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GAINESVILLE – The State Attorney’s Office has disclosed the aggravating factors it intends to rely upon in the case against Russell Dewayne Hogg, the High Springs man accused of killing his son and wife in the front yard of the family’s home in September 2011.

The State will argue that that the defendant was previously convicted in another felony involving violence; that the capital felony was especially henious, atrocious, or cruel; and that the homicide was cold, calculated and premeditated.

If 59-year-old Hogg is found guilty of first-degree murder, a crime punishable by death, these aggravating factors will play a role in his sentencing.

According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Russell Hogg pulled into the driveway of his High Springs home on Sept. 11, 2011 and allegedly took out an AK-47, pointing it at his son, Anthony Hogg.

According to the report, Anthony Hogg told his father “What are you gonna do, shoot me?” and Russell Hogg responded by saying, “I sure will.”

Hogg then fired two to three rounds at Anthony, killing him almost instantly.

As Trenda Hogg, Russell Hogg’s wife, came running out of the home to check on Anthony, Russell Hogg allegedly pointed the gun at her and fired several rounds, according to the report.

Russell Hogg threw the gun down, and a witness picked up the gun and threw it under the home so Russell could not grab it and fire more rounds. Russell Hogg then got into his car and fled into Columbia County, according to the report.

Prior to the incident, Russell Hogg allegedly told several people that he was going to go over to the house and kill them. After leaving, he went back to the same people and allegedly told them he had just killed them, according to the report.

After his arrest, Russell Hogg made statements admitting to the murders. According to the report, he said that it hurt him to see his wife lying there barely breathing because he did not want her to die. He also stated that he would have just whipped his son if he could, rather than having to kill him.

Hogg will face two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault with weapon, and possession of weapon by convicted Florida felon.

A previous 1986 conviction for lewd and lascivious assault could also play a role in his sentencing.

The case is expected to go to trial in the fall.

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HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs City Commission’s May 16, 2013 workshop was initially set to discuss amendments to the Commissioners’ Rules of Procedure. At the May 9, 2013 commission meeting, commissioners add further discussion on amendments to the 2012/2013 City budget, which had been proposed by City Manager Ed Booth during that meeting.

The Rules of Procedure, which were originally adopted on March 10, 2011, became an item for discussion due to complaints from citizens and commissioners that one commissioner used his blog to denigrate both the public and commissioners alike.

The controversy led to creation of Resolution 2013-C to address civility, which failed to pass after several discussions on the issue, despite the fact that much of the language was lifted from the City’s Employee Handbook and referred to employee civility.

Charges by Commissioner Bob Barnas that the resolution was “one-sided” and a violation of his right to free speech were addressed by City Attorney Scott Walker, who assured commissioners that the resolution did not limit free speech. Walked said that more and more cities are now crafting civility expectations into formal statements for their elected officials.

In not approving the resolution, commissioners seemed to agree that the appropriate place to address the issue of commissioners’ civility toward each other and toward the public might best be handled by considering amendments to the Commissioners’ Rules of Procedure instead of by resolution.

Barnas, the only commissioner who has a blog, will not be participating in the discussion. He said at the May 9 meeting he would be “out of town,” but would submit any questions or changes he’d like to see made to the budget, the second workshop item, in advance of leaving town.

The second item for workshop discussion is consideration of amendments to the current year’s fiscal budget. As City Manager Booth presented the overview of the proposed changes during first reading of Ordinance 2013-04 at the May 9 regular city commission meeting, commissioners will likely address specific questions that have arisen upon review of the proposed budget.

Questions regarding the appropriateness of making budget adjustments after funds have been earmarked for spending have been addressed by City Attorney Scott Walker during several recent meetings. Florida Statutes Section 166.241 addresses “Fiscal years, appropriations, budgets, and budget amendments” for municipal governments and excerpts of that Section are included below.

“(3)  The governing body of each municipality at any time within a fiscal year or within up to 60 days following the end of the fiscal year may amend a budget for that year as follows:

Ordinance 2013-04 is expected to be heard in second and final reading at the regular city commission meeting scheduled for June 13, 2013.

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HIGH SPRINGS – An ordinance granting Clay Electric Cooperative an electrical franchise in the city of High Springs was unanimously approved on second reading following a brief public hearing Thursday, May 9, 2013.

Deputy City Attorney Sondra Randon said later that the franchise fee was last set at 6 percent, but through negotiation, would now be reduced to 5.5 percent.

City Manager Ed Booth negotiated the agreement with Clay Electric’s general manager. He explained that the fee is a “pass-through fee,” meaning the homeowner pays the franchise fee to Clay and they pass it along to the City. “The percentage is assessed against the homeowners’ total usage,” explained Booth.

Clay Electric has agreed to pay the City more than $25,000, which has been in arrears from March 25, 2012 to January 15, 2013, plus the franchise fees collected at the 5.5 percent rate from January 15, 2013 to the date of execution of the Acceptance of Franchise Agreement. Clay Electric has 15 days from the date of acceptance of the ordinance by the City to execute the Acceptance of Franchise Agreement, otherwise the agreement is null and void.

The agreement will be retroactive to Jan. 15, 2013, and will extend for a period of 10 years. It will also include an option to renew the Franchise Agreement for up to four additional 5-year terms, if nether party provides written notice to the other of their intention to conclude the agreement or renegotiate terms 90 days prior to the end of the contract period.

Clay Electric has held a franchise agreement with the City for more than 50 years. When the last agreement matured, the City was in the midst of management changes. When City Manager Ed Booth joined the City, he realized the contract had expired and contacted Clay Electric to negotiate a new agreement.

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Incoming Alachua Chamber of Commerce President David Flinchum is excited about the opportunities ahead as the organization completes construction of its new offices on Alachua's Main Street.

ALACHUA – The new president of the Alachua Chamber of Commerce has high hopes for the next 12 months.

David Flinchum, 41, manager of the Alachua Walgreens, became the new chamber president Tuesday night at the chamber’s annual banquet. Flinchum, who served as vice president since May of last year, has been in line to assume the position once David Pope, the former chamber president, finished his term.

Flinchum doesn't expect much to change. “I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel,” he said.

He said he plans to continue Pope’s initiatives, which aimed to give the chamber’s member businesses more value for their membership dues.

“My hope as the president of the chamber is to involve the members, the businesses, to support them and help them get business.” By doing that, more businesses will join the chamber, allowing the organization to offer additional support through the increased revenue in membership dues, he said. During Pope’s term, the chamber held mixers to facilitate networking between businesses. Flinchum said he wants to expand on that by offering services to match businesses with each other. For instance, if Walgreens needs a fence built around its property, they would know who in the chamber to contact.

During Flinchum’s term, the chamber will finally have a permanent home. Currently, it operates out of a small office at Alachua Elementary School. For the past several years, there have been plans to convert the building at 14801 Main Street into the chamber’s headquarters and welcome center. The building, formerly a post office, and more recently a police station, required a number of repairs. One of the chamber's biggest challenges has been getting the funding to make the site usable, Flinchum said.

“It needed, basically, to be gutted and rebuilt,” he said. It also needed to be brought up to code.

The new location is set to open around the October timeframe. Flinchum credits Pope with finally getting the new location in order. In addition to serving as the Alachua Chamber of Commerce’s office building, it will also be a welcome center for the community.

“We envision it as a place where people who are visiting can stop in and learn about the local community,” Flinchum said. There will be information available from the Alachua Historical Society about the area’s history, as well as details about local businesses.

The Alachua Chamber of Commerce sponsors and participates in local events including the annual Christmas parade, Main Street’s Scarecrow Row and Shop-Dine-Stroll on Main Street.

“Some people live here and don't know what is going on,” Flinchum said.

Flinchum was born and raised in Gainesville and moved to Alachua in 2003. Since then, he said he’s gotten involved with the local community, making him happy to serve it through the chamber. However, he said there probably won’t be any major changes during his term.

“There’s not a whole lot that's wrong,” he said.

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Jim Brandenburg presents Jessie Jung with the award for 2012- 2013 Educator of the Year for Alachua Elementary.

ALACHUA - What started as an unplanned vacation became the start of a new life for Jessie Jung.

Jung, her husband and her 6-month-old daughter, Isabel, left for Niceville, Fla., in 2005 before Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Gulf of Mexico and into their Mississippi town.

Eight years later, Jung received the Educator of the Year for Alachua Elementary on May 7 for the 2012- 2013 school year.

Jung, a third- and fourth- grade combo teacher for Alachua Elementary, can add the most recent honor with her Alachua County Teacher of the Year award, which she received in February.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” Jung said. “Everyone has been warm, caring and supportive.”

The Bay St. Louis, Miss., native says her family was fortunate to have relocated to her in-laws’ house before the hurricane damaged her own home.

Her Mississippi home was the place she felt close to. It was the place where she left the journal she wrote during her pregnancy to give to her daughter when she was older. It was the place where nearly 6 feet of water flooded their second floor apartment, and could no longer be called home.

“Losing the journal in the flood was the hardest thing to lose,” Jung said.

The things they packed were a few belongings and the most important pictures they had.

The rest of the stuff she could live without, she said.

They were left with no furniture—only a few pots and pans. They had one mattress for her and her child to sleep on while slowly adjusting to life after Katrina.

Through it all, she said she learned what is important in life.

She began her teaching career in Gulfport, Miss. After Katrina, she taught in Lawton M. Chiles Elementary in Gainesville for one year and is currently finishing her seventh year teaching at Alachua Elementary.

“I always loved working with kids,” Jung said. “I like making a huge impact in someone’s life. To watch someone grow before your eyes and be a part of their future is very rewarding.”

She teaches her students to be good, successful students and people. She said she finds it rewarding to show a student that he or she is valuable.

Those qualities are what helped in the selection process for the awards she received.

The same made her unique to Jim Brandenburg, former principal of Alachua Elementary, when he hired her.

Brandenburg’s wife, Mary, who taught with Jung at Lawton M. Chiles Elementary, recommended Jung for her standout qualities after having just survived the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina.

One of the things that impressed Mary Brandenburg was her positive outlook after the tragedy forced major changes in her life. When Alachua had an opening, Brandenburg capitalized it.

“Great teaching is not what they do, but being a teacher is who they are,” Brandenburg said. “That was very obvious through Jessie.”

He said during his time as principal she reveled in being a part of a larger faculty. She was PTA representative for the faculty and the first volunteer for everything.

Eva Copeland, currently in her second year as principal of Alachua Elementary, described Jung in the same light.

She said Jung has all the qualities of a teacher who is passionate, has a big heart for children and teaches academics and life skills among other things deserving for those awards.

“She never likes to be the center of attention,” Copeland said. “She feels that she is just a part of a bigger team.”

She described Jung as a team player and very passionate about helping students to be successful in all areas.

“Her kids were always engaged in something important and useful,” Brandenburg said. “That means they’re learning.”

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Alachua and High Springs were represented by 16 teams in this year’s Relay for Life which took place at the High Springs Civic Center over an 18-hour period.

HIGH SPRINGS – The Alachua/High Springs Relay for Life event carried on as planned Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, 2013, at the Civic Center in High Springs, despite inclement weather.

While a total of funds raised throughout the event were not available as of press time, American Cancer Society Community Representative and staff partner for the event, Lacey Duncan, said, “We have received more than $28,000 so far and we are expecting even more money to come in from committed sponsorships, as well as teams who have not turned in all of their fundraising money yet.”

Duncan believes the event will easily meet this year’s goal of $29,000. “The weather did not stop us from having a successful Relay because we should meet and likely exceed the event’s goal this year,” she said.

Sixteen teams from Alachua and High Springs raised funds and walked in the 18-hour Relay for Life event this year. Teams sold burritos, nachos and cheese, and other traditional Mexican dishes to raise money because the Relay took place during Cinco de Mayo weekend. “This was my first year as an American Cancer Society Staff Partner and I was greatly encouraged to see the large amount of community involvement and participation,” said Duncan. She also explained that the number of participating teams exceeded last year’s 12 teams and the total funds raised in 2012 were $21,000.

Relay for Life teams from Alachua and High Springs walked throughout the night until dawn to symbolize how cancer patients have to go through the dark times to get back into the light of their lives. “Cancer never sleeps, so participants are willing to sacrifice a night of sleep to help cancer research,” said Sharon Kantor, the Relay for Life Event Chair.

Duncan remarked that the community support and involvement was tremendous this year. “The committee and both communities have really challenged themselves in this year’s event and many local restaurants have offered their venues to host fundraisers.” Among others, Duncan mentioned the Pink and Purple event on the patio of The Great Outdoors restaurant and fundraising conducted by The Springs Diner in High Springs and Crispers in Gainesville. “They were a tremendous help,” she said and they were only a few of the businesses that participated according to Duncan.

“It was a great experience this year to have both city mayors participate so fully,” said Duncan. They both, along with other city dignitaries, participated in the Pink and Purple event as bartenders. Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper led the Boy Scouts and others in the pledge of allegiance the night of the relay and High Springs Mayor Sue Weller addressed the crowd the same night thanking everyone for contributing from their hearts and being there to show support to those who are currently fighting cancer, and their caretakers, and also those who have survived cancer. Weller said, “We know that one day we will solve the mystery of cancer and we will not have to face this disease any longer.”

Both mayors also walked and some teams “relayed in the rain,” said Duncan. “The funds raised will make a lot of difference in the fight against cancer,” she said. “This was an important fundraiser and a very successful event.”

All of the money raised by Relay for Life goes to the American Cancer Society. “From there we are able to continue research and provide support to cancer patients throughout the country,” said Duncan.

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