Announcements
Communications Director Mark Sexton announced that Alachua County Water Resource Program Manager Stacie Greco was awarded the 2025 Springs Partner of the Year by the Florida Springs Council at its annual summit.
The county is also sponsoring several events as part of its ongoing Discover 200 Bicentennial Celebration. To help support the Matheson History Museum, Alachua County has designated it as the official Discover 200 merchandise retailer. Items for sale can be found at tinyurl.com/3hfazmun.
On March 29, First United Methodist Church – Gainesville will host the Remember Hope concert to celebrate the county’s history of civil rights, women’s suffrage, LGBTQ+, veterans and others who struggle for equity in North Central Florida. More information can be found at www.fumcgnv.org.
On April 11 and 12, Dion Dia and How Bazar will host the third annual Big: Culture and Arts Festival in downtown Gainesville. The two-day circus-themed event promises an unforgettable experience packed with music, arts, performers, and interactive entertainment for all ages. For tickets and more information, visit www.bigcaf.com.
The 45th annual 5th Avenue Arts Festival will be held on May 17 and 18 at the Santa Fe College Blount Center. The free event brings together local artists, performers and vendors to highlight the beauty and diversity of our community. More information is available at www.culturalartscoalition.org.
To stay up to date with more Discover 200 events and information, go to Alachua200.com.
Watch the announcements.
Alachua County Youth Commission
The commission voted to explore the creation of a Youth Academy that will be similar to the county’s Citizens Academy, where students can learn about various parts of their local government and constitutional offices.
The commission asked the Citizen Climate Advisory Committee and Recreations and Open Space Advisory Board to explore having a student representative who would bring recommendations back to the commission.
County staff will work on a budget for the program and will work with the School Board of Alachua County, library district and the Children’s Trust of Alachua County to develop the program.
Watch the discussion.
Watermelon Pond purchases
The commission approved a pair of option contracts to purchase land for the Watermelon Pond project area.
The first is 10 acres of land between Newberry and Archer for an estimated $159,000. The second portion of nearby land is 30 acres and is estimated to cost around $258,000. Both properties will protect globally imperiled sandhill habitats and support aquifer recharge.
Together, with two other touching properties, the county will preserve an additional 138 acres in the Watermelon Pond area.
Watch the discussions.
Recognitions
Commission Chair Chuck Chestnut IV, standing alongside members of the Alachua County Community Remembrance Project Committee, proclaimed Feb. 23, 2025 as Mathew Lewey Day in Alachua County.
Lewey was a veteran who fought in the Civil War before moving to Newnansville (Alachua) in 1874. Among Lewey's many accomplishments, he served in the Florida House of Representatives, was a judge and a postmaster, became the first Black Florida newspaper editor and founded the Gainesville Sentinel. His final resting place is located at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Gainesville.
Read the proclamation.
Watch the presentation.
View the full Feb. 11 agenda and video.
