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ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua Police Department (APD) arrested 37-year-old Matthew Eugene Houston of Jacksonville on Thursday, Sept. 9, as he attempted to obtain fake prescriptions.

The fraudulent prescriptions were faxed to the Alachua Publix Pharmacy the previous day with a provider’s name listed, who was confirmed not to work at UF Health Shands.

The prescriptions listed the patient as Steven Daniels of Alachua and included a date of birth, telephone number and address for the alleged patient. The prescriptions were for a codeine-based cough medicine and an antibiotic.

Houston is being charged with fraud and forgery and is being held in the Alachua County Jail under $60,000 bond. He also faces a charge for using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission conducted a series of public hearings setting the tentative millage rate, establishing a tentative budget and setting rates for electric, water, wastewater and solid waste during the Sept. 13 Commission meeting. Commissioners also approved the establishment of a water public service tax to generate revenue for construction of roads in the downtown Newberry area.

Although most of these items were unanimously approved by the Commission, Commissioner Tim Marden voted against the Water Public Service Tax, which would cost residents $1.48 per month, according to Director of Finance and Administration Dallas Lee.

The resolution adopting the tentative ad valorem tax for fiscal year 2021-2022 was set at 5.999 mills. The resolution establishing the tentative budget for the same time period was approved at $32,815,483. “This is the fifth year in a row that the millage rate has remained the same,” said Lee.

One modification to the budget was also approved to set aside $15,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act Funding, which was approved via Consent Agenda earlier in the meeting, to be used toward hiring trainers for elementary schools to establish radKids Children’s Safety Education Programs to enhance kids’ knowledge, critical thinking ability and physical resistance skills.

The American Rescue Plan Act Funding amount for the City of Newberry is anticipated to be a little over $3 million to be paid to the City in two payments. Mayor Jordan Marlowe said members of the City’s Opioid Task Force would address other cities in the county to encourage them to set aside money from this fund for the same program.

Commissioners will again address the budget and millage rate at a public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m., Sept. 27, at City Hall to finalize approval. At the same meeting, ordinances approving revisions to the electric, water wastewater, solid waste and public service taxes will be heard on second and final hearing.

Second reading of Ordinance 2021-36, was also approved. This ordinance provides consent for the City to be included in a non-ad valorem assessment for a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU), which was created by Alachua County to address solid waste management costs. This item must be reviewed and considered for approval by the City each year. According to Lee, the assessment amount is the same this coming year as it was this current year.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ North Florida now has five monoclonal antibody treatment centers, with High Springs opening a site on Aug. 24. at the Fellowship Church of High Springs. Monoclonal antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond more effectively to the COVID-19 virus. Vaccines are still the most effective preventative of infection or severity of symptoms, with over one billion people worldwide vaccinated.

Almost 40 percent of the U.S. population remains unvaccinated. While the vaccines are not 100 percent effective and there have been a few cases of severe reaction or death, these account for less than .001 percent of those who have received the vaccine. Safety concerns, misinformation, political bias, debates about free choice or lack of availability account for the numbers of unvaccinated.

The monoclonal treatment is not a replacement for the vaccine and only works to lessen the severity of those already diagnosed with COVID and showing mild symptoms. Governor Ron DeSantis has promoted this treatment as another tool to lessen severity of the Delta variant, and in August he ordered the rollout of 25 treatment sites including five in North Florida.

Monoclonal antibody treatment prevents serious illness and death among high-risk people such as the elderly, individuals who are overweight, diabetic or have compromised heart, lungs, kidneys or immune systems. The treatment is most effective when given early and the sooner it is given the better the results.

Those already hospitalized with COVID-19 issues are unable to receive the monoclonal antibody treatment because the effects are unknown. Clinical trials are currently underway to determine the safety of monoclonal antibodies in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The treatment consists of two injections in the stomach area and one in each arm or an intravenous feed.

The High Springs site, located in the church’s gymnasium, accommodates up to 300 patients. The Fellowship Church location currently sees roughly 150 to 200 patients each day, according to Paul Myers, Director of the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County. The church previously served as a COVID-19 vaccine location earlier in the year. Myers plans to keep the Alachua County site open as long as people need it.

According to Myers, the treatment is a free and painless option and is available to all eligible people, regardless of vaccination status, but should be administered as soon as possible after receiving a positive COVID test to be the most effective. The treatment only works for people already diagnosed with the virus and does not replace the vaccine as a method of preventing the virus.

Patients can receive this treatment without a prescription or referral if administered by an eligible health care provider. Such referrals are not required at any of the State of Florida monoclonal antibody treatment sites to treat non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of clinical progression due to underlying conditions. Fellowship Church of High Springs is located at 16916 N.W. U.S. Highway 441. Although patients do not need an appointment for the treatment, appointments and additional information is available by calling 850-344-9637 or by visiting the patients portal at floridahealth.gov.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Following nearly a half-hour of discussion, High Springs Commissioners agreed on a Tentative Rate of Ad Valorem Taxes for Fiscal Year 2021-22 at 5.99 mills. On July 22 the Commission set the proposed tentative millage rate at 6.25 mills with the knowledge that it could be lowered, but not raised.

City Manager Ashley Stathatos said the upcoming budget had been prepared at last year’s millage rate of 5.88. She also presented a list of revenue that increased millage rates would generate, ranging from $24,000 at 5.95 mills to $132,000 at 6.25 mills. Stathatos said the City had set the millage rate at 6.25 mills previously.

Some members of the Commission voiced concerns how the increased millage rate might impact some citizens, especially along with the increase in this year’s Fire Assessment fee. The second concern was how to provide for the current citizens as opposed to those who move into the City.

Commissioner Scott Jamison was in favor of setting the rate under 6.0 mills, while Commissioner Linda Jones suggested 6.0, saying that maybe next year “we can do more.” Commissioner Byran Williams said 6.0 mills was an increase, but it wouldn’t be enough to address paving the roads. He echoed Jones’ feeling that next year might be better. He and Mayor Gloria James both were concerned about whether people would be able to pay the additional amount should they raise it above 6.0.

Jamison made a motion at 5.95 mills and said he didn’t want to go to 6.0 mills. His motion died for lack of a second.

Commission Ross Ambrose made a motion to approve 6.0 mills, which would bring in $42,000 more than last year’s millage rate. Jones seconded the motion.

Jamison argued that impact fees would be an additional revenue source for the City, pointing to one development that would bring in $7 million in impact fees.

Ambrose responded that during the City’s strategic planning workshop Jamison had made it clear that there was a difference between what the City needs to operate current facilities infrastructure and the things for the citizens that are here. He stressed that impact fees would pay for the cost of additional people coming into the community, but that’s down the road.

At an apparent impasse, Williams suggested the millage rate be set at 5.99 mills, which is slightly less than the 6.0 mills Ambrose requested.

Ambrose modified his motion to 5.99 mills and it was seconded again by Jones. The motion passed 4-1 with Jamison casting the dissenting vote.

As a follow up to determining the tentative rate of ad valorem taxation, Stathatos presented the proposed budget for FY 2021-22. She included items identified during the strategic planning process. As some of those items were not included in this year’s budget, she indicated those that staff would be pursuing through grants and other funding sources.

The Commission approved Ordinance No. 2021-08 adopting the 2021-22 fiscal year budget unanimously on first reading. Stathatos later said the spending budget amount would be $23,387,923.  

According to Stathatos, there will be updates to the proposed budget that may bump the amount up an additional $11,000, which Commissioners could review and consider on second reading on Sept. 20.

In other City business, in recognition of the 20th Anniversary of Sept. 11, City Attorney Scott Walker read a proclamation into the record commemorating the fateful day. Commissioner Ambrose reminded everyone that a ceremony in recognition of the attack on the World Trade Center Towers would be held at the High Springs Fire Department on Sept. 11 at 8 a.m.

Two brief presentations were conducted during the Sept. 9 Commission meeting. The first was a presentation by Rodney Long, Candidate for the Florida Senate, District 8. He spoke briefly about his history with local governments and talked about why he wanted to run for this office.

Rev. Adam Joy also addressed the Commission to let them know that his preschool is currently at capacity and he would like to partner with the City for a location that might be able to accommodate his group of preschoolers.

He also said he would like to take advantage of a Head Start grant that would fund 20 three- to five-year-old children who come from very low-income families, but needs a larger facility in order to accommodate them. He also talked about the now-closed day care center building and said he would like to continue to see that building be brought up to code so it could be used to serve children in that area.

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ALACHUA ‒ By vote of its Board of Directors, the Alachua Lions Club has selected Tuesday, March 22, 2022 as the re-scheduled date for the Cattlemen’s Banquet. The Club is hopeful that conditions with Covid-19 will be significantly improved to permit the event to move forward.

Originally scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, the event was postponed in the wake of the recent surge of the pandemic. Individual ticketholders and corporate table purchasers can retain their tickets from the September banquet and they will be honored at the March banquet.

Club President Dayna Miller said, “As a civic organization, we need to be prudent and responsible for not only the health of our members, but also the health and welfare of our supporters and our community. The Alachua Lions Club genuinely appreciates the support received from Alachua and the surrounding communities for this annual event, and we are especially grateful for the patience shown by our supporters during these most unusual and challenging times.”

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ALACHUA ‒ On Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 all across America, people came together in remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Certain events are of such a magnitude that they affect the consciousness of an entire population and live on in memories. This past Saturday, communities remembered the 9/11 attacks and honored those lost in the attacks and those lost and injured seeking to rescue victims. Locally, remembrance events included those in Alachua, High Springs and Gainesville where people recalled the events of that infamous day.

Tragic Events Unfolded

On that morning, four commercial airliners traveling from the northeastern U.S. to California were hijacked mid-flight by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists. The hijackers were organized into three groups of five hijackers and one group of four. Each group had one hijacker who had received flight training and took over control of the aircraft. Their goal was to crash each plane into a prominent American building, causing mass casualties and destruction of the targeted buildings.

The first plane to hit its target was American Airlines flight 11. It was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan at 8:46 a.m. At 9:03 a.m., the World Trade Center's South Tower was hit by United Airlines flight 175. Both 110-story towers collapsed within an hour and forty-two minutes, leading to the collapse of the other World Trade Center structures and significantly damaging surrounding buildings.

A third flight, American Airlines flight 77, crashed into the west side of the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m., causing a partial collapse of the building's side. The fourth, and final flight, United Airlines flight 93 was flown in the direction of Washington D.C. The plane's passengers had heard the news of the other planes’ fate and attempted to regain control of the aircraft away from the hijackers. They succeeded in diverting the flight from its intended target but it crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m. Investigators determined that Flight 93's target was either the White House or the U.S. Capitol.

The attacks stunned the nation, with 2,977 killed and over 25,000 injured. Many first responders died in the attack trying to rescue those trapped in the burning towers—343 firefighters and 72 police officers were killed when the towers collapsed. It was the first foreign attack on U.S. soil since 1814. Many of the survivors still suffer long-term health problems from the debris of the tower collapse and the subsequent rescue attempts and clean up.

The attacks led to the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq in an attempt to destroy the terrorist network, which resulted in the two longest wars in American history. The attack and its aftermath still haunt the nation. Every year the day is set aside to remember those who died, especially the brave first responders that gave their lives trying to save others and the heroic efforts of the passengers on Flight 93 who gave their lives to stop the hijackers. This year marked the 20^th anniversary of the attack and towns across America held ceremonies and memorials to honor all those who died.

Local Remembrance Ceremonies

The High Springs Fire Department and memorial organizer Leda Carrero worked in partnership with the High Springs Police Department and Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe to host a 20th anniversary memorial event in remembrance of the attacks. The event was held on the steps of the High Springs Fire Department with both High Springs fire and police on hand to honor their fallen fellow responders as well as citizens who gathered to honor all the casualties.

On Saturday, Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. the ceremony began. Those in attendance were asked to share their memories of that fateful day and half a dozen told their stories, still clear in their memory after 20 years. At 8:46 a.m., the exact time the first plane hit, bagpiper Ben Mowry played Amazing Grace in memory of those lost. The fire truck blew three long horn blasts and then a long moment of silent prayer. Several city officials and Chief of Police Antione Sheppard spoke. A wreath donated by Thompson's Flower shop decorated the stone memorial in honor of the 9/11 victims. High Springs K-9 officer and police dog Ceasar paid tribute to a plaque honoring service dogs that worked at the Trade Center wreckage looking for survivors and served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Trumpeter Vito Montauk played taps and vocalist Dani Mackinzie sang God Bless America as the ceremony ended.

In Alachua, a ceremony was held in front of City Hall with the flags at half-mast. City Manager Mike DaRoza opened the ceremony followed by remarks from Alachua County Fire Rescue officials who described the efforts and bravery of the firemen who rushed into the burning towers only thinking of saving others. Also offering remarks were Alachua Police Chief Chad Scott and Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr. Watson discussed the unity of purpose in the country after the attack and called upon the audience to remember that unity in these divisive times and strive to return to that united country. After each speaker, a silver bell was struck three times in memory of the first responders who died that day.

Other members of Alachua Fire Rescue gathered at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida. Their goal was to ascend the stadium steps 11 times in full gear to emulate the height that the firefighters had to climb in the burning towers trying to rescue the victims of the attack. Several hundred people joined them at the stadium in tribute for the annual event.

In the evening, the Alachua Military Support Group gathered at the High Springs Brewery in tribute to the soldiers who went on to fight the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, where over 2,372 paid the supreme price. All over America communities held events in memorial to that horrible day 20 years ago—a day that changed the world.

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