Daily
Gainesville
Wednesday, February 11th, 2026
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 11th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ GPD will hold a candlelight vigil on Feb. 12 at 7:00 p.m. at 1900 NW 16th Terrace to mark 25 years since Officer Scott Baird was fatally struck in 2001 while moving a batting cage behind Gainesville High (the street was co-named in his honor in 2002). The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Florida state parks will offer free day-use entry from Friday, Feb. 13 to Monday, Feb. 16 in honor of George Washington’s birthday. Residents can explore local sites such as Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (entry fees normally apply) during the event, which excludes overnight camping and special events. WUFT
- ➤ Residents in Alachua County have curated a community quilt gallery honoring 47 lynching victims (commemorating instances of racial violence) as part of an ongoing remembrance project. The Independent Florida Alligator
- ➤ Former Sun managing editor and dedicated Rotarian Rob Oglesby guided the paper's shift to digital while mentoring journalists for 31 years. He died Feb. 1 at age 81 and is remembered for his kindness — his leadership continues to inspire the community. The Gainesville Sun
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Local businesses including Thornebrook Chocolates, Crevasse’s Florist and Govind and Sons Fine Jewelry are preparing for Valentine's Day amid rising costs. The stores are adjusting prices (to help customers manage expenses) while still offering traditional treats for the holiday. WUFT
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Gainesville Modern Weekend 2026 runs March 20-22 and features a VIP cocktail party at Pine Hill Estates (with food from Zen Catering and live music), a self-guided home tour of six mid-century sites, and a MOD Talks lecture at the University of Florida Emerson Alumni Hall. Alachua Chronicle
- ➤ Celebration Pointe invites the community to enjoy Valentine’s Music, a free two-night event with live music from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Feb. 13 featuring Richy Stano and Feb. 14 with Dirty Chai and Jazz on the Green + Valentine-themed selfie spots, dining and shopping. Alachua Chronicle
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Alachua County commission reviewed a temporary use permit for a festival at Wildflowers Music (scheduled for March 12 to March 16 with overnight camping for up to 5,000 people). WCJB
- ➤ Alachua County Fire Rescue earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services on Feb. 10 for its high standards in patient care and emergency services in the county. The three-year accreditation underscores the department's commitment to continuous quality improvement. Alachua Chronicle
- ➤ On Monday, Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m., The Visionaires and the Alachua County NAACP will host a town hall meeting at Day Springs Missionary Baptist Church (1945 NE 8th Avenue) to discuss proposed changes to school attendance zones and plans to right-size local public schools for the Eastside community. Alachua Chronicle
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ UF Health named Tedd Comerford as senior vice president for supply chain for its clinical enterprise Tuesday, Feb. 10 in Gainesville. Comerford brings nearly 40 years of healthcare experience — he will now oversee procurement, contracting, inventory management and supplier performance. Alachua Chronicle
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Florida baseball will open its 2026 season Friday, Feb. 13 against UAB with a lineup mixing returning stars with new transfers. Coach Kevin O’Sullivan said the team will shift positions, and pitchers Liam Peterson, Aidan King and Cooper Walls will start Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Florida’s basketball rivalry with Georgia grows as the Gators, holding a 14-2 record since 2018-19, aim to rebound after a tough loss in Athens last season. Coverage starts today at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN 98.1-FM and shifts to ESPN2 at 7 p.m. WRUF
- ➤ The Gator softball team scored 14 runs in the third inning for a 20-0 win at Jacksonville University on Tuesday, marking the first time since 2014 that the team achieved such a feat. Strong hitting and timely RBIs propelled the win as they set an exciting tone for the season. WCJB
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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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Gator Steps for Lung Disease 5K
8-11 a.m. — UF Genetics Institute — $35 to participate — A community-focused 5K run/walk supporting lung disease research and patient education.
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2026 Gainesville Guitar Festival
7-10 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets available — Celebrate guitar music with performances, workshops, and gear swaps at this annual festival.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The best time to prepare for an emergency is when there isn't one.
~ Unknown
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