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ALACHUA — A touch of New Orleans magic filled the Alachua Woman’s Club on Saturday, April 12, 2025, as the community came together for “A Night of Mystery & Elegance” — a Mardi Gras-inspired gala that blended celebration with purpose.

Guests enjoyed an evening of dinner, dancing, refreshments, and a silent auction, all in support of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The venue was transformed into a vibrant scene of color and intrigue, where masks were mandatory and creativity in attire was encouraged — from elegant gowns to casual outfits with a festive flair.

The event not only delivered on its promise of mystery and merriment, but also raised critical funds for cancer research, patient services, and educational programs through the American Cancer Society. Organizers called the evening a resounding success, celebrating both the spirit of Mardi Gras and the strength of a community united in the fight against cancer.

Relay for Life, the event’s beneficiary, has a rich history rooted in compassion and perseverance. Founded in 1985 by Dr. Gordy Klatt in Tacoma, Washington, the first Relay for Life began as a solo 24-hour walk around a track, during which Klatt raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society. Since then, the grassroots movement has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising over $6.5 billion to date.

Relay for Life events honor cancer survivors, remember those lost, and empower participants to take action. Funds raised support groundbreaking cancer research, advocacy, prevention efforts, and services like free rides to treatment and lodging for patients and their families.

With strong community participation and heartfelt support, A Night of Mystery & Elegance echoed the mission of Relay for Life — to celebrate lives, save lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer

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ALACHUA ‒ The vacant northwest corner of U.S. Highway 441 and County Road 235A received the initial nod for commercial development following unanimous approval by city commissioners Monday night.

In a 4-0 vote, the Alachua City Commission on April 7, 2025, approved on first reading two related ordinances — Ordinance 25-06 and Ordinance 25-07 — that amend both the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and the Official Zoning Atlas for approximately 5.07 acres located at 16313 N.W. U.S. Highway 441.

Ordinance 25-06 changes the land use designation of the property from Agriculture and Rural/Agriculture (County) to Commercial, aligning it with the City of Alachua’s future land use planning and allowing for business-related development on the site.

Ordinance 25-07, approved in a quasi-judicial hearing, rezones the property from Agricultural (A)(County) and Administrative and Professional (AP)(County) to Community Commercial (CC). This zoning category permits a wide range of commercial uses intended to serve the broader community and is typically designated for properties located along major roadways like U.S. 441.

Commissioners heard from one resident who lives in the neighborhood immediately north of the site being rezoned. She asked the commission to keep that neighborhood, although not located within the City of Alachua, in mind as projects on the site move forward. Adequate buffering between the neighborhood and the commercial parcel was of particular concern.

The site includes two parcels — tax numbers 03044-001-002 and 03044-002-000 — and was recently annexed into the city. Under Alachua’s Land Development Regulations, annexed land must be assigned a city zoning designation before development can proceed. The zoning change satisfies that requirement and opens the door to future commercial projects.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Palms Medical Group welcomed local families and residents on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for a community health fair at its High Springs location, offering free health services, family activities, and a chance to connect with local organizations.

Held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event featured over 25 vendors, complimentary health screenings for all ages, and a visit from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, which was a highlight for many attendees.

Over the course of the day, Palms facilitated 35 mammograms and numerous other health screenings, providing many attendees with services they might not have otherwise received.

“We are honored to have had the opportunity to host this health fair,” said Anita Rembert, CEO of Palms Medical Group. “We jump at any opportunity to get together as a healthcare organization and rally around our friends and neighbors. It’s in our mission: to enhance the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

In addition to medical services, the event offered family-friendly activities and opportunities for residents to engage with healthcare and wellness providers in a relaxed setting. Organizers say the health fair will become an annual tradition.

Palms Medical Group is a not-for-profit healthcare provider serving North Florida for more than 50 years. With 13 locations, same-day appointments, flexible hours, and bilingual staff, Palms focuses on providing quality, affordable care. The High Springs location is at 16916 NW US Highway 441.

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HAWTHORNE ‒ A 34-year-old Hawthorne man is facing a lengthy list of felony charges after deputies found him lying in the road with a loaded short-barreled rifle on Sunday morning.

Deputies and Alachua County Fire Rescue responded around 6:30 a.m. on April 6, 2025, to a report of a man lying in the 18100 block of Southwest 243rd Street. When they arrived, they found Jonathan James Russel Sweat on his back with a rifle resting on his chest.

Deputies removed the firearm so paramedics could render aid. The weapon was found to be a short-barreled rifle with a barrel measuring just three inches—well below the legal minimum of 16 inches—and its serial number had been removed. The gun was loaded with nine 9 mm rounds.

During a search incident to arrest, deputies also reported finding a glass pipe commonly used to smoke illegal drugs.

Sweat was transported to a hospital for treatment and admitted. He has since been charged with possession of a short-barreled rifle, ten counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also booked on outstanding warrants for driving without a valid license and violating probation.

According to court records, Sweat has a criminal history that includes six felony convictions and nine misdemeanors, including one for a violent offense. He previously served a state prison sentence and was released in 2013. He is currently on probation for driving without a valid license and was fined in a 2024 case involving battery and drug paraphernalia. Court records show he has not paid any of those fines.

The probation violation warrant requires Sweat be held without bond. Bail was set at $10,000 for the license charge, and Judge Meshon Rawls set an additional $177,000 bail for the new charges.

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ALACHUA ‒ Starting kindergarten is a big step — and Alachua County Public Schools is helping families get ready with its annual Kindergarten Round-Up on April 16. Families with children entering kindergarten in the 2025–26 school year are invited to participate in Alachua County Public Schools' annual Kindergarten Round-Up.

All elementary schools that serve kindergarten students will open their doors at 2:15 p.m., giving incoming students and their parents or guardians an opportunity to tour campuses, meet teachers and staff, and learn more about the schools they’ll be joining in the fall.

The initiative, hosted by the School Board of Alachua County, is designed to help families become familiar with their child’s new school environment and ease the transition into kindergarten.

The new school year begins Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, for most schools in the district. The academic calendar for Rawlings Center for the Fine Arts, which follows a year-round schedule, is still being finalized.

Florida law requires that children be five years old on or before Sept. 1 to enroll in kindergarten. Beginning Monday, April 8, families can start the online registration process for both incoming kindergarteners and any students new to the district by visiting www.sbac.edu/enrollment.

Before the school year begins, parents must submit several required documents to their child’s zoned school. These include a birth certificate, proof of a physical exam conducted within the past year, immunization records, and two proofs of residence in the parent’s name. Acceptable documents for residency verification include a lease agreement, property tax statement, or utility bill or other documents.

Schools will remain open during the summer to assist families with enrollment.

For help determining which school a child is zoned to attend, families can visit www.sbac.edu/enrollment or contact the district’s Office of Student Assignment at 352-955-7700.

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ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua has been awarded a Safety Award by the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) in recognition of its outstanding record of safe operations within its electric utility department.

The award, presented in March 2025, honors public power utilities across the state that demonstrate a consistent commitment to employee safety and workplace best practices.

The City of Alachua earned the recognition for achieving a perfect safety record in Category A, which includes utilities reporting zero to 59,999 total worker hours.

“Each of these winners embodies the safety culture deeply inherent in public power,” said FMEA Executive Director Amy Zubaly. “Their continuous efforts throughout the year to maintain safe workplaces and cultivate a culture of safety ensure employees can work both securely and efficiently.”

Utilities are evaluated and placed into categories based on total worker hours. Awards are given to those with the most incident-free records in each group.

City Manager Mike DaRoza said the recognition reflects the City’s commitment to employee well-being.

“As a city administrator, safety for each of our coworkers is of utmost importance,” DaRoza said. “I am proud to see that, not only is our Electric Department operating safely, but they have also fostered an environment where safety isn’t a goal, it’s a non-negotiable standard.”

The FMEA Safety Award serves to recognize municipalities that not only avoid workplace injuries but also establish and maintain long-term safety-focused cultures within their operations.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Technology companies are identifying the first popular social media platforms covered under Florida's new law banning such services for young teens: Snapchat and YouTube. The acknowledgement came in the latest federal court filings as part of a renewed legal fight challenging whether the restrictions are constitutional. 

The court records said Facebook and Instagram might also be covered because they “appear to satisfy each of the criteria” under the new law. The companies cited references to Instagram and Facebook by Republican lawmakers who identified which social media companies they were targeting with the bill during its passage last year.

The new filings, submitted late Friday in U.S. District Court in Tallahassee, relaunched the landmark legal case seeking to overturn the state law, which bans some social media accounts for teens younger than 16, or for 14 and 15 year olds without a parent’s permission.

U.S. Judge Mark Walker weeks ago threw out an earlier version of a lawsuit by the technology industry because he said it failed to specify which social media companies might be affected under the law. He gave two trade groups leading the court fight until midnight Monday to refile a new lawsuit.

The law affects only social media companies with 10% or more of daily active users who are younger than 16 and who spend on average two hours or more on the app, and have what lawmakers describe as addictive features like push notifications or serving up new videos endlessly. If all conditions aren’t met, the platform wouldn’t be affected.

The new court filings included representatives of SnapChat and YouTube saying their platforms would or likely would be impacted by Florida’s law, which went into effect in January but hasn’t been enforced yet by the state’s attorney general. 

The senior director of Snapchat, David Boyle, said the app was covered under Florida’s new law but already has protections in place for young teens. Neither Snapchat or YouTube requires users who are 14 or 15 to obtain a parent’s permission before opening an account, the court records said.

“Minors can only view direct messages from users with whom they are already friends on the platform or already have in their phone’s contacts,” he said. “The teen will receive an in-app warning that this person is outside the teen’s network.” 

Boyle said Snapchat also offers resources from mental health experts for users. 

When the bill was introduced in last year’s legislative session, sponsors said that the mental health of minors who excessively use social media was a main concern. They said the platforms increased depression and loneliness among young teens.

Alexandra Veitch, director of public policy for the Americas at YouTube, said the company would be affected under Florida’s law because its use of algorithms curates content for users and allows users to enable push notifications. 

Veitch could not gather data on whether 10% or more of daily active users who are younger than 16 and who spend on average two hours or more on the app, because demographics are constantly changing – but she said that based on historical data YouTube could be affected.

Attorneys for the trade groups that are plaintiffs in the case said parents in Florida can already employ restrictions for their children's usage.

“In a nation that values the First Amendment, the preferred response is to let parents decide what speech and mediums their minor children may access – including by utilizing the many available tools to monitor their activities on the Internet,” the new lawsuit said..

The companies renewed their request for a preliminary injunction to temporarily block the law. It wasn’t clear when the judge would decide whether to grant that request. The judge said he would schedule the next steps in the case on Thursday morning.

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This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. The reporter can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can donate to support our students here.

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OCALA - Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida has awarded more than 7,800 recruitment bonuses to new law enforcement officers through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program. The latest round of bonuses went to officers serving in Marion County, while an additional 660 bonuses have recently been distributed to recruits across the state.

Launched in 2022, this first-of-its-kind initiative underscores Florida’s nation-leading commitment to supporting law enforcement. The program provides a one-time $5,000 bonus—after taxes—to newly employed officers as a show of appreciation and incentive for choosing to serve in Florida.

“When other states were defunding their police, demonizing law enforcement, and kneecapping their criminal justice system, we rewarded our law enforcement for their service,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I was proud to be in Marion County to award recruitment bonus checks to Florida’s newest law enforcement officers and thank them for their commitment to protecting our communities.”

To date, more than 1,700 law enforcement officers from 49 other states and two territories have relocated to Florida, with more than 500 coming from anti-police states like California, Illinois, and New York. Each of the 7,800 newly recruited officers has received a $5,000 bonus after taxes, with the program distributing more than $53 million to date.

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has led the nation in recruiting law enforcement officials and implementing strong immigration policies,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “We remain committed to strengthening the resources available to law enforcement and helping in their mission to set the standard for combating illegal immigration.”

In addition to a $5,000 recruitment bonus, benefits of becoming a Florida law enforcement officer include financial stability, upward mobility, excellent health and retirement benefits, student loan forgiveness programs, home loan programs, and more.

For more information about the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment, visit FloridaJobs.org/Recognition-and-Recruitment.

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TALLAHASSEE – In support of President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14172, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson today directed the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to, as quickly as possible, rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in all department administrative rules, forms, maps, and resources.

“The Gulf of America has helped shape our state and nation’s economy, history, and culture for generations. It is a vital resource that has fed our families, powered our economy, and provided unrivaled opportunities for recreation and tourism,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “President Trump’s action rightfully recognizes the Gulf of America’s significance to our nation, and I am proud to help support this effort and ensure that Florida honors this historic change.”

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has many divisions, offices, and programs that directly pertain to the Gulf of America, including:

  • Division of Aquaculture: Responsible for developing and enforcing regulations governing commercial aquaculture harvesting and processing; leasing of coastal state submerged land for aquacultural purposes; developing and enforcing Aquaculture Best Management Practices; supporting financial, educational and technical assistance to Florida aquafarmers; certifying and inspecting shellfish processing plants; classifying and monitoring shellfish harvesting areas; and more.
  • Division of Marketing: Promotes the state’s commercial fishing industry and retail seafood markets to increase sales of Florida seafood products.
  • Division of Food Safety: Enforces the illegal mislabeling of foreign-caught seafood as wild-caught Florida seafood at Florida retail seafood markets and grocery stores.

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TALLLAHASSEE — Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky today is requiring additional data from insurers to be submitted to the Office of Insurance Regulation and is directing insurers to make sure they are following the law. OIR is issuing an informational memorandum to remind insurers of the need to properly evaluate property damage claims caused by the peril of water and the peril of wind sustained during the 2024 Hurricane Season. The Office recently learned of potentially concerning behavior relating to anti-concurrent causation policy language and the explicit avoidance of applying coverage for policyholders. Commissioner Yaworsky expects insurers, before denying a total loss claim, to be mindful and make sure the company is following the law. OIR’s informational memorandum also requires residential property insurers to report certain flood-related information to the office.       

Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky said, “The Office of Insurance Regulation is examining data from companies to ensure that there is no abuse with the exemption process when determining total loss claims, especially for policyholders impacted by repeated hurricane damage during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. If our office finds explicit abuse and failure to comply with Florida law, OIR will take additional regulatory action.” 

During the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, three hurricanes impacted Florida causing significant and, in certain areas, repeated damage by both wind and storm surge. The Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Consumer Services receives intake of consumer complaints regarding insurance matters. DFS has received a significant number of flood-related consumer complaints relating to timely payment of claims, inaccurate claims payments and post-claims underwriting.

OIR’s informational memorandum is requiring the reporting of information about National Flood Insurance Program’s Write Your Own policies and reminds insurers of the need to properly evaluate claim determinations when damage is caused by the peril of water and the peril of wind, commonly referred to as concurrent causation. While the office recognizes case law surrounding concurrent causation and anti-concurrent causation policy language, it is not a mechanism to handle claims poorly. Claims that trigger concurrent causation must be well documented and determined in accordance with Florida law. As in all cases, violations of the law, improperly handled claims involving concurrent causation will result in administrative action and restitution to the consumer.

OIR’s Market Regulation Bureau will review information from all three storms that made landfall during the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, as well as the accuracy of insurers’ claims determinations—including information stemmed from the concurrent causation doctrine and anti-concurrent causation policy language.

To view the informational memorandum, click here.

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 GAINESVILLE – The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is preparing to bid a bittersweet farewell to its beloved Asian small-clawed otter family as they move to their new home at the Memphis Zoo on March 5, 2025. Duncan and Chitra arrived at the SF Teaching Zoo in 2019, where they delighted everyone with the arrival of pups in 2020 and again in 2023. All 7 members of the otter family will make the move.
 
The move is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP), a nationwide effort to protect and sustain the Asian small-clawed otter population in accredited zoos. Recommendations are made based on breeding compatibility and needs of the otter population in zoos.
 
While their departure will be emotional for students, staff, and visitors, the transition comes at an ideal time, coinciding with planned renovations to the otters’ habitat at SF Teaching Zoo as part of the Zoo’s newly created Master Plan.
 
“We know the otter family is a favorite for many of our guests” said Zoo Director, Jonathan Miot. “They will be missed by students and staff, but we are comforted to know they will be living in a beautiful new home while we renovate the habitat.” 
 
In preparation for their move, the otter family has been participating in a groundbreaking interspecies communication program using FluentPet technology, a system of buttons that allows animals to associate words with actions and objects.
 
“This is a unique opportunity for both the otters and our students,” said Julie Smith, professor in the Zoo Animal Technology Program. “Our team has been working on innovative training techniques to help ease the otters’ transition to a new facility and new caregivers.”
 
SF Teaching Zoo is among the first institutions to expand FluentPet research beyond companion animals, training otters, tortoises, and capuchin monkeys to use communication buttons. The otters are currently learning words such as “new,” “move,” “otter,” and “human” to help them adapt to their upcoming transition. 
 
“This is the first time any animal in the FluentPet program will be transferred from one zoological facility to another,” Smith said. “The Memphis Zoo team is excited to continue this innovative research.”
 
Otter Farewell Weekend – March 1 & 2
The zoo invites members and visitors to say their goodbyes at a special farewell event on March 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include:
 
  • Otter training demonstrations
  • Keeper talks 
  • Crafts and activities 
  • A special gift for zoo members
 
Support the Otter Habitat Renovation
To ensure that otters can return to the SF Teaching Zoo in the future, donations are being accepted to support the renovation of their habitat. Contributions can be made online at tinyurl.com/47zda5d2 (type “otters” in the comments). For larger contributions, please contact Jonathan Miot at 352-395-5602 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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GAINESVILLE – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping new law Thursday at the Capitol that puts him in charge of a new state board of immigration enforcement, toughens punishments for crimes committed by immigrants in the U.S. illegally and requires state and local governments to cooperate with federal deportation efforts.

The new law, passed during a four-day special session of the Legislature, also cancels in-state tuition for immigrants at Florida’s public colleges and universities who are here illegally and prohibits the state from issuing driver’s licenses to those immigrants. It also permits Florida’s disaster management agency to deport immigrants aboard state planes and seek reimbursement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The new law also makes it illegal for others to aid or solicit a non-citizen immigrant to vote in elections. It already was illegal in Florida for those immigrants to vote, and there is no evidence such voting has taken place on any significant scale.

In Tallahassee, the governor and legislative leaders billed the new immigration package as a compromise, after DeSantis had criticized an earlier proposal approved Jan. 28 by the Legislature as “weak, weak, weak.” The new bill effectively put DeSantis in charge of immigration policy in Florida, while the previous measure – which DeSantis had threatened to veto – gave that authority to the elected commissioner of agriculture.

“I absolutely anticipate other states will follow what Florida has done as we move forward in the weeks and months ahead.” DeSantis said. “We are ahead of the curve on ending the illegal immigration crisis. We didn't just set our hands. We got to work.”

Under the new law, a new immigration enforcement council will advise the state immigration enforcement board. The council will include police chiefs appointed by the governor, attorney general, chief financial officer and agriculture commissioner, plus sheriffs selected by the Senate president and House speaker. The council’s first meeting must take place by April 1.

Thursday’s action ended a surprisingly bitter and rare disagreement between the Republican governor and GOP-led House and Senate. 

DeSantis said he did not take the disagreement personally and harbored no hard feelings toward Florida legislators, after they snubbed him by immediately adjourning his special session, beginning their own and overriding a previous budget veto for legislative funding in January.

Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Bartow, said the disputes were part of a healthy legislative exercise.

“It's very complex. It's very complicated,” Albritton said. “I'll just tell you that our Republican family, we're together, and we are moving forward together.”

House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, agreed.

“This is just a disagreement. It's normal. It's healthy,” Perez said. “People wanted to make this seem like a feud, but it wasn't. It was just a disagreement on how to get to the finish line.”

The bill passed in the Senate 27-10 and in the House 85-30 largely along party-line voting.

“The recent dynamics between the House, the Senate and the governor's office may have made some of us a little bit uncomfortable over the last couple weeks, but the reality is that experience is healthy,” said Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Tarpon Springs. “It proved that when we all work together, we produce the best possible product for Floridians, and that product is before us today.”

Rep. Wallace Aristide, D-North Miami Beach, acknowledged concerns about crimes committed by immigrants but defended other immigrants working for better opportunities, citing his family’s experiences.

“There's two sides to a story,” Aristide said. “I'm against those that are here, illegally committing crime, doing something wrong. We can't support it, but I got to support those that are trying to make their lives better for themselves and their family.”

Most provisions of the new law took effect immediately after DeSantis signed it. In-state tuition for students who were immigrants in the U.S. illegally will end July 1.

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We want to thank the Alachua County Today community for strongly supporting the Alachua Main Street Harvest Festival this past Sunday.

There were over 200 vendors with all types of products and a record crowd that was amazing from start to finish.  The vendors do a fantastic job of coming early and setting up for a big day and they were rewarded. 

Our 37th Alachua Main Street festival was a resounding success!

Marilyn Vanover

Alachua Business League

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Small municipalities are currently undergoing numerous changes and financial problems. Elected officials often spearhead projects within their cities, but I do not see much of that taking place in my city of Archer. In most cases we have no oversight, follow up or plans. The lack of these brings about project delays affecting the utilization of grants and other resources in the city.

It is a sad thing to see the newly planned Community Center project for the Holly Hills neighborhood going down the drain and grant funding being returned.

Municipalities are grappling with an influx of grant funds aimed at addressing numerous community projects. As someone who has authored and received numerous grants, I can attest that effective leadership is crucial for fund management. The associated reports alone are intricate. This underscores the importance of well -trained municipal managers and staff, including contingency training.

The city manager should be a proficient communicator, hands-on, and proactive, engaging with the community to address the needs. The city manager assumes a leadership role, ensuring task are completed, while the commissioners act as overseers, bridging the gap between politics and administration and executing the laws.

Citizens and residents in many small towns like Archer often refrain from participating in the political process. Attending meetings become futile when the issue affecting you have already transpired, rendering your input belated.

We all contribute taxes to support our cities and understanding how the funds are spent is crucial.

Roberta C. Lopez

Archer, Florida

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Our small town of High Springs is beloved because its elected leaders have done more things right than wrong over time. Just like with big families, there is rarely unanimous agreement on how issues should be addressed. Issues are not simple, and leaders that let you believe the choices are not hard are fooling you. What usually tells the truth is time.

In the past year, High Springs has received no new grant funding, returned over a million dollars in grants, lost leaders in every major department other than police, while retaining an under qualified finance director. Our mayor and other first-term commissioners have blamed former staff and former elected officials for a range of problems and suddenly the city is portrayed as poor.

For the first time in years, our city is being sued. Current leadership has accepted no responsibility and created a budget, that in the coming year, will repeat many of the mistakes previous commissions had been working for years to fix.

The stage is now set for our community to lose our exceptional Fire Department.  Current commissioners have lowered expectations for what a small-town department can offer.  They have hired leadership with little experience and the slow recovery from the recent storms are an example of what we have lost.

Do you see a pattern?

Luckily, we have two citizens who are willing to step up, accept responsibility, make decisions and guide our growing town to its future.

They have experience in public service; they have training in emergency management, large budgets, and leadership. Sue Weller has felt compelled to return to office because of the intentional mistruths spoken by our mayor.

Ross Ambrose

High Springs Resident

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To fellow High Springs voters:

I have been a resident of High Springs since 1979 with a unique multi view experience of our City's political climate and government.

Back in the 1980s, I worked as a paralegal for the then High Springs City Attorney. Decades later, my husband served on the High Springs Commission and later became City Attorney for High Springs before the City's current legal counsel. I have spent the past 28 years working for a local developer and real estate investor managing both residential apartments and professional commercial properties in the City of High Springs.

Over the decades, I have witnessed Commissions that have operated as a cohesive body following the Charter, working with the City Manager, and conducting City business with thoughtful, well versed and trained leadership. Unfortunately, I have also witnessed Commissions that have been riddled with partisanship, discourse, and lack of training trying to manage staff at City Hall and make decisions outside of the Commission as a whole.

Unfortunately, we are again experiencing this type of local government climate. Our City is in crisis. The turnover rate from the number of employees leaving the City has resulted in great inefficiency in services to our citizens, not to mention the lack of transparency within our government causing many citizens to be uninformed at best or ill-informed at worst.

We need proven, experienced non-partisan leadership, and that is why I am endorsing Sue Weller for Seat #5 for the High Springs City Commission. As many voters know, Sue served on the Commission from 2010 through 2016.

What voters may not know is that Sue has stayed continually engaged in the governance of High Springs. She has served on multiple boards as well as faithfully followed the City Commission meetings live or online. Her depth of knowledge around our Charter and our history regarding planned responsible growth are pluses in a time when there are many gaps in our City's continuity in leadership.

Sue's professionalism and ability to stay neutral while listening to our citizens is refreshing and supportive of the direction we want to take our City.

A vote for Sue Weller provides an opportunity to begin to restore and rebuild the City's reputation and service to our residents; supports a healthy cohesive working environment for City staff; and strongly sends the message that we believe our commissioners should be willing to attend Florida League of Cities training programs for new commissioners as well as continuing education classes for current commissioners.

I personally am grateful that Sue Weller is willing to serve our community again; especially at a time when we so need proven leadership. I love High Springs and I know that we, as voting citizens, can help our City course correct and return to service and civility. Please join me in making sure this opportunity to have Sue Weller back on the Commission is not missed.

Alvalyn Lancaster

High Springs, Florida 32643

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Tim Marden, Alachua County Republican Chairman, seeks to divide us and spew hatred whenever and wherever he can. He recently sent out a letter concerning the upcoming City Commission election in High Springs. Such elections are non-partisan, i.e., the candidates do not list their political affiliations and a candidate’s party affiliation is not listed on the ballot.

Marden tries to create an issue about Precinct 60 voting place being moved from the 1st Methodist Church to the newly named and remodeled Douglas Community Center. He incorrectly states that Ross Ambrose “quietly initiated” such polling change “earlier this year.”

Mr. Ambrose originally brought this proposed change about four years ago. Polling places are supposed to be in the precinct that they represent. The church is not in Precinct 60. The Douglas Community Center is. Ms. Barton [Alachua County Supervisor of Elections], after the recent renovation of the Center, determined that it is now “a suitable location” in Precinct 60, and moved the polling place to the Center.

Marden questions the “last minute” change, but the renovation was finished only about a month ago and the request to move the polling place from the church originated about four years ago. But don’t let facts get in the way if Marden wants to spew hatred.

He writes that Barton has made two changes that directly affect the votes of Republicans. What about those voters (Republican and Democratic, alike) who live in Precinct 60 and have to drive to the church? No, Marden doesn’t’ care about that. In Marden’s mind Barton’s decision is solely to hinder Republican voters.

Lastly, Marden states that voters in Precinct 60 have to be told of the polling change. I don’t know the date that his letter went out, but voters in Precinct 60 have already received such a notice in the mail.

Marden follows up his imagined tirade with directions to vote for Katherine “against” Sue Weller and Judith Jensen against Kim Barton. Such wording only shows that Marden spews hatred, has no knowledge of the facts (or totally avoids them) and wants to spread his hatred to others. As for Sue Weller’s stand on the issues …. Her campaign sign says it all, “No politics, Just issues.”

Thomas R. Weller

High Springs, FL 32643

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We wish to express our gratitude to:

Jeremy Marshall, City Manager of High Springs, and his staff for their continued support of the citizens of High Springs during Hurricane Helene.  Public Works, in particular, was out in full force clearing roads and grinder pumps in addition to many other issues.  

Commissioners were out in force to provide assistance to High Springs residents.

Police Chief Shepherd and his officers and staff for their assistance.  We know that they were out in this storm protecting our community.  

Fire Chief Peters and his firefighters and staff for their efforts in keeping our community safe.

Friends and neighbors were out in force with their tractors and other equipment to clear roads for incoming power trucks.  Also checking on each other to see if assistance was needed.  

Everyone was too busy working to post their efforts on social media.  They did what they did because it was the right thing to do.  

We have had a rough time during the past few years and have come a long way in the past year to bring our City into a better place in leadership and financially.  I have personally talked to city staff about morale and it is at its highest.

There is a small group of people who are intent on bringing the City back into their control.  If you do not follow their lead, they will do whatever is necessary to remove you from office or position in city hall.

It is imperative that you vote!  Vote early or request a mail-in ballot! Vote to re-elect Katherine Weitz, our current mayor.  Vote to elect Julie Rawls Tapia-ruano.  Citizens of High Springs are at the forefront of their mission, which includes supporting the City of High Springs.  We need diversity on the five-member board.  Having two police officers on the board would compromise diversity.

Bob & Linda Jones

High Springs, Florida

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Photo by DARLENE BOND special to Alachua County Today

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HOMOSASSA, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is celebrating the historic 60th birthday of Lucifer (Lu), the resident hippopotamus.

Lu is a longtime resident of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, with fans around the world. For his special day, a celebration was held this morning where visitors, staff and volunteers joined together to sing Lu Happy Birthday as he enjoys his specially-made birthday cake. 

“We’re proud that Lu calls Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park home,” said Florida Park Service Director Eric Draper. “He is an impressive sight and a valuable partner who helps engage visitors in learning about wildlife.”

"Lu is an iconic part of our park and all of Citrus County. He is loved by all and has been an inspiration to generation after generation," said Park Manager Tricia Fowler. "We could not be prouder to celebrate 60 years with Lu and the happiness that he has brought to the community and countless visitors."

In the afternoon, another celebration took place during the park’s alligator and hippopotamus program, providing park visitors another opportunity to join the birthday celebration of Florida’s only resident hippopotamus. A giant birthday card was available for visitors to sign to wish Lu a happy birthday, and the card was presented to Lu during the second ceremony. Lu's fans can also send him a birthday greeting on his Facebook page.

Lu, an African hippopotamus, was born at the San Diego Zoo on Jan. 26, 1960. Like all hippos, Lu is a vegetarian and his diet consists of alfalfa hay and assorted vegetables and fruit. Hippos typically live from 40 to 50 years old. At 59, Lu is the oldest hippo in North America.

A fixture at Homosassa Springs since 1964, Lu was a movie and television star with the Ivan Tors Animal Actors troupe, which wintered at the park while it was in private ownership. His credits include the 1960s movies "Daktari" and "Cowboy in Africa," and television specials such as the "Art Linkletter Show" and "Herb Alpert Special." 

For more than five decades, Lu has been a mainstay among the animals at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. When the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service purchased the attraction in 1989, the state planned to shift the emphasis of the park to native Florida wildlife and find homes for all of the exotic species, including Lu. Public support, however, led the state to grant Lu special Florida citizenship in 1991. Since then, he has become an icon at the park, attracting visitors from around the globe.

For more information about Homosassa Springs State Park, visit the park's webpage

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