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GNV News Wrap for Thursday, Apr. 13, 2023
Topics covered in today's edition:
- New commission approaching 100 days
- Gainesville's plan to reduce debt
- Ribbon cutting to celebrate Albert Ray Massey Park
- GPD say two back to back shootings are related
- Florida bathroom bill could face legal fight after Rep. Barnaby calls trans people 'mutants'
- Former Gainesville Mayor Poe starts non-profit with international efforts
- Bill regulating on-campus speakers heads to final Senate committee
- Santa Fe College students launch monthly independent newspaper
- UF’s Inner Road to undergo 16-month construction project
- Saint Francis Catholic Academy students remodel well-known community member’s home in Gainesville
- Two students from Alachua County high schools to be recognized as Sunshine State Scholars
- Alachua County Administrative Offices holds sixth annual Civics Challenge
- 6th annual Santa Fe ‘Plein Air’ Paint-out event
- Alachua County places conservation easement on land in Micanopy
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Ward, new commission draws close to 100th day - Main Street Daily News
On Friday, Mayor Harvey Ward will complete his 100th day in office alongside new commissioners Ed Book, Bryan Eastman and Casey Willits, and the Gainesville City Commission has tackled priority items in its initial stretch. “This group of commissioners is doing good work and bringing good ideas to the table and learning how to work together as a commission under some very difficult circumstances,” Ward said.
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GNV concept plan aims to reduce $315M of debt - Main Street Daily News
Gainesville staff will present a plan at Thursday’s General Policy Committee to reduce debt at Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) by $315 million over the next 10 years. According to backup documents, the proposed plan would lower the utility’s capitalization ratio from 86% to 70%, meaning the city would have 30% equity in the utility instead of 14%.
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Ribbon cutting to celebrate new playground - Main Street Daily News
The City of Gainesville’s Wild Spaces & Public Places program and the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department are holding a ribbon cutting to celebrate the reopening of Albert “Ray” Massey playground on Friday. The ribbon cutting will be held from 10 – 11 a.m.
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Gainesville Police officers say two back-to-back shootings are related (Video)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Gainesville Police officers say two back-to-back shootings happening Monday and Tuesday are connected. The statement comes after three straight days of shootings in Gainesville. On Sunday, two shootings nearby Simons Nightclub left four injured. On Monday, a drive-by shooting left a Gainesville teen injured. Officers confirmed the victim and the shooter knew each other.
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Florida bathroom bill could face legal fight after lawmaker calls trans people 'mutants' - Tallahassee Democrat
While lawmakers this week advanced legislation that led Republican Rep. Webster Barnaby to compare transgender people to "mutants", "demons" and "imps," those insults could doom the bill if it becomes law and faces a court challenge. Barnaby made the remarks Monday afternoon during a House Commerce Committee meeting just before voting to support House Bill 1521, which requires people to use public restrooms that correspond with their sex assigned at birth, effectively barring transgender people from facilities that match their gender identity.
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Former Gainesville Mayor starts non-profit with international efforts - CBS4 News
Former Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe leads a local non-profit to expand Gainesville. The organization is called Greater Gainesville International Center.
Poe says a goal for the organization is to promote and conduct international business and cultural relations. The non-profit has partners including the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, UF, and Santa Fe. A few services include: tutoring, workshops, and outreach programs.
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Bill regulating on-campus speakers heads to final Senate committee - Florida Politics
A bill that would more closely regulate the diversity of speakers at the state’s universities and colleges is heading for its final Senate committee. The bill (SB 958) would create an Office of Public Policy Events through the Board of Governors and the State University System that would put a satellite office on each campus that would ensure speakers representing “multiple, divergent and opposing” viewpoints be presented on each campus.
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Santa Fe College students launch monthly independent newspaper - The Gainesville Sun
After a two-decade hiatus, the "passionate voices" of the students at Santa Fe College finally have an independent newspaper to call their own. The first issue of The Saint Bernard was published in March and is available online and at the various Santa Fe College centers around town. “We’re an independent, journalistic newspaper. For students, by students," said Editor-in-Chief Sara-James Ranta.
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UF’s Inner Road to undergo 16-month construction project - The Independent Florida Alligator | But where will they park? UF moped drivers are fed up as UF once again closes a main road and popular parking lot for construction and maintenance. In a press release Thursday, UF announced it will close Inner Road to all traffic starting Wednesday. The closure is due to improvements to underground utilities that serve nearby buildings like Broward and Newell Halls. | |
Saint Francis Catholic Academy students remodel well-known community member’s home in Gainesville - The Gainesville Sun
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - “A big part of service is being able to help others who can’t help themselves,” that is the thought behind 15 Saint Francis Catholic Academy students dedicating their spring break to helping an important member of the community.
“You know for kids to do that for anyone is huge,” said Hilary Hynes who worked at Alachua County Animal Services for more than 20 years and was part of TV20′s Morning Edition, showcasing adoptable pets.
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Students from around north central Florida recognized as Sunshine State Scholars
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Two students from Alachua County high schools are set to be honored by the state for their STEM achievements. Abigail Dagins, of Eastside Highschool, and Melissa Li of Buchholz High are Alachua County representatives to the Sunshine State Scholars program. The two students, along with scholars from across the state, will meet in Orlando to talk to state leaders, attend workshops, and network with colleges and universities.
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Alachua County Administrative Offices holds sixth annual Civics Challenge
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Get ready to press that buzzer because the sixth annual Civics Challenge is back.
50 Alachua County middle school students will be challenged to answer questions to showcase their knowledge of Civics on Thursday.
The winning team will take home trophies and the name of their school engraved on a perpetual plaque.
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Artists become one with nature at 6th annual Santa Fe ‘Plein Air’ Paint-out event
HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. (WCJB) -18 artists from North Central Florida are putting their art skills on display while becoming one with nature.
The artists met at the ‘Rum Island Springs County Park’ bright and early for the 6th annual Santa Fe Springs ‘Plein Air’ paint-out event. Plein air is the act of painting outdoors. Tina Corbett, the owner of Lanza Gallery and Art Supplies, said the idea started as a hobby with friends
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Battle over Dollar General coming to a close: Alachua County places conservation easement on land - WUFT News
Since December 2020, there has been a quiet controversy stirring in Micanopy, a controversy that is finally nearing its end. Aaron Weber, a Micanopy resident, lives one block away from a parcel of land heavy with history. The land is believed to be a native burial site and the location of the Battle of Micanopy from the Second Seminole War. But that is not all.
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