Daily
Gainesville
Wednesday, February 4th, 2026
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 4th of February.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Waffle House is accepting reservations for its Valentine's Day dining event at 16 Florida locations, including Gainesville, scheduled for Feb. 14. Customers can book online or by phone to enjoy a romantic setting with dim lighting, tablecloths, and candles + special menu items. The Gainesville Sun
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Alachua County Library District is hosting a series of Black History Month events that begin today with a DIY craft session at the Tower Road branch (3020 S.W. 75th St.) and will continue with art workshops, film screenings, and guest speakers at libraries across Gainesville through Feb. 24. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Teen ukulelist Feng E performed at Heartwood Soundstage Monday night for nearly 50 fans in Gainesville. Known for a viral rendition of Classical Gas, he played rock + pop covers and original tunes that impressed local ukulele lovers. The Independent Florida Alligator
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ High Springs middle school teacher Barbara Brock won the ACPS Teacher of the Year award and will represent her school district in the Florida Teacher of the Year program (she could be the county's first state title winner). Her hands-on classroom style and grant funding highlight her innovative approach. WUFT
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ During inspections from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, 2026, local restaurants in Alachua County were found to have multiple high-priority health violations (follow-up inspections were required) with establishments like Bb.Q Chicken and Di Big Jerk Gainesville needing further corrections to issues with water, food storage, and sanitation. The Gainesville Sun
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Florida men's basketball climbed to No. 17 in the AP Poll after winning two games this week. The team will face Texas A&M on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in College Station. WRUF
- ➤ Former Gators tennis star Ben Shelton, who lost to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open quarterfinals, said his improved performance will bolster his preparation for Indian Wells—the first of five Masters 1000 events before the French Open. WRUF
- ➤ Senior gymnast Selena Harris-Miranda is leading the Gators in her second season with high scores including a 9.975 on beam at a quad-meet on Jan. 9. The team readies to face Missouri Friday at 9 p.m. as they chase a top national ranking. WRUF
- ➤ Florida's Gators softball team begins its season Friday at the Rawlings Invitational in Tampa — the revamped roster features record-breaking outfielder Taylor Shumaker and new players in the outfield and pitching roles. Coach Tim Walton said the team aims to compete for a national championship. GatorSports
- ➤ Florida baseball’s pitching staff shined in a seven-inning scrimmage on Feb. 2 at a local field+ freshman Jacob Kendall kept his hot hitting streak alive with a solo home run while pitchers Peterson and King set strong marks for the spring scrimmages. GatorSports
- ➤ Gianna Monaco left Florida lacrosse for personal reasons nearly two weeks after earning USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason First Team All-American honors + Coach Amanda O’Leary said the team is preparing to open its season against Loyola Maryland on Saturday at 11 a.m. The Independent Florida Alligator
- ➤ SEC softball power rankings released on Feb. 3 show Texas as the defending champion while Florida ranks fifth with a 48-17 record and teams like Oklahoma and Tennessee gear up for the season ahead. These rankings highlight a highly competitive SEC as the teams prepare for their 2026 campaign. GatorSports
- ➤ Florida Gators baseball finished its preseason poll debut in the USA Today Coaches Poll at No. 16 on Feb. 3 after a 39-22 season and an NCAA tournament appearance. The team is ranked No. 13 in D1Baseball, No. 12 in Perfect Game, and No. 22 in Baseball America. GatorSports
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Florida Indoor High School Championships
9 AM – 3 PM — Alachua County Sports & Event Center — Admission info not specified — Experience thrilling high school track and field events with heats and finals.
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Reverend Horton Heat Live Performance
7-10 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets available — Experience a high-energy mix of rockabilly, country, and punk in a vibrant live performance.
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Galentine’s at Raise Your Glass Wine Bar
7-9 p.m. — Raise Your Glass Wine Bar & Food — $ — Celebrate friendship and enjoy fabulous energy and wine with your best friends.
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Bella Notte - A Valentine's Day Event
7-10 p.m. — Sweetwater Branch Inn — $20 deposit, $89 per person — Experience a romantic evening with Italian cuisine, fine wine, and live music for Valentine's Day.
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Roy Book Binder with Corey Hall
7-9 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Ticket info not provided — Enjoy storytelling blues and a blend of musical styles from Roy Book Binder.
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AM/FM Festival
1-10 p.m. — How Bazar — Free entry — Celebrate Gainesville’s music scene with a showcase of local artists from various genres.
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2026 Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium
Feb 23-25 — Best Western Gateway Grand — Cost varies — Explore cutting-edge strategies in dairy and beef cattle nutrition at this premier symposium.
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Thornebrook Spring Arts Festival
10 AM - 5 PM — Shoppes at Thornebrook — Free entry — Explore a vibrant collection of art and creativity in various mediums at this community festival.
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Makaya McCraven Live Performance
9:30 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Check for ticket details — Experience the innovative sounds of drummer and composer Makaya McCraven blending jazz, hip-hop, and global traditions.
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Comedian Angelo Colina Live
7-11 p.m. — The Wooly — Tickets available — Enjoy a night of laughs with Venezuelan comedian Angelo Colina as he brings his stand-up in Spanish to Gainesville.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
You can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.
~ Native American Proverb
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