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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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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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Update 12-21-2023

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Façade Improvement Grant Matching Program is now open and accepting applications until Jan. 31, 2024 at 5 p.m.

The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to stimulate private sector investment, beautification, economic growth, and job creation in the city by improving the appearance of commercial buildings within the CRA District.

To encourage and advance revitalization efforts, this program provides 50/50 reimbursement for eligible improvements up to $10,000. Applications will be reviewed and grants awarded by the CRA Board.

For requirements and an application, interested business owners should go to Facade Grant Information. Contact Amy Bohannon for more information or questions at 386-454-6225 or CRA@HighSprings.gov.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Dec. 20, 2023) – It’s a time for wrapping presents and decorating the home – inside and out – with lights, trees, wreaths and more.

 If you’ve brought down the lights from the attic, only to plug them in and find out they no longer work, don’t toss them in your recycle bin. Instead, the City of Gainesville’s Solid Waste division offers these helpful recycling tips:

• Drop off stringed holiday lights for recycling at the main entrance to the City’s Public Works building (405 NW 39th Ave.) through the end of January 2024.
• Holiday lights also may be recycled year-round at any Alachua County Rural Collection Centers.
• Other lights such as bubble lights, compact florescent bulbs (CFLs), florescent tubes, liquid-filled lights and neon lights, should be taken to the Alachua County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers for disposal.

 If you’ve decided to replace your artificial tree with a natural pine or fir this year, artificial trees can be disposed of curbside as part of the residential bulk collection program.

• Artificial trees taller than five feet in length should be broken down into smaller pieces before placing curbside for collection.
• To donate artificial trees in good condition, search the City’s Zero Waste Wizard for a list of local reuse stores.

 Natural trees and wreaths also are accepted for collection curbside with regularly collected yard waste.

• Remember to remove all tinsel, garland, ornaments, hooks, lights, wires and other decorations from natural trees and wreaths before placing them curbside for pickup.
• Remember to remove tree stands and store for next year.

 Once the presents have been unwrapped, make sure to sort the gift wrap.

• Only non-glittery wrapping paper is accepted for recycling and may be placed with other recyclable paper in orange recycle bins. 
• Toss shiny and metallic foil wrap in your garbage cart.

 Enjoy the popcorn, cookies and sweets; metal holiday tins are accepted for recycling.

• Remember to empty the tins and remove the lids before placing them in blue recycle bins. 

For more information, visit the City of Gainesville website or email waste@GainesvilleFL.gov

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