ALACHUA – A 48-year-old High Springs man, John Kada Talton II, was arrested early Sunday morning, January 26, 2025, by an Alachua Police Department (APD) officer following a traffic stop for a stop sign violation. Talton now faces multiple charges, including possession of drugs and ammunition.

The traffic stop occurred at approximately 4:55 a.m. During the stop, the officer identified Talton as the driver and registered owner of the vehicle. A records check revealed that Talton was on probation and under house arrest as part of a drug offender probation sentence. Talton’s probation had been extended to 10 years in 2022 due to multiple probation violations stemming from a Columbia County drug possession case.

While the officer attempted to contact Talton’s probation officer to confirm his house arrest status, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team arrived on the scene. The K-9 unit alerted to the presence of illegal substances in the vehicle, prompting a search.

According to police reports, the search uncovered several items, including:

  • A bag containing 0.7 grams of methamphetamine
  • A methamphetamine pipe
  • 27 1-mg Xanax pills in a bottle labeled for 0.5-mg Xanax, prescribed to Talton
  • A single round of ammunition

After being read his Miranda rights, Talton and his passenger both denied knowledge of the items found in the vehicle. However, as the vehicle’s driver and owner, Talton was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of drug paraphernalia

Talton has a lengthy criminal history, with at least six felony convictions and three state prison sentences—two from Alachua County and one from Columbia County. He was most recently released from prison in May 2022.

Bail for Talton was set at $155,000 by Judge James Colaw.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission convened on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, for a relatively short meeting that included routine approvals and updates but was marked by a major announcement from City Manager Mike New.

In a surprising turn, New announced that he would be stepping down from his position, effective Feb. 24, 2025. No reason for his departure was disclosed, and New did not provide additional details during the meeting. He did, however, reflect briefly on his tenure, noting that he has served the City of Newberry for nearly 11 years.

Among the agenda items, Director of Community Development Stacey Hectus provided an update on plans to revise the city's Overlay District to address large-scale retail store applications. Hectus explained that incorporating changes into the existing Overlay District would simplify the process compared to drafting a new ordinance.

The proposed updates would provide developers with a menu of enhancements to choose from, based on the size of the structures they plan to build. Hectus stated that city staff anticipates presenting the changes to the Planning and Zoning Board in March. If approved, the proposed updates will then move to the City Commission for final approval.

Hectus also reported on Newberry’s participation in the Alachua County Bicentennial – Alachua 200 kick-off event, held on Jan. 11, 2025, at Depot Park in Gainesville. Newberry was the only city in the county to accept Alachua County’s invitation to participate in the celebration, focusing its contributions on the city’s agricultural history and the ongoing development of its Ag-Tech Park.

The city’s booth at the event, staffed by the mayor and members of the Community Development Department, highlighted the progression of Newberry’s agricultural heritage. Additionally, Newberry has been asked to lend historical artifacts to the Matheson Museum for the bicentennial exhibit, which is set to open on March 12, 2025.

The Commission also addressed several routine items of city business including an ordinance to amend the city’s water and wastewater code, which received approval on its first reading. Also unanimously approved was a resolution finalizing Avalon Woods Phase 4B Final Plat. The Commission also made Planning and Zoning Board Re-Appointments as three board members—Donald Long, Kathy Thomas, and Ann Polo—were re-appointed for one-year extensions, with their terms now set to expire in April 2026. Other board members will continue serving until their terms end.

Re-appointment of three Planning and Zoning Board Members for a one-year extension was also unanimously approved. Their terms will expire April 2026. The board members are Donald Long, Kathy Thomas and Ann Polo. The other board members will remain until their terms end.

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Photo special to Alachua County Today / A creative puppet show by students in the local Music and Arts Program engaged youngsters in the teachings of Dr. King.

ALACHUA – More than six decades after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech on a sweltering August day in Washington, D.C., his legacy continues to inspire people across the nation. From the monumental March on Washington in 1963 to the frosty morning of Alachua’s 20th Annual MLK Celebration in 2025, the dream of equality and justice remains alive, uniting communities in remembrance and hope. More than 150 people attended the event to honor Dr. King's legacy.

The City of Alachua held its celebration at Alachua’s Legacy Park Multipurpose Center beginning at 10 a.m. Just as King captivated a nation with his words in 1963, Alachua’s celebration featured inspiring speeches and performances that carried forward his message. Six-time Grammy Award nominee Vickie Winans headlined the event, delivering a soul-stirring musical performance and a keynote address that left attendees both moved and motivated. Her dynamic presence brought energy and inspiration, echoing King’s ability to uplift a crowd.

Joining community members in the remembrance celebration were City of Alachua elected officials Mayor Gib Coerper and City Commissioners Shirley Green Brown and Dayna Williams and City Manager Mike DaRoza and Assistant City Manager Rodolfo Valladares.

The celebration also featured performances by University of Florida student Frantz Emmanuel and a creative puppet show by students in the local Music and Arts Program, showcasing the contributions of young people—a reminder of King’s belief in the power of youth to drive change. Students delighted attendees with the engaging show, a heartwarming family play filled with laughter, love, and inspiration.

There were additional performances including singer Caitlyn Phillips, the Alachua Cha Chas and Smooth Flava Dance.

Leading up to the event, Gainesville’s Cultural Affairs Manager and event committee member Carol Richardson said, “This celebration will be nothing short of spectacular and memorable. With the addition of Vickie Winans this year, you will not want to miss this celebration.”

In both moments — separated by over six decades — the act of gathering in King’s name reflects his enduring belief in the power of community. Just as the 1963 March on Washington ended with calls for unity, equality, and justice, Alachua’s MLK Day celebration concluded with a shared community meal, offering attendees a chance to reflect, connect, and celebrate together.

“Our Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations are a cherished tradition in Alachua, and this year was no exception,” said Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper. “Each year, the event grows more meaningful as we come together as a community to honor Dr. King’s legacy.

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HAWTHORNE ‒ A 44-year-old man from Lehigh Acres, identified as Yosvani Fernandez, has been charged with vehicular homicide while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a fatal crash, following an investigation into the death of a pedestrian in January 2022.

The fatal crash occurred at approximately 5:55 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2022, on U.S. Highway 301 in Hawthorne, just north of Northeast 77th Lane. Fernandez, driving a semi-truck northbound on the highway, allegedly swerved onto the grass shoulder, striking 49-year-old Donna Lassiter, who was walking along the east shoulder. After the collision, Fernandez reportedly steered back onto the roadway and continued driving, failing to stop or render aid.

Lassiter was pronounced deceased about 30 minutes later at UF Health Shands.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, multiple witnesses reported the truck's erratic behavior. One witness followed the semi-truck for several miles, attempting to get the driver to stop. Witnesses noted that the truck was traveling at speeds of approximately 75 mph in a 55-mph zone, passing other vehicles.

Other witnesses stated that the semi-truck drifted off the roadway, hit Lassiter, and then swerved back onto the highway without braking. Fernandez reportedly returned to the scene of the crash commenting, “Oh, what, she has a broken ankle?” Witnesses also described Fernandez as appearing fatigued at the time.

Evidence collected at the scene further implicated Fernandez. One of Lassiter’s shoes was found in the outside travel lane, while the other was discovered entangled under the truck’s trailer.

Fernandez consented to a blood draw at the crash scene, which reportedly tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine. A toxicology expert from the UF Forensic Toxicology Laboratory stated that the results indicated recent methamphetamine use, which likely impaired Fernandez’s ability to operate the vehicle safely. The expert described the driver’s behavior and driving pattern as consistent with the negative effects of a central nervous system stimulant.

Post-Miranda, Fernandez reportedly admitted to driving the semi-truck at the time of the crash. Following a detailed investigation, a warrant was served on Fernandez on Dec. 12, 2024, charging him with vehicular homicide while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a fatal crash.

Fernandez has a criminal history that includes one felony conviction and one misdemeanor conviction, as well as two pending felony cases in Miami-Dade County.

Judge Kristine Van Vorst set Fernandez’s bail at $100,000 for the hit-and-run charge. However, he is being held without bail on the vehicular homicide charge pending a hearing on a motion filed by the State Attorney’s Office to keep him detained until trial.

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Photo by Contributor VIVIAN ARNDT/special to Alachua County Today

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The brisk weather was offset by the glow of community spirit at the Martin Luther King Walk held in High Springs on Jan. 20, 2025. As the end of the mile-long walk drew close, a special addition to the day was about to take place as part of the celebration. At the destination of Catherine Taylor Park, there stood a new bench and picnic table along with three potted Live Oak trees ready to plant.

This “addition” was the culmination of months of planning in a joint venture between the City of High Springs Parks and Recreation Board and The Kiwanis of Santa Fe to honor the work of Tammy Fleming, retired director of the former Martin Luther King Daycare.

Kiwanis Vice President Linda Hewlitt gave a warm welcome to the group. This was followed by Cassandra Davis from High Springs Parks and Recreation, who recounted how this day arrived.

“Forty-two years ago, a young mother came to the daycare to pick up her small son and tearfully said it would be his last day at the center because she was unable to pay to keep bringing him.

“The young mother was offered a job there at the daycare, which eventually grew into her running the daycare. For over 40 years, Tammy Fleming nurtured and cared for the young ones entrusted to her. Her work eventually extended from the original young ones on down to their children and now grandchildren,” said Davis.

“Miss Tammy” as she is known, was presented with a plaque honoring her contribution to the community along with the bench, picnic table, and the trees which were planted with “Miss Tammy's” help.

“Some people say they have to go to work,” said Tammy. “I always wanted to go to work! I wanted to go and teach my kids. To see them learn and grow and teach those young ones to go out into the world and do well.”

Learn and do well is what has happened as “Miss Tammy” counts among her former students a principal at a Gainesville high school, a dean at a local college, an anesthesiologist, and a local policeman.

“I see that policeman around town sometimes, and I love knowing he's taking care of me and my town the same way I used to take care of him,” she says with a big smile.

While she only had one son, she counts the many children she cared for as “her kids” and many of them were there to congratulate her, a line forming to hug her as she greeted them each by name.

Martin Luther King left the world with many stellar quotes among them being:

“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

On a day that has been set aside to honor his legacy, what better way than to see these words being put into action and to experience the ripple effect it spreads throughout the community.

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ALACHUA ‒ A 39-year-old High Springs man tragically lost his life in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 75 on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. The incident occurred at approximately 5:27 p.m. near the Alachua exit 399-mile marker.

The man was driving a sedan northbound on I-75 when, for reasons that remain under investigation, his vehicle veered off the roadway to the right. The sedan struck an informational road sign before crashing into a tree. The impact caused significant damage to the vehicle and resulted in fatal injuries to the driver, who was the sole occupant.

Authorities confirmed that the man was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Despite this safety measure, the severity of the collision proved fatal. Emergency responders pronounced the driver deceased at the scene.

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. At this time, it is unclear whether factors such as driver error, a medical emergency, mechanical failure, or road conditions contributed to the incident.

The crash briefly impacted traffic on the northbound lanes of I-75 as emergency crews worked to clear the scene and assess the situation. Motorists in the area were advised to exercise caution during the response efforts.

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HIGH SPRINGS – During the Jan. 9, 2025, High Springs City Commission meeting, several residents shared reactions on the proposed Bridlewood development and other community matters.

Becky Burns, a local real estate agent, highlighted potential issues with the Bridlewood project’s process. Burns alleged that the developer had failed to comply with Section 1115-05 Notice of the City’s codes, claiming that required notifications to nearby residents were incomplete. She also criticized the marketing tactics associated with the development, citing violations of Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) rules and misleading claims about native plantings and infrastructure inspections.

Additionally, Burns expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed Community Development District (CDD) on the city and future homeowners, referencing her personal experience with similar districts in St. Augustine.

“I’m making it aware they’re just doing a sales pitch on you,” said Burns, urging the Commission to fully understand the implications of approving a CDD. She also highlighted environmental concerns, noting the presence of wildlife, including protected species, on the land.

Another resident, Bryan Buescher, shared his own reservations about the CDD, stating that it would primarily benefit the developers while increasing financial burdens for future homeowners. He emphasized that the roads and stormwater basins in the gated community would remain private, providing little benefit to the City. “Approving a CDD would be detrimental,” said Buescher.

Mayor Tristan Grunder assured residents that the City would ensure the developers follow all regulations moving forward. “We will look into the ordinance stuff… I don’t know there’s much we can do against Bridlewood, but the one thing we sure can do is make sure that they follow the rules and regulations that are put before them moving forward.”

In other City business, the Commission unanimously approved changes to the Mayor’s Youth Council, aligning member terms with the school year to improve coordination. Commissioners Katherine Weitz and Chad Howell were absent from the meeting.

Resident David Linch expressed concerns about preserving High Springs’ historic decorative concrete streets, noting their age and historical value. At 82 years old, Linch said the streets predate him and are an essential part of the city’s charm.

Former City Commissioner and Mayor Scott Jamison urged the Commission to reconsider their earlier decision to reject a $1.8 million grant for sewer installation for a small number of homes. Jamison emphasized the importance of clean water and warned of potential long-term consequences if the city failed to address water infrastructure needs.

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