StreetSmart: Gainesville

Gainesville's church subsidy, Dooley returns to print

Mainstreet Daily News — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

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
Zoomies and wags dedicate Newberry’s ‘Central Bark’

To read Dooley's first column back in print, or sign up for Gator Bites, go to tinyurl.com/patdooley.

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.

Newberry spat, Gainesville city manager search

Mainstreet Daily News — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

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 manager search this fall
Gainesville to review city manager search, red-light cameras, annexation
Q&A: Florida House District 21 candidates react to 2026 Legislative Session
Gainesville airport finalizes new CEO contract, fuel farm rehab
Gainesville resident raises cold case awareness with Substack publication
Dink, dink: 12 public pickleball courts located in Alachua County
Eastside High School celebrates unveiling of new campus mural

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.

Downtown Gainesville deep-dive

Mainstreet Daily News — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0400

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, visit MainstreetDailyNews.com.

Forest Meadows Funeral Home is the proud title sponsor of StreetSmart.

Music courtesy Gainesville's Now Leaving Space.

Education roundup: rezoning, UF chapter disbanded, state bills

Mainstreet Daily News — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0400

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 news, visit MainstreetDailyNews.com.

Forest Meadows Funeral Home is the proud title sponsor of StreetSmart.

Music courtesy Gainesville's Now Leaving Space.

Bonus — Florida drought and wildfires rage

Mainstreet Daily News — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0400

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.

Alachua County whistleblower investigation, Archer audit

Mainstreet Daily News — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0400

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 courtesy Gainesville's Now Leaving Space.

ADA lawsuits against Gainesville business owners

Mainstreet Daily News — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0400

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 block’: ADA lawsuit dismissed against Satchel’s Pizza (March 2026 development)

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.

Florida reenters GRU tug-of-war, Newberry elections

Mainstreet Daily News — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0500

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, visit MainstreetDailyNews.com.

Forest Meadows Funeral Home is the proud title sponsor of StreetSmart.

Music courtesy Gainesville's Now Leaving Space.

Growth in Gainesville, Archer Road and Newberry

Mainstreet Daily News — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 02:00:00 -0500

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 agrees to utility bond documents with reluctance

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.

Elementary school rezoning, WildFlowers music festival, WIN tickets

Mainstreet Daily News — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 02:00:00 -0500

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
Gainesville worried over school zoning plan, reviews gun violence plan
Former Hawthorne commissioner, pastor and WWII vet dies at 100

Enter for a chance to win tickets-->https://tinyurl.com/UFtickets

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.

GRU oral arguments, Melrose festival, ticket winner

Mainstreet Daily News — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 02:00:00 -0500

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

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.

Bonus — Mainstreet's origin, mission and podcast

Mainstreet Daily News — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 02:00:00 -0500

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.

$15M Gainesville elder fraud, Alachua voting concerns, LEGO store

Mainstreet Daily News — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 03:45:00 -0500

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 & Minifigs LEGO store to open in Gainesville

Enter to Win Tickets! --> https://tinyurl.com/MDNtickets

To learn more about Mainstreet, visit our website.

Forest Meadows Funeral Home is the proud title sponsor of StreetSmart.

Music courtesy Gainesville's Now Leaving Space.

Trailer — Introducing StreetSmart: Gainesville

Mainstreet Daily News — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:39:14 -0500

Mainstreet Daily News launches its new local podcast for Gainesville and Alachua County. Co-hosts Seth Johnson, Lillian Hamman and Nick Anschultz introduce StreetSmart: Gainesville and its goals for delivering locally-reported news every Monday.

To learn more about Mainstreet, visit our website.

Forest Meadows Funeral Home is the proud title sponsor of StreetSmart: Gainesville.

Music courtesy Gainesville's Now Leaving Space.