GAINESVILLE, FL - More than 160 students from elementary and middle schools throughout the district will face off in Alachua County Public Schools’ annual robotics competition. There will be two robotics tournaments running simultaneously at the Lincoln Middle School Gymnasium, 1001 S.E. 12^th Street.

Close to 50 registered teams will demonstrate their skills in developing, building and operating robots to perform specific tasks, all before event judges. There will be team skills contests as well as a Teamwork Challenge in which teams from different schools must work together to earn points.

All teams are vying for a spot in the Central/North Florida State Vex Competitions held in late March, with the chance to possibly compete at the Worlds Competition in May.

The competition is being sponsored by Gas South, whose donation over many years helps to fund the robotics competitions. In addition, the ACPS Robotics Program received money from Info Tech and other local businesses.

On Thursday, Feb. 15, the Opening Ceremony kicks off at 10 a.m. with competition running from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., followed by the closing ceremony and awards.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Two city commission candidates will face off in the High Springs special election set for March 26. Wayne Bloodsworth, Jr.  and Chad Howell are vying for High Springs City Commission Seat #2.

The City Commission called a special election when the seat was vacated by Steve Tapanes who declined to fill out a financial disclosure Form 6 required by the State of Florida.

Candidates had until Thursday, Feb. 8 to file to run, and the successful candidate will fill out the remainder of Tapanes’ three-year term.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

ALACHUA, FL – February 8, 2024 – The Alachua Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual gala last month at Legacy Park with nearly 550 attendees. The event included awards to city businesses, entertainment by comedian Brad Williams, and a live auction. Waste Pro was honored to receive the prestigious Large Business of the Year award during the celebration. 

Division Manager Nate Frischkorn from Gainesville and Director of Government Affairs for the North Florida Region of Waste Pro Dayna Miller were on hand for the presentation during the ceremony. “We are honored and grateful for the award,” shared Dayna, “and so happy to receive this on behalf of the entire team of Waste Pros that work hard serving the communities in and around the Gainesville area.”  Waste Pro has been a proud partner of the Alachua Chamber for the last twenty years.

Dayna, who is also Vice-Mayor for the City of Alachua, Florida, is actively involved in several other community organizations, including the Alachua Lions Club, is a current board member of Recycle Florida Today, and is involved in the Gainesville Elks Lodge, which honored her with the Distinguished Citizenship Award in April of 2022.   

The gala marked the end of Mitch Glaeser’s three years as Chamber President and the start of Adam Boukari’s term as President. Glaeser spoke about the growth the City of Alachua and its Chamber have seen in the last three years, from 15-person luncheons to Wednesday’s gala. The growth, Glaeser said, will continue as more than 1,000 jobs have been announced as coming to the city in the past six months from different companies.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

ALACHUA ‒ It was an upbeat evening as the Alachua Chamber of Commerce hosted their 2024 Annual Gala on Wednesday, Jan. 24. Held at Alachua’s Legacy Park, large 3-D lighted marquee letters spelling Alachua glittered on stage as more than 550 people attended the Chamber’s signature event. The occasion recognizes the work and accomplishments of people, businesses, volunteers and sponsors and gives the Chamber an opportunity to share the year’s accomplishments and goals for the new year.

The evening kicked off with a 5:30 p.m. cocktail hour complete with beer provided by Burkhardt Distributors and wine provided by Bleaker & Flask. A surf and turf dinner service by Beyond Expectations started at 6:45 p.m. with dessert sponsored by Colliers International Real Estate.

Incoming Chamber President Adam Boukari handled the master of ceremonies duties and introduced the event’s title sponsor, Scherer Construction. Boukari said the company has been a valuable partner to the Alachua region for decades, adding, “Their footprint in Alachua is seen from every corner of the community.

Also recognized were the Chamber’s Sustaining Members who provide support to the Chamber on an ongoing basis. Those members are City of Alachua, San Felasco Tech City, Alachua Commerce Center, Scherer Construction, Campus USA, Fletcher Companies, University of Florida, Renasant Bank and Tower Hill Insurance Group.

“These companies have made multi-year commitments to our Chamber to strengthen our ability to support business development and economic prosperity,” said Boukari

Among elected officials attending were Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper, Vice Mayor Dayna Miller and Commissioners Shirley Green Brown, Ed Potts and Jennifer Ringersen. Also representing the City of Alachua were City Manager Mike DaRoza and Police Chief Jesse Sandusky. Also in attendance were Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman, Alachua County Fire Chief Harold Theus and Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey.

The Gala’s Supporting Sponsor was RTI Surgical. “This Alachua homegrown company is making impacts on people the world over,” said Boukari about the global firm. “They believe deeply in corporate citizenship and serving the community where they work.” In addition to gala sponsors, multiple local businesses sponsored tables to the event.

The gala traditionally is a time for the Chamber to recognize people and organizations that have made significant impacts in the community. Kicking off the awards portion of the event was the Alachua Police Department Officer of the Year award. Recipient Thomas Stanfield is the department’s Public Information Officer.

The Chamber also recognized local businesses. Selected as its Small Business of the Year was Tina Ross of Alachua Flowers and Tuxedo Rental. Additionally, Waste Pro was selected Large Business of the Year and Chamber Volunteer of the Year was Shasta Schoellhorn

After serving three years as Chamber President, Mitch Glaeser delivered his final President’s Message. “There is no bigger cheerleader in our community than our outgoing president Mitch Glaeser,” said Boukari. – “He has charted our path toward prosperity, business growth and a shared vision.”

Glaeser recounted accomplishments that have been made over the past few years, crediting those longtime companies that continue to invest in the community and referencing new companies locating in Alachua and new jobs being created.

“The Gala caps off and highlights the momentum and exciting things that are happening throughout Alachua,” said Glaeser. “The quality of projects and jobs that those companies are creating is a huge benefit to all of our citizens who live here and enhances the quality of life we have come to know.”

Glaeser was recognized for his dedication and service to the Alachua Chamber of Commerce and was gifted with a Swiss-made watch, which was showcased at the 1889 World Fair held in Paris, France. Referencing Glaeser’s museum of entrepreneurship at his San Felasco Tech City office, Boukari said, “We hope that this watch will join your many other treasures of history and innovation on display in your museum and office and will serve as a wonderful reminder of the time you so selflessly gave to our Chamber and community.”

The evening also saw the 2024 Board of Directors installed. Members include Mitch Glaeser, Ed Potts, David Pope, Elliot Welker, Zak Seymoure, Neil Burk, Jerry Smith, Jovante Hayes, Joe Hancock, Flo Hester, Shasta Schoellhorn, Michele Lee, Shelley Vickers, Kyla Frye, Steve Szabo and President Adam Boukari.

Always a highlight of the evening, the live auction led by Ben Boukari, Jr. Boukari didn’t disappoint as he auctioned off a sports theme package consisting of a football signed by over a dozen Heisman Trophy winners including the University of Florida’s Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow and dinner for 10 at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille.

With the combination of award presentations, the live auction, insights offered by local business leaders, and a comedy act by stand-up comedian and actor Brad William, the gala delivered a diverse agenda for those in attendance and a night to remember.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com