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NEWBERRY ‒ During the recent Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board meeting, Newberry Senior Planner Uma Sarmistha unveiled a proposal for a mural program aimed at enhancing the downtown Newberry area. Sarmistha's presentation included slides showcasing several buildings that would serve as ideal canvases for murals, along with artist renderings that provided examples of potential artwork.

Sarmistha detailed a one-to-one grant opportunity and suggested the formation of an art advisory committee. This committee would be responsible for reviewing proposed mural artwork and making recommendations to the CRA Board and City Commission for final approval.

Board members unanimously supported Sarmistha’s proposal and agreed to apply for a one-to-one $5,000 Art Tag Program grant. They also approved the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to attract artists interested in contributing their artwork for the Board’s consideration.

In addition to the mural program, the CRA Board addressed budgetary matters. A resolution was passed to update the CRA Board’s 2023-24 fiscal year budget. The approved changes included adjustments to align with actual revenues received, accommodating a prior employee’s leave balance payout, and transferring funds to the capital improvement fund earmarked for repaving the municipal building parking lot.

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GAINESVILLE - During his 38-year tenure with UF/IFAS Extension, Fuller’s profound impact ranged from pioneering innovative programs to fostering leadership and citizenship among the state’s youth. Throughout his career, Fuller was instrumental in building one of the largest 4-H camping programs in Florida. His innovative initiatives, such as the marine ecology program engaging Levy County third graders on the “4-H boat” and introducing “I Can We Can” challenge programs to Florida 4-H, have enriched countless young lives. 

Fuller’s legacy epitomizes the core values of 4-H through his extensive leadership in agriculture and youth development spanning over four decades. Beyond his career with Extension, his commitment to community service includes chairing the City of Otter Creek Planning and Zoning Council and leading a community garden in Williston, which reflects an unwavering dedication to fostering positive change. He continues to mentor and educate minority landowners across several counties, emphasizing income generation and landowner assistance programs.  

“My initial impressions of Albert were of a remarkable presence. He possesses unparalleled wisdom and has a remarkable ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Florida 4-H Program Leader Stacey Ellison.  

Florida 4-H Hall of Fame induction will be held Aug. 1 at the University of Florida J. Wayne Reitz Union in Gainesville. For more information or to attend, please see the event website, FL4HHOF24.eventbrite.com.

Honorees join the host of exceptional individuals inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame, which was started in 2002 to honor alumni, volunteers, professionals and community leaders. These members exemplify excellence in citizenship, leadership, career and character.

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• $10: adults
• $6: children ages 4-12, Seniors (60+), Active Military and Veterans, Teachers, Police, Firefighters, First Responders, EMT/EMS, Healthcare Workers (all with valid ID), UF students and staff with current Gator1 ID
• $3: Electronics Benefits Transfer recipients (up to 4 total tickets with card, any combination of adults/children)
• Free: Children (3 and under), SF Students, Staff, and Retirees (with current SFID), and Zoo Members

GAINESVILLE - under an agreement between Alachua County Public Schools and the Alachua County Education Association, which represents most district employees, early release Wednesdays will be limited to the third Wednesday of each month for the 2024-25 school year.

In March 2025, the early release Wednesday will be on the fourth Wednesday, March 26, so that it does not conflict with Spring Break.

The change will apply to all elementary schools in the district, plus all students at High Springs Community School, A. Quinn Jones School and Sidney Lanier School, which also follow the early release schedule. It will also affect the newly-reopened Duval Early Learning Academy for prekindergarten students.

Under the previous schedule, students at the affected schools left school 68 minutes early every Wednesday. That time was set aside for teacher planning, meetings and other activities.

The change will add approximately six days of instructional time to the school year. Teachers will have planning time on regular Wednesdays while their students are in other classes.

“We appreciate ACEA’s willingness to work with us on this change,” said Superintendent Shane Andrew. “It will give our students much more direct instructional time, which is critical to raising their academic achievement.”

A full schedule of start and dismissal times for the upcoming school year, including early release Wednesdays, is available at https://www.sbac.edu/schoolhours.

Families have been notified through email and phone of the change. They have also received texts if they’ve opted in to the district’s texting notification system.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- This week, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) issued a warning to drivers with Florida license plates that have been airbrushed, vinyl-wrapped, or customized. Such alterations violate the legal tag requirements under Florida law for reflectivity and safety enhancements and can potentially impact the yellow validation stickers. Driving on a public roadway with these altered plates displayed is against the law and violates Section 320.061, Florida Statutes, which prohibits the unlawful altering of a Florida License Plate.

Tag alterations like these are frequently found in communities across Florida, and the FHP is being proactive in raising awareness of the law. This is to ensure that individuals who may not realize they are breaking the law by altering their tags are informed.

Since 2020, citations for unlawful alteration of a Florida license plate have increased over 98%. The citation is classified as a moving violation which includes a state fine of $60, three points on your license and then an accompanying fee set by the county in which the citation was issued.

If you have altered your Florida tag and cannot return it to its original condition, you will need to get a replacement Florida license plate from your local tax collector. Troopers encountering altered tags can seize the tag requiring the owner to apply for a new license plate.

Florida offers more than 100 specialty license plates for various organizations, with the proceeds from the sales going directly to support the causes they represent. Additionally, personalized license plates can be ordered in person at a motor vehicle service center.

For more information about specialty and personalized license plates visit:  Personalized and Specialty License Plates - Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov).

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TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds boaters and divers to practice safe boating and diving habits by maintaining 360-degree awareness and adhering to all divers-down flag regulations.   

Divers-down flags and buoys are crucial warning devices used by divers and dive vessels to signal the presence of divers in the water. These devices must feature a divers-down symbol — a red rectangle or square with a white diagonal stripe — and must be prominently displayed whenever divers are wholly or partially submerged and using a face mask, snorkel or underwater breathing apparatus.

"When navigating near a divers-down flag, boaters must operate at idle speed within 300 feet in open water or within 100 feet on rivers, inlets or navigational channels," said Maj. Bill Holcomb, FWC Boating and Waterways Section Leader. “And divers need to stay within 300 feet of their properly displayed flags on open water and 100 feet on rivers, inlets or navigational channels.”

The divers-down symbol must measure at least 12 x 12 inches when displayed from the water, and at least 20 x 24 inches when displayed from a vessel, positioned at the highest point to maximize visibility. Flags must be constructed to remain fully unfurled, even in calm conditions, while buoys must display the symbol on each of their flat sides.

“In the summertime there is a lot going on out there and these regulations are important for divers to remember whether they are diving for scallops in north Florida, lobster in south Florida or recreationally throughout the state,” said Col. Brian Smith, Director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement. “Vessel operators should be aware of what is going on around them at all times and be on the lookout for divers-down flags nearby. It’s also good to remember to take the dive flag down and wear a life jacket while underway. This is not just responsible boating and ensuring the safety of divers and the boating public - it’s also the law.”

Every year, the FWC responds to incidents where a diver was struck, injured or killed by a vessel. Working together, vessel operators and divers can each play a part in preventing tragedy on the water this summer.

For more information, visit MyFWC.com/boating, click on “Boating Regulations,” and select “Divers-down Warning Devices.”

Boating violations may be reported anonymously to the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or text 847411 (Tip411) with keyword "FWC" and information about the location and violation.

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