Local

The Humane Society of the United States assists the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office with a large-scale alleged severe neglect case of approximately 140 dogs on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, near Old Town, Fla. (Photo by Meredith Lee/The HSUS)

Feb. 25, 2019 -- The Humane Society of the United States is assisting the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office in rescuing approximately 140 dogs in a large-scale alleged severe neglect situation on a residential property in Dixie County, Florida.

Local authorities served a search and seizure warrant on a five-acre property consisting of multiple structures including a dilapidated mobile home and several campers at approximately 8 a.m. The dogs appeared to suffer from a lack of basic care and were living in filthy, poor conditions typically seen in severe neglect situations. The animals were primarily found living outside, contained in hutches which were caked in feces and leaking in the rain, some with no apparent access to food and water. The majority of the dogs were suffering from skin conditions characterized by missing fur, sores and itchy skin.

The Humane Society of the United States is transporting the rescued animals to an undisclosed shelter location where they will continue to receive veterinary exams. RedRover responders will be assisting in the caretaking of the animals at the shelter location.

“This is a tragic scene-- it is intensely sad to see these dogs suffering in obvious misery and pain,” said Laura Koivula, deputy manager of animal crimes for the Humane Society of the United States. “We are thankful to all of the agencies involved today for working through the rain to get these dogs desperately-needed help.”

The assistance of the Humane Society of the United States was requested by the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office after concerns about the welfare of animals on the property were raised.

"In my nearly 20 years as sheriff, I have never seen conditions of this magnitude,” said Dewey Hatcher, Sheriff of Dixie County. “We appreciate the assistance from the Humane Society of the United States and everyone involved in getting these animals care today.”

All but three of the approximately 140 dogs rescued from the property were surrendered to the Humane Society of the United States. The three who were not surrendered will be expertly cared for along with the surrendered dogs as the court process decides their eventual custody.

A generous donation has been made by the Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust to help support the expert care and supplies needed for the rescued animals. The Humane Society of the United States thanks our long-time partner, GreaterGood.org for donations of food for the dogs.

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NEWBERRY – The Newberry City Commission has commissioned a traffic study to examine a request to close a private road in Oak View Village. During the Jan. 27 City Commission meeting Oak View Village Homeowners’ Association President Naim Erched requested that a subdivision road be closed due to concerns about heavy traffic.

According to Erched, drivers wanting to avoid the slower school zone traffic for Oak View Middle School on US 27/41-SR 45 have been using Southwest 251^st Way as a bypass and exiting at the Southwest 15^th Avenue intersection. He said the homeowners have asked the Homeowners Association to have the road closed to through traffic. They believe that they can close it because the roads in the subdivision are owned and maintained by the homeowners association, with public utilities easements for municipal water, wastewater and electric utilities in the rights of way.

The City’s Planning and Economic Development Director Bryan Thomas researched the issue and said his findings were that once a private road is opened to the public for use, the local governing body obtains jurisdiction over that road. Therefore, a public process, with appropriate notification, must be followed prior to closing the road to the public. He further outlined the process should the Commission wish to grant the Homeowners Association’s request.

Commissioners were hesitant to take action without a traffic study being performed. Instead of taking action to close the road at the Commission meeting, they decided instead to request that the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office be contacted and a request made by the City for them to perform the study.

Thomas reminded Commissioners that the City’s Land Development Regulations prohibit the creation of “dead-end,” streets. In addition, he said, “the Florida Fire Safety Code also requires that a turnaround be provided to allow emergency vehicles the ability to turn around in an emergency. Therefore, should the Commission decide to close Southwest 251^st Way, the Oak View Village HOA would be required to construct either a cul-de-sac or other acceptable form of turnaround at the end of Southwest 251^st Way.”

“If the Commission decides to consider closing Southwest 251^st Way, it should adopt a Resolution that establishes a time and place for a public hearing to discuss closing the road,” Thomas said.

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Gainesville, Florida – One of the rising stars of contemporary dance, Cuba’s Malpaso Dance Company will stage two world premieres in a multicultural program of four dances at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2020, in the Fine Arts Hall at the Northwest Campus of Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83 Street, Gainesville. Premiering are “Duo de la Escoba – Revisited (Broom Duet),” choreographed by Daileidys Carrazana after Alberto Alonso’s “El Solar,” and “woman with water,” a revisiting of “Wet Woman”—originally performed by the world-famous ballerina Sylvie Guillem—with choreography by Mats Ek.

Tickets are $15 for adults; $9 for University of Florida students with a UF identification card, seniors over 60, and children 12 and under; $5 for Santa Fe College students with a valid SF ID card; and free for SF faculty, staff and retirees with a valid SF ID. For information or tickets, call 352-395-4181 or visit sfcollege.edu/finearts.

“Malpaso is a contemporary company that collaborates with the world’s top choreographers and they are bringing to Gainesville the kind of global show that you don’t see very often,” explained SF Fine Arts Department Chair Alora Haynes. “Dances by American, Cuban, Israeli and Swiss choreographers are on the program. The renowned Swiss choreographer Mats Ek is coming out of retirement to be here for a week to create a new version of one of his world-famous works, ‘Wet Woman,’ one of his masterpieces. He’ll be spending time with our students, plus invited students from the University of Florida and Florida State University, while he’s here.”

In addition to collaborating with internationally known choreographers, Malpaso is actively committed to nurturing new Cuban choreographers. With a growing reputation and an increasing international profile, Malpaso tours with 11 dancers and is an Associate Company of Joyce Theater Productions.

“The Spanish word ‘malpaso’ means ‘misstep’ and refers to what some people in the dance world think of people who are trained in classical ballet who then choose to move into contemporary dance,” Haynes explained. “That choice isn’t a misstep, though, because classical ballet training enables your body to do anything and that brings a whole new dimension of movement to contemporary dance.” Dancers in the Malpaso troupe chose that “misstep” when they broke away from the National Ballet of Cuba to perform contemporary dance.

The directors of Malpaso are Osnel Delgado, Fernando Sáez and Daileidys Carrazana. Before founding Malpaso in 2012, Delgado danced with Danza Contemporanea de Cuba. He graduated from the National Dance School of Havana, where he is now a professor of dance studies. Sáez graduated from the School of Performing Arts at the Superior Institute of Arts (ISA) in Havana and is also a founder and actor of Estudio Teatral de Santa Clara. Carrazana graduated from the National Ballet School in Havana and, like Delgado, danced with Danza Contemporanea de Cuba before founding Malpaso. Delgado and Carrazana also dance with Malpaso.

Press reports about Malpaso are full of generous praise. Laura Bleiberg of the Los Angeles Times described a performance by Malpaso as “…a pinch-me moment, one of those times when you catch an artistic dawning...Malpaso’s dancers were exceptional." Adrienne Totino of the Pittsburgh Examiner wrote, “Malpaso’s aim is to bring ‘Cuban contemporary dance into the 21^st century.’ Clearly, they have already arrived.”

“Malpaso’s directors credit the Cuban choreographer Alberto Alonso, who taught at SF for many years, with creating an opening in the dance world for new choreography—an opening that enabled them to form their company,” Haynes said. The revisited version of “Broom Duet” that Malpaso will premiere pays tribute to Alonso and his wife, Sonia Calero-Alonso, who originally performed that piece about daily life in Cuba in Alberto’s dance “El Solar.”

In addition to the premieres of “Broom Duet” and “woman with water,” the other dances on the program are “Elemental,” choreographed by Robyn Mineko Williams of the USA, and “Tabula Rasa,” choreographed by Ohad Naharin of Israel. “‘Tabula Rasa’ is a 30-year-old piece that’s spellbinding!” Haynes exclaimed.

“In a time when so many people are divided, it’s important to realize what we can do when we work together,” Haynes concluded. “I cannot think of a better experience for a young dance student than to be deeply immersed in an effort like this. And I can’t think of anything more inspiring for our community than to see the results of these multicultural collaborations.”

The performance of Malpaso Dance Company is sponsored in part by Joyce Theater Productions; by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; and by the Santa Fe College Fine Arts Department.

For more information about Malpaso, see malpasodance.com or call Alora Haynes at 352-395-5296.

For more information about tickets, call the Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall Box Office at 352-395-4181.

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 HIGH SPRINGS – Two cities will be sharing one building inspector for the foreseeable future. In light of the recent resignation of the City of High Springs’s Building Official/Public Works Director Bill Whitlock, High Springs commissioners held an emergency meeting Tuesday morning, Feb. 11, in Commission Chambers.

The main focus of the meeting was to provide Commissioners with the opportunity to consider an interlocal agreement with the City of Alachua to provide High Springs with building official services.

The agreement calls for Alachua’s building official, “to provide regulatory building inspection services for permitted construction activities related to building construction, erection, repair, addition, remodeling, demolition, or alteration projects that are subject to the Florida Building Code related to building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical work, and provide all permit holders a record of the inspection results required by statute.”

Fees, method of payment and a term agreement period to end on Dec. 31, 2020 are also part of the agreement, along with an opt-out method should either party wish to terminate the agreement without cause prior to that date.

The quorum of commissioners in attendance unanimously approved the interlocal agreement, which went into effect immediately.

City officials indicate that Alachua’s building official will be in High Springs in the afternoons to meet with builders and conduct inspections.

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NEWBERRY – Newberry’s citizens will soon go to the polls to consider the future of the City, how it will be run and by whom. The election of candidates to fill three Newberry City Commission seats is part of what they need to decide on April 14 as they file into the voting booths.

In addition to filling commission seats, changes to the City’s Charter and lengthening the terms for the mayor and commissioners are also on this year’s election slate.

The Group One and Group Three seats are currently occupied by Rick Coleman and Monty Farnsworth, respectively.

The Group Two seat was recently filled by Rocky McKinley upon the departure of Matt Hersom, who relocated out of the area.

The candidate qualifying period begins at noon on Monday, March 2, and ends at noon on Thursday, March 12. According to the election proclamation, “Candidates for the municipal election shall qualify for office with City Clerk Judy Rice at City Hall, located at 25440 West Newberry Road, Newberry; Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Monday, March 2^nd when qualifying begins at noon and Thursday, March 12 when qualifying ends at noon.”

The state required election assessment fee of one percent of the annual salary of the position sought is $108 and will be required as part of qualifying. Newberry City Commissioners receive an annual salary of $10,966, paid biweekly at $4228.

In addition, the City’s proclamation also details the voting precinct location, opening and closing times for the polls and a list of the clerks, deputy and inspectors of the election.

Following a year of review of the existing City Charter by a Charter Review Committee and workshops with Commissioners, proposed changes have been recommended to modify and simplify the Charter.

The first issue voters will consider on the April ballot is whether to replace the existing Charter with the newly-proposed 2019 Charter.

The second issue for voter consideration is whether election term lengths should be increased to three years commencing in 2021.

A copy of the proposed changes to the Charter can be viewed at Newberry City Hall.

A complete 2020 Newberry City Election Calendar was included with the proclamation and may be obtained from Clerk Rice.

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LAKE CITY – Fifteen miles east of Lake City, Florida, is Olustee, a small town bordering the Osceola National Forest. Usually it is a serene and quiet spot in a rural setting, but once a year on Presidents Day weekend in February, the stirring sounds of bugles and drums mix with the sharp sound of rifle fire and cannons booming. Thousands of reenactors and spectators assemble in the park to experience history and witness the recreated battle.

For the past 44 years, Olustee State Park has been home to a living history event that honors those who fought in the largest and bloodiest Civil War battle in Florida. Olustee State Park, is the state's first park and was dedicated in 1912. The annual event is one of the few reenactment events that is actually carried out on the same ground where the original took place. In the Battle of Olustee, over 10,000 soldiers fought, and in some cases died, 155 years ago.

On Feb. 20, 1864, Union forces marching across the state ran into an equal army of Confederates at the location of the present park. Florida had escaped much of the fighting that had decimated the country. The Union had launched several raids along the coast and had even captured Jacksonville and Key West, but they didn't control the interior.

Union General Truman Seymore landed troops at Jacksonville, aiming to disrupt the Confederate supply line. Florida produced much of the beef and salt supply, which was exported north to the Confederate army. Meeting little resistance, he proceeded toward Tallahassee, which was still under Confederate control. Against orders from his commander, Seymore planned to cut across the state to Tallahassee and cut off the supplies leaving Florida. Assuming he would face only partisans and local militia, Seymore and his 5,500 troops followed the Florida, Atlantic and Gulf Central rail line west toward Lake City.

But it was not just militia the Union would be facing. Confederate General Joseph Finnegan had assembled an opposing force of battle-seasoned Florida troops, supplemented by additional troops from Georgia. At Olustee Station, east of Lake City, the Union forces ran into Finnegan’s 5,400 men. Seymour made the mistake of assuming he was facing Florida militia units like he had previously routed with ease and committed his troops piecemeal into the battle. Fighting raged all afternoon. Twice the Confederates almost ran out of ammunition. The Union forces attacked, but were repulsed by barrages of rifle and cannon fire. Then, just as Finnegan committed the last of his reserves, the Union line broke and began to retreat. Finnegan did not exploit the retreat, allowing most of the fleeing Union forces to reach Jacksonville.

Union casualties were 203 killed, 1,152 wounded and 506 missing, a total of 1,861 men, which was about 34 percent of the Union forces. Confederate losses were lower, with 93 killed, 847 wounded and 6 missing, a total of 946 casualties in all, which was about 19 percent.

The ratio of Union casualties to the number of troops involved made this the second bloodiest battle of the war for the Union, with 265 casualties per 1,000 troops. It also ended Union attempts to take the state and cut the supply lines. At the end of the war, Tallahassee was the only Confederate capitol that had not been captured. Although the battle is relatively unknown to the general public, it was a defining moment in the history of Florida.

This park where so much violence and bloodshed happened on that single day in 1864 now rests peacefully among the pine forest of North Florida, except for that one weekend in February.

The event is much more than a portrayal of a battle. Reenactors portray not only soldiers of both sides, but civilians as well, educating the public as they walk through the campsites. Some reenactors provide music or medical scenarios, female reenactors teach about the woman's role both in the war and home life. The park service also provides lectures, often taught by reenactors, on many aspects of the Civil War and life in the 1860s, including an actor portraying Frederic Douglas to give the viewpoint and experiences of African Americans, both free and slave.

Lake City also marks the event with a two-day festival with artists, vendors and entertainers beginning Friday afternoon and continuing through Saturday with the addition of a parade by the reenactors at 10:30 a.m. The town also sponsors a battle skirmish and naval reenactment of a battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac, at Lake Desoto in downtown Lake City. Although there was no naval engagement at the battle of Olustee, this is meant to portray the first engagement between two ironclad ships.

When Saturday evening comes and the spectators are gone, the camps at the park become a true step back in time. Reenactors relax in camp around a fire or go to a ball with a full orchestra. The only light is candlelight giving the night a warm glow, with the odor of smoke drifting from the campfires.

Then on Sunday, the Battle of Olustee is re-enacted on the same hallowed ground soldiers fought for over 150 years earlier. Long lines dressed in blue and gray meet in conflict, firing volleys and cannons before an audience of over 1,000 spectators. When the battle ends, all the reenactors assemble in long lines before the audience, no longer in conflict but mingled together, reunited as one nation, as a solitary bugle blows taps to honor those who died here so long ago.

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