2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Illustrated treasure map of Depot Park. This graphic showcases a stylized map featuring Depot Park with winding paths, bodies of water, and green spaces.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Depot Park: A popular gathering spot, but is it safe?

By Olivia Shehadi | Mar. 4

Criminal mischief remains the most common crime in the area.

Members of the University of Florida ROTC gather outside the Southwest Recreation Center at the University of Florida for a candlelight vigil in honor of Nyla Holland who died on Sunday, March 2, 2025, while riding her moped on Hull Road in Gainesville, Fla. Holland was a member of University of Florida's ROTC program.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gainesville community gathers for candlelight vigil honoring UF student Nyla Holland

By Shaine Davison and Michael Angee | Mar. 3

More than 200 people gathered in a field near Southwest Recreation Center Monday evening to honor Nyla Holland, a UF student killed in a traffic collision outside the complex Sunday night.

The Nancys performs at the AM/FM Festival on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

MusicGNV brings back historic AM/FM Festival

By Autumn Johnstone | Mar. 3

Between three music venues — How Bazar, The Bull and Loosey’s — MusicGNV kicked off the AM/FM Festival on Sunday.

A memorial in honor of Professor Bernard O'Donnell, who died unexpectedly on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, lays in Library West at the University of Florida.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Bernard ‘Bernie’ O’Donnell Jr., beloved UF law professor, dies at 55

By Sofia Meyers | Mar. 3

UF law professor Bernard “Bernie” O’Donnell Jr., whose quiet-yet-playful demeanor is what made his office hours an outlet for success and community passed away in Gainesville Feb. 23. He was 55.

Santa Fe Teaching Zoo’s otters enjoy their farewell party before being relocated to Memphis zoo on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo bids farewell to otter family

By Shaine Davison | Mar. 3

After years of delighted visitors, the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo’s family of seven Asian small-clawed otters is headed to a new home. On Wednesday, they’ll embark on a 700-mile journey to the Memphis Zoo.

The Alachua Children's Theatre performs "The Little Mermaid, Jr." on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

The Alachua Children’s Theatre makes a splash with its production of “The Little Mermaid, Jr.”

By Annie Wang | Mar. 2

The Alachua Children’s Theatre performed “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” at Santa Fe High School on Feb. 22 and 23 and March 1 and 2. The performance on March 1 saw a crowd of roughly 140.

Florida Gators catcher Brody Donay (29) flips his bat after hitting the first home run of the season in a baseball game against the Air Force Academy in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida surrenders season-high 13 runs, drops series finale against Miami

By Jack Meyer | Mar. 2

The Florida Gators baseball team was hit with its first loss of the 2025 season after surrendering a season-high 13 runs to the Miami Hurricanes on Sunday afternoon.

Fans and viewers cast their personal votes as Oscar night begins on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Avenue Roundtable: Who will be ‘Wicked’ good enough to take home the Oscars?

By Avenue Staff | Mar. 2

This year’s awards season has been nothing short of attention-grabbing. Whether it’s controversy or stunning outfits, Hollywood’s greats have made headlines left and right. However, before the season comes to a close, there’s one award show left that’s certain to draw in viewers: the 97th Academy Awards.

Florida Gators pitcher Olivia Miller (13) throws a pitch in a softball game against Providence in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

No. 3 Florida Dismantles FAMU 9-1, notches sixth consecutive run rule.

By Liana Handler | Mar. 2

The neon yellow softball bounced three times on the iron-red metal roof beyond the left field wall before rolling down. A small group of children waited below with outstretched arms for a souvenir.

UF Women's Tennis player Talia Neilson-Gatenby returns the ball toward her opponent during the Florida Invitational on Jan. 11, 2025. (Credit: Kade Sowers)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Rachel Gailis’ absence proves costly as Florida women’s tennis falls to No. 2 Georgia

By Jeffrey Serber | Mar. 2

Rachel Gailis’ absence resulted in Florida forfeiting two matches and changing its entire singles lineup, as the Gators were swept 4-0 on the road by No. 2 Georgia.

Head women's basketball coach Kelly Rae Finley watches her team from the side of the court Feb. 27.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida scores season-low 46 points as No. 1 Texas takes SEC co-champion title

By Amanda Roman | Mar. 2

For most teams, facing a top-ranked opponent in their final game of the regular season would be as daunting of a task as they come – especially if their last ranked win came in 2022. However, UF head coach Kelly Rae Finley and her Gator squad viewed this challenge as a “cool opportunity.”

Florida freshman Adhithya Ganesan (left) rips a backhand with sophomore Tanapatt Nirundorn (right) in the Gators’ 7-0 win against The Citadel on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men’s tennis falls to No. 4 Texas, moves to 7-1 at home

By Curan Ahern | Mar. 2

With a vibrant blue sky and a cool breeze blanketing Gainesville, the Florida Gators (8-5) looked to extend their winning streak and to grab a fourth-straight conference win over a higher-ranked opponent. Looking to continue its own recent dominance and remain undefeated in conference play, Texas (12-2) arrived ready for the challenge on Sunday morning.

Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) dunks the ball in a basketball game against Texas A&M on Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Guard Dominance: Florida basketball prepares for the NCAA Tournament

By Noah White | Mar. 2

There are many reasons college basketball teams cut down the nets in early April. Some are led by efficient offenses, scoring 85 or more points round after round. Others lean on their defense to make games messy, slowing the pace of play down to the point where every basket matters that much more. However, there’s a common denominator among the last decade’s national champions: elite perimeter play.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

No. 3 Florida boosts March Madness resume with home victory over No. 12 Texas A&M

By Max Tucker | Mar. 2

In need of a resume-boosting win for NCAA Tournament seeding, the No. 3 Florida Gators men’s basketball team rolled against the No. 12 Texas A&M in front of a hostile crowd at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on Saturday.

The Florida men's track and field team runs in the Pepsi Florida Relays, Friday, March 31, 2023.

NEWS

Wilson’s mile gold highlights SEC Indoor Championships for Florida track and field

By Paul Hof-Mahoney | Mar. 1

Murphy’s Law rang true for Florida track and field this weekend, as the 11th-place women and the 15th-place men both suffered their worst finishes in program history at the SEC Indoor Championships.

Florida freshman Luke Heyman rounds the bases during the Gators' 3-0 win against Florida A&M Friday, June 2, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Luke Heyman homers twice in Florida’s series-clinching victory over Miami

By Jack Meyer | Mar. 1

Thanks in part to Luke Heyman’s two home runs, the Florida Gators secured a series-clinching victory against the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon.

Florida Gators catcher Jocelyn Erickson (8) hits the ball in a softball game against Boston College in Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida dominates day two of the Florida Invitational, notches two run-rule wins

By Noah White | Mar. 1

Gators softball notched back-to-back wins in the Florida Invitational on Saturday, dominating Troy and Western Michigan.

Rapper Kendrick Lamar performed to an audience of about 10,000 at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in 2013 as part of Black History Month. Melanie Fiona opened the show.

NEWS

Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show: A cultural statement beyond the game

By Jordan Drew Bryant | Mar. 1

Lamar, a Pulitzer Prize winning musician, took the stage at the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show Feb. 9 and left fans with not only one of the biggest moments of his career, but varying opinions on his anticipated performance.

Gators lacrosse senior attacker Maggi Hall calls for a play in the team's win over Old Dominion University on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida lacrosse falls short in comeback attempt against James Madison

By Max Bernstein | Mar. 1

Down 16-10 heading into the fourth quarter of Saturday morning’s matchup against James Madison, Florida lacrosse faced what seemed to be an insurmountable task.

Local law enforcement arrested a woman who fired shots in the Butler Plaza Walmart parking lot Saturday after an hours-long standoff.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Woman arrested after armed standoff with SWAT unit, local police at Walmart

By Bailey Diem and Garrett Shanley | Mar. 1

Local law enforcement arrested a woman who fired shots in the Butler Plaza Walmart parking lot Saturday after an hours-long standoff with police, according to Gainesville Police Department.

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