Community Corner

🌱 What East Gainesville school closures mean for Alachua County families now

Coming up on the Alachua Patch calendar: Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones with Dr Jules'...

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Tuesday September 15th Patch AM
Tuesday September 15th Patch AM (Deborah J.)

Hello again Alachua! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What East Gainesville school closures mean for Alachua County families now
  • How Alachua County gas prices stack up against the rest of Florida
  • Why a national lake group just honored your Alachua commissioner

Also on today's calendar: WACKY Wednesdays and 7 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Deborah J.!

Today's riddle: What has a tail, but no body? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, with a high of 90 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Wednesday: Breezy with clouds and sun, temps: high: 90, low: 70.
  • Thursday: Heavy afternoon thunderstorms, with a high of 88 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. East Gainesville schools continue to face severe underenrollment - The Independent Florida Alligator (alligator.org) — Families in Alachua County are grappling with school closures and deep underenrollment at several East Gainesville campuses, including the recent shutdown of Foster Elementary and planned closures of Alachua and Williams elementaries. District leaders say they're redirecting money into buses, magnet programs, grants, and teacher bonuses, while parents and experts warn that long-standing inequities and shifting demographics still leave Eastside students at a disadvantage.
   

2. Regular gas at $3.77 per gallon in Alachua County in week ending Sept. 5 (ncfloridanews.com) — Drivers in Alachua County are paying as little as $3.77 per gallon for regular gas, with countywide prices averaging $3.96 in the week ending Sept. 5. That's slightly higher than the Florida average and reflects broader 2026 fuel price spikes tied to global oil disruptions and refinery outages. Prices can still change quickly, even within a day.
   

3. Alachua County Commissioner Anna Prizzia receives Bob Graham Award (alachuachronicle.com) — Alachua County residents may be interested to know Commissioner Anna Prizzia has been honored with the statewide Bob Graham Award for her work protecting local lakes and waterways. The recognition highlights ongoing county efforts around water quality, responsible growth, and preserving Alachua County's natural resources that shape daily life and recreation here.
   

4. Online gun sales proposal raises safety, market concerns among Alachua dealers - The Independent Florida Alligator (alligator.org) — Alachua County gun dealers and local Democrats are raising concerns about a proposed federal rule that could let buyers complete background checks online and have guns shipped directly to them. Store owners worry losing face-to-face sales could harm safety and small businesses, while some residents fear private tech firms might gain too much control over gun licensing data.
   

5. Pedestrian dies after being hit by 2 semis on US 301 in Alachua County (coralspringsflnews.com) — A 37-year-old St. Petersburg man died late Sept. 11 after leaving his crashed vehicle and being struck by two semi-trucks on U.S. 301 in Alachua County, near Southeast 11th Avenue. Florida Highway Patrol reports neither truck driver was injured, and the man was pronounced dead just after midnight. Authorities have not reported additional contributing factors.
   

📸 Around Alachua

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📸 A Crocosmia lily from our yard. —Deborah J. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Alachua

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🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I started a flood of discussion about the plan to import foreign beef said to be less than desirable.
    Happy to say my local Publix label reads "Harvested in the USA" and "Fresh ground daily". (Nextdoor Briarwood)
  • Domino's Pizza posted a job opening for Delivery Driver (05151) - 15634 NW US Hwy 441,32615 in Alachua. Apply here.
  • Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for BOH daytime team member in Alachua. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Alachua here.

Ok Alachua! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Coin (Thank you John W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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