Good morning, Gainesville.

Today in Gainesville, community organizers held the 26th annual Stop the Violence Back-to-School Rally where 1,500 students received free backpacks and speakers urged families to teach kids non-violence (including personal stories from coaches and gun violence victims).

Caleb Stinton, 35, crashed his car in Newberry in Alachua County and was found with meth, cocaine and fentanyl (and other suspected illegal drugs), leading to drug trafficking charges.

An Alachua County man, Stacey Scott (50), was arrested after a woman called deputies when she saw him exposing himself and appearing to masturbate outside her home near the intersection of northwest 3rd Avenue and northwest 9th Terrace.

Tikka Express in Gainesville serves classic chicken tikka masala and a bold Chicken Delhi Masala in a clean, open kitchen—customers enjoy steaming hot plates with fresh naan and rice.

The friendly owners also plan to open a local Indian grocery store to supply the restaurant's unique ingredients.

Alachua County School Board member Sarah Rockwell released a statement apologizing for her cruel comment on Facebook about Hulk Hogan's death - she said her remark was insensitive and pledged to work to restore trust among county students, families and staff.

The Alachua County Bomb Squad cleared a building after a suspicious-looking device was found on it on July 26th — officials confirmed the area was safe.

Gainesville high school football will begin in four weeks and a poll to choose the best defensive lineman from local schools is open.

Voting will close Tuesday at 11:59 p.m.—readers from Rural Class to 6A teams can cast their multiple votes.

Florida 4-H Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. — Reitz Union — Ticket information available — Celebrate the 2025 inductees of the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame and their contributions to youth development.

Fire Rescue Cadets Compete at the Gator Fire Games

9 AM – 4 PM — Alachua County Sports & Event Center — Free entry — Watch aspiring first responders in action as they tackle challenges modeled after real-life situations.

Spooks N Sips Night Market

6-10 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Free entry — Enjoy a spooky-themed evening market with over 70 unique vendors.

Together We Rise - Recovery Is Possible

12-5 p.m. — Cellon Oak Park — Free admission — A day dedicated to healing and learning about recovery support services in Alachua County.

Tech Coffee Social

9-10 a.m. — Karma Cream — Free entry — A relaxed morning gathering for tech enthusiasts to network and enjoy coffee conversations.

Veterans Living With Cancer Support Program

7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. — Hilton University of Florida Conference Center — Free entry — A supportive initiative tailored for veterans facing cancer treatment and survivorship.

Meet and Greet at Ballyhoo Grill

6-8 p.m. — Ballyhoo Grill — Free entry — Enjoy a casual evening of conversation and discover the Adventure Club of Gainesville.