MediaUpdate

Just 30 minutes outside of Gainesville lies a 270-acre plot of land awaiting its transformation. Although not fully developed yet, it bears the name WildFlowers Music Park, and plans and events for the space are already underway.

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The local Alachua County Emergency Management-affiliated ham radio team earned a high ranking in the annual Winter Field Day radio disaster communications exercise held Jan 24-25, 2026, while simultaneously hosting a Training Conference on disaster communications, hosting a team from Marion County. Published scores show the team in the top 6% nationally of their “indoor” (but deployed away from home) category.

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Not much rattles Melrose, an unincorporated community with a couple thousand residents clustered between Alachua, Putnam, Bradford and Clay counties.

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Alachua County issued a burn ban on Friday after indicators placed the county at risk for wildland fire spread. The ban will last through Friday, Feb. 6. 

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A report released this week by Florida DOGE highlights budget increases at Alachua County and the City of Gainesville and calls out DEI and climate initiatives conducted by both entities.

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After reviewing Alachua County’s current wildland fire conditions, a series of active wildfires today, Jan. 30, 2026, and in consultation with the Florida Forest Service, a mandatory countywide burn ban has been issued. The burn ban will remain in effect until Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.

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The Alachua County Commission will conduct a special meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, at 10 a.m., in the Grace Knight Conference Room on the second floor of the Alachua County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St., Gainesville).

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The Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO) for the Gainesville Urbanized Area will hold a meeting in the Grace Knight Conference Room at the Alachua County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St., Gainesville) on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at 3 p.m.

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The Alachua County Fire Chief Harold Theus issued the burn ban until Feb. 6, after four brush fires broke out Friday.

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A state audit is critical of taxing and spending practices by both the Alachua County and the City of Gainesville governments.

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The Florida Department of Government Efficiency used the City of Gainesville and Alachua County as examples of inefficient spending in a report on local government spending released Wednesday.

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At their January 27 meeting, the Alachua County Commission heard an update on animal shelter operations and discussed the decision process for euthanizing animals, extended the air quality monitoring contract near the Florence landfill, and heard ideas from Commissioners about creating a Farm Stop and building capacity for nonprofits.

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Despite wavering community opinions, the Alachua County Commission voted Tuesday to partner with UF on the location for a new animal shelter in Gainesville.

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​Despite wavering community opinions, the Alachua County Commission voted Tuesday to partner with UF on the location for a new animal shelter in Gainesville. 

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​The Alachua County Commission voted 3-1 on Jan. 27 to enter a sublease agreement with the University of Florida for the county’s future animal shelter.

With Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Chestnut IV absent, the approved $1 million lease will last 30 years.

Interim Animal Resources Director Gina Peebles presented two potential locations for the new shelter: a site at UF or the “Weseman Tract property.”

Peebles said the UF location, near Archer Road and Southwest 23rd Street, benefits the county because it is within walking distance of the UF College of Veterinary Medicine and the Small Animal Hospital.

The UF site would also include an animal café, pet pantry, low‑cost spay/neuter services, and be close to bus routes for staff and volunteers.

Peebles said the drawbacks to the UF property include the $1 million lease for the 12‑acre property and the fact that it is 8.4 miles from the current shelter. Construction is expected to take about two years.

Had the county selected the Weseman Tract property off State Road 24 near Waldo, it would have gained more than 100 acres, offered easier management of “dangerous dogs, criminal cases and other non‑adoptable animals,” and avoided the $1 million lease since the land is county‑owned.

However, Peebles noted that the Weseman site is remote, lacks bus routes, and is far from UF’s veterinary facilities.UF Vice President of Government and Community Relations Chuck Clemons made a rare appearance before the board, speaking on behalf of interim President Donald Landry. He said UF was placing no pressure on which location the county should choose.Clemons also announced that Dr. Dana N. Zimmel, dean of the veterinary school, is retiring after five years with UF. Landry has already begun a national search for her replacement.

Clemons said the timing of the sublease and the dean search presents an opportunity to find a leader who will advance the school while supporting the new shelter.

Commission Chair Ken Cornell thanked Clemons for attending and said that, as a double Gator, he appreciates UF’s involvement in establishing a permanent, inclusive community space.

Cornell added that the original deal was $3 million but was reduced to $1 million.

"This is UF saying we want you here, and we want to work with you, and from my perspective, the fact we have one of the top five institutions saying that, it means a lot to me," Cornell said. "It’s time to do this right — not just for the next few years, but for decades.”

Cornell said he has been thinking about this project for 12 years and that it has “taken too damn long,” noting the county has allocated $30 million for construction.

Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler, the sole dissenting vote, argued the decision favors UF volunteers over county volunteers.

"My question is, are we trying to engage the university or to the extent that our community leaders and volunteers don't feel comfortable going into our facility? How do we have that balance," Wheeler asked.

​Echoing Clemons, Cornell said the arrangement benefits both UF and the county and can be done well. He added that the timing is ideal as the county searches for a new Animal Resources director, and that the shelter’s location is important.

"Having lots of students close by matters. My son works at the vet school and when he goes, that's where he is. There's an unlimited number of students that really are tied into this as what they want to do for our community," Cornell said.

Alachua County decided to proceed with a $30 million Animal Resources Shelter just south of the University of Florida’s main campus at the former Swine Unit property.

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Alachua County commissioners voted 3-1 Tuesday to move forward with the construction of a new animal shelter on University of Florida-owned land.

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​The Alachua County Commission voted 3-1 on Jan. 27 to enter a sublease agreement with the University of Florida for the county’s future animal shelter.

With Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Chestnut IV absent, the approved $1 million lease will last 30 years.

Interim Animal Resources Director Gina Peebles presented two potential locations for the new shelter: a site at UF or the “Weseman Tract property.”

Peebles said the UF location, near Archer Road and Southwest 23rd Street, benefits the county because it is within walking distance of the UF College of Veterinary Medicine and the Small Animal Hospital.​

​The UF site would also include an animal café, pet pantry, low‑cost spay/neuter services, and be close to bus routes for staff and volunteers.

Peebles said the drawbacks to the UF property include the $1 million lease for the 12‑acre property and the fact that it is 8.4 miles from the current shelter. Construction is expected to take about two years.

​​Had the county selected the Weseman Tract property off State Road 24 near Waldo, it would have gained more than 100 acres, offered easier management of “dangerous dogs, criminal cases and other non‑adoptable animals,” and avoided the $1 million lease since the land is county‑owned.

However, Peebles noted that the Weseman site is remote, lacks bus routes, and is far from UF’s veterinary facilities.UF Vice President of Government and Community Relations Chuck Clemons made a rare appearance before the board, speaking on behalf of interim President Donald Landry. He said UF was placing no pressure on which location the county should choose.Clemons also announced that Dr. Dana N. Zimmel, dean of the veterinary school, is retiring after five years with UF. Landry has already begun a national search for her replacement.

​Clemons said the timing of the sublease and the dean search presents an opportunity to find a leader who will advance the school while supporting the new shelter.

Commission Chair Ken Cornell thanked Clemons for attending and said that, as a double Gator, he appreciates UF’s involvement in establishing a permanent, inclusive community space.

​Cornell added that the original deal was $3 million but was reduced to $1 million.

"This is UF saying we want you here, and we want to work with you, and from my perspective, the fact we have one of the top five institutions saying that, it means a lot to me," Cornell said. "It’s time to do this right — not just for the next few years, but for decades.”

Cornell said he has been thinking about this project for 12 years and that it has “taken too damn long,” noting the county has allocated $30 million for construction.

Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler, the sole dissenting vote, argued the decision favors UF volunteers over county volunteers.

"My question is, are we trying to engage the university or to the extent that our community leaders and volunteers don't feel comfortable going into our facility? How do we have that balance," Wheeler asked.

​​Echoing Clemons, Cornell said the arrangement benefits both UF and the county and can be done well. He added that the timing is ideal as the county searches for a new Animal Resources director, and that the shelter’s location is important.

"Having lots of students close by matters. My son works at the vet school and when he goes, that's where he is. There's an unlimited number of students that really are tied into this as what they want to do for our community," Cornell said.

At the January 27 Alachua County Commission meeting, Commissioners adopted a hybrid model for animal enforcement, selected the UF site for the new animal shelter, and introduced the new Interim Medical Examiner. 

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Alachua County commissioners voted 3-1 Tuesday to begin the process of moving Animal Services closer to the University of Florida, though the relocation will not happen for several years.

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Alachua County ranked fifth out of Florida’s 67 counties for recycling in 2024, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, placing it among the top-performing counties in the state.

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