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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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LAKE BUTLER, FL - On Friday, Dec. 12, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) responded to a request for assistance from the Union County Sheriff's Office regarding the shooting of hunting dogs at the Piney Bay Hunt Club in Raiford. Upon further investigation, Lance Thornton, 22, of Lake Butler was arrested and transported to the Union County Jail. He was charged with three counts of aggravated animal cruelty and one count of evidence tampering. 

The FWC takes these violations very seriously and encourages the public to report them by downloading the FWC Wildlife Alert app, texting 847411 (Tip411) with keyword “FWC” and information about the violation, calling the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.

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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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• Administrative Offices: closed Dec. 25-26, and Jan. 1
• Rural Collection Centers: closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
• Leveda Brown Environmental Park & Transfer Station: closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
• Hazardous Waste Collection Center: closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1