Daily
Gainesville
Saturday, May 17th, 2025
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 17th of May.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The City of Gainesville will host the fifth annual Journey to Juneteenth month-long celebration honoring emancipation and Black history, starting with a free flag-raising ceremony at City Hall Plaza on Tuesday, May 20 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Additional free and ticketed events will follow through June 22. Alachua Chronicle
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Gainesville will install red light cameras at busy intersections this fall as part of its Vision Zero plan to reduce vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist deaths—Mayor Harvey Ward said more reports of drivers running red lights led to the change. Some residents worry about the cameras' constitutionality while others support the safety boost for busy spots like Main and University. WCJB
- ➤ On May 15, the City Commission voted 6–1 to have the city attorney draft new ballot language for a special election on Nov. 4 so voters can decide on GRU control after a 2024 vote was nullified — commissioners are weighing concerns over potential low turnout and a cost up to $250,000. The move follows an April court ruling that found the previous referendum’s wording misleading and clears the way for a revised election plan. The Gainesville Sun
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Florida's No.4 lacrosse team beat No.15 Duke 11-9 in an NCAA quarterfinal at Donald R. Disney Stadium and advanced to their second Final Four. They will play the winner of the North Carolina-Princeton game in a semifinal on May 23 at Gillette Stadium. WRUF
- ➤ Florida softball beat Mercer 8-0 in a five-inning game at Katie Seashole Presley Stadium as junior catcher Jocelyn Erickson hit the walk-off RBI single and Mia Williams led with two doubles and three RBIs; the team advances to face Florida Atlantic today at noon. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ The NCAA softball Gainesville Regional began Friday and features teams from Florida, FAU, Georgia Tech and Mercer. Mercer's roster carries local ties with Hallie Langford and coach Lindsay Fico—a former UF player in Gainesville—while FAU links to the area through former Gator Elizabeth Hightower and Kiley Shelton. GatorSports
-
Business League Workshop Series
2-4 p.m. — Good Life Station — Free entry — Enhance your marketing and networking skills at this informative workshop featuring Shelley Vickers.
-
Kyran Daniel Live Performance
7-10 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Check event page for details — Experience the remarkable musical talent that's been captivating audiences.
-
Story Time at the Zoo
10:30-11:00 a.m. — Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo — Free entry — Enjoy a delightful story time in a natural setting, perfect for families and children.
-
Southeast Outdoor Sectionals 2025
8 a.m. — 10404 SW Williston Rd — Registration required — Compete in 14 Field, 14 Hunter, and 14 Animal rounds in the quest for Outdoor National Series Champions.
-
S.G. Goodman Live
7-11 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets available — Experience S.G. Goodman's roots-inflected rock with haunting vocals and personal storytelling.
-
Boys High School Summer Basketball Showcase
Monday & Wednesday evenings — Alachua County Sports & Event Center — $375 per Team — Compete in Gainesville's top high school basketball league this summer.
-
Xie Qi and Human-level Treatment
1-5 p.m. — Academy for Five Element Acupuncture — $100 — Enhance your understanding of xie qi and explore human-level treatment in this interactive course for acupuncturists.
-
Do Business with the City
9-11 a.m. — Thomas Center — Free entry — Connect with City of Gainesville purchasing pros and discover resources for local business growth.
-
Gainesville Toddler Multi-Sport Program
9-10:50 a.m. — Veterans Memorial Park — $85 — Enjoy a fun and active multisport program for toddlers over four weeks.
-
Father's Day Celebration at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. — Kanapaha Botanical Gardens — Free for fathers — Celebrate Dad with nature's beauty and enjoy a day out together.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The only way out is through.
~ Robert Frost
About Daily Gainesville
Welcome to the Daily Gainesville, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Gainesville, Florida community. If you like the Daily Gainesville, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Gainesville.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Gainesville and across Florida. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Gainesville
A free Gainesville community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailygainesville.com/sitemap