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ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua recently played host to the 2025 Special Olympics Regional Basketball Games, bringing together athletes, coaches and supporters from across central and north Florida. The event, held at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex Gym and Legacy’s Multipurpose Center, provided a platform for athletes of all abilities to showcase their skills in an environment centered on sportsmanship, perseverance and inclusion.

Throughout the competition, athletes displayed remarkable determination, teamwork and camaraderie, embodying the core values of the Special Olympics. While the tournament featured competitive play, the event emphasized personal growth, self-confidence and mutual respect over winning. The experience left a lasting impact not only on the participants but also on volunteers, coaches and spectators who witnessed firsthand the power of inclusive sports.

The City of Alachua’s Recreation & Culture Department called the tournament one of the most rewarding events ever hosted at its local facilities. Organizers noted the overwhelming support from volunteers, who dedicated their time and effort to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for the athletes. Coaches played a vital role, demonstrating patience and encouragement, while families and fans filled the venues with an atmosphere of unwavering support and celebration.

As the city reflects on the success of the basketball games, preparations are already underway for the next major Special Olympics event in Alachua. On Oct. 3-5, 2025, the city will welcome athletes once again for the North Florida Regional 2025 Outdoor Events. The competition will feature softball, flag football, soccer and pickleball, continuing the tradition of providing inclusive and empowering opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

With its ongoing commitment to accessibility and community engagement, Alachua remains a proud partner of the Special Olympics, ensuring that every athlete has a chance to shine—both on and off the field.

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~ Bringing Jobs and Fresh Choices ~

NEWBERRY ‒ A trip to the local Publix supermarket just became more convenient for some residents living in and around Newberry. The new Publix supermarket has officially opened its doors, bringing expanded grocery options, fresh products, and convenient shopping to the growing community.

The 54,000-square-foot store located at 24100 West Newberry Road at the corner of State Road 26 and County Road 235, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The store is situated in the plaza at Market at Newberry Farms and features a full-service bakery, deli, seafood department, pharmacy, and a wide selection of fresh produce. The addition of Publix provides Newberry residents with a major grocery retailer in town, reducing the need for travel to neighboring cities for everyday shopping. The adjoining liquor store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.

Beyond offering high-quality food and household essentials, the new Publix is expected to provide an economic boost to Newberry. The store has created numerous jobs in various departments, offering employment opportunities for locals. Additionally, Publix’s reputation for community involvement means the store will likely support local schools, charities, and events through its well-known donation programs.

Newberry has experienced steady population growth, with more families and businesses moving into the area. The arrival of Publix signals a response to the city’s expanding needs, ensuring residents have greater access to fresh, high-quality groceries and pharmacy services.

The grand opening celebration welcomed shoppers with special promotions, giveaways, and fresh product samples. Store employees and managers greeted customers as they explored the aisles of the highly anticipated new supermarket.

The store offers Publix’s signature services, including online ordering for in-store pickup, delivery through Instacart, and a pharmacy with prescription refills. These features are expected to add convenience for busy shoppers looking for quick and easy ways to complete their grocery trips.

As Newberry continues to develop, the opening of Publix marks a milestone in the city’s growth, providing both a valuable resource for residents and a positive economic impact for the community.

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ALACHUA ‒ A wrong-way driver was arrested late March 9, 2025, after colliding head-on with another vehicle on U.S. Highway 441, leading to multiple charges, including DUI and possession of a controlled substance.

At approximately 10:15 p.m., Alachua Police Department (APD) Officer Garrido observed a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes near Northwest 135th Terrace. After turning around and activating emergency lights, the officer attempted to intercept the vehicle, but before a stop could be initiated, the driver crashed into a 2003 silver Dodge. The impact disabled both vehicles.

The driver of the Dodge was evaluated at the scene and was medically cleared. The wrong-way driver, identified as Ludwin E. Funes Salazar, showed clear signs of impairment, including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and the smell of alcohol. Salazar refused to perform field sobriety exercises and was found to be unlicensed, presenting only a Guatemalan passport. Despite the crash, he declined medical attention from fire rescue personnel.

Salazar was taken into custody and, following Alachua County Jail policy, was transported to a local hospital for medical clearance. While at the hospital, he became combative, resisting officers and stepping on a Gainesville Police officer’s foot.

After being transported to the Alachua County Jail, Salazar consented to a breath test, which revealed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.245—more than three times the legal limit. A search at the jail uncovered two small baggies containing 0.3 grams of cocaine hidden in his jeans pocket.

A subsequent search of Salazar’s vehicle before it was towed revealed multiple alcoholic beverages and open containers.

Salazar faces several charges, including DUI, driving without a license, resisting an officer, and possession of a controlled substance.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission welcomed mayoral and commission candidates during its latest meeting, providing an opportunity for them to introduce themselves and discuss their campaigns.

Mayoral candidate Tim Marden and Commission Group IV candidates Donald Lewis Long and Steve Panaghi addressed the commission and audience members. Their remarks focused on their visions for the city and key priorities for their campaigns.

The remaining candidates, mayoral candidate Joy Glanzer and Commission Group V candidates Rosa Marie Campbell and Antonio (Tony) Mazon, are scheduled to speak at the next City Commission meeting.

In preparation for the upcoming April 8 municipal election, commissioners unanimously appointed the Board of Canvassers. The board will oversee election procedures, with Mark Clark serving as chairperson, alongside Commissioner Monty Farnsworth and City Clerk Judy Rice.

Commissioners also heard from Ag-Tech and F-300 consultant Kamal Lathem, who highlighted efforts to position Florida as the “Silicon Valley of Agriculture.”

Lathem detailed the goals of the program, which include upskilling the workforce, attracting AgTech enterprises, and funding research and entrepreneurship to accelerate solutions to market. He also introduced the F-300 AgFood Tech Startup Accelerator, a three-month program designed to support agriculture and food technology startups.

The “F” in F-300 represents Florida, while “300” signifies the 300 specialty crops grown in the state. Lathem noted that two companies have already expressed interest in the program.

Over the past year, the program has held an F-300 stakeholder meeting, added new consortium members, completed an incubator feasibility study, and held a European AgTech company meeting and demonstration with dairy farms. Other key milestones included submitting an application for the Florida Job Growth Grant, securing media coverage in FDI Alliance International Magazine, and welcoming 15 new consortium members.

Lathem also highlighted that Duke Energy awarded Newberry a $20,000 grant, and the city was honored with the 2024 StartGNV Community Builder Award.

In other City business, Acting City Manager Dallas Lee announced that “The Great American Cleanup” will take place in Newberry on March 21-22 and that Government Finance Professionals Week is set for March 17-21. Lee also met with the new Alachua County sheriff and plans to present a tentative law enforcement agreement to the commission in May.

In other business, the commission unanimously approved a contract to sell property to the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners for a Rural Collection Center and Recreation Director Rod Clark presented a proposal to expand the Easton Newberry Sports Complex, showing slides of the planned expansion.

City Attorney Scott Walker introduced Tom Robinson as the newest hire in the city’s legal office, while Commissioner Mark Clark announced that the Veterans Memorial is nearing completion.

Commissioner Tony Mazon announced that the Spring Festival will take place on April 5, and Movie Night will be held at the Martin Luther King Center, 255 N.W. 6^th Avenue.

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ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua is approaching the final stages of its Water Quality and Resiliency Improvement Project, a major infrastructure initiative designed to strengthen the city’s water supply and enhance long-term reliability. The project includes the construction of a new wellfield, advanced treatment facility, and additional infrastructure aimed at ensuring residents have dependable access to clean water.

At the heart of the project is a new supply production well capable of producing one million gallons of water per day. The wellfield will also house Florida’s first-of-its-kind water treatment facility, an operating center, yard piping upgrades, electrical backup systems and other improvements designed to increase efficiency and resilience.

The initiative is a direct response to Alachua’s commitment to proactive infrastructure planning, supporting both current residents and future growth. Beyond expanding capacity, the project adds geographical redundancy, reducing the risk of service interruptions caused by natural disasters or unforeseen water quality issues.

“This project is a direct result of the forward-thinking mission and vision of the City Commission, and it will propel our community into a new season of redundancy and reliability for the City,” said City Manager Mike DaRoza. “Operating at this level of proactivity echoes our continued commitment to providing a top-quality level of service to our citizens.”

The need for such improvements became clear in 2017, when Hurricane Irma caused disruptions to the City’s potable water sources. The new wellfield will provide critical safeguards against similar challenges in the future, reinforcing the city's ability to withstand extreme weather events and other potential water supply threats.

The Water Quality and Resiliency Improvement Project is expected to be completed by mid- to late-2025, marking a significant milestone in Alachua’s long-term strategy for water security and sustainable growth.

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ALACHUA ‒ A verbal dispute escalated into a shooting on March 4, 2025, prompting a multi-agency law enforcement response and a high-risk traffic stop in High Springs.

At approximately 4:41 p.m., Alachua Police Department (APD) officers responded to reports of a gunshot victim in the 13800 block of Northwest 148^th Place. Due to the severity of the call, assistance was requested from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO) and the High Springs Police Department (HSPD).

Upon arrival, officers found a male victim with a gunshot wound to his leg. First responders provided immediate first aid, securing the scene for Alachua County Fire Rescue personnel to administer medical care. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where an APD detective continued the investigation.

While attending to the victim, officers determined that the suspect had already fled the scene. However, because the suspect and victim were known to each other, law enforcement was quickly able to obtain the suspect’s name, physical description, and vehicle details.

As ASO and HSPD units assisted in the response, officers located the suspect’s vehicle traveling north on U.S. Highway 441 toward High Springs. A “high-risk” traffic stop was conducted near Northwest 218^th Terrace, where the suspect complied with law enforcement and was taken into custody without incident. The individual was then transported to APD headquarters for questioning.

Preliminary findings indicate that the shooting stemmed from a verbal dispute between the suspect and victim. However, at this stage of the active investigation, no arrests have been made. The suspect, after being questioned, was released pending further investigation.

Due to the ongoing nature of the case, APD has not released additional details, including the identities of those involved.

The Alachua Police Department expressed gratitude to ASO, HSPD, and Alachua County Fire Rescue for their assistance in ensuring a swift and safe response to the incident.

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