In partnership with
Was this e-mail shared with you? Sign up here
Good morning, Gainesville! 🍂 Sunday starts in the low 50s and tops out near 70 with almost no chance of rain, so grab a jacket for the morning and plan to spend the afternoon outside.
Today is packed for a lazy fall Sunday, with a chili cook-off at Heartwood Soundstage, the K9 Splash Bash dog swim and costume contest, and BobFest tonight. Then the week gets serious, with a ballot to think about and a punk festival to plan around.
Here's what's making waves this week:
🗳️ Early voting opens Monday, Oct. 19 at eight Alachua County sites
🏠 Amendment 3 would raise the homestead exemption to $250,000 and cut county revenue by at least $48.9 million
🛣️ County adds $144 million to road work, including $9 million for potholes
🎸 The Fest 24 hits downtown October 23-25 with The Bouncing Souls, PUP and Lagwagon
Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe to get your weekly dose of Gainesville goodness.
-Your Neighbor
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
PUBLIC SAFETY
What this means: Gainesville police arrested a 49-year-old driver after a 1:49 a.m. Oct. 15 crosswalk crash at West University Avenue and SW 13th Street, with bail set at $50,000.
Evelyn Carter Reynolds, 49, faces a leaving-the-scene charge after a pedestrian was hit in a crosswalk at 1:49 a.m. Oct. 15; bail is $50,000.
Here's what to know:
Police say the victim was crossing SW 13th Street in the crosswalk at West University Avenue at about 1:49 a.m. on Oct. 15 when a red or burgundy SUV hit her and kept going.
Officers found the SUV about 19 blocks south on SW 13th Street; Reynolds told officers she hit what she thought was trash, and a judge set bail at $50,000.
The victim had a chipped tooth, cuts and swelling and was still being evaluated for internal injuries; the charges are accusations, and the full arrest details are in the article.
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Early voting opens Monday, Oct. 19 at eight Alachua County sites
What this means: Any registered Alachua County voter can vote early from Monday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at eight locations, ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Early voting runs Oct. 19 through Nov. 1 at eight Alachua County sites, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; Election Day is Nov. 3.
Here's what to know:
Sites include the Supervisor of Elections Office, 515 N. Main St.; Millhopper and Tower Road libraries; Hawthorne Community Center; Legacy Park in Alachua; Reitz Union; Santa Fe College; and a new UF IFAS Extension site at 22716 W Newberry Rd.
Ballots include federal, state, judicial and local races plus statewide amendments; Gainesville voters see one charter amendment, Archer voters four, and High Springs voters two commission races.
Bring valid photo and signature ID; questions go to VoteAlachua.gov or 352-374-5252, and completed mail ballots can go to a Secure Ballot Intake Station at early voting sites, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
INFRASTRUCTURE
County adds $144 million to FY2027 road work and can borrow to speed repaving
What this means: Alachua County commissioners moved $144 million of FY2028-FY2032 road projects into FY2027 on Oct. 13, including $9 million for potholes, and staff may seek bond financing.
Alachua County commissioners approved $144 million in FY2027 road funding, including $9 million for potholes, and authorized staff to pursue financing such as bonds.
Here's what to know:
On Oct. 13, commissioners appropriated $144 million in FY2027 for projects already in the Transportation Capital Improvement Plan for FY2028-FY2032, including $3 million a year for FY2027, FY2028 and FY2029 for potholes.
Any bond or debt issuance must come back to the commission for approval.
Report potholes and other road problems on the county's Pothole Portal, with no account needed; weekly repair reports are posted on the county website and My Alachua County app.
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Amendment 3 would raise the homestead exemption to $250,000 and cut Alachua County revenue
What this means: If Florida voters approve Amendment 3 on Nov. 3, the homestead exemption rises from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, cutting county general fund revenue by at least $48.9 million.
Amendment 3 would raise the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $250,000 by 2028 and cut Alachua County general fund revenue by at least $48.9 million.
Here's what to know:
The exemption would jump to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028; school district property taxes would not be affected, and the cap on non-homestead value growth would drop from 10% to 5%.
Property taxes are about 23% of the county's overall budget; this year's tentative budget projects $184 million of $324 million in general fund revenue, or about 57%.
Local party chairs disagree on service impacts, with one citing an estimated $17 million deficit and the other calling concerns a scare tactic; read both sides in the article before voting Nov. 3.
Quick updates
Pothole Portal now takes 11 more issue types - Alachua County has received over 600 reports and 4,662 potholes repaired since last month; sinkholes, drainage, sidewalks and signs can now be reported online. - Read more
Alachua County 4-H team places third in wildlife at international Envirothon - The Tardigrades won Florida's Envirothon, then placed third in Wildlife and tied for fourth in Forestry among 42 teams in Mississippi. - Read more
Hawthorne gets a $500,000 pedestrian crossing signal - FDOT began installing a pedestrian hybrid beacon on U.S. 301 at SE 69th Avenue; completion is estimated for late 2026. - Read more
Fall Parade of Homes continues today and Oct. 24-25 - Free tours of 17 new homes in 13 Alachua County neighborhoods run noon to 5 p.m.; the Parade Magazine is at BANCF.com. - Read more
The CBD Brand that Actually Does What It Says
CBD is having a moment and CBD brands are everywhere right now. But with so many options, it can be tough to know what to look for – and which brands actually follow through on their claims.
That’s where CBDistillery sets itself apart. For the past decade, all of CBDistillery's products have been made with non-GMO, US-grown industrial hemp and with 100% clean ingredients – no corn syrup or artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners.
They frequently introduce new and innovative products formulated to meet a variety of wellness needs and customer preferences. And every single batch of CBDistillery’s gummies, oil tinctures, topicals and softgels are tested by an independent, accredited lab to make sure what’s in the package matches what’s on the label.
Right now, CBDistillery is offering our readers a special deal: save 50% on orders of $75 or more with code NEWS50!
📅 THIS WEEK IN GAINESVILLE
Must-Attend Events
🎸 The Fest 24 - October 23-25 (Friday-Sunday) · Venues throughout downtown Gainesville, listed at 111 E University Ave
Gainesville's annual multi-day punk festival returns with dozens of bands, including The Bouncing Souls, PUP and Lagwagon, spread across downtown stages. Passes and the full lineup are on the festival's site. 📅 Add to calendar
🔔 Davin Youngs - "The Reset" Immersive Sound Experience - Sunday, October 18, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM and 3:00-4:30 PM · Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Rd, Gainesville, UF cultural plaza
A sound-healing artist turns the room into a living sound bath, part meditation and part performance, with two shows today. Tickets through the Phillips Center Box Office, 352-392-2787. 📅 Add to calendar
🎶 BobFest: A Celebration of Bob McPeek - Sunday, October 18, 6:00-9:00 PM · Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S Main St, Gainesville, south Main district
Local musicians honor Bob McPeek, the songwriter, engineer and producer who co-founded Heartwood, in a fully seated concert. Tickets from $20, with proceeds benefiting Heartwood. 📅 Add to calendar
💃 RUBBERBAND - Vic's Mix - Thursday, October 22, 7:30-9:30 PM · Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Rd, Gainesville, UF cultural plaza
Montreal's RUBBERBAND blends hip-hop, ballet and contemporary dance in high-energy works by choreographer Victor Quijada. Tickets listed at $15-$20 on Visit Gainesville; Box Office 352-392-2787. 📅 Add to calendar
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
Penny & Sparrow with Caleb Elliott - Sunday, October 18, 6:30-9:30 PM · The Wooly, 20 N Main St, downtown Gainesville
The Texas indie-folk duo of Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke brings its harmony-driven sound to downtown. Price not listed by Visit Gainesville. 📅 Add to calendar
Free Jazz Sessions with Dr. David Smith - Wednesday, October 21, 6:00 PM · Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S Main St, Gainesville, south Main district
Heartwood's own show calendar lists a free jazz session led by Dr. David Smith, with sit-ins welcome. 📅 Add to calendar
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" Live Shadowcast - Wednesday, October 21, 8:00-11:00 PM · The Wooly, 20 N Main St, downtown Gainesville
A live cast acts out the cult classic alongside the film at the Wooly's Halloween-season screening. 📅 Add to calendar
Blackadder Brewing's 10th Annual Blocktoberfest - Friday, October 23, 4:00-10:00 PM · Blackadder Brewing Company, 618 NW 60th St Ste A, Gainesville
Bavarian music, German-inspired food from Strega Nona's Oven, specialty brews and limited-edition anniversary steins; lederhosen and dirndls encouraged. 📅 Add to calendar
Miley Cyrus Dance Party - Friday, October 23, 9:00 PM · Signal, 7 SW 1st St, downtown Gainesville
A late-night Miley Cyrus dance party at Signal in downtown Gainesville, listed by Visit Gainesville. 📅 Add to calendar
👪 Family-Friendly
K9 Splash Bash Dog Swim and Costume Contest - Sunday, October 18, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM · H. Spurgeon Cherry "Westside" Pool, 1001 NW 31st Dr, Gainesville
Dogs swim and splash, then enter a Halloween costume contest, with a raffle benefiting Alachua County animal rescues. $5 per dog, proof of rabies vaccination required, humans stay outside the pool. 📅 Add to calendar
Little Sparks at the Cade Museum - Sunday, October 18 and Thursday, October 22, 10:15-11:00 AM · Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, 811 S Main St, Gainesville, at Depot Park
A music, movement and craft science program for ages 0-5 and their caregivers, included with museum admission, no pre-registration. 📅 Add to calendar
Story Time at the Zoo - Wednesday, October 21, 10:30-11:00 AM · Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, 3000 NW 83rd St, Gainesville
Free monthly animal-themed stories on the front lawn with the Alachua County Library District; regular zoo admission applies if you stay to explore. 📅 Add to calendar
Screaming for Safety Trunk or Treat - Wednesday, October 21, 5:00-8:00 PM · UF Health Professional Park, 3300 SW Williston Rd, Gainesville
Free Halloween trunk-or-treat with a safety theme, hosted at the UF Health Professional Park on Williston Road. 📅 Add to calendar
Zip! at Haile Quarry Haunted Hayride - October 23-24 (Friday-Saturday), 6:00 PM · Zip! at Haile Quarry, 3975 NW County Road 235, Newberry
A nighttime hayride through the quarry for the Halloween season; tickets listed at $5-$10. Weather permitting. 📅 Add to calendar
🏃 Sports & Fitness
Florida Gators Soccer vs. Auburn (Greek Night) - Thursday, October 22, 7:00 PM · Donald R. Dizney Stadium, 1788 Natural Area Dr, UF campus, Gainesville
SEC match with a Greek Night theme; Visit Gainesville lists free T-shirts for a limited number of attendees and pizza for the first 100 students. 📅 Add to calendar
Florida Gators Volleyball vs. LSU (MasterChef Night) - Friday, October 23, 7:00 PM · Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, 250 Gale Lemerand Dr, UF campus, Gainesville
SEC volleyball with the first 250 fans eligible for a free apron while supplies last; tickets listed from $12. 📅 Add to calendar
Open Pickleball Nights - Tuesday, October 20, 5:30-8:30 PM · Alachua County Sports & Events Center, 4870 Celebration Pointe Ave, Gainesville
Drop-in pickleball night, $10; also runs Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the same time. 📅 Add to calendar
🎨 Arts & Culture
"Little Shop of Horrors" at the Hippodrome - Sunday, October 18, 2:00 PM matinee (also Wednesday, October 21, 7:00 PM) · Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE 2nd Pl, downtown Gainesville
The rock-and-roll musical about a man-eating plant runs through November 1. Tickets $30. 📅 Add to calendar
"Disenchanted!" The Musical - Sunday, October 18, 2:00 PM (also Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23, 8:00 PM) · Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, 3501 SW 2nd Ave Ste O, Gainesville
Acrosstown Rep's musical runs through November at its Southwest 2nd Avenue theater. Tickets are $10 at the door or online. 📅 Add to calendar
American Hardcore documentary screening - Sunday, October 18, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM · Hippodrome Cinema, 25 SE 2nd Pl, downtown Gainesville
Paul Rachman's 2006 documentary traces the 1980-1986 U.S. hardcore punk scene through footage of Black Flag, Minor Threat and Bad Brains, a fitting warm-up for Fest week. 📅 Add to calendar
Hadestown: Teen Edition at Eastside High School - Sunday, October 18, 2:00 PM (also Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23, 7:00 PM) · Eastside High School Auditorium, 1201 SE 43rd St, Gainesville
Eastside High students stage the teen edition of the musical. Tickets $15. 📅 Add to calendar
🎓 Education & Business
Florida Forever Festival - Sunday, October 18, 1:00-5:00 PM · First Magnitude Brewing Company, 1220 SE Veitch St, Gainesville
Florida Native Plant Society festival with live music, speakers, food trucks, a native plant sale and environmental groups, rallying support for Florida Forever funding in 2027. 📅 Add to calendar
Gator Basketball Great Patric Young at The Florida Way Forward - Wednesday, October 21, 2:00-3:30 PM · UF Reitz Union, 655 Reitz Union Dr, Gainesville
Free campus conversation with former Gators center Patric Young, hosted at the Reitz Union ahead of the weekend. 📅 Add to calendar
🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
For the Animals Chili Cook-Off and Music Festival - Sunday, October 18, 12:00-4:00 PM · Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S Main St, Gainesville, south Main district
Fourth annual chili contest with People's Choice voting, music from Crooked Counsel, Couch Messiahs and The Enlightened Rogues, raffles and pet adoptions benefiting Fix Them All's spay and neuter vouchers. Tickets $25. 📅 Add to calendar
Archer Farmers Market at the Historic Depot - Tuesday, October 20, 3:00-7:00 PM · Archer Depot, 16994 SW 134th Ave, Archer
Weekly Tuesday market of produce, handmade goods and local vendors in a historic depot. Free. 📅 Add to calendar
Daft Cow Brewery Bingo Night - Tuesday, October 20, 6:30-8:00 PM · Daft Cow Brewery, 13800 Tech City Circle, Alachua
Bingo night at the Alachua brewery in San Felasco Tech City, listed by Visit Gainesville. 📅 Add to calendar
High Springs Farmers Market - Friday, October 23, 3:00 PM · High Springs Farmer's Market, 23517 NW 185th Rd, High Springs
Friday afternoon farmers market in High Springs, gateway to the springs, listed by Visit Gainesville. 📅 Add to calendar
⌚️ Recurring Events
Grove St District Market - Every Sunday, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM (next: Sunday, October 18) · Grove Street District Market, 220 NW 8th St, Gainesville
Weekly Sunday market with local artisans, produce, food vendors, live music and family activities in the Grove Street neighborhood. 📅 Add to calendar
Monday Night Rally Run Club - Every Monday, 6:30-8:00 PM (next: Monday, October 19) · The Queens Arms Pub, 5323 SW 91st Terrace, Haile Village, Gainesville
Free weekly group run starting at the pub in Haile Village, open to all paces. 📅 Add to calendar
Swamp Head Brewery Trivia Night - Every Monday, 6:30-9:30 PM (next: Monday, October 19) · Swamp Head Brewery, 3650 SW 42nd Ave, Gainesville
Free weekly trivia night at the Swamp Head taproom, starting at 6:30 PM on Mondays. 📅 Add to calendar
Thursday Night Swing Dancing - Every Thursday, 7:30 PM (next: Thursday, October 22) · Rosa B. Williams Center, 524 NW 1st St, Gainesville
Free weekly swing dancing night at the Rosa B. Williams Center in downtown Gainesville, open to all. 📅 Add to calendar
Looking Ahead
Gainesville Reads Keynote: Robin Wall Kimmerer - Sunday, October 25, 7:00 PM · Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Rd, Gainesville, UF cultural plaza
Kimmerer closes the citywide Gainesville Reads festival, hosted with The Lynx Bookstore, on "The Serviceberry." Listed on the Phillips Center calendar. 📅 Add to calendar
Claire Wells - Sunday, October 25, 2:00 PM · Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Rd, Gainesville, UF cultural plaza
A UF Performing Arts presentation the afternoon of the Kimmerer keynote; see the Box Office for tickets, 352-392-2787. 📅 Add to calendar
UF Symphony Orchestra: Symphonie Fantastique - Friday, October 30, 7:30 PM · Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Rd, Gainesville, UF cultural plaza
Tiffany Lu conducts the UF Symphony Orchestra with violinist Aubree Oliverson, listed on the Phillips Center calendar. 📅 Add to calendar
Quick Hits
Design + Doodle Lab at the Cade - drop-in art experience at 811 S Main St, 10 AM-4 PM - Thursday, October 22
Ghouls, Goblins and Greeks Trick-or-Treat - free Halloween trick-or-treat on Sorority Row, 808 W Panhellenic Dr - Thursday, October 22, 5-8 PM
High Springs Historical Society Museum - free museum visit in High Springs, 23760 NW 187th Ave - Saturday, October 24, 11 AM
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
Thanks for spending a few minutes with me exploring what's happening in Gainesville!
Know a neighbor who'd want this? Send them your referral link and get credit when they subscribe.
What's your Gainesville story? Hit reply and tell us:
A local business that deserves more attention
Community problems you'd like us to investigate
Events happening in your neighborhood
Gainesville is better when we're all informed and connected. Thanks for being part of this community.
See you around town,
-Your Neighbor
Rate Today's Edition
Connect With Gainesville Weekly
💌 Work with us:
Got news or events? Reply to this email
Advertising opportunities? Email us
Gainesville Weekly is an independent newsletter dedicated to celebrating our community. Not affiliated with any government entity or organization.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here