Glory Reitz

Gainesville

Reporter at Mainstreet Daily News

storyteller, tea drinker, reporter @newsgainesville (my opinions are my own, RT ≠ endorsement)

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Articles

School Board of Alachua County moves to discontinue Rawlings year-round program

1 month ago | mainstreetdailynews.com | Glory Reitz

The School Board of Alachua County (SBAC) unexpectedly nixed Rawlings Elementary School’s year-round school program during a regular meeting on Tuesday night. Rawlings was on the meeting agenda for approval of its calendar for the 2025-26 school year, but staff brought an extra presentation with details on the new calendar’s impact after its first year. According to Jim Kuhn, principal for K-12 school improvement, presented an update on Rawlings’ progress in its first year as a year-round school.
Alachua County teachers union settles for 1.3% raise agreement in bargaining

1 month ago | mainstreetdailynews.com | Glory Reitz

Representatives from the Alachua County Education Association (ACEA) and Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) settled on a 1.3% raise for teachers in a bargaining meeting on Monday. The agreement still needs to be approved by the school board and teachers before it can come into effect. Teachers previously turned down a salary agreement in January that offered a 1.6% salary increase, retroactive to July 1, 2024, or to the day an employee began working during the school year.
Newberry to apply for neighborhood revitalization grant

1 month ago | mainstreetdailynews.com | Glory Reitz

The Newberry City Commission approved a plan to apply for a state grant to repave roads in lower-income areas of town during a regular meeting on Monday. The commission also voted unanimously on a franchise ordinance that will allow Central Florida Electric Cooperative (CFEC) to furnish, sell, and distribute electric power in the city.
Gators men’s basketball team celebrates title at Orange and Blue game

1 month ago | mainstreetdailynews.com | Glory Reitz

Gator fans at UF’s annual Orange and Blue spring football game got an extra chance to cheer on Saturday, in the wake of a national men’s basketball championship. During an extended halftime, Gator Nation celebrated the UF men’s basketball team, which won the NCAA Tournament national championship earlier in the week 65-63 over Houston. It was the Gators’ third time winning the tournament since they took back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.
Gainesville looks for $130K for another year of Hoggetown downtown

1 month ago | mainstreetdailynews.com | Glory Reitz

The city of Gainesville’s General Policy Committee directed staff to work on funding to keep the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire downtown for another year and to continue exploring alternatives for a permanent site, during a regular meeting on Thursday. The faire began in 1986 at the Thomas Center, where it remained for five years before moving to the Alachua County Fairgrounds for the next three decades.
Alachua votes in new mayor, commissioner

1 month ago | mainstreetdailynews.com | Glory Reitz

Two newcomers have successfully joined the city of Alachua’s political scene, having defeated incumbents to take their places as mayor and commissioner. Walter Welch will become Alachua’s second-ever elected mayor after defeating Gib Coerper, who has held the office since 2010 when it became an elected position. Before that, Coerper spent six years on the city commission.
Newberry picks Marden, Long, Mazon in unofficial results

1 month ago | mainstreetdailynews.com | Glory Reitz

The citizens of Newberry voted for continuity and trust in current leadership in a municipal election on Tuesday, electing a current city commissioner to become mayor, and choosing a planning and zoning board member and an incumbent for two open commission seats. The results as of Tuesday night are unofficial but will become official after they are audited and approved by the Newberry City Commission.
Area gears up with Easter events

1 month ago | mainstreetdailynews.com | Glory Reitz

Easter is right around the corner, and a mysterious rabbit is making his way around the county, hiding eggs for children to find. Multiple area churches and organizations have set up Easter egg hunts or other themed events in the time leading up to the holiday. Here’s a roundup to help you hunt down the event that works for your family.
City of Alachua receives clean audit report

1 month ago | mainstreetdailynews.com | Glory Reitz

An external review of the city of Alachua’s financial records for the 2023-24 fiscal year found no significant problems, according to results presented to the City Commission during a regular meeting on Monday night. Ron Whitesides, chair of the audit department at Purvis Gray, the city’s independent certified public accountants, presented the audit results. “The management team is doing a very good job of… properly accounting for the city’s transactions and capturing those,” Whitesides said.
Gainesville flyers stir Alachua, Newberry election season

1 month ago | mainstreetdailynews.com | Glory Reitz

Strings of political mailers have appeared in Alachua and Newberry mailboxes in the final leg before the towns’ elections, sent without the approval of the candidates they represent. With days left before the two towns’ April 8 elections, candidates are responding to the flyers’ different tones with determination to focus on their own campaign and town, not the outside influence.