We Inform. You Decide. www.alligator.org VOLUME 113 ISSUE 64 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 Not officially associated with the University of Florida Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida First Gator Nation Day of Giving raises $12.6 million DONATIONS WILL HELP UF for the university’s fi rst Day of Giving. tions had the most contributors of any college “We’ve been blessed with individuals that TOWARD GOAL OF TOP 5 PUBLIC The 24-hour event called “Stand-Up and at more than 680 while the College of Medicine want to step up and make stretch contribu- Holler: Gator Nation Giving Day” focused on had the highest amount donated at more than tions,” Hodge said. UNIVERSITY raising money across the university, said Mat- $3.5 million. The day started with the goal of 5,000 dona- thew Hodge, the UF Alumni Association’s ex- Plans for the initiative started in August as tions, which was surpassed by 5 p.m., Hodge By Kelly Hayes ecutive director. By the end of the day, $12.6 part of UF’s push to be a top fi ve public uni- said. Alligator Staff Writer million was raised by more than 11,000 con- versity because alumni donations are factored The new goal of 8,500 contributions, which tributors, which more than doubled UF’s goal into the U.S. News and World Report ranking, was exceeded by 8 p.m. Buildings on campus wore orange and blue of $5 million. Hodge said. UF is currently tied for No. 8 in striped ties in Mr. Two Bits fashion Tuesday The College of Journalism and Communica- the ranking. SEE GIVING DAY, PAGE 4 20-year-old found dead in Micanopy IT IS BEING INVESTIGATED AS A HOMICIDE By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez Alligator Staff Writer A missing 20-year-old man from Gilchrist County turned up dead in Micanopy on Monday. Deputies say he was killed. The man, who has been identifi ed as Daniel Schweitzer, had been reported missing since Feb. 3 and was thought to be headed toward Alachua County or Tampa. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Offi ce discovered his body when deputies received a call at 3:29 p.m. from a driver who was fl agged down by a person who spotted the decomposed body while walking down Country Road 234, said Lt. Brett Rhodenizer, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Offi ce spokesper- son. Deputies found the body underneath palm fronds in the area. Gilchrist County is about an hour away from Micanopy. The medical examiner’s offi ce and sheriff’s offi ce detec- tives confi rmed Tuesday that he was killed, according to the sheriff’s offi ce. It is unclear how or when he was killed. The body had been under palm fronds on the side of the road for days or weeks, Rhodenizer said. The witness told detectives a blanket and bags were nearby. “Whatever happened didn’t happen recently,” he said. “There’s nothing on scene or that we’ve been made aware of Samuel Thomas / Alligator Staff that causes us any concern for the sake of the community.” Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal In- Sunset Strolling vestigations Division at 352-367-4170. Julian Wenger, 25, and Heather Hess, 24, walk Monday evening along a boardwalk overlooking Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park next to U.S. Highway 441. The couple had just recently returned to Gainesville after @katwf98 spending a year in Australia and had not seen Paynes Prairie since the fl ooding caused by Hurricane Irma [email protected] closed the area down. Wenger said the two were happy to see things returning to normal in their favorite spot. Long-time Alachua firefighter becomes new fire chief crease from Theus’ previous salary, said Heather Akpan, the Harold Theus has spent 25 years with ACFR county human resources director. By Taylor Girtman came the county’s new fi re chief. cutt’s retirement. educated and prepared for the Former fi re chief Bill Northcutt Alligator Staff Writer The Alachua County Com- The county fi refi ghters union, position. had a salary of $141,313.33 before mission unanimously confi rmed Fire Rescue Professionals of Ala- “He is the very fi rst fi re chief his retirement. In 1994, Harold Theus began Theus, 50, following a recom- chua County, endorsed Theus in Alachua County to come up Theus told the commission as an Alachua County fi refi ghter mendation from the county man- and recommended him to the through our own ranks, and he was humbled and honored to with a simple philosophy: to help ager. Since Nov. 30, Theus has county manager. Robert Sullivan, that’s exciting,” Sullivan said. receive the position, and he looks the community. served as interim fi re chief after the union president, said they se- Theus’ salary will be forward to the opportunity to Twenty-fi ve years later, he be- the former fi re chief Bill North- lected Theus because he is well- $129,395.55, a 10 percent in- Theus SEE CHIEF, PAGE 4 Another dog mauling in Alachua County Gators win in extra innings 5-4 A 15-year-old Chihuahua was killed by two pit bulls Monday FOLLOW US ONLINE FOR UPDATES Jud Fabian’s RBI-double in the 10th inning lifted morning, pg. 4 the UF baseball team over Jacksonville, pg. 14 Fishing for funds @FloridaAlligator @TheAlligator_ @TheAlligator UF students compete in “Shark Tank” inspired competition, pg. 5 2 ALLIGATOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 Today’s Weather VOLUME 113 ISSUE 64 ISSN 0889-2423 Not offi cially associated with the University of Florida Published by Campus Communications Inc., of Gainesville, Florida NEWSROOM AM PM 352-376-4458 • Fax: 352-376-4467 NOON Editor Paige Fry, [email protected] Engagement Managing Editor Christina Morales, Have an event planned? [email protected] HIGH 70° LOW 60° Add it to the alligator’s Digital Managing Editor Amanda Rosa, [email protected] online calendar: Opinions Editor Michaela Mulligan, [email protected] Local Events / News in Brief alligator.org/calendar Metro Editor Devoun Cetoute, [email protected] University Editor Dana Cassidy, [email protected] 21 and older. Tickets for the trivia accessible. For more information, Features Editor Angela DiMichele, [email protected] UPCOMING EVENTS can be purchased on Ticketbud. email IndivisibleCommonCents@ Sports Editor Jake Dreilinger, [email protected] Prizes include $350 for first place, gmail.com or call 352-620-4764. WEDNESDAY $175 for second place, $75 for Assistant Sports Editor Mark Stine, [email protected] third place and a $50 World of Check out the Florida Museum’s Online Sports Editor Alanis Thames, [email protected] Beat ICE Beer gift card for fourth place ‘water’ pop-up outreach at Editorial Board Paige Fry, Christina Morales, When: 12:50-2 p.m. and for the best-costumed team. SpringsFest Amanda Rosa, Michaela Mulligan Where: Plaza of the Americas Questions about the event are When: Saturday and Sunday Multimedia Editor Aaron Ritter, [email protected] What: UF Chispas, an orga- referred to Trivia Nation at 904- from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Avenue Editor Lindsey Breneman, [email protected] nization advocating for the 372-7150 or admin@trivianation. Where: SpringsFest at Silver Copy Desk Chiefs Madison Forbis, April Rubin, needs of immigrants, will host com. Springs State Park, at 5656 E. Marlowe Starling Silver Springs Blvd. an Immigration and Customs Copy Editors Ellen Bausback, Marianna Colon, Enforcement protest starting on What: The event will have SATURDAY Sabrina Conza, Sarah DeVoe, the Plaza of the Americas and hands-on activities and a natural science exploration. Visitors can Lily Griton, Hope Hathcock, ending at the Reitz Student Union 2019 Florida Lineman Competition learn about Florida waters and Ashlyn Jones, Shelby Smith, Amphitheater with UF students When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. interact with a pop-up museum. Blake Trauschke to demand that ICE be abolished. Where: 4747 N. Main St. Admission to the park is $2. What: Utilities from around the For more information, visit the Food and Dine state will compete in the lineman museum’s website or call 352- DISPLAY ADVERTISING When: Noon-3 p.m. competition, which will show- 273-2048. 352-376-4482 • Fax: 352-376-4556 Where: Reitz Union North Lawn case Gainesville Regional Utilities What: Attendees can celebrate workers in action. The event is Advertising Office Manager Cheryl del Rosario, Lessons on the Cost of War [email protected] the flavors and experience the dif- free and family friendly. When: Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 Intern Coordinator Ellen Light, [email protected] ferent cultures from around the There will be face painting, a p.m., Saturday and Sunday from Sales Representatives Alejandro D'Agostino, Marc Fiol, world. The UF Cuban American bounce house, a dress-up-like- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Allison Gosser, Mayla Garcia Herrera, Student Association, the Filipino a-lineworker competition and a Where: Matheson History Luke Motta, Emily Perpich, Student Association, the French kids zone from O2B Kids. Food Museum, at 513 E. University Club, the Venezuelan Student trucks include: Soup to Nuts, Bismarie Plasencia, Sara Rodrigues Ave. Association and the Vietnamese Two Cuban Guys, PawPaw’s What: In this free event, attend- Student Organization will pro- Kitchen and Catering, Charlie’s ees can understand the impact of CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING vide the dining experience. There Snow Shack and Strega Nona’s political and military actions on 352-373-FIND • Fax: 352-376-3015 will also be performances by The Oven Eddie Q Classic Southern Vietnam through panels on the Belly Gators and the Ailigéadar BBQ.