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UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

All content by Will Weber
Illustration by Mariana Martins

Florida’s strange firework laws

Will Weber | Dec 29, 2016

If you’ve ever used a roman candle, firecrackers or any firework that explodes or flies to celebrate in the state of Florida, you’ve committed a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year...

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Donald Trump signs autographs for fans at the end of the rally last October at The Landing. Photo by Kristen Smith

Trump wins Florida

Will Weber | Nov 8, 2016

Donald Trump won 49 percent of the votes in Florida, earning him 29 electoral votes in the race to become the President of the United States, according to the Associated Press. Trump currently...

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A poem about poetry week

A poem about poetry week

Will Weber | Oct 17, 2016

It’s fun, it’s diverse, but most important it’s free, It’s the international festival of poetry. They have food and games at the three-day festival, But the poetry contest takes it to another level. If...

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Photo by Nick Blank

UNF classes to resume Monday

Will Weber | Oct 8, 2016

Classes at the University of North Florida will resume Monday, according to an email sent by the school, however students and employees with unique situations should contact their faculty or supervisors. Power...

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Supplies are piled up outside of Ozzie's in preparation for all UNF residents to evacuate to the Fountains. Photo by Nick Blank

How to stay informed when there’s no power

Will Weber | Oct 6, 2016

With power outages imminent for nearly all of Florida’s east coast, here’s a few ways to stay safe and informed: The Florida Public Radio Emergency Network works with 13 public radio stations...

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Student Health Services warns of Zika

Student Health Services warns of Zika

Will Weber | Sep 9, 2016

Free condoms, insect repellent towelettes and informational brochures were handed out during the “Zika 101 Update” on Sept. 8, an open-discussion presentation sponsored by Student Health Services on...

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Zika: What you should know

Zika: What you should know

Will Weber | Aug 8, 2016
The Florida Department of Health announced July 29 that four people in Dade and Broward counties contracted Zika after being bit by mosquitoes.
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Zika: What you should know

Zika: What you should know

Will Weber | Aug 4, 2016

The Florida Department of Health announced July 29 that four people in Dade and Broward county contracted Zika after being bit by mosquitoes. Hundreds of Floridians have been infected after traveling to...

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The women's tennis team is now 2-0 in Atlantic Sun play after a winning weekend.

Photo courtesy of UNF Athletics

UNF tennis coach Audra Cohen resigns

Will Weber | Jul 30, 2016

Correction: Coach Audra Cohen's resignation was announced June 30. Three-time Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year Audra Cohen resigned from her position as the UNF women’s tennis coach last Thursday to...

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Beech played five games in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League.
 Photo by Connor Spielmaker.

Review: Beech’s NBA summer league stint

Will Weber | Jul 21, 2016

Beau Beech flanked his point guard as he sprinted down the court after forcing an errant shot on defense. He stopped just behind the three-point line and called for the ball with the confidence of a five-year...

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Player Profile: Benedikt Haid

Player Profile: Benedikt Haid

Will Weber | Jul 19, 2016

Leading up to the start of basketball season, the Spinnaker will be profiling the incoming recruits for the 2016-2017 season. Benedikt Haid is a 6-foot-4-inch shooting guard from Austria. Haid grabbed...

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Graphic by Ben Cross

Player Profile: J.T. Escobar

Will Weber | Jul 13, 2016

Leading up to the start of basketball season, the Spinnaker will be profiling the incoming recruits for the 2016-2017 season. J.T. Escobar is a 6-foot-2-inch guard who is transferring to UNF from Ole...

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Beau Beech hit three treys in his third game with the Brooklyn Nets.

Photo by Michael Herrera

Beech shines with Nets

Will Weber | Jul 13, 2016

Following a disappointing performance Monday night, UNF grad Beau Beech tallied 13 points, including seven straight points to end the first quarter, for the Brooklyn Nets in the Las Vegas Summer League...

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Matt Begiun, who has brought Ozzie Osprey to life for ten years, is retiring.
Photo courtesy Facebook.

UNF looking for a new Ozzie

Will Weber | Jul 11, 2016

For the past decade, Matt Biegun has stood courtside for nearly every home basketball game, met nearly every student and swooped like its going out of style. But you wouldn’t recognize him. He is Ozzie,...

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Sophomore Bobby Harris is the first active Osprey to qualify for the Olympic Trials.

   Photo by Morgan Purvis

Osprey to compete at Olympic Trials

Will Weber | Jul 6, 2016

Bobby Harris, a sophomore high-jumper at UNF, will compete in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials on July 8-9, in Eugene, OR. Harris is the first-ever active UNF athlete to qualify for the Olympic Trials....

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Beech finished his career as the second-leading scorer in UNF history.

  Photo by Connor Spielmaker

Beech joins Brooklyn Nets

Will Weber | Jun 27, 2016
It was 30 minutes past midnight and the NBA draft had just ended, when Beau Beech got the call. He was sitting in Mellow Mushroom, flanked by his girlfriend and close friends, when his agent called to inform him he would be joining the Brooklyn Net’s Las Vegas Summer league team.
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Student Wellness Complex booms in use since its opening

Student Wellness Complex booms in use since its opening

Will Weber | Jun 24, 2016
This three-story, 80,000 square foot building has seen more sweat, testosterone and spandex than a 1980’s themed frat party. Its occupiers resemble ancient Greek statues, chiseled enough to make couch potatoes grab an extra large sweater in self-consciousness.
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Flags across the country were lowered to half staff in mourning of the victims of 9/11.

Photo by Jenn Mello

Mass Shootings: Are we ready?

Will Weber | Jun 22, 2016
It was about an hour past lunchtime June 1, when phones across the country began buzzing with breaking-news notifications. Another school shooting occurred, this time at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
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Wellness Complex celebrates one million visits

Wellness Complex celebrates one million visits

Will Weber | Jun 20, 2016

In celebration of its one-millionth visit, the Student Wellness Complex is hosting four special programs from 4-6 p.m. Monday, and giving away free towels to the first 500 visitors. There will be three...

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 Photo by Morgan Purvis

Ospreys take Atlantic Sun Tournament opener

Will Weber | May 25, 2016

Backup Bubba Olivera, starting for the injured Patrick Ervin, delivered a stellar performance that included three hits and a home run and led the Ospreys to an opening round win in the Atlantic Sun Conference...

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Corbin Olmstead looks on during an at-bat against the University of Florida.

Photo by Emily Woodbury

Olmstead still in hunt for John Olerud award

Will Weber | May 13, 2016
Senior Corbin Olmstead is still in contention for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year award after the watch list of 24 players was cut down to 18 on Wednesday by the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.
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The Osprey defense gave up zero errors Tuesday against UCF. Photo by Emily Woodbury

Osprey’s late-game heroics continue

Will Weber | Apr 20, 2016
The Osprey’s trend of nail-biting finishes continued Tuesday night, when a UCF error in the bottom of the ninth allowed Dakota Higdon to race home from second base for the team’s fifth walk-off win of the season.
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Mary Dawson led the Ospreys to their first A-Sun Championship in program history.  Photo courtesy ASunPhoto.com

Women’s golf makes program history

Will Weber | Apr 13, 2016
In just its fourth year of existence, the North Florida women’s golf team brought home its first Atlantic Sun Championship Tuesday at Reunion Golf Resort, after dominating the field with an 11-stroke win.
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