Good morning, Gainesville.

On Oct. 12, 2025, dogs enjoyed the annual K9 Splash Bash at H.

Spurgeon Cherry Pool in Gainesville as Newberry Animal Hospital and the City of Gainesville co-hosted an event featuring pool play for pets and a separate splash pad for small dogs. Vendors provided baths — ear cleanings and nail trims while raffles raised funds for local rescues.

Alachua County Animal Resources is hosting an after-hours Halloween-themed pet adoption event on Oct.

25 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the County shelter (3400 NE 53rd Ave.) where all adoption fees will be waived and activities include trunk-or-treating, face painting and local vendors.

Zip! at Haile Quarry is now open at 3975 NW County Road 235 in Newberry and offers visitors a two-mile trek on seven zip lines.

The park features Double Dragon—the 1,303-foot-long double zip line and Florida's longest of its kind—and Jordan’s Jamboree, a 494-foot-long ADA-accessible ride.

A federal lawsuit accuses UF trustee James 'Bill' Heavener of coordinating a fraud scheme—Full Sail University and the Los Angeles Film School allegedly paid employers for short-term hires to meet federal gainful employment rules and secure funds.

The Alachua County Commission invites community members to attend the Forward Focus Year 1 Summit on Oct.

25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center at 210 SE 134th Ave in Micanopy—workshops and discussions are planned to help local leaders, businesses and residents shape Eastern Alachua County's future while childcare for up to 25 children ages 4 to 12 is offered.

Inspections from Oct.

6-12 showed one restaurant was temporarily closed for high-priority violations and three others, including two in Gainesville, had serious issues such as unsafe food temperatures and signs of pests. Inspectors required follow-up actions to fix these problems (as per the Department of Business & Professional Regulation).

Zip! at Haile Quarry in Newberry opened on Oct.

11, turning a quarry mined from 1925 to 1975 + which sat unused for nearly 50 years into an adventure park with six zip lines, some crossing over water. Local families and thrill-seekers enjoyed ADA-compliant rides as the park boosted outdoor recreation.

Realtor.com data showed that in July, median home prices in Alachua County fell to $314,000 + down 3.4% from June with single-family homes and condos also losing value while recorded home sales dropped 21.8% since last July to total $125.8 million.

Taylor Sembower is a freshman at Buchholz High who won four national titles with Gainesville Juniors and is ranked sixth nationally for the class of 2029—she leads her team with 228 kills as they play in the district semifinals today in St. Augustine in pursuit of their first district title since 2019.

WRUF sports columnist Pat Dooley urged Florida to beat Mississippi State this week — he said the Gators have lost close games against top teams and must improve their play after a season of tough road contests.

His column noted that a win is critical as the team faces a challenging schedule and calls for better clock management.

On a rainy night at Citizens Field, Eastside clinched the district title with a 27–21 overtime win over South Sumter—spearheaded by Javaris Gardner's 148 rushing yards and a decisive QB sneak by Nelson Tambling.

The Rams secured their fourth consecutive playoff berth and will travel Friday to face the Sandalwood Saints at 6:30 p.m.

Gator soccer player Addy Hess was awarded SEC Freshman Player of the Week for the second time after scoring a game-winning goal on Friday against No.12 Mississippi State—she transferred from Penn State and now ties as the team’s leading scorer.

Her award boosted team confidence—Florida will carry that momentum into their game against Tennessee on Thursday.

The Runarounds Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets start at $245 — Enjoy an unforgettable performance by The Runarounds in Gainesville.

Schooling Ride Nights with the Walk Trot Canter Association

8 AM – 5 PM — Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center — Cost info not provided — Enjoy a relaxed evening of horse riding, learning, and fun for all skill levels.

FEST 23 featuring Dillinger Four, Iron Chic, and Dead to Me

12:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. — Bo Diddley Plaza — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate live punk music over a vibrant three-day festival in Gainesville.

Cancer Chomp 2025

8-11 a.m. — UF Genetics Institute — Free entry — Celebrate cancer research with a 5K run and family activities at this annual community event.

2025 Rock Paper Scissors Tournament

5:30-8 p.m. — First Magnitude Brewing Company — $65 for a team of 3 — Compete in a fun-filled evening of Rock, Paper, Scissors and enjoy food, drinks, and prizes.

Boo at the Zoo

3-7 p.m. — Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo — Trick-or-treating fun — Enjoy a safe Halloween celebration for the whole family at the zoo.

Flatwoods 5k Run

12:00 – 2:30 PM — 10625 NE Waldo Rd — Check website for registration fee — Experience the thrill of a local 5k amidst Gainesville's scenic trails.

Jammy Buffet

7-10 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — $ — Set sail on a musical adventure with Jammy Buffet's tribute to Jimmy Buffett's coastal storytelling.

Florida: A History in Pictures

7-8 p.m. — Matheson History Museum — Free entry — Discover the visual history of Florida through engaging highlights from a popular Facebook group.

Tom Petty Weekend

2-7 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Free entry for students & kids 18 & under — Celebrate the musical legacy of Gainesville's own Tom Petty with a weekend of outdoor and indoor performances.