Good morning, Gainesville.

Gainesville residents are opposing the removal of 19 trees for eight new pickleball courts at Tom Petty Park—locals urge city officials to modify the plan—and city officials said they evaluated each tree's long-term health before beginning renovations.

A 30 year old Gainesville woman was killed in a single vehicle crash on I-75 yesterday at about 8:30 a.m. when her car ran off the roadway and struck a utility pole near mile marker 387.

Carrie Janeene Russell, a teacher at Oak View Middle School, was arrested on May 20 for two counts of vehicular homicide after she allegedly swerved into oncoming traffic and struck a pickup truck carrying a pregnant Newberry woman in a February 2024 crash—bail was set at $500,000 and she must wear an alcohol monitor while surrendering her passport.

Yesterday, Roderick William Gilbride III, 40—who has previous felony and misdemeanor convictions—was arrested on aggravated battery charges after he allegedly punched and kneed a sleeping homeless man on West University Avenue, with bail set at $100,000.

Yesterday morning, Gainesville kicked off its Journey to Juneteenth celebration when Mayor Harvey Ward raised the flag at City Hall Plaza and proclaimed June 19 as Journey to Juneteenth Day; upcoming events include the Florida Emancipation Celebration on May 24, Silver Linings Community Day on May 31, and a Juneteenth Breakfast and Concert on June 19—continuing a month-long commemoration of emancipation.

The Florida softball team won all three games at the Gainesville Regional by beating Mercer Bears twice and Florida Atlantic once (they outscored their opponents 30 to 6) and advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals.

They will face the Georgia Bulldogs (May 22 to 25) in the tournament.

Former Arkansas standout Boogie Fland committed Tuesday to play for defending national champion Florida following a two-day visit to Gainesville, according to a source.

Fland averaged 13.5 points with the Razorbacks and withdrew his name from the NBA draft on Sunday + he now joins Coach Todd Golden’s revamped backcourt.

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.