1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, Police Department host canned food drive in place of fall events

By Eve Thompson | Oct. 13, 2021

The Ghosts, Goblins and Groceries food drive will replace both Boo at the Zoo and Run with the Cops, which were canceled this year again because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Donation stations throughout Gainesville are collecting canned goods and non-perishables to benefit Saints Food Share and Catholic Charities.

Gilbert "Gil" Levy, VyStar Credit Union senior vice president, sits in Santa Fe College's Financial Wellness Center on Friday, Sept. 22, 2021. This room is the temporary center until remodels due to flooding are completed on the first floor. Levy will be the representative in the center until around December while he asseses the program and its needs.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College’s month-old Financial Wellness Center still relatively unknown to students

By Eve Thompson | Oct. 13, 2021

The Financial Wellness Center is a partnership between Santa Fe College and VyStar Credit Union that offers free financial counseling and resources from budgeting and saving to purchasing and investing for all Santa Fe students.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission appoints Cynthia Curry as interim city manager

By Meghan McGlone | Oct. 13, 2021

Cynthia Curry was appointed to the interim city manager position after city manager after Lee Feldman resigned Sept. 13, following the resignation of three other city charter officers, including City Commissioner Gail Johnson.

COVID 19 | UF

COVID-19 Update: County COVID-19 cases fall for the sixth consecutive week

By J.P. Oprison | Oct. 13, 2021

There are 264 new positive cases in Alachua County this week, down 163 from the previous week. As of Oct. 8, there have been 38,858 total cases in the county. Cases in the county have been declining for six consecutive weeks.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College COVID-19 Update: Four positive cases reported in the last week

By Eve Thompson | Oct. 13, 2021

There have been 372 reported positive cases since the Delta surge in March 2021, which represents over a third of all 1,068 cases since the start of the pandemic, according to a report from Santa Fe director of human resources Lela Frye.

Florida's Ricky Castillo competes during the SEC Match Play Championships at Shoal Creek Club in Birmingham, Alabama.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators go 1-3 at SEC Match Play Championship

By Carson Cashion | Oct. 12, 2021

The Florida men’s golf team played in Birmingham this week and won one of four competitions against SEC opponents.

A Florida football helmet, pictured during a game against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 4, 2021.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida preparing for Death Valley without Blades

By Zachary Huber | Oct. 11, 2021

Florida hopes to make the infamous shoe throw a thing of the past when the Gators play LSU in Death Valley but will do so without cornerback Elijah Blades, who has left the program.

Gavin Hughes (left), Haddie Hughes (middle), and twins Emanuel and Elijah Harmon (right) watch the UF Homecoming Parade approach on University Avenue on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF homecoming traditions return after one-year hiatus

By Elena Barrera | Oct. 11, 2021

More than 7,000 people packed into the O’Connell Center as Gator chomps rippled through the crowd followed by the classic “It’s great to be a Florida Gator” chant. These were both demonstrations of what homecoming week is all about: tradition.

METRO

Alachua County Public Schools to accept mask exemption forms for high schoolers

By Bryce Brown | Oct. 11, 2021

Despite some parents’ opposition to the county’s public school mask mandate until Oct. 19, the Alachua County School Board decided on Oct. 5 to extend it for at least another four weeks.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man dies in Alachua’s Copeland Park shooting at unauthorized party

By Isabella Douglas | Oct. 11, 2021

A Gainesville man died from gunshot wounds early Sunday morning after attending a party near Copeland Park in the city of Alachua.

The building that housed Felipe's Mexican Taqueria is seen on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. The lot will be used for a new student apartment building that will have affordable housing units.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Proposed apartment building to bring affordable housing closer to UF campus

By Meghan McGlone and Jiselle Lee | Oct. 11, 2021

The City Commission will make the final decision this month on the construction of an affordable housing and student living apartment building with 151 housing units, 10% of which will be for affordable housing, according to a Friday city press release.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

‘Gainesville Plague’: Flu symptoms widespread on campus

By J.P. Oprison | Oct. 11, 2021

Coughs, runny noses and sore throats are now common symptoms for many UF students. After a decrease of flu cases in 2020, students are once again catching the “Gainesville Plague” three months into the semester.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF adds waitlist option for Spring 2022 registration

By Max Taylor | Oct. 11, 2021

UF will add an “Add to Wait list” button to its ONE.UF course registration page for next semester. Students will have the option to add themselves to a list that reserves spots for full classes. As students drop the class, those on the waitlist will have the option to enroll in the course.

A sign is seen on the corner of Southwest Fourth Avenue and Southwest Third Street discouraging Florida Vintage Market shoppers from parking in the Porters Quarters neighborhood on Oct. 19, 2021.

METRO

Porters Quarters residents meet with local officials to express parking concerns

By Jiselle Lee | Oct. 11, 2021

During the last Florida Vintage Market two weeks ago, residents of Porters Quarters, a historically Black neighborhood established in 1884, came home from church Sunday and found dozens of cars parked on their lawns and in front of their driveways with no explanation.

Florida's Marco Ortiz on the sideline of UF's 42-0 victory over Vanderbilt Saturday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Seeing double: Marco and Antonio Ortiz share bond on and off the field

By Michael Hull | Oct. 11, 2021

Marco and Antonio Ortiz share more than just their appearance. They’re both starting Division I long snappers. But now, they play for different teams — Marco for the Gators and Antonio for Texas Christian University.

Florida quarterback Emory Jones prepares for a play against Vanderbilt during Saturday's 42-0 victory.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators take care of business, still have loose ends to tie up

By Michael Hull | Oct. 11, 2021

The Florida Gators did their job Saturday, shutting down Vanderbilt 42-0, but they still have some kinks to work out in order to be successful in the coming weeks.

The Oct. 7 release is the first for Allen as Lady Laz (Photo by Cameron Hunter).

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Don’t ask her why she’s sad: UF alumna releases debut single

By Kristine Villarroel | Oct. 11, 2021

UF alumna Taylor Allen released “Normal People” on Thursday, Oct. 7, under the stage name Lady Laz, a nod to American poet Sylvia Plath.

Gainesville alternative band The Hails perform at High Dive Oct. 8.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Local band The Hails returns to Gainesville

By Luigi Bencosme | Oct. 11, 2021

The Hails returned to its Gainesville roots as part of its Blood Runs Cold tour, which spans five different cities across Florida and ends Oct. 14.

Florida's Georgia Eaton-Collins pictured during a game in 2019.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida falls to Missouri in overtime

By Jesse Richardson | Oct. 10, 2021

The Gators lost in overtime to the Tigers 2-1 Sunday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Florida head coach Mary Wise communicates with her players during a game against Mississippi State on Sept. 24.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 20 Florida’s win streak snapped by the Tigers

By Joseph Henry | Oct. 10, 2021

The Gators suffer second SEC loss and see their win streak ended in Baton Rouge.

El Caimán