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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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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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Photo special to Alachua County Today

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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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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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 243^rd 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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GAINESVILLE – A 34-year-old High Springs man has been sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for wire fraud related to COVID-19 pandemic relief, federal prosecutors announced.

Sean Walker was sentenced in U.S. District Court following his conviction for fraudulently obtaining more than $20,000 in unemployment insurance benefits from the State of California, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle Spaven of the Northern District of Florida.

“Our office will continue to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer money, including holding those accountable who conspired to falsely obtain government funds during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Spaven said in a statement.

Court records show Walker submitted a benefits application containing false and fraudulent statements. He claimed unemployment benefits from California despite never having lived or worked in the state. The payments were funded in part by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was created to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans impacted by the pandemic.

In addition to his prison term, Walker was ordered to pay $21,690 in restitution to California’s Employment Development Department. He will also serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment.

Walker is one of nine defendants convicted of similar fraud schemes as a result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.

“While many were facing hardship and uncertainty, these defendants sought to exploit government programs intended to help those in need,” said Ron Loecker, special agent in charge of the IRS-CI Tampa Field Office. “Their actions were driven by greed and a blatant disregard for the law, undermining the purpose of critical relief efforts. We remain committed to holding accountable those who abuse these programs for personal gain and ensuring that justice is served.”

Kristin Rehler, special agent in charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division, added: “The sentencing of Sean Walker conveys the important message that you cannot steal money from Americans without consequence. The funds stolen by this defendant and other co-conspirators add to the massive amount of COVID-19 relief fraud that will ultimately be paid for by taxpayers. The FBI’s investigation into these schemes exemplifies our commitment to hold thieves accountable, and we will continue to work in coordination with our partners to protect the pocketbooks of hard-working Americans.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Hapner and David P. Byron.

The COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force continues to coordinate investigations and enforcement actions against pandemic-related fraud. More information is available at Justice.gov/Coronavirus and Justice.gov/Coronavirus/CombatingFraud.

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