Local

WALDO ‒ The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Project Manager David Tyler is calling for two public meetings to discuss the revised improvements for the resurfacing project on State Road 24 (Waldo Road) from west of Northeast 141^st Drive to U.S. Highway 301.

“This meeting will inform the public of the proposed alternative and serves as an official forum providing an opportunity for the public to express their opinions and concerns regarding the project,” said Tyler. Along with resurfacing the existing SR 24, it also calls for safety improvement for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The first of two meetings will take place virtually on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. An in-person meeting will take place on Thursday, Oct. 19, at Waldo City Square, 14450 N.E. 148^th Avenue, Waldo. The Oct. 19 meeting includes an open house from 4:30 – 6 p.m. and a presentation and public comment period beginning at 6 p.m.

There are several ways in which the public can participate in these meetings including the in-person option on Oct. 19.

A virtual online option and a “Listen Only” option are available for the Oct. 17 meeting. Interested citizens may register at www.nflroads.com/vph or at attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8689769582249772376. The Phone Option (Listen Only), also on Oct. 17, will begin at 6 p.m. Interested citizens may dial 1-213-493-0005; Audio Access Code 182-614-426.

All participants will receive the same information on the proposed project and all comments received in-person, virtually or electronically, will be given equal weight.

Persons wishing to submit written comments may do so at the public meeting, by mail at Florida Department of Transportation, District Two Office, 1109 S. Marion Avenue, Lake City, Florida 32025-5874 or by email to david.tyler@dot.state.fl.us no later than Oct. 30, to be documented as part of the Public Meeting record.

For more information regarding the project visit the project website at www.nflroads.com/Waldo.

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Staff Photo / With so many pumpkins to choose from, two inquisitive youngsters find that selecting just one pumpkin is a hard task.

ALACHUA ‒ What has become a 23-year annual event to fund mission work for Alachua Methodist Church is in full swing. Every year the church sells pumpkins of countless sizes and colors during the month of October at a field fronting U.S. Highway 441 on the west side of Alachua.

Through social media, the church announced that this year there are Swan Gourds, Gizmo Gourds, Winged Gourds, Snowballs, Snowflakes, and Elf Houses. And if you are looking for that unique pumpkin, just check out the colors. They say they have orange, white, green, black, yellow and peach pumpkins.

And those pumpkins and gourds of all shapes are skillfully stacked in colorful displays that fairly entice visitors to take a photo or two. There are also three photo opportunities staged, including one with a vintage tractor. And youngsters will love the open-air activity areas that are largely directed toward children's entertainment. This year tractor rides are offered every Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The month-long event has become a tradition for many families to celebrate the fall season, returning year after year, often taking advantage of the photo area to mark growth of their families over time. Each year the church sells around 20,000 pumpkins as well as homemade pumpkin bread. Setting up the pumpkin patch and all the displays is a group effort for the church with everyone pitching in on unloading, making displays or manning the pumpkin patch.

Hours for this year’s Pumpkin Patch are Monday through Friday 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. The pumpkin patch is located at 15710 N.W. U.S. Highway 441 in Alachua.

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Today File Photo / High Springs City Hall

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The City of High Springs received welcome news as the City has been awarded a $700,000 grant for stormwater and drainage improvements. Those improvements include the new construction of drainage swales, the installation of culvert pipes and a new pump station with six-inch stormwater force main piping.

Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded more than $8.7 million to nine small and rural Florida communities through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for housing and community development activities. This builds upon more than $87 million invested in 123 community development projects for Florida communities since 2019.

“I am happy to announce these awards for nine small and rural communities — four of which are actively recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Idalia,” said DeSantis. “Strategic investments like this help expand economic opportunities for families and strengthen our rural communities.”

Florida Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly said, “Governor DeSantis continues to champion community revitalization and economic development initiatives in small and rural communities across the state. Florida Commerce is proud to partner with the communities receiving awards today to help them offer their residents the brightest future possible.”

Allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Florida Commerce administers Florida’s Small Cities CDBG program, which provides funding for economic development initiatives through neighborhood revitalization, housing rehabilitation and commercial revitalization.

Other cities receiving grants through this program include the cities of Williston ($700,000), Blountstown ($440,764), Bristol ($649,881), Gretna ($700,000), and the towns of Mayo ($650,000), Monticello ($700,000) and Hillard ($700,000).

The only county receiving grant funding is Washington County at $3,482,300.

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GAINESVILLE, FLA. – The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) awarded the Santa Fe College Police Department (SFPD) its Leadership in Victim Services Award. The SFPD was recognized at a ceremony Tuesday evening during the IACP’s annual conference in San Diego. The college was honored for placing individuals at the center of efforts with partnerships, performance monitoring tools, holistic support, and a full-time victim advocate.

The Santa Fe College Police Department is the only college in the 28 member Florida College System to have a victim advocate. Grant-funded by the Department of Justice, the position works within the SFPD to assist individuals on or off campus. For example, the advocate can review police reports without requiring the victim to reiterate traumatic details.

“The Santa Fe College Police Department is a true example of leadership in the policing profession,” IACP President, Chief John Letteney said.

With over 33,000 members in 170 countries, the IACP is the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders. The IACP Leadership in Victim Services Award acknowledges law enforcement agencies that demonstrate innovative approaches to meeting the needs of crime victims.

This award recognizes SFPD’s dedication to innovation and leadership in the victim service community, prioritizing individuals above all else. SFPD’s Victim Advocate Specialist has assisted 36 people and provided approximately 150 services in the last four quarters. Those impacted by crime remain enrolled at Santa Fe College after the incident and are connected to other support services to improve chances for success.

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Alachua City Commissioner Shirley Green Brown (left) along with current and former members of Alachua’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) accepted the 2023 Florida League of Cities Community Service Award from Chirs Holley (back right), Director of External Services, of the Florida League of Cities. Alachua’s YAC received the award for its initiative in creating a quilt in partnership with the Alachua County Quilt Remembrance Project through the Equal Justice Initiative. The quilt is intended to remember lynching victims from Newnansville, just north of Alachua. In addition to a trophy, Alachua’s YAC received a $250 award. Well-established area quilters assisted the young council members with the project.

ALACHUA - Alachua City Commissioner Shirley Green Brown (left) along with current and former members of Alachua’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) accepted the 2023 Florida League of Cities Community Service Award from Chirs Holley (back right), Director of External Services, of the Florida League of Cities. Alachua’s YAC received the award for its initiative in creating a quilt in partnership with the Alachua County Quilt Remembrance Project through the Equal Justice Initiative. The quilt is intended to remember lynching victims from Newnansville, just north of Alachua. In addition to a trophy, Alachua’s YAC received a $250 award. Well-established area quilters assisted the young council members with the project.

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GAINESVILLE, FLA – Boo at the Zoo returns to the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo on Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, from 3-7 p.m. The SF Teaching Zoo is located on SF’s Northwest Campus, 3000 NW 83 Street, Gainesville.

Boo at the Zoo is Gainesville’s wildest Halloween event for the whole family. All ages are welcome to join us in costume and trick or treat!

Admission is one canned good or non-perishable food item per person. Canned goods will be donated to local food banks.

The zoo will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in order to prepare and transform the zoo into multiple themed areas with candy stations. This year, explore the worlds of Mario Kart, Pixie Hollow, 100 Acre Woods, A Bug’s Life, Medieval Kingdom, Jurassic Park, Pirate Treasure Hunt and Hercules! 

 In addition to the festivities and trick or treating in the zoo, Fun4GatorKids will host a KidsZone in front of the zoo full of community organizations with crafts, activities, and even more candy. There will be live entertainment, animal encounters, games and food available for purchase at the event.

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