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ALACHUA ‒ With City of Alachua approval, 246 residential homes east of Northwest 188^th Street are closer to reality. The Alachua City Commission on Dec. 11, 2023 approved a preliminary plat/final Planned Development (PD) plan for Farmlands Subdivision. The 172-acre property is proposed to be developed in three phases into 246 single-family lots with associated common areas and road right-of-way.

The property is located south of U.S. Highway 441, east of Northwest 188^th Street, and west of the Santa Fe Ford dealership. There will be two vehicular access points off U.S. Highway 441 and one gated emergency access on Northwest 188^th Street. The Planning and Zoning Board at its November meeting recommended approval to the City Commission.

In other business, the Alachua City Commission pronounced Dec. 18 as Matthew Lewey Day. Born in Alachua/Newnansville on Dec. 18, 1848, Lewey served as a mayor, editor, postmaster, Justice of the Peace, and State legislator. This year marks the 175th anniversary of his birth. Alachua County Commissioner Chuck Chestnut, an ancestor of Lewey, was present to receive the proclamation from the Alachua City Commission recognizing Lewey for his many accomplishments.

The Alachua Commission chamber was standing room only as parents and friends of Alachua Learning Academy students came to witness gayly dressed younger students from the school present a rousing musical presentation featuring “Stand by Me” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. With a nod to the holiday season, lines from familiar Christmas songs were incorporated into their performance. Each youngster received a certificate from the Alachua City Commission to commemorate their performance at City Hall.”

In a related matter, students from the Bhaktivedanta Academy were presented art certificates for their artwork which is on display in the foyer of City Hall.

In other business, the Commission approved amending the City of Alachua Land Development Regulations regarding infrastructure plan standards; subdivision standards; specific purposes of residential districts; use-specific standards for residential uses; purpose of tree mitigation standards; tree planting, relocation, replacement, credit, and banking standards; permanent signage within residential and agricultural districts; posting of surety devices for public improvements; and subdivider responsibility for maintenance of improvements. The Planning and Zoning Board at its November meeting recommended approval to the City Commission.

The Commission also approved the purchase of a new vacuum/industrial tank trunk from National Truck Center at a cost of $144,400 with a transport option of $1,200. The Public Services Department, Wastewater Division approved budget included the purchase of a vacuum/industrial tank truck not to exceed $150,000. National Truck Center was the low bidder on the purchase.

The Commission also approved an agreement with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office for proposed Mutual Aid Agreement - Combined Operational Assistance and Voluntary Cooperation between the Alachua County Sheriff and the City of Alachua. The term for the agreement extends to Jan. 7, 2025, and permits voluntary cooperation and assistance of a routine law enforcement nature across jurisdictional lines and rendering of assistance in a law enforcement emergency. The Commission approved a Voluntary Cooperation Mutual Aid Agreement for Traffic Control between the Alachua County Sheriff and the City of Alachua. The term for this proposed agreement will extend through Jan. 27, 2025, and provides for Alachua Police Department officers to enforce Florida traffic laws and conduct crash investigations on specified roadways located outside the City's corporate boundaries, but still within Alachua County

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Chamber of Commerce held their 2023 Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 9 in downtown High Springs. Not only did High Springs businesses and organizations join in the fun, but also parade participants from the City of Alachua’s Christmas Parade, held earlier in the day, joined in with High Springs to help them celebrate.

As is tradition, the High Springs Fire Department was happy to have Santa ride in the parade aboard a fire truck. This year, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Happy Elf rode atop the High Springs Fire Department’s (HSFD’s) new Heavy Rescue truck.

For those residents unable to make the parade, the City fire department utilized its Facebook page to live stream the parade with “Santa Cam” from the top of Heavy Rescue (HR) 29, the Fire Department’s newest apparatus. Placed into service in March of this year, HR29 is the most advanced and capable unit the department has ever had. “The investment in this truck further demonstrates the City of High Springs’ commitment to public safety,” said High Springs Public Information Officer Kevin Mangan.

Hundreds of families lined the streets to watch this year’s parade and enjoy a visit with Santa Claus at the end of the parade.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. ‒ Alachua County Public Schools is seeking help from the local community to feed hungry children over the holidays.

The district is holding its annual Holiday Food Drive, which provided boxes of food for about 900 families last year. Organizers are seeking donations of food items or money so that the families of hundreds of children who receive free and reduced-price meals at school will have enough to eat during the Winter Break.

“Many families are dependent on school meals to feed their children every weekday,” said food drive organizer Kelley Kostamo. “Unfortunately, that means they have a hard time making up for the loss of those meals during school holidays and breaks.”

A specific list of the food items needed for each box is available on the district’s website at www.sbac.edu/foodbox. The district’s goal is to provide all families with similar items, including enough food for regular meals during the break and a holiday meal.

Donations of food can be dropped off at Lincoln Middle School a 1001 S.E. 12^th Street between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at Littlewood Elementary School at 812 N.W. 34^th Street between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and at the District Office at 620 E. University Avenue from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Arrangements can also be made for donations to be picked up by emailing Kostamo at kostamkb@gm.sbac.edu or calling 352-955-7250, ext. 6411.

The district is also using monetary donations to purchase food. Such donations can be made online at The Education Foundation of Alachua County website at edfoundationac.org. Just click on the Donate button and designate ‘Emergency Food/Food Baskets’ on the drop-drown menu.

The deadline for food donations is Dec. 14. The deadline for monetary contributions is Dec. 15. Food boxes will be delivered to schools Dec. 18 for distribution before the Winter Break.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The City of Newberry has announced the opening of the new Safe Haven Baby Box at Newberry Fire Station, located at 310 N.W. 250^th Street.

“This significant event underscores the Newberry community's dedication to the welfare and safety of our most vulnerable members,” said Mayor Jordan Marlowe.

In a press release, the City’s wrote that the Baby Box was due to “the profound generosity of our community, including a critical $10,000 donation from Jordan Fairfield and proceeds from ‘Newberry- Small Town, Big Heart’ T-shirt sales.”

The Baby Box installed in Newberry is Florida’s second and the 185th in the United States. This initiative offers a safe, anonymous way for parents in crisis to surrender their newborns in a secure, warm and medically-equipped setting. Equipped with three silent alarms, the Baby Box ensures that any surrendered infant will receive immediate attention and be promptly taken to a hospital for medical evaluation. Families prepared for foster care with the intention to adopt will be able to provide a home for these infants within 30 - 45 days.

The concept of the Baby Box in Newberry was inspired by a similar instance in Ocala. Assistant Director of Finance & Administration Amanda Hagan, moved by the story of a baby girl surrendered at the Ocala Safe Haven Baby Box, proposed the idea to Fire Chief Vogel, who wholeheartedly supported adding the facility to the Newberry Fire Station. Vogel said, “We hope we never have to use it, but if we do, well done Newberry.”

Mayor Marlowe added, “The Safe Haven Baby Box installation is a testament to our citizens' collective goodwill and compassion. Newberry is a community that consistently comes together in times of need.”

For further information about Safe Haven Baby Boxes, visit https://shbb.org/.

In the event of a crisis or for 24/7 assistance, The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides a confidential hotline for pregnant and new moms at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). TTY users can dial 711 and then 1-833-852-6262 to access the service.

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