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ALACHUA ‒ At the May 5, 2025, Alachua City Commission meeting, the date was memorialized with a Proclamation recognizing May 5 as “Gib Coerper Day.”

Longtime former Mayor Gilbert “Gib” Coerper was honored with a plaque for his dedication to civil service in his roles as Commissioner and Mayor over the past two decades. Heartfelt messages of gratitude and well-wishes were offered by current Commissioners and city staff.

Commissioner Dayna Williams noted that although Coerper will no longer be serving from behind the dais, his name is synonymous with the City of Alachua and she will affectionately refer to him as “Ambassador” from here on.

It was all smiles for Coerper as he shared a few reflections in turn. “The best thing that’s ever happened to me is moving here,” said Coerper. “It was never, ever a job for me.”

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs City Commission met on Thursday, April 24, 2025, to review two proposals submitted in response to the city's third advertisement of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Special Magistrate legal services.

Two firms responded to RFP 2025-04: The Gilchrist Law Firm, based in Coral Gables, and Gapske Law Firm, P.A., from Middleburg. Both firms met the city’s outlined qualifications and submitted similar hourly rates—$255 for Gilchrist and $250 for Gapske.

According to the RFP, the Special Magistrate must be an active member of the Florida Bar in good standing with at least five years of legal experience, including litigation and administrative hearings. The candidate must not hold any city, county, or state elected or appointed office and must comply with the Florida Code of Ethics.

While both firms were deemed qualified, city staff — who would be the primary users of Special Magistrate services — recommended the Gapske Law Firm, citing the benefit of working with a single, consistent attorney. The Gilchrist firm offered a team of three attorneys to serve the city.

After discussion, the commission unanimously voted to award the contract to The Gilchrist Law Firm. The motion included authorization for the city attorney to negotiate the terms of the agreement.

Commission Comments and Updates

During the meeting, Commissioner Katherine Weitz raised concerns about the Tomoka Hills golf course development in nearby Alachua, citing concerns raised at the county level. She expressed a desire for the City of High Springs to be formally recognized as an interested party in the project’s development process.

High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard reported that the recent installation of school zone monitoring equipment has reduced speeding by 99 percent.

The city attorney also addressed a question regarding the potential sale of the Canoe Outpost property. She confirmed that while the City may sell the property, it cannot be subdivided. Any future owner would remain subject to the property’s existing conservation easement.

Upcoming Meetings

The City Commission will hold a budget workshop at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, followed by a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting at 6:15 p.m. The next regular City Commission meeting will take place the same evening at 6:30 p.m.

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CHUA – Two long-standing community traditions were on full display this past week in Alachua, as the A.L. Mebane Alumni hosted their quarterly fish fry and Color Me Culture brought another vibrant event to life at the historic Swick House.

The A.L. Mebane Hornet Alumni gathered at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex Gymnasium for their quarterly celebration, a tradition that continues to unite generations. The event featured a spread of fresh fish, bingo games, and prize giveaways, alongside shared stories that highlight the deep-rooted connections within the community.

Held every quarter, the fish fry offers an opportunity for community members to reconnect, reflect, and continue building a living archive of Alachua’s legacy. Details about future gatherings will be posted on the City of Alachua Recreation & Culture website and social media platforms.

Meanwhile, on Sunday evening, Color Me Culture hosted its latest community event at the City of Alachua’s Swick House. The organization, known for its uplifting and artistic programming, offered an evening of creativity, connection, and culture.

Color Me Culture describes its mission as creating inclusive spaces where people can gather to laugh, create, and share meaningful moments. The group emphasizes the healing power of art and aims to make everyday experiences more colorful and intentional.

Proceeds from Color Me Culture events help fund local youth art programs, with the goal of restoring art as a vital and empowering force in the community.

The next Color Me Culture event is expected in late July. Additional details will be announced through the City of Alachua and the organization’s social media pages.

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GAINESVILLE – A Newberry woman was arrested Monday after authorities say she fraudulently opened a credit card in her elderly aunt’s name and used it to pay for a cosmetic surgery and other personal expenses, leaving more than $7,000 in unpaid debt.

Chartel T. Cara Parker, 35, is charged with exploitation of an elderly person, identity theft of a person over 60, and fraudulent use of a credit card, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation began in October 2024 when an Alachua County detective received a report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. A relative with power of attorney for the 74-year-old victim had reported receiving calls from debt collectors about an outstanding balance on a credit card the family had not known existed.

According to the arrest report, the card was issued in the victim’s name in 2019, with Parker listed as a secondary cardholder. The relative, who had handled the victim’s financial affairs since 2018 due to the victim’s dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnosis, told investigators she first became aware of the card in 2022 after receiving a credit alert.

Detectives said six unauthorized transactions were made in 2020, including $5,500 to a doctor in Miami for a “tummy tuck,” $1,800 for post-surgical care, $160 to a plastic surgery practice in Atlanta, $550 for an eye exam and glasses in Gainesville, and $600 to a health and laser center also in Gainesville.

Only $432 in payments were made toward the card, according to the sheriff’s office. The remaining $7,200 debt was sold to a collection agency, which listed the debt solely under the victim’s name. The unpaid balance significantly damaged the victim’s credit score, authorities said.

A sworn complaint was filed against Parker in February 2025, and a warrant for her arrest was issued by Judge James Colaw the following month with bail set at $85,000. Parker was arrested Monday. She has no prior criminal history.

Bail was set at $45,000 by Judge Kristine Van Vorst.

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HAWTHORNE ‒ Melody Watson thought she was simply staying behind while her classmates went on a field trip. Instead, the 15-year-old sophomore at Hawthorne Middle/High School was surprised with a $40,000 scholarship during a school-wide assembly.

According to Alachua County Public Schools, Watson is one of only two students in the country selected this month to receive the BigFuture scholarship from the College Board, a national organization known for its college readiness programs and standardized testing. The scholarship is awarded to high school students in grades 10 through 12 who demonstrate a commitment to preparing for college and career success.

Stephanie Tate of the College Board delivered the news in front of a cheering crowd in the school auditorium. Several members of Watson’s family were also present for the surprise, though they had not been told why they were invited to the event.

“I won’t have to stress about where the money’s coming from and how I’m going to pay back any loans,” Watson said. “I can just attend college and pursue my dream career without those worries.”

That dream career is nursing. Watson is currently dual-enrolled at Santa Fe College while taking advanced courses at Hawthorne Middle/High. She plans to earn her Associate of Arts degree by the time she graduates high school, and then continue her education at the University of Florida to pursue a nursing degree.

“I’ve always wanted to help people and be there for them, and I feel like nursing would be perfect,” she said. “I also want to be in an environment where I can work with a group or one-on-one.”

Watson is also a participant in the TRIO Educational Talent Search program, offered through Santa Fe College. The program is designed to support students who will be the first in their families to attend college, providing resources such as academic advising, college tours, and financial aid information.

“Melody is an excellent student,” said Lindsey Ragsdale, TRIO coordinator. “She literally personifies everything you want in a student. She is driven, she is positive, and she is always willing to go above and beyond to reach her goals.”

Her mother, Latoya Roberson, said she was both surprised and thrilled by the announcement. She believes Melody’s achievement will set a powerful example for her six siblings.

“It’s a stepping stone,” Roberson said. “She’s showing them that if you apply yourself, you never know who’s watching.”

Hawthorne Principal John Green echoed the sentiment, calling Watson a deserving recipient of the scholarship.

“She’s an outstanding student,” Green said. “She pours a lot into her academic pursuits and is very focused on what she needs to do. She knows education is the pathway to what she wants to accomplish. We’re really, really proud of her.”

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WALDO – For the second time in a decade, Waldo has been left without a local school following the abrupt closure of Constellation Charter School of Gainesville.

On Thursday, May 1, 2025, the Alachua County School Board voted at a special meeting to immediately terminate the school’s charter, citing “serious concerns about the safety of students, staff, and visitors on campus,” as well as multiple violations of state law and the school’s charter agreement.

Though the school district had previously notified Constellation of potential closure due to financial concerns, district officials stated that the decision to shut down the school was based solely on safety and leadership issues unrelated to finances.

Under Florida Statute 1002.33(8)(c), a charter school sponsor may immediately revoke a school’s charter if there is “an immediate and serious danger to the health, safety or welfare of the school’s students,” and that danger is likely to continue without immediate action.

Constellation Charter School was located in the historic Waldo Community School building, which had previously housed Waldo Community School before its closure in 2015.

The news has sparked frustration and concern among local leaders.

Waldo City Manager Kim Worley called the board’s decision deeply damaging to the community. “This decision will significantly damage Waldo’s reputation. Even if another school is brought in, how can the community trust that it will remain open and not be closed abruptly again?” she said.

Worley reflected on the city’s educational history, citing the closure of Waldo Community School a decade ago. “In May 2015, the Alachua County School Board voted unanimously to close Waldo Community School, citing low enrollment and financial considerations,” she said. “This decision led to approximately 200 students being rezoned to Shell Elementary School in Hawthorne, requiring the students to be bused out of their hometown.”

“Following the closure, Waldo remained without a local school for several years,” Worley continued. “In 2023, the Constellation Charter School of Gainesville opened in the historic Waldo Community School building, offering education to students from first through seventh grade, with plans to expand to eighth grade.

“However, now, in May 2025, the school board closed the charter school due to significant safety and leadership failures, including neglected threat management procedures and delayed responses to safety threats. This sequence of events has left Waldo without a local school once again, raising concerns about the community’s ability to sustain educational institutions and the long-term impact on residents,” said Worley.

Notification from the school board to the families of all students via email, phone, text and hard copy letters state that the students will need to transfer to another school immediately or make other educational arrangements. According to the district, the transfer process into other Alachua County public schools has been streamlined to reduce disruption and assist families in finding immediate alternatives.

As of this school year, 89 students were enrolled at Constellation. Of those, 80 students had not previously attended a traditional Alachua County public school, having transferred from other charter schools, private schools, home education settings, or from outside the county. Only nine had previously attended a traditional public school in Alachua County.

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