MediaUpdate

​Fire crews from High Springs, Newberry, Alachua County and Lacrosse responded to a house fire at 25262 Northwest 143rd Road at around 2 a.m. ​

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​Multiple large wildfires remain active in Alachua, Levy, Putnam and Clay counties, with containment levels varying from 50-80%.  

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​Multiple fire departments battled an early-Monday blaze south of High Springs that was reportedly caused by a golf cart.

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​Florida Forest Service has issued final updates for three of the four fires in Gainesville, although the fires are expected to remain active until we get “sustained, saturating” rainfall; the heightened fire risk in the area is expected to last for about 10 more weeks (probably through June).

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​Several wildfires remained active across parts of North Central and Northeast Florida on Friday afternoon. This included Clay, Levy and Putnam counties.  

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​Florida Forest Service officials report the fire is 40% contained. Multiple agencies are continuing to suppress the fire, as hot spots continue to spark in acres of burned woods.

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​The Alachua County Commission will conduct its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. 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 portion of the meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. The evening portion begins at 5 p.m.

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​After reviewing Alachua County’s current wildland fire conditions and in consultation with state officials, the mandatory countywide burn ban has been extended and will remain in effect through May 1, 2026.

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​​​“It makes me very proud to know that there are real results reaching real people,” said Gracia Fernandez, who writes the alerts.

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​​Alison Moss, the transportation planning manager of Alachua County, said that the effort is intended to create a system that works for people of all ages and abilities. She wants it to be convenient whether they are using the network recreationally or commuting.

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​A Santa Fe College satellite campus is one step closer to coming to Hawthorne after the City Commission and Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted during a joint meeting on Tuesday to expedite plans.

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​On Wednesday, April 22, crews from Alachua County Fire Rescue, Florida Forest Service, and the Melrose and Windsor fire departments received reports of a brush fire along County Road 2082, near Hawthorne.

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​Several large wildfires remained active across Florida on Thursday afternoon, including in areas such as Alachua, Clay, Levy and Putman counties. 

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​Over a decade ago, an employee at Alachua County Fire Rescue convinced management to look into the potential of drones. Since their implementation in 2015, the firehouse’s drone program has developed.

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​Large wildfires continue in Alachua, Levy, Putnam and Clay counties, with thousands of acres burning and several smaller fires also dot the area.  

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​ In celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 19 – 25, 2026), Alachua County is proud to recognize the dedicated AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who serve through the Foster Grandparent Program, a division of Alachua County Community Support Services.

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​In recognition of the 2026 Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Alachua County Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center is hosting and participating in a series of events to raise awareness, honor survivors, and engage the community in prevention efforts.

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​Two former motels in Alachua County have been renovated and opened as housing communities to combat homelessness.

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​Alachua County cut the ribbon Tuesday on 67 permanent supportive and rapid rehousing units at East Tumblin Creek and Forest Edge off US 441 south of Gainesville. 

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​Alachua County’s plan to transform two former motels in southwest Gainesville into permanent supportive housing has officially come to fruition.

Celebrating a win for local affordable housing efforts and advocacy, county commissioners and staff cut the ribbon April 21 to welcome future residents to the former Scottish and Budget inns, located just south of the intersection of Southwest 13th Street and Williston Road.

Together, the properties include 67 units. The Budget Inn has been renamed East Tumblin Creek, while the Scottish Inn is now Forest Edge. Renovations began around May 2025, and residents can begin moving in April 27.​

​With a $4.6 million price tag, Gray Construction Services served as the contractor renovating the 36 one-bedroom units at East Tumblin Creek. Each unit features a studio-style apartment with space for a bed, kitchenette, bathroom and small living area.

The renovation of the 31 one-bedroom units at Forest Edge cost the county about $4.1 million and was led by Ulloa Management Group.

​Calling it a good day for the county, Commission Chair Ken Cornell said that when voters approved the infrastructure sales tax, they weren’t just voting for roads and parks, but for the kind of community that cares for its most vulnerable residents.

"A community takes care of the most vulnerable members. A community that sees a struggling motel on Southwest 13th Street and [doesn't ask], 'What is this? but asked, 'What could this become?' That answer stands before you today," Cornell said.

​Describing the effort behind permanent supportive housing, County Community Services Director Claudia Tuck said staff will work with individuals placed in the housing through the homeless continuum of care and provide case management support.

Tuck said some residents have been unhoused for 15 to 20 years, making it critical to wrap services around people using a housing-first approach rather than requiring sobriety or compliance before placement.

​"We've had some individuals who can't even stay indoors. Staying indoors is frightening to them. They've been outside for a long time. They may have to sleep on the porch for a couple of weeks but gradually they'll learn to live indoors again and succeed. We have so many examples of it," Tuck said.

​Alachua County social services staff told The Sun that residents will begin moving in April 27 and will arrive gradually. Utilities and Wi-Fi are included, and residents with income will pay 30% of their earnings toward rent. Those seeking employment will not pay rent until hired.

The Alachua County Commission approved the purchase of the Budget Inn in November 2020 for $2.2 million and subsequently the adjacent Scottish Inn in 2023 for around $1.8 million, with funding coming from the American Rescue Plan Act. 

​​Voters approved a one-cent infrastructure sales tax extension on Nov. 8, 2022, allowing the tax to continue for ten years through 2032. While half of the revenue supports Wild Spaces & Public Places projects, the remaining funds are dedicated to roads, fire stations, public facilities and affordable housing projects, including East Tumblin Creek and Forest Edge.

​Three large wildfires are still active and are expected to remain active until we get “sustained, saturating” rainfall, according to Florida Forest Service; state officials announced this morning that the heightened fire risk in the area is expected to last for about 10 more weeks (probably through June).

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​After years of planning, Alachua County cut the ribbon on Tuesday on two permanent housing facilities for people experiencing homelessness.

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