Jan. 28.

THE AVENUE

‘Our truth is within our hair’: Falling in love with natural hair in Gainesville

By Eileen Calub | Feb. 11, 2022

As a child, Christina Demps sat on the floor of her parents’ bedroom, her head tipped back as her mother intricately braided her hair. When they could, they sat together on Sundays and prepared Demps’ hair for the next morning. But as Demps grew older, it became harder to find time.

Evangelist Cindy Lasseter Smock, better known as "Sister Cindy" to her TikTok fans, speaks to a crowd of over 500 students at Plaza of the Americas on Monday, Feb. 7.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Infamous TikTok street preacher “Sister Cindy” returns to UF, draws a crowd of heckling students

By Fernando Figueroa | Feb. 11, 2022

In a long skirt and a blue T-shirt with the slogan “Ho No Mo,” ‘Sister Cindy’ pranced inside a circle of more than 500 students, blocking the walkways of Plaza of Americas Monday afternoon. “Welcome to the ho no mo’ revolution!” she shouted.

METRO | BUSINESS

Gainesville mother helps others create family memories

Feb. 11, 2022

Kathy Stewart’s children, now teenagers, were always on the go. They needed a website that would be able to keep up with their active lifestyles. In response, Stewart founded Fun4GatorKids, a website that lists events for Gainesville families. The 12-year-old website was the first of its kind to provide an up-to-date calendar directory on events for Gainesville families.

Cristie Anderson, 38, a nursing student at Santa Fe College, passes by the Alan J. Robertson Administration building on Friday, June 18, 2021.

COVID 19

COVID-19 cases at Santa Fe College continue to decline

By Lily Kino | Feb. 11, 2022

Santa Fe reported 99 COVID-19 cases from students and employees from Jan. 31 to Monday. Five employees and 94 students tested positive for the virus.

Elena Pollio's handmade bowtie pasta at one of her cooking classes. (Courtesy of Elena Pollio)

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Traveling pasta instructor brings a taste of Italy to Gainesville homes

By Jared Teitel | Feb. 10, 2022

The second-generation Italian-American grew up in the kitchen cooking pasta with her mother for holidays and family gatherings. Through Pasta by Pollio, she has the chance to pass along her family knowledge of Italian cooking for a living.

Florida's Myreon Jones dunks during a Dec. 6 game against Texas Southern. The Penn State transfer led the game with 23 points shooting 9-11 from the field

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida outlasts Georgia to earn fourth straight win

By Jackson Castellano | Feb. 9, 2022

Florida held strong against UGA despite the ‘Dawgs comeback effort in the closing minutes.

UF golfer Maisie Filler on Monday, February 22, 2021 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, FL / UAA Communications photo by Isabella Marley.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators open season with tournament win

By Lillian Randolph | Feb. 9, 2022

The Florida women’s golf team participated in their first tournament of the season and brought home the trophy after a tight round 3 competition with Vanderbilt and Mississippi State.

Roddy Ricch performs at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Student Government Productions coordinated the performance to kick off Black History Month.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Thousands attend Black History Month concert featuring Roddy Ricch and Joy Oladokun

By Maia Botek | Feb. 9, 2022

Tickets were originally offered exclusively to UF students and went on sale Jan. 25. Roughly 3,000 people were expected to attend, and all 700 pit tickets sold out on the first day of sales, said Student Government Productions Chairman Jake Siegel. The show’s capacity was 6,500, according to the performers’ contract.

Spring 2022 Student Government polling locations.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SG announces polling locations for Spring elections

By Maia Botek | Feb. 9, 2022

The SG Elections Commission announced polling locations Tuesday. Eight locations on UF campus will be open for student voting from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 22 and 23.

COVID 19 | UF

Alachua County vaccination rate hits 70%

By Lucille Lannigan | Feb. 9, 2022

Adult hospitalizations fell from 314 to 276 on Monday, according to the county dashboard. There were 50 adults in the Intensive Care Unit Monday compared to 96 on Jan. 31. There are 15 patients on ventilators as of Monday. About 90% of patients on ventilators are unvaccinated, according to the county’s Facebook page.

The Florida lacrosse team huddles against Vanderbilt on April 16. The team's season last year ended with a loss to Syracuse in the Elite Eight.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

New look Gators ready to start 2022 campaign

By Topher Adams | Feb. 8, 2022

Senior Sarah Reznick and the new-look Gators are ready for a big 2022 season.

El Caimán