StreetSmart: Gainesville

Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson discuss top headlines and feature stories in Alachua County, including a 12-story building slated for Gainesville's historic district.    Stories mentioned:   Higher density recommended for 12-story Gainesville building near historic district Florida Board of Governors confirms Stuart Bell as UF’s 14th president Here’s the 10 most expensive houses for sale...

Co-hosts Nick Anschultz and Seth Johnson discuss the dissention between the UF Board of Trustees and Florida Board of Governors, along with the upcoming presidential vote.    Stories mentioned:   UF Trustees vote Dr. Stuart Bell as interim president More density recommended for 12-story Gainesville apartments Arts Collective opens gallery in The Oaks Mall GRACE Marketplace appoints an interim CEO...

Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson consider the chances that the city of Gainesville sells Ironwood Golf Course and how it would happen. Nominate for Stars, Stripes & Shoutouts: ( https://tinyurl.com/mwe88tbd )   Stories mentioned:   Derrick: What does a news story look like with no photos? 8 Alachua County athletes head to Special Olympics for Team Florida City of Waldo hires a new city...

Co-hosts Seth Johnson and Lillian Hamman discuss top headlines and feature stories in Alachua County, including the return of Hoggetowne Medieval Faire to Gainesville Raceway.   Stories mentioned:   Eastman earns second term representing Gainesville’s District 4 UF trustees unanimously pick Dr. Stuart Bell president-elect UF Trustees approve 15% fee increase for new out-of-state students Festivals...

Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Nick Anschultz discuss top headlines in Alachua County and round up a recent School Board of Alachua County meeting and UF presidential forums. Stories mentioned:   Alachua County School Board tables vote on Citizens Field agreements with Gainesville UF presidential finalist Dr. Bell shares vision for university’s future How much revenue will Alachua County cities lose...

Co-hosts Nick Anschultz and Lillian Hamman discuss top headlines and a rural Alachua County round-up featuring city of Newberry, High Springs and a new Paper Bag Deli popping up with gourmet coffee in Waldo.   Stories mentioned:   High Springs to keep both fire and police , increase fire assessment Harvest Singularity breaks ground on $69 million greenhouses in Newberry  Gainesville’s Phil Mann ea...

Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson discuss top headlines and feature stories in Alachua County. Johnson parses out big items from the May 21 Gainesville City Commission meeting, including the elimination of roam towing and Gainesville Regional Utilities contract.   Stories mentioned:   Gainesville commission votes on major garbage billing, towing reforms Gainesville police to focus on domest...

Co-hosts Seth Johnson and Lillian Hamman review and preview joint meetings that Alachua County has with rural cities and Gainesville.    Stories mentioned:   Newberry projects $2.2M setback if property taxes eliminated Alachua County’s rural broadband deployment passes 80% mark   For more local news, visit MainstreetDailyNews.com .    Forest Meadows Funeral Home is the proud title sponsor of Stree...

Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson discuss top headlines and feature stories in Alachua County.   Stories mentioned:   High Springs brainstorms rate increases , revenue streams to save fire and police Gainesville moves forward on charter amendment, stalls on 10-foot land strip   For more local news, visit MainstreetDailyNews.com . Forest Meadows Funeral Home is the proud title sponsor of Str...

Co-hosts Nick Anschultz and Seth Johnson discuss the University of Florida's plans to build a championship-level golf course plus the local school board decides on a plan for city of Alachua schools.   Stories mentioned:   Alachua County OK’s new land use for UF’s 36-hole championship golf course School Board of Alachua County considers restructuring options for Alachua schools J Smart drops R&amp...

Mainstreet Daily News sports director Mike Ridaught takes over StreetSmart to interview sports contributors Pat Dooley and Mike Dame. The duo discusses their new free Gator Bites newsletter covering all things UF sports, the importance of local news, and how the Gator football coaching staff is looking ahead of the 2026-27 season.  Dooley columns:   Derrick: Mainstreet puts Pat Dooley back in prin...

Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Nick Anschultz discuss top headlines and feature stories in Alachua County.   Stories mentioned:   Community meeting focuses on future of ACPS’s schools in city of Alachua. Florida Forest Service reports State Road 26 wildfire 60 percent contained. High Springs police apprehend suspect on FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. The Great Sushi Race: 3 new local Asian resta...

Co-hosts Seth Johnson and Lillian Hamman discuss Gainesville fire assessment exemption, the shot heard around the world and Mainstreet's new Gator sports coverage.   Stories mentioned:   Gainesville to leave $500,000 subsidy of churches, nonprofits in place Alachua County negotiates with GRU over 5 live oak trees stalling construction Former High Springs firefighter sues city for safety violations...

Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson discuss top headlines and feature stories in Alachua County, including simple battery charges against a Newberry City Commission candidate, the search for a Gainesville city manager and Heartwood Soundstage funding.    Stories mentioned:   Newberry spat: Sheriff sends charges to state attorney against candidate Oldman Gainesville commission to hold city man...

Co-hosts Seth Johnson and Lillian Hamman discuss top headlines and feature stories focusing on downtown Gainesville.    Stories mentioned:   Homeless service providers work to handle St. Francis House shelter closure   Gainesville’s downtown advisory board aims to reduce 22% storefront vacancy rate   Award-winning chef opens Kushi & Co. Japanese fast-casual restaurant  For more local news, vis...

Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Nick Anschultz talk all things education.    Stories mentioned:   School Board of Alachua County approves zoning changes, school closures UF to deactivate College Republicans chapter amid antisemitic reports Florida Legislature passes key education bills For a chance to WIN four tickets to the Crayola Experience, click here (https://tinyurl.com/5xer46p6). For more local...

Co-hosts Seth Johnson and Lillian Hamman discuss Florida's ongoing drought, increasing wildfires and what to do about both with Kevin Mangan from the High Springs Fire Department and Ludie Bond from the Florida Forest Service.    For more local news, visit MainstreetDailyNews.com . Forest Meadows Funeral Home is the proud title sponsor of StreetSmart. Music courtesy Gainesville's Now Leaving Space...

Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson discuss top headlines and feature stories in Alachua County.   Stories mentioned:   Alachua County launches whistleblower investigation into animal shelter Archer city managers tackle internal forensic audit , build new budget For more local news, visit MainstreetDailyNews.com . Forest Meadows Funeral Home is the proud title sponsor of StreetSmart. Music co...

Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson roundup the history of ADA lawsuits in Gainesville — Mainstreet's top story of 2025. Plus, a recent development.    Stories mentioned:   Blindsided: Iconic Gainesville businesses included in 49 ADA lawsuits (Original December 2025 report) Residents turn to action after ADA lawsuit against Gainesville businesses (December 2025 follow up) ‘Toughest kid on the...

Co-hosts Seth Johnson and Lillian Hamman review candidate in Alachua and Newberry's elections while recapping a big week in Gainesville Regional Utilities happenings.   Stories mentioned:   Florida Legislature could end GRU debate with 24-word amendment City of Alachua ends qualifying with three candidates Gainesville brothers open 2 indoor golf clubs with a third planned   For more local news, vi...

Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson discuss housing and infrastructure growth in Gainesville and Newberry along with developments off Archer Road.   Stories mentioned:   Alachua County reviewing 4 projects at Archer Road/Tower Road activity center “Exceeding expectations”: Newberry hears 2026 State of the City Archer Community Center, City Hall fates up in the air   Gainesville commission agr...

Co-hosts Seth Johnson and Nick Anschultz walk through the upcoming school rezoning efforts and a new festival approved for Melrose. Plus, Gainesville and Newberry will hold state of the city events this week.  We want feedback. Email us at editor@mainstreetdailynews.com with all your comments.   Stories mentioned:   Alachua County officials evaluate school district’s ‘Future Ready’ initiative Gain...

Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson discuss the upcoming oral arguments about control of Gainesville Regional Utilities along with the history of the debate.     Stories mentioned:   Melrose readies for WildFlowers festival permit vote GRU Authority to keep utility control for foreseeable future despite public vote Sign up for Mike Ridaught's free sports newsletter: www.mainstreetdailynews.co...

Co-hosts Seth Johnson and Lillian Hamman speak with publisher J.C. Derrick about why the company wanted to launch StreetSmart and his hopes for the new format. For more local news, visit MainstreetDailyNews.com . Forest Meadows Funeral Home is the proud title sponsor of StreetSmart. Music courtesy Gainesville's Now Leaving Space .

Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson launch StreetSmart's inaugural episode, detailing Alachua's decision to close a polling location and why top Florida law enforcement came to Gainesville to discuss elder fraud. Stories mentioned: FBI, IRS warn against elder fraud schemes in Gainesville   Groups accuse city of Alachua officials of voter suppression amid precinct closure   Bricks & Minifi...