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TAMPA – A key environmental improvement project in Newberry is moving forward after Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $112 million in statewide water quality and water supply grants on Dec. 3, including $2.9 million for the city’s septic-to-sewer conversion effort.

The funding is part of the state’s Springs Restoration Grant Program, which supports projects designed to improve water quality and restore spring flow. Newberry’s project will replace aging residential septic systems with centralized wastewater service. State officials said the conversion will benefit the Santa Fe River and surrounding springs by reducing nutrient pollution from older septic tanks.

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert said the state’s decisions “are driven by science and long-term stewardship,” noting the funding will “help communities secure reliable water supplies, improve water quality and better respond to environmental challenges.”

The Newberry allocation is among 23 statewide springs restoration projects receiving support this year. Since 2019, Florida has invested $430 million in 147 springs projects, which have collectively reduced nitrogen loads by more than 907,000 pounds annually.

The governor’s announcement also included two additional major funding categories. The state awarded $50 million for 14 alternative water supply projects that will eventually create more than 94 million gallons of new water supply per day. Water management district leaders praised the investments, calling them a long-term strategy for meeting the needs of Florida’s growing population.

Another $12 million will support 16 technology projects aimed at detecting, preventing and mitigating harmful algal blooms. According to the state, the program has expanded the number of vendors and tools available to assist communities during bloom events.

“By investing in emerging technologies, we are expanding our scientific capacity to better understand and manage harmful algal blooms,” said Florida Chief Science Officer Dr. Mark Rains.

For Newberry, the $2.9 million springs restoration grant marks a major step toward reducing environmental impacts from aging septic systems. The city has identified septic-to-sewer conversion as a priority for protecting local waterways, and the new funding positions the project to move forward in the coming year.

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Theatre Park renovations were funded in part by a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant awarded earlier this year and delivers on a multi-year vision to rebuild the park from the ground up. / Today Staff Photographer

ALACHUA ‒ Downtown Alachua was awash in twinkling lights, music, and holiday cheer Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, as crowds gathered for the city’s annual Christmas on Main celebration and tree lighting. This year’s event delivered all the traditions residents have come to love — snow play, crafts, carriage rides, and live performances — but also featured a major new addition: the long-awaited grand reopening of Theatre Park, revealed to the public for the first time since its full reconstruction.

Families began filling Main Street at 4:30 p.m., weaving between activity stations, craft tables, ornament-making booths, and local businesses that stayed open late to welcome visitors. Children lined up for bounce houses, face painting, and the ever-popular snow playground, while the aroma of cocoa and holiday treats drifted along the decorated corridor. As dusk settled, the downtown Christmas tree near Skinner Park was lit during a lively countdown, officially ushering in the season.

A New Stage for Main Street

One of the evening’s standout features was the debut of a dedicated performance stage — a first for Christmas on Main. Throughout the night, crowds gathered as Dance Alive, IndepenDance, Momentum Dance, Okito, and the Mebane Middle School Chorus brought nonstop entertainment to the street. Their high-energy routines and choral performances added a professional, celebratory atmosphere to this year’s event and kept spectators spilling into the surrounding sidewalks. The new stage was especially symbolic given its connection to the fully renovated Theatre Park just steps away.

Theatre Park Makes Its Holiday Entrance

For the first time since construction began, residents were able to step inside the redesigned Theatre Park —a striking combination of restored historic brick, new clay-fired pavers, Florida-friendly landscaping, and the park’s signature wrought-iron archway lit in warm red hues for the holiday season. Poinsettias, ornaments, and a glowing Christmas tree created an inviting scene, and visitors filled the space quickly, many pausing for photos under the “Merry Christmas” sign suspended inside the gateway.

The renovation — funded in part by a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant awarded earlier this year — delivers on a multi-year vision to rebuild the park from the ground up. Structural repairs, enhanced lighting, and a permanent stage area now make Theatre Park a functional venue for community gatherings, small concerts, theatre groups, and seasonal events.

For longtime residents familiar with the park’s deteriorating condition before reconstruction, Friday night marked a milestone. What once was an overgrown, flood-prone space is now an attractive, usable centerpiece of downtown — unveiled at the city’s most cherished holiday tradition.

Holiday Magic Up and Down Main Street

While Theatre Park captured significant attention, Christmas on Main offered festive experiences throughout the entire corridor. A violinist near the florist shop provided soft holiday music as families strolled between businesses. Children created reindeer food, decorated ornaments, and played games at stations sponsored by civic groups, local shops, and community volunteers.

Snow machines sent flurries drifting above the street once again — drawing delighted shrieks from children who leapt and spun beneath the sparkling cascade. Carriage rides rolled steadily throughout the evening, offering a nostalgic way to take in the decorated storefronts and vibrant crowds.

The Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the annual event in partnership with the City of Alachua and local sponsors, described the night as one of the most successful Christmas on Main celebrations yet.

“This year was truly special,” the Chamber shared. “The reopening of Theatre Park, the new performance stage, and the overwhelming support of our community made the evening unforgettable.”

A Tradition Growing Stronger

With the park now complete, both the City and the Chamber anticipate it will serve as a central venue for future downtown events — bringing renewed vibrancy to historic Main Street.

As families headed home Friday night with crafts in hand and holiday music still echoing through the corridor, one thing was clear: Christmas on Main continues to be a highlight of the season, and this year’s celebration marked the beginning of a new chapter for downtown Alachua.

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HAWTHORNE – A 36-year-old Hawthorne man was arrested Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, after deputies say he exposed himself to a utility worker outside a local motel and later resisted attempts by law enforcement to take him into custody.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 9:30 a.m. when a utility worker arrived at the Ranch Motel on U.S. Highway 301 in a marked commercial vehicle. The worker reported seeing a man waving him down from one of the rooms and he drove closer to speak to the man,

When the worker stepped out of his vehicle, the man—identified by deputies as Andrew William Martone—reportedly walked out of his room onto the sidewalk without any clothes on and began screaming. The worker told deputies the man then grabbed his genitals and moved in a manner suggestive of sexual intercourse. He kept watch on the room until a deputy arrived, stating Martone had gone back inside.

Deputies attempted to make contact with Martone, who allegedly refused to answer the door. The property manager later provided surveillance video that deputies say showed Martone coming out of the room completely naked and making “vulgar” gestures before returning inside.

Multiple deputies responded, and a family member offered to help encourage Martone to exit the room. Deputies said the family member spoke to Martone through the door for some time and ultimately persuaded him to come outside. When instructed to place his hands behind his back, Martone allegedly attempted to go back into the room.

Deputies reported that two officers moved to restrain him, but Martone tensed his body and resisted being handcuffed. After he was detained, Martone was advised of his rights. Deputies said he initially claimed he had been outside “playing his guitar,” but when informed the incident had been recorded on video, he reportedly admitted to exposing himself and described himself as “in a silly mood.”

Martone allegedly resisted again when deputies attempted to place him in a patrol vehicle, prompting additional officers to assist by pulling him into the vehicle from the opposite side.

He was charged with indecent exposure and three counts of resisting an officer without violence. According to court records, Martone has four prior non-violent misdemeanor convictions.

Judge David Kreider set bail at $9,500.

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GAINESVILLE - City of Gainesville officials anticipate severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, during the evening hours of Friday, Dec. 19. . The anticipated temperatures leads 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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Skipper and Barbie, an inseparable pair of 8-year-old sisters, sit side by side during a recent visit with Humane Society staff. The bonded duo is hoping to find a forever home together at the Home for the Holidays adoption event. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

,GAINESVILLE – The Humane Society of North Central Florida is inviting residents to share the spirit of the season in the most meaningful way possible — by giving a homeless pet a place to call home. The organization will host its annual Home for the Holidays adoption event on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, offering waived adoption fees for dogs and cats ages 5 months and older. Organizers hope the celebration will connect dozens of pets with families just in time for the holidays.

The event will take place at the Humane Society’s campus at 4205 N.W. 6^th Street, where staff and volunteers plan to welcome visitors with festive cheer and a chance to meet adoptable pets of all ages, personalities and backgrounds. Supported by a grant from the ASPCA, the reduced adoption fees are intended to remove financial barriers for prospective families and help more animals transition out of the shelter and into permanent, loving homes.

Each year, the Humane Society cares for thousands of dogs and cats, many of whom have endured hardships before arriving at the shelter. For the organization, the Home for the Holidays event has become a seasonal tradition that highlights the community’s role in helping every pet find the stability, comfort and companionship they deserve.

This year, one special bonded pair is at the heart of the Humane Society’s holiday wish: Skipper and Barbie, 8-year-old sisters who have captured the affection of the entire shelter team. The pair was surrendered at Grace Marketplace before entering the Humane Society’s care, and from the start, their connection was unmistakable. Staff members say the two do everything side by side — sharing blankets, greeting visitors together and rarely leaving each other’s sight.

Their companionship has become one of the most endearing stories inside the shelter. The pair has grown so reliant on one another’s presence that staff describe them as inseparable. While every adoptable animal faces its own journey, bonded pairs often have a more challenging time securing a single home willing to take both pets together. That reality has inspired the Humane Society’s biggest holiday wish: that Skipper and Barbie will spend this season in the warmth of a new family, together as they’ve always been.

As visitors arrive for the adoption event, they will meet pets who have been waiting weeks or months for a forever home, each one with a story shaped by resilience and care. Adoption counselors will be on hand to guide families through the selection process, ensuring a good match between animals and adopters. Volunteers will also help showcase pets’ personalities, from active dogs seeking a yard to quiet lap companions looking for a peaceful retirement home.

The Home for the Holidays event is more than an adoption drive — it is part of the Humane Society’s larger mission of creating sustainable, humane solutions for local pets and pet owners. The organization, established in 2018 through the merger of Alachua County Humane Society, Gainesville Pet Rescue and Helping Hands Pet Rescue, was formed to streamline services, expand community programs and strengthen life-saving outcomes across the region.

As a limited-intake, no-kill rescue shelter, the Humane Society of North Central Florida has remained committed to caring for healthy and treatable dogs and cats in Alachua County for more than 50 years. Since attaining a 95% live release rate and no-kill status in 2017, the organization has continued to sustain that milestone, reflecting its emphasis on rehabilitation, medical care, community engagement and long-term placement.

This weekend’s event offers residents an opportunity to participate directly in that mission. For families seeking to add a new companion to their household, the holiday season provides an ideal moment to open their doors—and their hearts—to an animal in need. And for longtime supporters of the Humane Society, the event stands as a reminder of how collective effort can transform lives, one adoption at a time.

For those searching for a new furry family member, the Home for the Holidays celebration may be the moment when a pet’s journey begins — and when a family’s holiday season becomes even brighter.

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ALACHUA – Downtown Alachua has officially been selected as one of only 26 communities nationwide to receive a prestigious multi-year Levitt Foundation grant, bringing 10 free, family-friendly outdoor concerts to the city each year for the next three years.

The award comes through the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation’s competitive Levitt AMP program. This year’s grant cycle drew more than 300 proposals from across the United States. Alachua’s application — submitted by Josh’s Place, a local 501(c)(3) — was selected following a national public voting period and subsequent foundation review.

Under the award, Alachua will receive up to $40,000 per year in matching funds from 2026 through 2028 to produce the Levitt AMP Alachua Music Series. The series will showcase diverse artists and a wide range of musical genres, all with the goal of bringing people together, strengthening community ties, and supporting local businesses in the downtown district.

City officials celebrated the announcement immediately. In a public statement posted by the City of Alachua, officials said, “We are thrilled that Alachua has officially been selected.” The City also thanked residents for turning out in strong support during the public voting phase — a key milestone in advancing to the finalist round.

Organizers emphasize that this investment is more than a concert series; it is a multi-year catalyst for downtown revitalization. Consistent foot traffic, expanded evening activity, and a strengthened Main Street economy are all anticipated benefits.

“This is a milestone moment for Alachua. This is a win for our community vision. And this is the start of something big,” project partners said in their announcement, citing the role of residents, small businesses, and volunteers in pushing the effort across the finish line.

Josh’s Place will serve as the lead grantee and fiscal agent for the series. The Alachua Business League (ABL) will coordinate artists, vendors, and promotional efforts, while the City of Alachua Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will provide venue support, infrastructure assistance, and match funding.

The three-year series is expected to launch in spring 2026. Organizers say additional updates — including official concert dates, lineup announcements, and kickoff celebrations — will be released as planning advances.

For now, they say the community has reason to take pride.

“Out of more than 300 proposals nationwide, only 26 communities were chosen, and Alachua made the cut,” the announcement reads. “This is a huge win for our city, our small businesses, our families, and everyone who’s been working so hard to bring more life, music, and culture to Main Street.”

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