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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Thomas Henry, former Director of Public Works and Acting City Manager of High Springs, has filed a lawsuit against the City of High Springs, seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for wrongful termination and other claims. The suit also demands a jury trial and lists 52 allegations, including accusations of retaliatory and intimidating practices by City officials that created a hostile work environment.

Henry's employment with the City spanned from March 7, 2022, until his termination on April 15, 2024. The lawsuit alleges that since at least 2023, Henry has been both a witness to and victim of improper employment practices, which he claims were perpetuated by High Springs officials, including former City Commissioner Linda Jones and current Mayor Katherine Weitz.

The lawsuit claims Henry faced retaliation after objecting to and reporting repeated violations of City policy and the City Charter by Weitz and Finance Director Diane Wilson. Henry specifically accused Wilson of improperly selling devalued City property without authorization, which allegedly resulted in lost revenue for the City. According to the suit, Henry reported these actions to the Assistant City Manager and other City officials but was later terminated for his allegations against Weitz and Wilson.

A central point of contention in the lawsuit revolves around alleged violations of Section 2.06 of the City Charter, which restricts City Commissioners from interfering in personnel matters outside their jurisdiction. The suit asserts that both Jones and Weitz repeatedly violated these rules by directly interfering with city staff and operations.

The complaint further accuses Weitz of overstepping her role by investigating City matters independently, presenting incorrect information at commission meetings, and targeting specific City officials and employees, creating a toxic workplace.

The lawsuit claims that Weitz's actions were consistent with the objectives of her mentor, former Commissioner Jones, who had expressed intentions to remove several City officials during her term.

Additionally, the suit outlines multiple incidents involving Finance Director Wilson who was hired in April 2022. It alleges that Wilson was insubordinate and incompetent in her role, leading to significant financial discrepancies in the city’s budget and operational conflicts. Despite a decision by then City Manager Ashley Stathatos to terminate Wilson for these reasons, the lawsuit states that Weitz and others intervened to protect Wilson, complicating City management and contributing to the hostile environment.

The lawsuit also details a series of conflicts and disputes surrounding budget management and financial oversight. It claims that Wilson manipulated budget allocations, resulting in over $2 million in expenditures exceeding appropriations, and that she failed to disclose critical information to the city commission. The lawsuit further states that “the City received a letter from the [State of Florida] Joint Legislative Audit Committee requesting a written explanation for the status of corrective action for the specified audit findings High Springs had failed to correct. Under Wilson’s watch expenditures exceeded appropriations (the final approved budget) by over two million dollars.”

Henry's lawsuit seeks to hold the City of High Springs accountable for the alleged violations and the ensuing damage to his career and professional reputation. When contacted for comment about the lawsuit, High Springs City Attorney Scott Walker said, “Since this involves ongoing litigation, I would prefer not to comment at this time. It will all get sorted out eventually.” High Springs Mayor Katherine Weitz said, “I am unaware that the City has been served with a lawsuit. I would not comment on anything active.”

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alachuatoday.com

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ A 60-year-old man from Alachua was arrested Monday afternoon, Aug. 19, 2024, after allegedly driving a tractor under the influence of alcohol and without a valid license on Main Street in High Springs.

The High Springs Police Department (HSPD) reported that around 4:40 p.m., an officer observed a green John Deere tractor weaving across lanes as it traveled north on Main Street. According to the officer’s report, the tractor crossed a double yellow line twice and entered the opposite lane to pass a line of cars, prompting a traffic stop.

The driver, identified as Rance Edward Shannon, presented a Florida identification card rather than a valid driver’s license when stopped. The officer noted two beers on the floorboard of the tractor and detected a strong odor of urine and alcohol emanating from Shannon. Additionally, Shannon’s speech was reportedly slurred, and he had difficulty standing when exiting the tractor.

Shannon was reportedly unable to perform field sobriety exercises “due to his level of influence.”

Further investigation revealed Shannon’s extensive criminal history, including 16 felony convictions—five of which were violent—and two previous felony DUI convictions. Shannon also has 36 misdemeanor convictions, including three for DUI, and has served seven state prison sentences. His most recent release was in September 2023.

Bail was set at $4,000 by Judge Kristine Van Vorst with a requirement for a Transdermal Alcohol Detection device.

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alachuatoday.com

ALACHUA ‒ A 51-year-old man from New York, Umardeo Roopnarine, was arrested on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, and charged with stalking and burglary after allegedly breaking into his ex-girlfriend's home in Alachua and hiding inside.

The incident occurred when Roopnarine reportedly entered the woman's house while she was away and concealed himself in a child's room. Upon her return with friends the next morning, the victim discovered him crouching in a corner, where he gestured for her to remain quiet. She immediately alerted her friends, who distracted Roopnarine while she called the police.

An officer from the Alachua Police Department (APD) had already been dispatched to the residence the previous day, Aug. 21, 2024, after the victim reported that Roopnarine had followed her from New York to Florida. According to her, she had allowed him to live in her new home temporarily but had asked him to leave. The victim described an incident in which she awoke to find Roopnarine holding a knife, threatening to kill both her and himself if she refused to be with him. Fearing for her safety, she reported the incident to the authorities.

Officers were unable to locate Roopnarine at the residence on Aug. 21, but they did find his car parked down the road. Later, they observed him walking out of the victim's driveway. When questioned by the police, Roopnarine denied threatening the victim and claimed they had moved to Florida together. He agreed to leave the property voluntarily and was formally trespassed from the premises. Despite his admission, officers found no probable cause to arrest him at that time.

The situation escalated when Roopnarine was discovered inside the home the following morning on Aug. 22, 2024. Post-Miranda, he reportedly admitted to entering through a locked rear door the previous night to “take a shower and rest,” despite knowing he was not permitted on the property.

Roopnarine was charged with burglary, stalking, and trespassing after a warning. During his initial court appearance, he informed a court official that he had been in the area for two weeks and disclosed a prior criminal conviction in New York from 2017.

Judge Kristine Van Vorst ordered Roopnarine held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney's Office to hold him without bail until trial. Bail was later set at $100,000.

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Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA ‒ The Alachua Police Department (APD) conducted an intensive active shooter training session on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Santa Fe Institute of Public Safety. The training, hosted by C3 Pathways / NCIER, focused on equipping APD supervisors and officers with the necessary skills to respond effectively to active shooter situations.

The training session, named Active Shooter Incident Management Basic Training, aimed to prepare law enforcement personnel, fire departments, and EMS responders to handle active shooter incidents swiftly and efficiently.

Active shooter incidents are unpredictable and can happen anywhere, from schools and workplaces to public spaces. The devastating impact of these events has highlighted the critical need for comprehensive training for first responders, including law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services (EMS). Active shooter training is essential for preparing first responders to effectively manage and mitigate these high-stress, rapidly evolving situations.

The training brought together various law enforcement agencies, highlighting the importance of interagency cooperation in emergency situations. By fostering a unified approach to crisis management, the training sought to improve communication and coordination among different first responders, ensuring a more effective response during critical incidents.

Every second counts during an active shooter incident. Proper training helps reduce response times by ensuring that first responders are familiar with their roles and can quickly deploy strategies to contain the threat. The program emphasizes three critical components: Command, Control, and Communications. These elements are crucial in ensuring that all first responders work as a cohesive team during emergencies, understanding their roles, and executing their duties seamlessly to protect and save lives.

APD emphasized the importance of such training in an online post, stating, “We're committed to the safety and well-being of our community, and continuous training like this is a critical part of that commitment.”

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Photo special to Alachua County Today

GAINESVILLE – Santa Fe College's Cardiovascular Sonography Program is offering free ultrasound tests for heart and carotid arteries this fall. These tests are available to Santa Fe employees, their families, friends, and the general public, providing an excellent opportunity for individuals to check their cardiovascular health at no cost.

The only requirement for participants is that they must be at least 18 years old. The ultrasound tests are designed to assess the heart's structure and function and check for any potential blockages in the carotid arteries, which are vital for carrying blood to the brain.

Testing will take place in the W-Annex on Santa Fe College's Northwest Campus located at 3000 NW 83^rd Street, Gainesville. The available dates for these tests are:

• Friday, Aug. 30
• Friday, Sept. 27
• Friday, Oct. 25

This initiative aims to provide a valuable service to the community while offering hands-on learning experiences for students in the Cardiovascular Sonography Program. Participants will not only benefit from early detection of potential heart and vascular issues but also contribute to the practical training of future healthcare professionals.

Anyone interested in taking part in these free tests is encouraged to contact Jennifer Weeks at 352-395-5972 or via email at jennifer.weeks@sfcollege.edu to schedule an appointment or get more information.

Don’t miss this opportunity to take a proactive step toward your health and support the education of Santa Fe College's students. For more information, visit the Santa Fe College website or reach out directly to the contact provided.

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ALACHUA ‒ The Alachua Business League (ABL) held their first workshop of the year, titled “Mobile Mastery with Moxie Media” at the Good Life Station on Main Street in Alachua.

Joe Hancock, with Moxie Media, described to a full house how each person in the room has the ability to use their own cell phone to do advertising videos for their own business. He touched on the basics of composition and lighting, but stressed how easy it is to get your message out through social media without spending a lot of time or money. It was a timely subject and got a good reception from those in attendance.

Next month Campus USA Credit Union in Alachua is hosting a “Meet & Greet” on Monday, Sept. 16 at 6 P.M. Check the new and improved ABL website at www.alachuabusiness.com for more information and to RSVP.

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