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HIGH SPRINGS – A small group of High Springs’ residents called the Friends of High Springs are inviting families to join them for three more weekends in December at the High Springs Civic Center, 19107 N.W. 240^th Street, to view the more than 8,000 lights and Christmas-related displays set up on the grounds.

Families are invited to visit the Grinch at Whoville and meet Cindy Lou Who from 6 – 9 p.m. on Dec. 10, 16, 17 and 23. This is a free event with free hot chocolate and cookies for visitors. All are invited.

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HIGH SPRINGS, FLA. – Just after 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, High Springs firefighters were dispatched to the area of N.W. 142^nd Avenue and NW 268^th Street, in High Springs’ Oak Meadows neighborhood for a reported brush fire.

Upon arrival, High Springs Engine 29 reported a one-acre, fast-moving brush fire with multiple structures threatened. Fighting a southerly wind, blowing the fire north toward a mobile home, Engine 29 set up structural protection, to prevent the fire from consuming the home, while Brush 29 worked the main grass fire. Additional resources from the Newberry Fire Department and Alachua County Fire Rescue were requested to aid in the blaze.

Thanks to the quick efforts of firefighters, the fire was stopped less than ten feet from a mobile home, saving the structure and its two housebound residents. The cause of the fire is believed to have come from a legally sized outdoor burn pile that spread beyond the fire pit.

The High Springs Fire Department reminds you to exercise extreme caution when burning outside. Pay attention to weather conditions and have a water source nearby. Burn piles must be 8 feet in diameter or less, 25 feet from your home, 25 feet from any wildlands or brush, 50 feet from a public road, and 150 feet from other occupied buildings. To learn more about burning outdoors in Florida, visit FloridaForestService.com

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Updated: 12/11/2023 2:40PM

GAINESVILLE, FL - A release issued by Alachua County Public Schools announced information received Dec. 11, 2023, from the Florida Department of Education.

A majority of the local elementary schools currently in ‘School Improvement’ or SI/turnaround status boosted their grades this year, according to a report released this morning by the Florida Department of Education.

Alachua (D to a C), Idylwild (D to a C), Terwilliger (D to a C) and Lake Forest (F to a D) elementary schools all increased their grades under the state’s revised accountability system, which this year was based on new tests and new cut scores for those tests. In fact, the state is referring to this year’s grades as ‘informational baseline’ grades.

Two other SI schools (Shell and Rawlings) maintained their grades, while Metcalfe fell from a D to an F. However, that grade will not affect Metcalfe’s current SI status.

Because of the testing changes, the new grading system for this year does not reflect student gains (changes from year to year), which are typically a significant element of school grades.

“No negative consequences shall result from these grades, as they are purely informational” said the state’s senior chancellor of the Florida Department of Education Adam Miller in an email to Florida’s superintendents. “However, a school may receive the benefits of these grades, in terms of qualifying for School Recognition and/or exiting turnaround status.” (Schools qualify for School Recognition by increasing their overall grade or maintaining an A grade.)

Alachua, Idylwild and Terwilliger will all move out of SI status as a result of the new grades, while Lake Forest will have an opportunity to move out based on its 2024 grade.

“It’s important to recognize the hard work and commitment of school leaders, faculty, staff, families, district personnel, our community partners and everyone involved in our schools,’ said Superintendent Shane Andrew. “This was a team effort, and we look forward to continued improvement at all our schools.”

Overall, 11 ACPS schools boosted their grades this year, four dropped and 20 remained the same, with 22 earning either an A or B grade. The district’s overall informational baseline grade for 2023 is a B.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. - City of Gainesville officials anticipate severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit during evening hours Sunday, Dec. 10-Monday, Dec. 11. The anticipated temperatures will lead to the activation of the city's Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F. The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.

 St. Francis House and GRACE Marketplace at the Empowerment Center will provide Cold Night Shelter services to people in need of shelter as long as overnight temperatures remain below 45 F. The CNS program providers serve additional persons in need of shelter so that families and individuals desiring shelter will have a warm place to stay. St. Francis House provides temporary shelter that is appropriate for families, women and children. GRACE Marketplace primarily serves individual adults.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Farm Share, Florida’s leading food nonprofit and the state’s largest food bank, is distributing food to food-insecure Floridians in the Gainesville area. Recipients will receive fresh produce and non-perishable canned goods. Distributions are drive-thru only to minimize contact and to help ensure the safety of all parties. Attendees must arrive in a vehicle with a trunk or cargo bed.

With more than 3.9 million families suffering from food insecurity throughout Florida, Farm Share meets the everyday hunger needs of Floridians by working hand-in-hand with local farmers to recover and redistribute produce that would otherwise be thrown away due to aesthetic imperfections. 

Farm Share also distributes food to the community through its network of soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters, churches, and senior centers across Florida free of charge. To find a food pantry near you, please visit www.farmshare.org/food-pantries.

Please find more information about this week’s events in your area below.

Event: Project Youthbuild Free Food Distribution

Date: Friday, December 15, 2023

Time: 9:00 a.m. until supplies last 

Location: 635 NW 6th St, Gainesville, FL 32601

Event: Gilchrist Prevention Free Food Distribution

Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023

Time: 9:00 a.m. until supplies last 

Location: Trenton Elementary School, 1350 FL-26, Trenton, FL 32693

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