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This information is public record and the booking report is provided by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Department of the Jail.  The charges listed are at the time of arrest and and all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. For more details on a specific inmate use the Sheriff’s Office inmate search (for inmates currently at the jail). More specific information on charges is available by searching court records.  Jail booking logs are removed from the Alachua County Today website after 30 days.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Below are the updated City of Gainesville traffic impacts scheduled for March 22-29, 2024. 

New Notices

SE Second Ave.: Southeast Second Avenue, between Southeast First and Southeast Second Streets, will be closed from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through April 1. Access to the parking garage will not be affected from Southeast Second Street.

Continuing Notices 

SW 2oth Ave.: Southwest 20th Avenue, between Southwest 52nd Avenue and the I-75 bridge, will have nighttime construction from 8 p.m.-7 a.m. through March 31. This will lead to nighttime lane closures or single-lane flagging on the road.

NW 12th Drive: Northwest 12th Drive from Northwest Fifth Avenue to Northwest Third Avenue is currently closed northbound, but is open as a one-way street heading southbound through May 1.

SW 52nd Street: The eastbound right turn-lane onto Southwest 52nd Street from Southwest 20th Avenue is closed until April 7.

SE First Ave.: Southeast First Avenue (eastbound only) will be closed between South Main Street and Southeast First Street until April 1.

Clark Butler Blvd. area: The new traffic signals at Clark Butler, Southwest 62nd Boulevard, Southwest 43rd Street are turned on (in flashing mode). The traffic is guided through the intersection with traffic control devices.

Please be advised that this report covers the roads maintained by the City of Gainesville. For roads within Gainesville maintained by other agencies, please visit the following: 

• University of Florida campus road closures
• Alachua County right-of-way road and lane closures
• Florida Department of Transportation right-of-way road and lane closures
• Gainesville Public Works Facebook page

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GAINESVILLE, Fla., Mar. 21, 2024 – Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) and its FBO, the University Air Center (UAC) will once again host the Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day Saturday, March 23, 2024.

A fly-in is a gathering for pilots who arrive by air. The event takes place from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (pre-event pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m.) at University Air Center, 4701 NE 40th Terrace, Gainesville, Fla. (Enter at General Aviation Entrance, Waldo Road) and is open to the public. Admission and parking are free, and a complimentary shuttle will be provided.

“Our annual Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day is our way of honoring all branches of the military, including some great dignitaries, military and civil aviators who will be flying in many different types of aircraft to the UAC for the event,” says Allan Penksa, CEO, Gainesville Regional Airport. “It’s an exciting day for our community — especially anyone who is curious about flight — to learn more about aviation. We are honored to dedicate this year’s event to our dear friend and Gator Aviator Commander Lt. Col. Richard “Spad” McSpadden with a fitting and poignant ‘Flown West’ ceremony with a squadron of beautiful T-6 Texan and T-34 Mentors. This year we are especially focused on celebrating Women in Aviation. And as always, we look forward to sharing this very special celebration at our airport with the community.”

This year’s event will honor Commander Lt. Col. Richard “Spad” McSpadden with a Flown West Ceremony

Celebrating Women in Aviation and our Military

Planned events include opening ceremonies with a color guard and flyovers, most notably the “Flown West” ceremony for the late Commander Lt. Col. Richard “Spad” McSpadden, USAF (ret.), Friend of the Gator Fly-In, who served as commander and flight leader of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team, flying the lead aircraft in over 100 flight demonstrations. Most recently, Spad served as Senior Vice President of Aircraft Owner and Pilots’ Association’s (AOPA’s) Flight Safety Institute. Tragically, Spad lost his life in a plane crash in October 2023. Spad enjoyed the Gator Fly-In and was excited to attend this year’s event. The pre-event fun begins with a continuation of our celebration of the late Col. Joe Kittinger, with the second annual “Col. Joe ‘Pamcake’ Breakfast” at 8:30 a.m., with donations going to Col. Joe’s favorite charity, the International Sky Diving Museum & Hall of Fame (www.skydivingmuseum.org). In addition, Col. Joe’s autobiography, “Come Up and Get Me,” will be available for purchase at the event for $25. At 11 a.m., the gates will open to the public, with all participating aircraft in place. Opening ceremonies begin promptly at 1 p.m., with a color guard from Bucholz High School and drill team from the University of Florida (UF) Gator Guard, followed by the National Anthem, sung by “Big Jim” Adam (USMC, ret.). At 1:15 p.m. the “Flown West” ceremony honoring Commander Lt. Col. McSpadden will commence, with comments delivered by Kollin Stagnito, Senior Vice President of Media and Marketing, AOPA, and participation by the Civil Air Patrol. The flyover honoring McSpadden is planned to include T34 Mentor, T6 Texan and Socata TB-30 Epsilon aircraft. In addition, invited dignitaries will make speeches. (Distinguished Aviators include Lauren Monahan, UF alumna, former officer in the US Coast Guard, also a private pilot, and was just crowned Ms. Florida Senior America 2024; Elizabeth Gray, UF Alumna and Delta Pilot, and AOPA President, Kollin Stagnito.) Veterans’ groups from the North Central Florida region have been invited to participate.

Static Display:

All branches of the military have been invited to fly in and participate in the event’s static display. We also expect aircraft manufacturers, privately owned aircraft and law enforcement aircraft to be on display.

Best Aircraft Contest and People’s Choice Awards

A “Best Civilian Aircraft” and “People’s Choice: Best Aircraft” contest will be held, allowing event attendees to vote for their favorite aircraft at the Gator Fly-In. The two winners will be announced and presented with awards at 2:30 p.m.

Live Music, Classic Cars, Kids’ Activities and All-Day Food Trucks

Activities include touring static aircraft and Porsche Club car displays, military trucks, a kid’s corner with face painting, toy airplanes and coloring, arts and crafts vendors, and food trucks. Live Music by The Treetop Flyers will take place throughout the event. In addition to the “Col. Joe ‘Pamcake’ Breakfast” from 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., food trucks and a variety of food vendors will operate throughout the event.

Aircraft Rides for purchase – North American T-34B Mentor, Fairchild PT-19A, P51-D Mustang, Robinson 44 Helicopter and Cessna 172; “Swamp Tours”

For a fee, attendees can purchase rides in five different aircraft. Commemorative Air Force, Airbase Georgia will provide Beechcraft T-34B Mentor and Fairchild PT-19A Cornell flights for purchase. The Beechcraft T-34B Mentor is an American propeller-driven, single-engined, military trainer aircraft derived from the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. The Fairchild PT-19A is a historic Tuskegee Airmen Trainer serving at Moton Field from 1943 to 1944. Interested parties may purchase T-34 or Fairchild PT-19 rides in advance of the event at https://airbasegeorgia.org/event/gator-fly-in-gainesville-fl/or walk-up tickets can be purchased at the UAC booth in the Mustang Hangar ($295 for 20 minutes; $395 for 30 minutes.) The Commemorative Air Force is also providing P51-D Mustang Rides ($2500 for 20 minutes). Interested parties may purchase P-51D rides in advance of the event at CAF Gunfighter Rides (p51gunfighter.com)

Walk-up tickets can also be purchased at the event. In addition, UAC is offering “Swamp Tours” lasting about 15 minutes, in which passengers can fly over the UF Football Stadium in a Cessna 172 ($50) or a Bell 47-G or Robinson R-44 helicopter ($50).

A wide variety of general aviation, corporate, aerobatic, glider and homebuilt aircraft are expected at the Gator Fly-In.

All branches of the military have been invited to fly in and participate in the event’s static display. As of this news release, confirmed military aircraft include UH-60 Blackhawk, Boeing P-8 Poseidon, North American T-6 Texan, TH-73A Thrasher, and T-34B Mentor, as well as Shandscair Helicopter and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter, and Life South Bloodplane aircraft. Confirmed military aircraft will be updated as they are scheduled. We also expect aircraft manufacturers, privately owned aircraft and law enforcement aircraft to be on display. All aircraft and pilots are subject to change due to weather, mechanicals and availability.

A schedule for the day follows:

1. 9 a.m. Vendors arrive for set up
2. Pre-Event: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. First Annual Col. Joe “Pamcake” Breakfast
3. 10 a.m. – aircraft arrive and park; all aircraft parked by 10:45 a.m.
4. 11 a.m. – Public Arrive; helicopter and airplane rides begin
5. 11 a.m. Live Music, food trucks
6. 1 p.m. Opening Ceremony
7. 1:15 p.m. Flown West Ceremony for Commander Lt. Col. Richard “Spad” McSpadden
8. 1:20 p.m. Speakers begin
9. 2:30 p.m. People’s choice and Best of Show Airplane Contest Announced
10. 3 p.m. Final thank you and prep for departures

Please tell your flying friends and anyone who would rather be “flying in.” For more information on the Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day, please contact Pam Landis at paml@universityaircenter.com or phone (352) 416-0787, visit the Gator Fly-In Facebook page or https://www.flygainesville.com

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- Tap into the Florida Museum of Natural History’s grand opening of its new, permanent exhibit, “Water Shapes Florida,” with a celebration March 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This free, family-friendly festival includes hands-on learning activities, workshops, food trucks and more! Water-themed local music and art performances will include jazz band Porch Swing from 12 to 1 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. “State of Wonder,” performed by Danscompany of Gainesville, will take place from 11 to 11:30 a.m.

Visitors can explore the art and science of water through activities for all ages and skill levels. Discover the magic of watercolor resistant-art, in which crayons and watercolor paints repel each other to create stunning effects; create an artistic topography map based on how water and the elements interact with the landscape; and bottle up your creativity by decorating a bottle.

The first-place, second-place, third-place and Judges’ Award winners of the Water Shapes Florida photo contest will be recognized during the opening celebration at 10 a.m.

The museum will also be hosting workshops as part of the celebration. Get out in nature and explore the wetlands in the University of Florida’s Natural Area Teaching Lab with Alberto Lopez, the museum’s youth outreach coordinator who is also a naturalist and photographer. Once guests reserve their spots, they can uncover tips and tricks to capturing interesting subjects and great cellphone pictures through the Exploring Wetlands with Mobile Photography workshop from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Attendees will also learn how their pictures can be submitted to iNaturalist’s worldwide City Nature Challenge to further scientific research on conservation.

Refresh your backyard’s biodiversity through the Water Wise Planting for Your Home Habitat workshop from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Led by Ryan Fessenden, the museum’s “Butterfly Rainforest” manager, registered guests can learn how to improve their personal ecosystems, conserve water and local habitats. Both workshops are free, require pre-registration and limited to 20 participants each.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase at B’z Gelati. Community organizations that will educate visitors on local natural resources include the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Alachua County Environmental Protection Department, Florida Museum ichthyology collection and Lubee Bat Conservancy.

Water is one of Florida’s most valuable renewable resources, as the state is home to more than 1,000 freshwater springs. This new, engaging exhibit will follow the history of Florida’s waterways, from underground aquifers to rivers and lakes and the clouds in the sky.

“Overall, I just think that it ties a lot of different disciplines together because there’s not only people that study water but also those that study the animals that live in the water, the plants that use water and the way the water-cycle processes occur,” said Janelle Peña-Jiménez, public programs coordinator at the Florida Museum. “It’s a great tool for engaging audiences to learn about what’s happening and why we should care about springs and protecting them.”

The “Water Shapes Florida” exhibit replaced the “Northwest Florida: Waterways & Wildlife” exhibit, which closed its doors in early 2023. The new display has revamped the immersive cave experience that has captivated visitors for over 20 years.

“Our beloved cave has been given a fresh look with new content, lighting and media screens, giving visitors a peek into the aquifer beneath their feet. We have also created a glass-bottom-boat theater that takes visitors on a magical journey to visit some of Florida’s iconic springs,” said Florida Museum exhibit coordinator Julie Waters.

The Springs Gallery, Recharge Lounge and Water Lab areas invite guests to learn about the history of Florida’s aquifers, the biodiversity of freshwater biomes and current research with various multimedia displays, interpretative graphics, and real objects and specimens.

“Being surrounded by water, it’s easy to forget that the water supply is currently threatened by pollution and overuse,” Waters said. “We are living in a critical time where the choices we make will impact the future, either positively or negatively. We hope that this exhibit will inform and inspire visitors to protect this valuable resource.”

Alongside the opening day celebration of the “Water Shapes Florida” exhibit, the museum will host the following events:

• March 24, 1 to 4 p.m. – Science Surprises: Splash into Science
• March 25, 9 to 10 a.m. – Monday with the Manatee Storytime
• March 28, 6 to 9 p.m. – Trivia Night: Water Shapes Florida

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This information is public record and the booking report is provided by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Department of the Jail.  The charges listed are at the time of arrest and and all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. For more details on a specific inmate use the Sheriff’s Office inmate search (for inmates currently at the jail). More specific information on charges is available by searching court records.  Jail booking logs are removed from the Alachua County Today website after 30 days.

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Updates to the Alachua County Landscape Irrigation Design and Maintenance Standards code took effect on June 12, 2023. Commercial properties within Alachua County with permanent irrigation systems are now required to register their system and submit an annual irrigation system maintenance report detailing water conservation activities to repair leaks, correct overspray, adjust scheduling, and address other issues that reduce efficiency and wastewater.

 “Annual maintenance has been required for all permanent irrigation systems since the code was adopted in 2016,” said Eliana Bardi, a water conservation coordinator with the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department. “The addition of the annual reporting requirement for commercial systems aims to curb unnecessary water waste that results from damaged systems and changing site conditions that may go unaddressed. We often find that the person paying the water bill has never seen the site and does not realize the bill is high due to leaks.”

 Rebates are currently offered through the irrigation level-up rebate program to assist property owners with repairs and upgrades. Eligible commercial properties may qualify for a 50% rebate up to $8,000 per property for repairs and upgrades that curb water use and improve efficiency. 

 Learn more about the annual maintenance reporting requirement.

 Learn more about the Irrigation Level Up rebate program.

 For more information, contact Eliana Bardi at 352-264-6801 or ebardi@alachuacounty.us.

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