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ALACHUA ‒ Get ready for an unforgettable celebration of community spirit and fun at the Okito Tech City Fun Fest. Okito America has partnered with San Felasco Tech City and Fun 4 Gator Kids to bring a day full of vendors, rides, food, raffles, and more to the city of Alachua!

On Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Okito Tech City Fun Fest promises thrilling activities free for the whole family. This festival is designed to bring the community together for a day of fun and camaraderie, with over 75 vendors, music, delectable food options, interactive games, and raffles, including a $1,000 scholarship for school supplies for one lucky teacher.

Featuring over 75 vendors, businesses from all over Alachua County will be out to celebrate with free activities for kids. And teachers from all over Alachua County will have the opportunity to participate in a raffle for a $1,000 scholarship. Restaurants, food trucks, and vendors will be out with delicious food options. Engage in interactive games and activities: designed for participants of all ages, from carnival games to workshops. And complete a scavenger hunt to be eligible for prizes from vendors.

Okito Tech City Fun Fest is not just an event; it's an experience that celebrates the spirit of togetherness, creativity, and the vibrant culture of Alachua County. Bring your friends and family to join in the fun!

Those interested in being a vendor can go to www.tinyurl.com/OkitoFunFest to register. Registration is free with the donation of a raffle prize or for those providing free activities for kids.

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ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ The voter registration and party affiliation change deadline for the 2024 Presidential Preference Primary Election is Feb. 20, 2024. This deadline is now two weeks away.

Florida is a closed primary election state, meaning that only voters registered with a political party can vote for that party's candidates in partisan races.

Only registered Republican voters will have a contest to vote on in the March 19 Presidential Preference Primary.

All registered voters, regardless of party, will be eligible to vote for President and Vice President in the November General Election.

Election Day for the Presidential Primary Election is March 19, 2024. Any individual who would like to participate in the Presidential Preference Primary Election must be registered to vote by Feb. 20, 2024.

Additionally, any voter who wishes to change their party affiliation must do so by the Feb. 20 deadline for the change to take effect for this election.

If you are not yet registered to vote or need to update your voter registration record, there are numerous ways to do so:

• Online: Florida residents can register to vote online. The online voter registration portal — found at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov — is a safe and secure option for voter registration. You will need a valid Florida State ID (Florida Driver's License number/Florida ID Card number) and the last four digits of your social security number.
• In person: The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections office, which is located at 515 N. Main Street, Gainesville on the third floor, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Voter registration forms can also be completed and turned in at any Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office or any Alachua County Public Library.
• By mail: Forms are available online at VoteAlachua.gov. Completed forms must be received by the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office before 5 p.m. on the Feb. 20 deadline.

Already registered voters are encouraged to verify and update their voter registration status. This can be done at https://www.votealachua.gov/My-Registration-Status, by calling 352-374-5252, or by visiting the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections office in person. Voters are encouraged to make any changes to their voter registration in advance of election day as changes could impact a voter's assigned polling place.

For more information on registering to vote or making changes to your party affiliation status, contact the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office at 352-374-5252. 

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ALACHUA ‒ The storefronts along Alachua’s Main Street have undergone a bit of turnover in recent months, with more changes still expected. Some of the changes include the opening of new ventures and the closure or relocation of others.

Soon-to-open at 14906 Main Street, Alachua, just two doors south of Conestogas restaurant and immediately south of Kelly’s Kreations Gifts and Flowers is The Seed, also known as The Mustard Seed Collection. The company touts “antiques, paints and things.” The shop is relocating from its existing location in Ocala, Fla., where it specializes in a variety of unique gifts certain to meet the needs of any season and any special occasion. The company also has a robust online presence, including a vast online store featuring many of its wares. The Seed also sells Annie Sloan products, a popular supplier of furniture paints. Owners of the shop had initially hoped to open their doors in Alachua by Feb. 1, but due to unforeseen delays, the new soft opening is set for Feb. 20.

Also, soon-to-open is Good Life Station, Smart City Café, located across from Main Street Sweets, the unique concept promises to deliver an engaging, technologically rich experience for visitors while also offering food served up by talented local chefs and bakers. Located at 14933 Main Street, Alachua, the cutting-edge concept occupies the former space of the now-closed Main Street Pie. Located adjacent to Good Life Station is Pink Threads Boutique at 14925 Main Street. Pink Threads Boutique opened in spring 2023 and sells fashionable apparel and accessories. The boutique caters to women but also sells a variety of apparel for men as well.

The newest addition of food offerings on Main Street comes from Codfathers Seafood at the corner of Main Street and Northwest 148^th Terrace. Specializing in seafood, Codfathers has a little something to satisfy a range of palates. Codfathers opened at the beginning of 2024 and is still filling out its menu items to meet local tastes.

Located across Main Street from Codfathers is Mother Lode on Main, a retail shop selling new items at discounted prices. Specializing in gifts, baby and child goods as well as home goods, Mother Lode on Main turns over a steady supply of new items, including dinnerware, toys, bags, small appliances, outdoor furniture, as well as some clothing and footwear, in addition to much more.

At the top of Main Street is Alachua Animal Hospital, a veterinary clinic that began its operations in 2021 and occupies the space that once served as Alachua’s public library, next to Skinner Park.

A bed and breakfast located in the Queen Anne-style Pierce-Bishop House at 14713 Main Street is reportedly also open for business.

While Alachua’s Main Street is seeing new life, it has seen the closure or relocation of several other businesses. Tony and Al’s Italian restaurant was reported to be closing as early as Monday, Feb. 5, though the restaurant appeared to be operating as of Tuesday, Feb. 6, while posts on social media made repeated last calls for the eatery in recent days.

Meanwhile, Harvest Thyme Café is slated to relocate to its new building in San Felasco Tech City. Construction on the new restaurant space was originally expected to be complete in February, though there have been delays. The café is expected to continue operating out of its Main Street location until it relocates to this new facility, closing its current location at 14816 Main Street.

Similarly, Better Beginnings, which was located at 14822 Main Street has already relocated to new space in San Felasco Tech City. Better Beginnings offers outpatient mental health needs, including an intensive mother/baby day program. South of the railroad crossing on Main Street, D & K rebuilders, an automotive shop, shuttered its doors in recent months.

Some of the anchor businesses on Alachua Main Street remain. Conestogas Restaurant, Bev’s Better Burgers, Lee’s Hair Boutique, Alachua Farm and Lumber, and Alachua County Today newspaper are the five longest existing businesses on Main Street, all operating for more than two decades.

Other longtime businesses include Kelly’s Kreations Gifts and Flowers, Architect Paul Stresing Associates, Custom Lighting, Amira Builders, Music Junction, Alachua Health and Fitness, Valeries Loft, Teatime Tranquility and Treasures, Computer Doctor, Alachua Flowers and Tuxedo Rentals, and Michael Turner CPA.

Like many downtowns in transition, empty storefronts also present opportunities for new investments in an area ripe for entrepreneurs with a flair for vision and revitalization. Already in the works, the Cityof Alachua will soon roll out a strategic action plan to bring renewed vibrancy to the downtown area. While the plan won’t require starting from scratch as Main Street is already home to a number of businesses, and the area holds considerable charm, there are a number of undertakings essential to transform the area into a place people not only want to go to, but also an easier place to start and maintain a business.

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GAINESVILLE ‒ Justin Ray Crosby, 25, of Hawthorne was sentenced to 320 months imprisonment for one count of production of child pornography and 240 months imprisonment for one count of distribution of child pornography, the terms to run concurrent with each other. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Crimes against children are among the most heinous types of offenses and deserving of the most significant sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Those who produce child pornography facilitate the abuse of children and rob them of not only of their innocence but their very childhood. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and vigorously prosecute those who engage in such vile conduct.”

In July 2022, law enforcement officers in Gainesville began an investigation related to the distribution of an image depicting the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old minor child on an instant messaging app. Investigators determined the child resided in Gainesville. The child was interviewed and several social media accounts and electronic devices were obtained and examined, leading to Crosby’s identification. Investigators determined Crosby had met with the child on several occasions and in one instance he filmed himself engaged in sexual contact with the child. He later distributed the video on an instant messaging application.

Crosby’s prison sentence will be followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution to the victim. Crosby will also be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to all sex offender conditions.

The case was investigated by Internet Crime Against Children Task Force Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

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ALACHUA ‒ Although the City of Alachua’s Recreation and Culture Department has been busy hosting 399 Basketball practices and games, they are getting ready to jump into spring season.

Registrations are currently open for area youth in volleyball, soccer and softball. Registration for youth baseball just closed on Saturday, Feb. 3. Youth softball registrations end Feb. 14, Santa Fe Soccer Alliance soccer registrations end Feb. 24, and 399 Sports volleyball registrations end March 3.

For more information about soccer and volleyball, visit or email sfsocceralliance.com or 399sportsrecreation@gmail.com. For information on softball visit www.raidersofsantafe.com.

Weekly events with the City of Alachua’s Recreation and Culture Department include Zumba on Tuesdays from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in Room 1 at Legacy Multipurpose Center. Senior Bingo at the Hathcock Community Center is on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Zumba again on Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. in Room 1 at the Legacy Multipurpose Center. Dance About is back at Legacy Mondays at 4 p.m. for community children. Contact Legacy Park to find out how to sign up.

Upcoming events include Feb. 14 when the Alachua Recreation and Culture Department will be taking senior citizens to Lake City to eat at the Ole Times Country Buffet and to shop at the Lake City Mall. On Feb. 17 Legacy Park Multipurpose Center and the Hall Brady Complex will host the Santa Fe Bots Robotics Club. And on Feb. 22 Crafty Gemini will be hosting a Senior Arts and Crafts Activity at Hathcock Community Center from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Rounding out the month, on Feb. 29, Raider Classic High School Softball will be held at the Hal Brady Complex.

Finally, the City of Alachua’s Recreation and Culture Department gives a big shoutout to the Santa Fe Raiders Varsity Boys and Girls soccer programs. Both teams are heading to regionals after becoming 4A-D2 District Champions.

For more information about the City of Alachua Recreation and Culture Department, visit their Facebook page or drop by for a visit at the front desk at Legacy Park Multipurpose Center. Join the community and volunteer or just come and spend some time with the City of Alachua Parks and Recreation Department

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NEWBERRY ‒ The City of Newberry's Finance and Administration Department has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This accolade, presented by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, recognizes the Department's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022.

The City’s annual comprehensive financial report underwent evaluation by an impartial panel, which confirmed its adherence to the program's rigorous standards. These include a constructive “spirit of disclosure” to communicate the City's financial narrative clearly, encouraging engagement and comprehension among various users and user groups.

This marks the City’s fifth receipt of this prestigious award, an honor achieved by fewer than five percent of government entities.

“The successful preparation of our financial report clearly reflects our team's unwavering commitment to financial integrity and excellence,” said Dallas Lee, Newberry Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer. “This accomplishment is not merely about meeting standards; it's about surpassing them to ensure the utmost clarity and accuracy in our financial reporting for our community.

“The collaborative efforts of our staff across all departments have been instrumental in achieving this standard of excellence. It's a collective endeavor that honors our commitment to ethical financial management and sets a benchmark for excellence in governmental accounting.”

The Certificate represents the pinnacle of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Attaining it is a significant achievement for the City, underscoring a commitment to transparency and clear disclosure in handling City funds.

“It is a tremendous honor for the City of Newberry to be recognized with this award once again,” said City Manager Mike New. “Recognition with this prestigious award for the fifth time is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our finance team. Their meticulous work, rooted in financial integrity and excellence, has been vital in maintaining the city's reputation for transparent and responsible financial management.

“This achievement is more than an award; it's a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to upholding the highest financial reporting and management standards. Congratulations to our finance team for once again demonstrating the exceptional skill and diligence that Newberry is known for.”

The Government Finance Officers Association initiated the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program in 1945. The program encourages state and local governments to exceed the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles. It focuses on preparing comprehensive annual financial reports that embody the spirit of transparency and full disclosure and recognizes governments that successfully fulfill these criteria.

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