• What: College Fair 2024
• When: Monday, Aug. 26, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
• Where: 3000 NW 83 Street (Building V)

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In time for the return of college students and sports fans to the area, the City of Gainesville is installing new signs along streets in its two Arts, Culture and Entertainment (ACE) Districts where open containers of alcohol are permitted betwen 8 a.m. and midnight daily.

 These "sip and stroll areas" are located where there are high concentrations of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues.

•  The Downtown ACE District encompasses a section roughly bordered by NE 2nd Avenue to the north, NE 3rd Street to the east, SW 6th Street to the west, and south to Depot Avenue that includes Bo Diddley Plaza and Depot Park.
•  The Grove Street ACE District is an area between NW 2nd Street and NW 4th Street, bordered to the north by NW 12th Avenue and to the south by NW 8th Avenue. This district excludes a mostly residential area north of the 6th Street Rail Trail.

Although the municipal parking garage on SW 3rd Street and some public parking lots are located within district boundaries, open containers of alcohol are prohibited in those areas.At the start of 2024, open container restrictions resumed for most of Gainesville. The rules prohibit individuals from drinking or having open containers of alcohol on public property in most areas of the city. The only exceptions are within the ACE Districts where open containers are permitted on sidewalks, in public parks or other public rights-of-way from 8 a.m. to midnight daily.

Gainesville Police Department officers can issue either civil citations or criminal infractions to those found in violation of the ordinances. If there is drunken, unsafe or disorderly behavior, police may impose stiffer criminal penalties.

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GAINESVILLE - University of Florida officials are celebrating its first “smart garden,” a 320-square-foot agricultural pod outfitted to grow fruits and vegetables hydroponically.

“It’s essentially a shipping container similar to one used to ship goods from Asia or Europe to the United States,” said James Boyer, Plant Science Research and Education Unit (PSREU) director of research administration.

Ying Zhang, UF/IFAS assistant professor of controlled environments, is leading a team of researchers studying indoor agriculture techniques by growing lettuce inside the pod. The team marked its first harvest earlier this month.

Boyer said he expects the garden to produce 500 heads of lettuce a week, and the food will be transported to Gainesville for use by the Hitchcock Field and Fork Pantry.

The Citra smart garden is funded through a collaboration with Clay Electric Cooperative, Seminole Electric Cooperative and EPRI, an independent, non-profit energy R&D organization. In 2022, Seminole Electric, EPRI and Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative funded a similar project at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in Live Oak.

By outfitting the pods with efficient HVAC, lighting, water pump and dehumidification systems, the electric companies hope to better understand indoor agriculture’s impact on the electric grid.

“Indoor agriculture is a rapidly emerging industry across the U.S.,” said David Porter, EPRI’s vice president of electrification and sustainable energy strategy. “Within the indoor agriculture industry, we are seeing a rapid evolution of efficient and innovative designs, technologies and solutions that help deliver nutritional crops year-round.”

Although Seminole Electric currently owns the container, it will become UF property after two years.

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Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA ‒ With the opening of Alachua County public schools just days away, many parents and caregivers are scrambling to gather school supplies for their students. To assist the community, the Alachua Police Department (APD) hosted a “Back 2 School Giveaway” on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

The event took place at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex from 10 a.m. to noon. Officers, along with volunteer assistants, distributed around 300 backpacks and school supplies. The APD has declared the event a resounding success.

“Because of your incredible support, we were able to provide over 300 backpacks and essential school supplies to our community's children,” said an APD spokesperson. “Together, we are giving our kids the necessities they need to thrive and succeed in the upcoming school year. Let's keep the momentum going and continue to invest in their bright futures.”

APD also expressed gratitude to this year's sponsors, which included the Alachua Raiders, Walmart Distribution Center, Dollar General of Alachua, Sysco Distribution Center, Children's Trust of Alachua County, Hitchcock's Markets, and the City of Alachua Recreation & Culture Department for hosting the event.

The “Back 2 School Giveaway” is an example of community spirit and dedication to ensuring that all students have the tools they need for a successful academic year.

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