Community Corner
🌱 How to get around Gainesville without a car this semester
Be sure to catch Gainesville Totally Rad Vintage Fest on the Gainesville Patch calendar
Coffee in hand, Gainesville? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How to get around Gainesville without a car this semester
- How new alert badges aim to speed emergency response in local schools
- Meet the Gainesville blacksmith shaping metal—and public spaces—around town
Also on today's calendar: Alberto Lombardi and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: Where is the worst place to hide in a hospital ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near Gainesville. 
- Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 94 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 95, low: 73.
- Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 96 and low of 74 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. A student's guide to navigating Gainesville without a car - The Independent Florida Alligator (alligator.org) — New and returning UF students without cars can still navigate Gainesville easily using scooters, bikes, RTS buses and campus shuttles. This guide breaks down local scooter rentals, bike costs, bus schedules, helpful transit apps and UF's nighttime SNAP service so you can choose the option that best fits your budget, schedule and safety needs. 
2. Alachua County schools deploy wearable alert devices for staff (wcjb.com) — Alachua County Public Schools, based in Gainesville, are rolling out new wearable Raptor alert badges so trained staff can quickly notify administrators and law enforcement during emergencies. The small devices, worn on lanyards, trigger a response when pressed three times. District officials say all employees will be trained, adding another layer of protection for students and staff on local campuses.
3. Gainesville blacksmith explains craft, history and her own passion (wuft.org) — A Gainesville-based blacksmith and artist, Leslie Tharp, is forging contemporary metal sculptures using tools like an induction forge and a self-built CNC plasma cutter. After discovering the craft post-UF graduation, she's installed pieces in public spaces around the city, blending traditional techniques with modern technology to shape Gainesville's visual landscape.
4. Mainstreet's Johnson, Hamman to wed (mainstreetdailynews.com) — Two familiar Mainstreet reporters, Seth Johnson and Lillian Hamman, are officially engaged after a proposal at UF's Natural Area Teaching Laboratory in Gainesville. Their relationship grew through shared reporting, Gainesville trails and landmarks, and long conversations after Hamman moved from North Carolina to join the newsroom. Readers may recognize their bylines from covering local meetings, parks, and everyday community life.
📸 Around Gainesville
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Gainesville
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Gainesville Totally Rad Vintage Fest →
Stephen C. O'Connell Center, 250 Gale Lemerand Dr, Gainesville
10:00 am
Saturday August 22
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Florida Gators Soccer at UCF
University of Florida Athletics Orlando, FL
7:00 pm - Florida Gators Volleyball vs Gators vs. Gator Greats
University of Florida Athletics Stephen C. O'Connell Center
2:00 pm - Florida Gators Soccer vs Coastal Carolina
University of Florida Athletics Gainesville, FL, Donald R. Dizney Stadium
6:30 pm - Florida Gators Soccer vs Florida State
University of Florida Athletics Gainesville, FL, Donald R. Dizney Stadium
2:00 pm - Finding Unheard Voices in Public Records and Documents →
Writers Alliance of Gainesville Millhopper Library, Meeting Room A, 3145 NW 43rd St,, Gainesville, FL, 32606, United States
2:30 pm - Alberto Lombardi →
Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S Main St, Gainesville
6:00 pm - Maddy Smith →
The Wooly, 20 N Main St, Gainesville
8:00 pm
Thursday August 13
Sunday August 16
Thursday August 20
Sunday August 23
Wednesday September 9
📣 Gainesville Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Community Resource Navigator
Alachua Branch Library Alachua Branch - Learning Center
11:00 am - Alachua Crafts: Acrylic Paint Pouring for Beginners
Alachua Branch Library Alachua Branch - Meeting Room
2:00 pm - ArtSpace: Cricut Pencil Pouches
Waldo Branch Library Waldo Branch - ARTspace
4:00 pm - Archer Scavenger Hunt
Archer Branch Library Archer Branch -
Thursday August 13
Friday August 14
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
Munchkin was LOST on August 5, 2026 in Gainesville, FL 32601 near PK Yonge school, by the "Helix" footbridge across from Sorority Row around Archer… (Nextdoor NE Gainesville) - Had a nice herd of about 14 deer come through the property this evening.
We see them almost every day, but never this many at once. Love nature! (Nextdoor Spring Forest)
- Extended Stay America, Inc. posted a job opening for Housekeeper Part Time-101020 in Gainesville. Apply here.
- University of Florida posted a job opening for Warehouse/Stores Assistant in Gainesville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Gainesville here.
Ok Gainesville! 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: In the ICU (Thank you Donna M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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