MediaUpdate

​Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) and the High Springs Fire Department (HSFD) firefighters said there were no injuries during a large grass fire they extinguished on Sunday afternoon.

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​Just after 1:00 p.m. on January 26, firefighters were dispatched to a report of a large brush fire on NW 209th Terrace in unincorporated Alachua County.

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​Alachua County commissioners invited residents to a community meeting Saturday morning regarding what improvements should be made in eastern Alachua County.

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​As the temperatures began to drop on Tuesday, Amelia Tanner got a call from her husband Dale Tanner. A cry for help had popped up in his Facebook feed from Alachua County Animal Resources. Foster homes were needed, urgently.

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​Across Alachua County, private and public projects will move forward in 2025—whether having grand openings or receiving first rounds of approval.

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​Meadowbrook Homeowners Association, a.k.a Meadowbrook Public Nuisance/Drainage/Flooding Team, met with Alachua County leaders to discuss how the golf course regularly floods.

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​The Alachua County Commission will conduct its regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. The meeting is in the Jack Durrance Auditorium on the second floor of the Alachua County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St., Gainesville). The daytime meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. The evening meeting begins at 5 p.m.

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​As North Central Florida first responders mourn the loss of Alachua County firefighter Samuel Fick, one organization is highlighting a program to help with their grief.

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Ongoing efforts by Alachua County will continue this year as the county continues to participate in investing in east Gainesville and the eastern portion of the county.

Residents will have a chance to hear from county officials and give feedback on their efforts at 9 a.m. Saturday during a community input session in Waldo at the Waldo City Square at 14450 NE 148th Ave. The topic of discussion will be the Forward Focus: Eastern Alachua County initiative that is in the community engagement phase. The initiative is designed to address longstanding disparities and unlock the region's economic potential.

This session is an opportunity for the Waldo community and other residents in eastern Alachua County to share their thoughts on the future of their communities. Attendees will learn more about the Forward Focus project goals and timeline. They also can provide feedback to help shape a community-wide survey and network with neighbors and local leaders, according to a press release.

The Forward Focus project team will use this and future community meetings to develop a comprehensive plan to address eastern Alachua County's unique needs and aspirations.
"The input we received at the 2024 kickoff conversation in Hawthorne was invaluable," said Missy Daniels, an assistant county manager and Forward Focus team lead, in a press release. "We heard concerns about social services, economic development, transportation, and a desire for more engagement with Eastern County communities. We encourage everyone in Waldo and surrounding areas to join us on January 25 to share their thoughts and ideas."

Forward Focus: Eastern Alachua County is a three-year project designed to improve the quality of life, boost economic opportunities and address community needs in the eastern part of the county.
A cornerstone of the county's efforts to transform economic development in the eastern part of the county is the changing of the old fairgrounds near the airport into the U.S. Army Reserve equipment concentration site.

The fairgrounds relocation was a strategic step to boost economic development and create quality jobs for the community. It is also a key part of the county’s ongoing efforts to revitalize east Gainesville through thoughtful investments and partnerships.

The main event at the fairgrounds is the annual Youth Fair, which highlights the achievements of future farmers and ranchers. Relocating it to a more rural setting, close to the county’s Agricultural Cooperative Extension/IFAS building in Newberry, just made sense, according to a press release.

The U.S. Army Reserve equipment concentration site project brings:

•    A $36 million federal investment: The project will create over 60 high-paying jobs with great benefits and an estimated $3 million annual payroll. The construction and operation of this facility will also generate significant local economic activity.
•    Workforce training opportunities: Partnering with Santa Fe College, the county is launching a heavy diesel mechanics program in this fall to train residents for high-demand, high-paying careers tied to this facility.
The fairgrounds move is just one part of a bigger picture for east Gainesville. Other major efforts, according to the press release, include:
•    The Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (GCRA): While the city of Gainesville administers the GCRA and does a good job publicizing its projects, many don’t know that Alachua County is the largest contributor to this $70.7 million, 10-year initiative whose goal is to bring transformative projects and development to east Gainesville.
•    UF Health Urgent Care Center – Eastside: In an innovative partnership with UF and the city of Gainesville, Alachua County contributed $2.25 million to support the development of this state-of-the-art health care facility, significantly improving access to quality medical care for east Gainesville residents.
•    The East Gainesville Legacy Project: The county is devoting millions of dollars to developing housing in northeast Gainesville to address critical needs.

These projects demonstrate the county’s dedication to attracting investment, creating jobs, and supporting sustainable growth in east Gainesville and eastern Alachua County, according to a county press release.

​Alachua County Fire Rescue is mourning the loss of a firefighter paramedic who died Tuesday night.

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​'Families suffer loss, and sometimes those losses are just too big to put into words,' the fire department said in a statement Wednesday announcing Frick’s death. 'In those moments, we need to lean on each other for strength.'

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​The task force, which encompasses the 7th, 8th, and 4th judicial circuits, held its first meeting in October. Other task force members include agents from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, county animal services, county sheriff’s offices, and local law enforcement.

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​The city of Gainesville and Alachua County government offices will be closed on Wednesday due to a winter storm warning that will potentially bring freezing rain and possible snow flurries on Tuesday night.

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​Due to potentially hazardous weather conditions, Alachua County offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 22.

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​Alachua County Emergency Management is advising that the risks of freezing rain and possibly even very light snow flurries have increased for Alachua County overnight. Impacts to our area are expected to begin around midnight, with the weather getting worse overnight and continuing into mid-morning.

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