A Hawthorne family’s pet pig named Gemma disappeared Thursday morning and was later found to have been slaughtered, with the family receiving back only partial remains. Owner Coty Mulkey said someone contacted her to say the animal had been killed and disposed of, suggesting Gemma was butchered over the Memorial Day weekend. The pig had been with the family for nearly a decade and was described as highly sociable and trained to perform simple commands.
Sources: WCJB TV20
National Vacuum, a Gainesville fixture since 1977, has taken down the vintage Cadillacs that had long served as the store’s most recognizable landmark, prompting widespread notice and online speculation from residents. The classic cars traced their origins to the store’s late founder, Bob Derochemont, who originally used a 1959 Cadillac to sell vacuums door-to-door and later left it parked outside the shop because it was too large for his garage. Over the years, the car — and eventually a second classic vehicle — became an unofficial community landmark tied to the store’s identity.
Sources: WCJB TV20
Gainesville residents gathered to observe Emancipation Day, commemorating the end of slavery and honoring the history of Black freedom in America. The event reflected community commitment to preserving and sharing the historical significance of emancipation with a broad audience.
Sources: The Independent Florida Alligator
