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GAINESVILLE - City of Gainesville officials anticipate severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, during the evening hours of Wednesday, Feb. 19-Saturday, Feb. 22. 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 anticipated temperatures will lead to the extended 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.

St. Francis House and GRACE Marketplace will provide Cold Night Shelter services to people in need of shelter as long as overnight temperatures remain below 45 F. The CNS program providers serve additional persons in need of shelter so that families and individuals desiring shelter will have a warm place to stay. St. Francis House provides temporary shelter that is appropriate for families, women and children. GRACE Marketplace primarily serves individual adults.

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NEWBERRY – During the Jan. 13, 2025, meeting of the Newberry City Commission, Grant and Funding Manager Jane Sullivan proposed the creation of a municipal non-profit organization to enhance the city's ability to secure grants. The commission unanimously authorized Sullivan’s request to move forward with the initiative, paving the way for Newberry to access funding opportunities otherwise unavailable to government entities.

Sullivan explained that municipalities are permitted to create non-profit organizations under the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3), provided the non-profit is separately incorporated and fulfills exempt purposes as outlined by the IRS.

To meet these requirements, the City of Newberry will need to file Non-Profit Articles of Incorporation with the State of Florida and submit Form 1023 to obtain a 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS.

Sullivan detailed how the non-profit would be structured, noting that the Newberry Mayor and City Commission would appoint Newberry career staff members to serve as the Board of Directors. The Commission may also, if desired, form an Executive Committee comprised of community members to oversee day-to-day management responsibilities.

Importantly, the City will retain ultimate oversight of the non-profit, reviewing all expenditures and requiring an annual report to the Commission to ensure accountability and transparency.

Sullivan highlighted the advantages of creating a municipal non-profit, emphasizing the ability to pursue funding sources unavailable to government entities.

“The benefits of a municipal non-profit allow the 501(c)(3) to secure funding that is not offered to government entities, such as some foundations, corporate foundations, and specific federal funds earmarked for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations,” said Sullivan during her presentation.

By establishing a non-profit arm, Newberry positions itself to compete for grants from a broader range of sources, including private and corporate foundations, which often restrict funding to non-profits.

Following the Commission’s approval, Sullivan will begin the process of filing the necessary documents to establish the non-profit and secure 501(c)(3) status. Once operational, the non-profit will work closely with the city to identify and apply for funding opportunities that align with Newberry’s goals and priorities.

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NEWBERRY – During the Feb. 10 City Commission meeting, commissioners agreed that Mayor Jordan Marlowe will step into the city manager’s position.

This, despite the fact that at the last meeting, Marlowe was tasked with contacting the former Director of Parks & Recreation Travis Parker to see if he might be willing to come back to Newberry as the next city manager.  

Marlowe did so and reported that he “had three or four meetings with Parker and it turns out that this is not the right time for his family to embark on a new endeavor.”  

In light of Parker’s response, Commissioner Rick Coleman proposed that Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Clark negotiate and execute a contract with Mayor Jordan Marlowe to take over the City Manager position when current City Manager Mike New leaves his post effective Feb. 24.

As part two of Coleman’s motion, he said that he thought the Commission should empower Marlowe to negotiate and execute an employment agreement with Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Dallas Lee to serve as Interim City Manager.  Coleman’s two-part motion was seconded by Commissioner Tony Mazon.

In response, Marlowe commented that “Newberry is on a fantastic trajectory…I don’t want that to change.  I want to keep us moving in the direction that Mr. New created.  So I am willing to enter into those negotiations.”  

He mentioned two caveats:  First, he said he needed to be able to complete the school year.  “I have to get my kids ready for four or five different college-level exams.”  Due to concerns over budgetary challenges, he said he would be willing to do the job for a lot less than Coleman suggested in his motion.  

Questioned whether he would also run for mayor, he said, “The Charter doesn’t allow this any longer.  I would not run for mayor.”

During discussion, commissioners indicated that they would prefer not to take on an expensive search for a new city manager, which could cost upwards of $150,000 between advertising and interviewing candidates from out of town.  Newberry Commissioners said they would prefer someone local who understands the City’s ongoing projects and funding needs.  

Opening the motion up for public comment, some speakers indicated they thought Marlowe would be an excellent choice for city manager, but most thought the process should be transparent.  

Travis Adair called the action of the commission “another scheme the commissioners decided behind closed doors.”  He thought the process should be transparent and called the commission action “anti democratic and disgusting.”

Former City Commissioner Joy Glanzer spoke on behalf of the action and indicated her support for Marlowe as the next city manager.  Another former commissioner Jason McGehee agreed with Adair that the process should be open and transparent.  He also indicated he thought Marlowe would be a good choice.

Naim Erched also suggested that although Marlowe is “extremely knowledgeable” and said that Marlowe’s “experience and qualifications are evident,” he too thought the process should be transparent.  Rob Baker pointed to the “mess” created at the school board in not selecting a leader in a public forum.

Marlowe pointed out that if the city didn’t follow the same process as they did when they decided Travis Parker was the man they wanted, it would make this a political process.

As the mayor and city manager positions cannot be combined according to the Charter, Marlowe would have to step down from the mayoral seat to permit him serving as the city manager.  

Following discussion and citizen comments, the commission voted unanimously to approve Coleman’s motion.

The City’s election is coming up on April 8, 2025, and the mayor’s seat is one of the positions that will need to be filled.  

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GAINESVILLE – An all-white jury handed down a more than $15 million verdict after a weeklong trial in which Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Seargent Kevin Davis claimed racial discrimination.  

The jury awarded Davis, the plaintiff, $115,724 for lost earnings David Macpherson, Ph.D., an economic expert witness, claimed Davis would have realized had he been promoted.  The jury also awarded an astounding $15 million for emotional pain and mental anguish, although there were not any medical or psychological expert witnesses listed in the plaintiff’s witness list to testify to the extent of such pain and anguish.  Oddly, the jury passed on awarding $54,545 in lost pension benefits that the economic expert estimated Davis lost due to the non-promotion.

Davis, a white man who has been employed with ACSO off and on since 1999, filed his lawsuit in February 2023 alleging discrimination by then Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr.’s administration.  The crux of Davis’ complaint is that less qualified black candidates at the sheriff’s office were promoted into lieutenant positions instead him.  Davis claimed that although he was ranked in the top five candidates for a slate of positions, he was intentionally passed over based on his race.  The defense, however, stated that at the time of Davis’ lawsuit, there had been some 150 promotions, 120 of which were filled with white candidates and approximately 30 were filled with black candidates.

Witnesses for the sheriff’s office, however, testified that Davis has specifically not been recommended for promotion.  Notably, Davis had been seen as problematic, filing multiple Equal Employment Opportunity and other complaints against multiple sheriffs, both black and white.  And despite Davis’ many years on the force, under several sheriffs he had not been highly promoted by any of them.

Davis also claimed that he was retaliated against when he was placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation into Davis’ potential violation of ACSO’s social media policy.  Davis said this paid administrative leave was retaliation for his filing of an Equal Employment Opportunity Complaint.

Former Sheriff Watson testified that he was greatly bothered by assertions that he or his administration acted in a racially biased manner against any of his officers.  Watson harkened back to his time as a former city manager in the City of Alachua where he oversaw the promotion of numerous white employees, including white men and women, who ultimately became city managers in Alachua and elsewhere around the state.

The trial began Monday, Jan. 3, 2025, with jury selection and opening statements.  The plaintiff was scheduled to conclude its case by Wednesday at noon, but by Thursday at noon, it appeared that plaintiff would not rest until Thursday at 3 p.m., leaving little time for the defense, who would need to rush its case or hold the jury late into the evening and possibly through the weekend.  Apparently, the court broke for lunch Friday and sent jurors out to begin deliberations.  By early afternoon, the jurors returned with their surprising verdict.  

The $15 million award seems unlikely to be paid out of public coffers anytime soon.  It’s possible that presiding Judge Gloria Walker could reduce the award, especially if the jury had no evidentiary basis for arriving at the number.  It also seems likely ACSO will appeal the decision based on numerous objections and motions raised before and during trial.

Representing ACSO, Attorney R. Wayne Evans of Allen, Norton, and Blue, P.A. in Tallahassee, Fla., was tight-lipped about the defense’s plans going forward, saying, “They put on their case-in-chief, and we put on our case-in-chief.  We are considering all of our options.”

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HIGH SPRINGS – A couple from Miami led police on a high-speed chase that stretched along Interstate 75 from Lake City to High Springs.  

At approximately 5:17 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper observed a small Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) that slowed down as it approached him.  As the vehicle passed, the Trooper saw the SUV had a temporary tag.  The Trooper began following the vehicle, which slowed down to 55 mph in a 70 mph zone.  The Trooper caught up to the SUV and noticed that there was a second paper temporary tag under the top one.  He checked the number on the top tag and was advised that it was not a valid tag.

The trooper reported that the SUV drifted into the middle lane and then back into the right lane.  Based on the traffic violations, unable to maintain a single lane, and improper tag display, the trooper activated his lights and siren and conducted a traffic stop.  The SUV pulled over at about the 424 mile marker, and as he walked by the tag, the trooper noted that it had expired on January 30.

The trooper reported that he spoke with 51-year-old Dimy Paraison, the driver, and 43-year-old Keeshanda Teresa Johnson, the passenger.  He asked Paraison for his driver’s license and asked where they were coming from.  He said neither answered him.  Johnson opened a bottle of water and started drinking.  Paraison held out his license, and the trooper reported that as he reached across Johnson to get the license, he smelled raw marijuana inside the SUV.

Paraison allegedly pulled his hand back without giving the Trooper his license.  He then put the car in Drive and fled northbound on I-75 at a high speed and exited at U.S. Highway 90, where he ran a red light and made a left turn.  As the SUV turned toward the southbound ramp onto I-75, the trooper attempted a PIT maneuver, which caused the SUV to rotate into the median before backing across U.S. Hwy 90.  The SUV reportedly came to a stop, and the trooper got out of his patrol car with his firearm drawn and ordered the occupants out of the SUV.

The occupants allegedly drove away, made a U-turn, and entered I-75 on the southbound ramp.  The trooper attempted a second PIT maneuver but did not complete it because of the presence of other vehicles on the ramp.

The trooper conducted another PIT maneuver while the vehicles were traveling southbound on I-75, causing the SUV to rotate into the center median and hit the patrol car.  However, Paraison allegedly drove away and continued southbound at speeds of over 100 mph, weaving across the lanes.

As they approached the 406 mile marker, the trooper reportedly maneuvered his patrol vehicle in front of the SUV to slow it down, allowing another trooper to conduct a PIT maneuver.  At this time, the SUV went into the ditch on the west shoulder.  Paraison allegedly tried to get back onto the interstate and drive northbound in the southbound lanes, but the trooper conducted another PIT maneuver that sent the SUV into the edge of the tree line.

The trooper drew his firearm and ordered the occupants to get out of the SUV.  Paraison allegedly tried to open the driver’s side door to flee on foot, but the door was stuck.

With the assistance of the second trooper, Paraison and Johnson were detained and were medically cleared before being transported to the jail.

A search of the vehicle reportedly produced 960 grams of marijuana.  Another package reportedly contained cylinder-type bundles that were about three to four inches long and two inches in diameter and contained about 169 grams of K-2, a synthetic cannabinoid, and tongue strips.  The trooper noted that the cylinders were similar to those used to introduce contraband into detention facilities by concealing them in the genital area.

Another package reportedly contained more tongue strips, which tested positive for PCP.  The trooper noted, “These type of illegal tongue strips are extremely popular in the prison/jail systems.”

The search also reportedly produced a box of Buprenorphine and Naloxone sublingual film with no prescription label, a digital scale, a box containing 305 cigarettes, and 10 cartons of cigarettes.

Post Miranda, Johnson reportedly claimed ownership of everything in the car, including the illegal narcotics.

The trooper reported that the temporary tag on the SUV belonged to a different vehicle and that Paraison’s driver’s license had been suspended since 2022.

Johnson has been charged with nine felonies and one misdemeanor: possession of more than 10 grams of a controlled substance, possession of a Schedule I substance with intent to sell, attempting to smuggle contraband into a prison, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, four counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of drug equipment with intent to manufacture and resisting an officer without violence.

Johnson has four felony convictions and one violent and two non-violent misdemeanor convictions.  

Bail was set at $470,000 by Judge Meshon Rawls.

Paraison has been charged with 10 felonies and three misdemeanors; on top of Johnson’s charges.  He was also charged with fleeing with lights and sirens active, driving without a valid license with a previous conviction and having a tag that is not assigned to his vehicle.  He is a Career Offender who has 21 felony convictions, seven of which were violent, and seven misdemeanor convictions and has served six state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2019. 

Bail was set by Judge Rawls at $535,000.

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ALACHUA – A new Chick-fil-A restaurant is slated for construction in the City of Alachua.  The news was first shared in a neighborhood meeting notice shared in the Oct. 31, 2024 edition of Alachua County Today.  The new fast-food restaurant is to be located in the new Santa Fe Crossings Plaza, a few parcels west of the recently-opened Wawa convenience store.  Between the Chick-fil-A and Wawa is expected to be a Firestone Tires shop and a car wash.

Chick-fil-A has more than 3,000 locations across 48 states.  Six other Chick-fil-A restaurants already exist in Alachua County, but all are within Gainesville.  Chick-fil-A would be yet another chicken-based fast-food restaurant on Alachua’s 441 corridor, which is already home to Popeye’s, KFC, and Zaxby’s.

The intersection of County Road 235A and U.S. Highway 441 is fast becoming a hotbed of development.  The Alachua County Fire Station 21 in Alachua will soon be relocated from its current facility across from Alachua Elementary School to a newly constructed station on County Road 235A, a short distance south of Ellianos Coffee.

Also, under construction on the southside of U.S. 441 is the headquarters of Tower Hill Insurance, which first broke ground Nov. 28, 2023.  The state-of-the art 65,000 sq-ft two-story building will feature more than 25,000 sq-ft of energy efficient glass and was designed by local architectural firm Paul Stresing Associates. When completed, the facility will house 300 of the company’s 500-plus employees. Tower Hill currently has offices in Gainesville, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and Lexington, Ky, and operates in 17 states in the U.S. Anticipated construction completion is planned for spring 2025.  

The soon-to-be Tower Hill Insurance headquarters for the 50-year-old firm will be accessed from U.S. Highway 441 at Northwest 167th Boulevard traffic signal, the same signal used from primary access to Alachua’s Publix.

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