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View all postsC.J. Gish is the senior editor for Mainstreet Daily News. He is a Pacific Northwest transplant who grew up in Oregon and moved to Florida in 2018. C.J. has spent more than 30 years in media, public relations and marketing, including stints as a newspaper reporter, working at two TV stations (FOX and ABC) in Boise, and as a media specialist for Eastern Oregon University. C.J. enjoys sports, especially the NFL and NBA, and is the father to three amazing adult children.
Send story ideas to editor@mainstreetdailynews.com
Area COVID hospitalizations start slowing
Jan 13, 2022
Area COVID-positive patients have more than doubled since last week, but hospital officials report admittance rates are finally slowing and may plateau soon. According to a […]
Hoggetowne Medieval Faire returns
Jan 13, 2022
The 35th annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire returns in person for three straight weekends and at a new venue starting this Saturday. The City of Gainesville’s longtime […]
Area hospitals experience COVID patient upswing
Jan 4, 2022
Gainesville hospitals are seeing a new surge in COVID-19 positive patients as the highly transmissible omicron variant continues to spread. In the Florida Department of Health’s […]
ACPS releases updated COVID safety protocols
Jan 3, 2022
Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) sent updated COVID safety protocols to school families as staff and students prepare for classes to resume on Tuesday. The recent […]
Top 20 most-viewed stories of 2021
Dec 30, 2021
Following our theme of top 2021 stories, today’s list features Mainstreet’s most-viewed stories, as recorded by Google Analytics. Unlike the top local news stories that we […]
Search underway for missing boaters
Dec 30, 2021
A multi-agency search is underway for two men who went missing after a partially submerged boat was discovered seven miles offshore near Cedar Key on Wednesday […]
Mainstreet’s top 2021 feature stories
Dec 29, 2021
With 2021 winding to a close, the Mainstreet Daily News staff selected what we consider the top feature stories of the year. Covering nine counties, there’s […]
ACSO investigating teen shooting at Harbor Cove
Dec 27, 2021
Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies are investigating a shooting at Harbor Cove Apartments that left one teenager injured Monday afternoon. According to ACSO spokesperson Capt. […]
UF expert tackles youth mental health
Dec 23, 2021
A recent U.S. Surgeon General’s report on youth mental health in America revealed depression and anxiety symptoms doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview with […]
North Florida braces for new COVID surge
Dec 20, 2021
Local COVID-19 cases started rising last week, leading local health officials to believe another pandemic wave may be developing. According to UF Health Shands CEO Ed […]
ACSO: Man kills self as deputies serve warrants
Dec 17, 2021
A Gainesville man shot and killed himself after Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies attempted to serve two active warrants Friday morning at the Oaks Condominiums. […]
Q&A on Christmas tree maintenance
Dec 15, 2021
Making sure a Christmas tree doesn’t become an unsightly fire hazard before Dec. 25 is a yearly challenge, so knowing how to maintain one of your […]
ACSO, GPD continue to probe school bomb threats
Dec 14, 2021
Local law enforcement continues to investigate three open false bomb threat cases at Buchholz and Gainesville high schools that occurred in September. From Aug. 19 through […]
St. Thomas Aquinas ends Buchholz’s playoff run
Dec 3, 2021
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) controlled the action to earn a 45-7 win against Gainesville Buchholz in a Class 7A state semifinal matchup. The Raiders’ offense took […]
Madison County shuts out Chiefland
Dec 3, 2021
Chiefland’s playoff run came to an end Friday when the Indians fell to visiting Madison County 37-0 in the Class 1A state semifinals. The past two […]
Listen LIVE to Hawthorne in the state semifinals
Dec 3, 2021
The Hawthorne Hornets are one game away from returning to the Class 1A state championship. Only a Friday night matchup with the Chipley Tigers stands in […]
Buchholz will need 4-quarter effort to advance
Dec 2, 2021
The Buchholz Bobcats have methodically ended their first three home playoff games in the first half, but Friday’s Class 7A state semifinal football contest will require […]
GNV voter registration deadline set for Dec. 27
Dec 2, 2021
The voter registration deadline for the upcoming City of Gainesville’s special runoff election is Monday, Dec. 27. The runoff election will take place on Jan. 25 […]
ACSO investigation clears staff in baby’s death
Nov 30, 2021
An internal investigation has cleared Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) staff in the death of a baby born at the county jail in August. The ACSO […]
SF Zoo continues animal COVID protection
Nov 27, 2021
Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo continues to provide COVID safety protocols while other zoos nationwide have suffered losses among their population. In recent weeks, three snow […]
Chiefland edges undefeated Union County
Nov 26, 2021
Chiefland took advantage of three first-half Union County (Lake Butler) fumbles and three Clint Thomas touchdowns en route to a 29-27 home in the 1A-Region 3 […]
Listen to Hawthorne in regional final action
Nov 26, 2021
Friday’s Game of the Week features two Class 1A football powerhouses when third-ranked Pahokee travels to top-ranked Hawthorne in the 1A-Region 4 final. The Hornets haven’t […]
10 things to do Thanksgiving weekend
Nov 25, 2021
If you’re looking for something to do after—or in lieu of—Black Friday shopping, here are 10 area events going on Thanksgiving weekend to check out (in […]
Chiefland outlasts Mayo Lafayette in overtime
Nov 19, 2021
One yard was all that separated Chiefland from victory and defeat in an overtime regional semifinal home 28-27 win Friday over Lafayette (Mayo). Following Chiefland’s 2-yard […]