Newsroom

In observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holidays, city offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 18.

In light of recent events at the nation’s capital and amid increasing local concern about public safety leading up to the inauguration, the City of Gainesville wishes to reassure our neighbors that potential threats are being taken seriously, and that law enforcement and city leadership stand ready to ensure the safety of this community. The situation is being closely monitored, plans are in place and preparations underway.

City of Gainesville officials anticipate the continuation of severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit during evening hours, Tuesday, Jan. 12-Saturday, Jan. 16. The anticipated temperatures will lead to the activation of the city's Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F. The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.

City of Gainesville officials anticipate the continuation of severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit during evening hours, Saturday, Jan. 9-Sunday, Jan. 10. The anticipated temperatures will lead to the activation of the city's Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F. The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.

City of Gainesville officials anticipate the continuation of severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit during evening hours, through Friday, Jan. 8. The anticipated temperatures will lead to the activation of the city's Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F. The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.

Alachua County Commission Chair Ken Cornell is hosting a one-hour telephone town hall Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. to discuss the safety, efficacy and distribution of coronavirus vaccines in our community. Joining Chair Cornell will be City of Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe, Florida Department of Health Director Paul Myers, University of Florida Senior Vice President for Health Affairs and President of UF Health Dr. David Nelson, and North Florida Regional Medical Center Chief Operations Officer John Gerhold. 

The Solid Waste Division offers these guidelines to help neighbors properly recycle holiday items this season:

• Natural holiday trees and wreaths are accepted for collection curbside with regularly collected yard waste.
• Remove all tinsel, garland, ornaments, hooks, lights, wires and other decorations from natural trees and wreaths before placing them curbside for pickup. Remember to remove tree stands and store them for next year.
• Stringed holiday lights may be dropped off for recycling through the end of January at the main entrance of the city's Public Works building (405 NW 39th Ave.). Holiday lights also may be recycled year-round at any Alachua County Rural Collection Center.
• Other lights, such as bubble lights, compact florescent bulbs (CFLs), florescent tubes, liquid-filled lights and neon lights, should be taken to the Alachua County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center for disposal.
• Only non-glittery wrapping paper is accepted for recycling and may be placed with other recyclable paper in orange recycle bins. 
• Metal holiday tins are accepted for recycling. Tins should be emptied with lids removed before being placed in blue recycle bins. 
• Artificial trees can be disposed of through the residential bulk collection program. Artificial trees taller than five feet in length should be broken down into smaller pieces before placing curbside for collection.

City of Gainesville officials anticipate severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit during evening hours, Thursday, Dec. 24 through Sunday, Dec. 27. The anticipated temperatures will lead to the activation of the city's Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F. The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.

The City of Gainesville invites all neighbors to celebrate the arrival of 2021 during “Sing in the New Year,” two days of family-friendly festivities at Depot Park on Friday, Jan. 1 and Saturday, Jan. 2. Due to the pandemic, this event replaces end-of-the-year fireworks.

In observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays, city offices will be closed Thursday, Dec. 24, Friday, Dec. 25 and Friday, Jan. 1.