1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Pedestrians walk down West University Avenue on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. Signs down the road redirect traffic due to ongoing construction on the road, near UF campus and Midtown.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

West University Avenue changes prioritize pedestrian safety

By Isabella Douglas and Phong Huynh | June 1, 2021

Nearly a year after three deadly accidents took place on West University Avenue, the city of Gainesville is working with UF and the Florida Department of Transportation to address traffic safety near campus. Efforts include decreased speed limits, license plate readers, LED message boards, increased police patrols, signal retiming and crosswalk enhancements.

METRO | POLITICS

Gainesville mayor to set up guaranteed income payments to former prisoners

By Alexander Lugo | June 1, 2021

Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe is working to implement a program that would give guaranteed income to formerly incarcerated people in Gainesville following their release.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College to go maskless

By Antonia LaRocca | June 1, 2021

At Santa Fe College, people can now be maskless outside and will soon not have to wear masks indoors due to the college's updated COVID-19 safety protocols.

Josh Ketterer, 29, attempts a skate trick called a “50/50” at the Gentleman’s Club, a DIY skate park in Gainesville, Florida on Sunday, May 30, 2021. The skate park was built by skaters on private property and the city has ordered it to be torn down by June 20.

METRO

Gainesville skateboarders oppose destruction of local skate spot

By Sam Schaffer | June 1, 2021

More than 1,300 people have signed a petition to save The Gentleman’s Club, a DIY skate spot in Gainesville that the city ordered to be demolished by June 20.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Electric Scooters Are Coming to UF

By Eve Thompson | June 1, 2021

The city of Gainesville plans to introduce electric scooters, or e-scooters, throughout UF and surrounding areas this month. E-scooter companies Bird, Spin and Veo will be allowed to install small fleets of scooters available for rent.

OPINION | COLUMNS

What does the Israeli-Palestine conflict mean to an Israeli?

June 1, 2021

“Kill their moms, rape their daughters,” is what people heard from their windows in London on May 16.

OPINION | COLUMNS

What does the Israeli-Palestine conflict mean to local Palestinians?

June 1, 2021

On May 18, Palestine observed quiet streets. As business owners shuttered their shops and deserted their markets, citizens across Palestinian cities and villages mobilized in central squares and demonstrated their opposition to the brutal Israeli military occupation.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County Public School teacher a finalist for national culinary education award

By Maya Erwin | June 1, 2021

Pamela Bedford, the director of the Institute of Culinary Arts at Eastside High School, was nominated as one of four finalists for the American Culinary Federation’s national Chef Educator of the Year Award — an annual recognition of a culinary educator who has led by example to enhance the cooking skills of their students and guide them to success.

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.

El Caimán