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Good morning, Gainesville! ☀️ We're waking up to a sunny 87 today with just an 18% storm chance, though afternoon thunderstorms build back in by midweek and push highs toward the upper 90s.
Another sticky week in our slice of North Central Florida, where fall semester energy is back on campus and south Main's music rooms have a full lineup ahead. Whether you're catching a show downtown or keeping an eye on your tax bill, we've got your local pulse covered.
Here's what's making waves this week:
🎤 Juvenile headlines Heartwood - New Orleans hip-hop legend brings his album release tour to south Main Friday
🗳️ Ward wins fourth term - Crabbe and Certain claim open commission seats alongside him
💰 GRU fees move to your tax bill - $28 million shift starts Oct. 1, hardship deadline Aug. 31
🎓 UF's $40 million raise pool - Largest faculty raise pool ever, effective Oct. 1
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-Your Neighbor
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
PUBLIC SAFETY
Former UF Health doctor dies in Alachua County Jail custody, sheriff's office investigating
What this means: Chintan Shah, 40, died Thursday, Aug. 13 at the Alachua County Jail while awaiting trial on child sexual abuse material charges + the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division and a separate internal review are both examining the death.
Detention officers found Shah, 40, unresponsive during a Thursday morning cell check; CPR and an AED failed, and he was pronounced dead at 7:42 a.m.
Here's what to know:
Detention staff found Shah unresponsive during a routine cell check at the Alachua County Jail on Thursday, Aug. 13, and requested emergency medical help at 7:23 a.m.
Shah, a 40-year-old former UF Health physician and assistant professor, had been jailed since his July 2026 arrest on three child sexual abuse material charges
The Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division and a separate Office of Professional Standards review are both open; check acso.us's media release page for updates
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Ward wins fourth term as mayor, Crabbe and Certain claim open commission seats
What this means: Tuesday's Aug. 18 election gives Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward a final term with 79.6% of the vote + Nathan Crabbe (62%) and Casey Willits (54%) join the city commission + Tina Certain wins the open Alachua County Commission District 2 seat outright with 38.8% in the four-way primary.
Gainesville and Alachua County voters settled four races Tuesday; only the school board's District 1 seat needs a November runoff between the top two finishers.
Here's what to know:
Mayor Harvey Ward defeated challenger Evan Moon 79.6% to 20.4%, securing what he says will be his fourth and final term; Nathan Crabbe (62%) and Casey Willits (54%) also won their commission seats outright
Tina Certain, an eight-year former school board member, becomes Alachua County's newest commissioner after taking 38.8% of 7,593 votes in the District 2 primary; all three winners are sworn in this January
School Board District 1 is not settled: Hunter Miller (45.9%) and incumbent Janine Plavac (35.5%) advance to a November runoff after neither topped 50%
INFRASTRUCTURE
GRU stormwater and garbage fees move off your monthly bill and onto your property tax bill Oct. 1
What this means: about $28 million in stormwater and solid waste charges shift from monthly GRU bills to the annual property tax bill starting Oct. 1 + assessments show up on TRIM notices mailed this August and on tax bills the county mails Nov. 1 + low-income and senior homeowners can still apply for a hardship discount before Aug. 31.
Gainesville is moving $28 million in stormwater and solid waste charges off GRU's monthly bill and onto the annual property tax bill starting Oct. 1.
Here's what to know:
The change takes effect Oct. 1, 2026; property owners will see the new non-ad valorem assessments on Truth in Millage notices mailed this August, then on tax bills the Alachua County Tax Collector mails starting Nov. 1
No action is required to switch; annual tax bills accept the same early-payment discounts property taxes already get, whether paid online, by mail or in person
Low-income and senior homeowners can still apply for reduced fire, stormwater and solid waste assessments through the city's NAVAHAP hardship program before the Aug. 31 deadline
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
UF sets aside $40 million for the largest faculty and staff raises in its history
What this means: UF is funding a 5% merit pool for faculty and 3% for staff, the university's largest faculty raise pool ever + raises take effect Oct. 1, 2026 + President Stuart Bell is framing it as a hiring-and-retention move as other universities freeze pay.
UF President Stuart Bell set aside $40 million in merit-based raises for faculty and staff, the largest faculty raise pool in university history.
Here's what to know:
The pool funds a 5% merit raise for faculty and 3% for staff, both taking effect Oct. 1, 2026, across UF's roughly 20,000-employee workforce
Bell framed the move as competitive positioning, saying UF is "forging ahead to retain talent and recognize excellence" while other colleges keep salaries flat or lay staff off
P.K. Yonge faculty raises will be set through separate bargaining rather than this pool; watch for details through UF Human Resources at hr.ufl.edu
Quick updates
School board hires $47,200 search firm to find a permanent superintendent - McPherson & Jacobson's 8-12 week process aims to name a hire by year's end, first since 2024's vacancy - Read more
Alachua County's road budget falls $15.6 million short of what's needed to fix streets - The county spends $26 million a year on roads but needs $41.6 million to keep pavement quality from declining, engineers say - Read more
Newberry Community School will grow from K-4 to K-5 starting fall 2027 - Board approved the expansion citing open capacity; the school currently enrolls 344 of a possible 520 students - Read more
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📅 THIS WEEK IN GAINESVILLE
Must-Attend Events
🎤 Juvenile's Boiling Point Album Release Tour - Friday, August 28, 7:00 PM · Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S Main St, Gainesville
The New Orleans hip-hop legend behind "Back That Azz Up" brings his album release tour to the south Main District, backed by The 400 Degreez Band with special guests. Tickets
🎶 Free Fridays Concert Series: Sooza Brass Band - Friday, August 28, 7-9 PM · Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E University Ave, downtown Gainesville
The region's longest-running free outdoor concert series brings New Orleans-style brass to downtown; free, all ages, weather-permitting.
🎭 Chris Kattan Live Comedy - Thursday, August 27, doors 7:00 PM · The Wooly, 20 N Main St, Gainesville
The "SNL" alum headlines a night of stand-up with local comics Lisa Pockets and Allie Goodwich in the heart of downtown. Tickets
⚽ Florida Gators Soccer vs. Florida State - Sunday, August 23, 2:00 PM · Donald R. Dizney Stadium, 1788 Natural Area Dr, Gainesville
An in-state rivalry match to open the week as UF's fall semester gets underway and campus energy ramps back up. Schedule & Tickets
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
🎸 Free Porch Sessions - Wednesday, August 26, 6:30 PM · Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S Main St, Gainesville
Free acoustic music on the venue's porch, seating provided; bring a lawn chair, all ages welcome.
🎷 Free Jazz Sessions with Scott Wilson - Thursday, August 27, 6:00 PM · Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S Main St, Gainesville
Free jazz jam with sit-ins welcome, featuring special guest Scott Wilson.
🎤 Tamayo Band & Brain Emoji - Thursday, August 27, 8:00 PM · Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S Main St, Gainesville
A double bill of regional bands in the south Main district.
🎻 Alberto Lombardi - Sunday, August 23, 6:00 PM · Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S Main St, Gainesville
Evening performance to kick off the week at the soundstage.
🎸 Cheerleader Roadkill with Appleseed, Diva Bleach & Slane Stuart - Tuesday, August 25, 6:30 PM · Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S Main St, Gainesville
A four-band indie/rock lineup.
🎵 Foxtide with The Braymores - Saturday, August 29, 6:30 PM · Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S Main St, Gainesville
Live music double bill presented by Colt Classic, closing out the Heartwood weekend. Tickets $26.
👪 Family-Friendly
🔬 Little Sparks - August 23, 27 & 29 (Sun/Thu/Sat), 10:15-11:00 AM · Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, 811 S Main St, Gainesville
Music, dancing, crafting and stories introducing science concepts to littles ages 0-5.
🎨 Design + Doodle Lab - Thursday, August 27 & Friday, August 28, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM · Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, 811 S Main St, Gainesville
Drop-in art experience for all ages with pop-up projects and open art stations.
🏃 Sports & Fitness
⚽ Florida Gators Soccer vs. Jacksonville - Thursday, August 27, 6:00 PM · Donald R. Dizney Stadium, 1788 Natural Area Dr, Gainesville
Second home match of the week for the Gators as the fall sports calendar ramps up.
🎨 Arts & Culture
📜 African American Legacies in Florida Educational Event - Saturday, August 29, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM · Matheson History Museum, 513 E University Ave, Gainesville
A full day of scholar talks and discussions on African American history, culture and impact in Florida.
🎓 Education & Business
✂️ Planet Fitness Oaks Mall Grand Opening Ribbon-Cutting - Wednesday, August 26 · The Oaks Mall, 6419 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville
Greater Gainesville Chamber ribbon-cutting celebrating the new gym's grand opening.
🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
🌾 Haile Farmers Market - Saturday, August 29, 8:30 AM-Noon · Haile Farmers Market, 5213 SW 91st Terrace, Haile Village Center, Gainesville
50+ vendors of local produce, baked goods and crafts, running since 1998.
🛍️ Waldo Farmers & Flea Market - August 29-30 (Saturday-Sunday), 7:30 AM to 6 PM Saturday, 7:30 AM to 5 PM Sunday · Waldo Farmers & Flea Market, 17805 US Hwy 301, Waldo
County-wide flea market tradition with an antique village and vendor stalls.
More county-wide listings: Visit Gainesville events calendar
⌚️ Recurring Events
Depot Park parkrun - every Saturday, 7:30 AM, free timed 5K walk/run - Depot Park, 874 SE 4th St, Gainesville (bring a scannable barcode; register before your first visit)
Alachua County Library storytimes - weekly at multiple branches, check current schedule by branch: Headquarters (401 E University Ave), Millhopper (3145 NW 43rd St), Hawthorne (6640 SE 221 St), Waldo (15150 NE US Hwy 301)
Haile Farmers Market - every Saturday, 8:30 AM-Noon - 5213 SW 91st Terrace, Haile Village Center, Gainesville
Waldo Farmers & Flea Market - Saturday-Sunday, open weekend hours - 17805 US Hwy 301, Waldo
Looking Ahead
🏈 Florida Gators Football Home Opener vs. Florida Atlantic - Saturday, September 5, 7:45 PM · Ben Hill Griffin Stadium ("The Swamp"), 157 Gale Lemerand Dr, Gainesville
The 2026 season kicks off with ~90,000 fans expected; plan around campus traffic and buy tickets early. Tickets
Quick Hits
Juvenile at Heartwood - New Orleans rap icon plays the south Main district - Friday, August 28, 7 PM
Sooza Brass Band Free Fridays - Free downtown concert, no ticket needed - Friday, August 28, 7-9 PM
Chris Kattan Comedy Night - "SNL" alum headlines The Wooly - Thursday, August 27, doors 7 PM
Gators Soccer Double-Header Week - Home matches vs. Florida State (Sun) and Jacksonville (Thu) - Donald R. Dizney Stadium
Cade Museum Little Sparks - Free science fun for ages 0-5, three sessions this week - Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
Thanks for spending a few minutes with me exploring what's happening in Gainesville!
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See you around town,
-Your Neighbor
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