Crews from the City of Alachua spent most of the afternoon on Monday, Dec. 3, repairing a water leak on Main Street. Area residents say they noticed water running down Main Street as early as Sunday afternoon. By Monday morning, the City of Alachua began fielding calls about the apparent water leak. A short time later, city crews had closed off the area and were tearing up a small section of Alachua’s Main Street between NW 148^th Place and NW 147^th Avenue. By the early evening, the 3/4-inch pipe had been repaired. The roadway has also since been repaired.

HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs Police Department (HSPD) is now accepting donations of new unwrapped toys, pajamas and books to be given to children in the community this holiday season. Wrapping paper and wrapping supplies are also needed.

Donations, also including monetary donations, can be dropped off at anytime at the HSPD station located at 110 NW 2^nd Avenue, High Springs, until 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17.

Anyone who would like to help wrap the gifts is asked to contact Stephanie Hall or Christina Thueson at 386-454-1415, shall@highspringspd.com or cthueson@highspringspd.com.

Once all of the gifts are wrapped, uniformed HSPD officers will make the special deliveries by Friday, Dec. 21to the families that have already been identified.

For additional information, contact Stephanie Hall or Christina Thueson at 386-454-1415, shall@highspringspd.com or cthueson@highspringspd.com.

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HIGH SPRINGS – Just in time for Christmas, the High Springs Fire Department recently accepted delivery of a new fire truck. The new engine, which cost $320,000 including equipment, will expand the fire department’s capabilities and “add a plethora of improved safety and functionality features,” said High Springs Fire Chief Bruce Gillingham.

“The new truck has been financed at an excellent interest rate for 10 years,” he said. “The payments on the tanker will expire this year and the payments on the new engine will be close to the same amount as the tanker’s payments, approximately $41,000-$42,000 per year. The first payment is not due until October 2013, and are on a once a year basis,” explained Gillingham.

The new engine will replace Engine #29, manufactured in 1991, and which will now be used as a backup for the department.

“It will enable the department to now provide a third piece of apparatus at a fire scene capable of fully fighting a building fire and adding to our fleet, enhancing our level of protection to the City,” explained Gillingham.

The new truck was ordered with most of the equipment on it to allow the department to keep backup Engine #29 in reserve, complete with all existing equipment, so there is no time wasted if a call comes in while the new engine is in use elsewhere or down for maintenance, Gillingham said.

One feature of the new engine is that it will allow a crew of four to ride on a single truck. Considering that two trucks have been required to be dispatched in the past to allow four fire fighters to go to the same fire, the new engine should help free up at least one truck so it can be dispatched to a medical emergency, another fire or to the same fire, if required.

“For example,” said Gillingham, “the new truck and the tanker will both be used in the parade this weekend. If a call comes in during that time, the backup truck can be dispatched immediately.”

The engine formerly used as a backup was manufactured in 1985. “It became hard to find parts for that engine,” said Gillingham. “It might be surplused or used for parts. It hasn’t been determined yet.”

One reason for buying the new engine was that like the 1985 engine, locating parts was becoming difficult, and it was estimated to cost about $10,000 a year to keep it in service as a primary engine.  “

Currently, the High Springs Fire Department has four vehicles for emergency response, fire fighting, brush fires and a tanker.

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Mi Apá Latin Café is set to open in Alachua at 15634 NW Highway 441 in the Rolling Oaks Plaza adjacent to the Hitchcocks Market area. The restaurant will be fashioned after Gainesville’s Mi Apá Latin Café, offering the same menu items.

ALACHUA – Alachua will soon be getting a bit more flavorful as it expands its culinary offerings.

Mi Apá Latin Café will be opening a location in the area Monday. The Cuban restaurant serves breakfast, sandwiches, hot entrees and desserts. Some of the menu offerings that will be available in the Alachua restaurant include chicken fricassee, Cuban sandwiches, and bread pudding.

Owner Pete Ynigo said arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) and roasted pork are the most popular items. The restaurant offers inexpensive food and disposable ware, but employs waiters and waitresses.

He said the restaurant is in-between fast food and upscale restaurants.

“We’re kind of in the middle, and that’s what we want to be,” he said.

Ynigo opened the first cafe in Gainesville 10 years ago. He said he first thought of opening a restaurant in Alachua five or six years ago, but he said it didn’t work out until this year.

“We know Alachua has growth,” he said. “It has more growth in the future.”

He said one reason he decided to bring the restaurant to Alachua is because the city is welcoming.

“It was very appealing to us that Alachua is known to be business-friendly,” he said.

The Gainesville location is currently the only cafe. He said the Alachua restaurant will allow the business to test out expansion.

“It’s a big test for us to see if a multi-unit business is a way to go,” he said.

He said the response from Alachua residents has been “amazing.”

“I think our product fits Alachua perfectly,” he said. “We come across very casually and relaxed. Our value for what we give you is very good.”

The Alachua restaurant will be a replica of the Gainesville cafe, down to the menu, paint and decorations. While Ynigo wanted a drive-through in the Alachua restaurant, he said he couldn’t find a suitable location.

The Gainesville location stays open until midnight Friday and Saturday, and the Alachua location will close at 10 p.m. on weekends.

He said the restaurant will be so similar to the Gainesville location because it’s worked so far.

“It’s working,” he said. “Why change it if it ain’t broke?”

He said Monday’s opening is a soft launch, and a grand opening is scheduled down the road. The restaurant will use existing staff members in the beginning, but he said they will be hiring new employees soon.

“We’re super excited about being in Alachua, and we’ll see how it goes,” he said.

The Alachua Mi Apá Latin Café will be located at 15634 NW Highway 441 in the Rolling Oaks Plaza adjacent to the Hitchcocks Market area in Alachua Towne Center.

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