Local

WALDO ‒ The CSX railroad crossing on Northeast State Road 26, located near U.S. 301 in Waldo, will be closed for reconstruction during the week of Aug. 19, 2024. The closure is set to begin at 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 19, and is expected to last through the week, with the road scheduled to reopen at 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. However, the timeline is dependent on weather conditions and any unforeseen circumstances that may arise during construction.

During the closure, detours will be in place for drivers to ensure continued access to Northeast State Road 26. Westbound drivers on Northeast State Road 26 will be directed to take U.S. 301 south to State Road 26 west, and then rejoin Northeast State Road 26. Eastbound drivers on State Road 26 who need to access areas east of the railroad crossing can either continue on State Road 26 to U.S. 301 north or proceed straight on State Road 26.

Motorists are advised to plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes where possible. The reconstruction is part of ongoing efforts to maintain and improve transportation infrastructure in the area.

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High Springs, FLA. -- The High Springs Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Façade Improvement Grant Matching Program is now open to residential homeowners in the district.   

The CRA reports that after seeing overwhelming success with the CRA’s Business Façade Grant Program, they are announcing the addition of a residential grant program. The program is designed to help homeowners revitalize their houses. In an era of rising construction costs, the façade grant is offered to give residents a helping hand.   

The grant program provides 50/50 reimbursement for eligible improvements up to $5,000 to encourage and advance revitalization efforts.

The CRA Board will review applications and award grants.   

For full requirements and application, click the following link: https://www.highsprings.gov/.../facade-grant-application.   

Applications will be accepted until all grants are awarded. First come, first served.     

For more information, contact CRA Director Amy Bohannon at 386-454-6225 or CRA@highsprings.gov

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Capital City Bannk has announced that Bill Bechtol has joined its team of bankers and brings local private banking services to the North Central Florida region, which includes Gainesville, High Springs, Alachua and Jonesville. Private banking is a streamlined, concierge-style approach to financial services especially geared toward the needs of high-net-worth individuals.

Private bankers are expertly equipped to help manage wealth and everyday banking needs, including developing a financial plan focused on supporting a client’s goals. As a private banker, Bechtol serves as the primary point of contact for his clients, supplying comprehensive financial guidance to address a full spectrum of needs. Bechtol is based at the Capital City Bank Millhopper Office at 4040 N.W. 16^th Blvd. in Gainesville.

A Gainesville native, Bechtol is an accomplished career banker with more than 22 years of financial services experience. He has an extensive background in commercial banking and previously held roles in banking office management and merchant services.

Bechtol earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Florida Warrington College of Business. He also is a graduate of Florida Banking School, a three-year specialized program run by the Florida Bankers Association at the University of Florida.

Bechtol is committed to serving his local community and is a member of the Builders Association of North Central Florida and Gainesville Quarterback Club. Previously, he was president of the Rotary Club of Greater Gainesville and a member of board of the Children’s Home Society.

Bechtol is an avid supporter of the University of Florida Gator Athletics and shares his enthusiasm for all sporting activities with his two children, who are active in swimming, gymnastics and cheerleading. In his spare time, Bechtol enjoys fishing, traveling and cooking.

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ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. (August 19, 2024) Election Day for the Primary Election is tomorrow, Tuesday, August 20. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 Here are some important reminders for voting on Election Day. 

 Florida is a closed primary election state, meaning that only voters registered with a political party can vote for that party's candidates in partisan races. The deadline to update party affiliation for this election was July 22.

 However, there is something on the ballot for everyone.

 All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, can vote on nonpartisan races.

 On Election Day, voters may only vote in-person at their assigned polling place

 To find their polling place, voters can check their voter information card, visit VoteAlachua.gov, or call the Supervisor of Elections Office between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday, August 19 or Tuesday, August 20 at 352-374-5252. To find their polling place on VoteAlachua.gov, voters should click the "My Registration Status" icon and enter in their first name, last name, and date of birth. The page will show voters the address of their assigned polling place and an online version of their sample ballot. 

 The Supervisor of Elections Office is not a polling place on Election Day. 

 Vote-By-Mail Ballots

Vote-By-Mail ballots must be received at the Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. If you have not already put your completed Vote-By-Mail ballot in the mail, our office would encourage you to return the completed ballot to a Secure Ballot Intake Station located at the Supervisor of Elections Office between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, August 19, and between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day (August 20).

 You must bring photo and signature identification with you to vote in-person

Here is the list of acceptable photo and signature ID (two valid forms of ID that together provide both photo and signature ID will meet the requirement):

• Florida Driver's License
• Florida ID Card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
• United States Passport
• Debit or Credit Card
• Military ID
• Student ID
• Retirement Center ID
• Neighborhood Association ID
• Public Assistance ID (Social Security or other social services)
• Veteran Health ID issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
• A license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to S. 790.06.
• Employee ID issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.

 If a voter does not bring the required ID with them to vote, they will be able to cast a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot will include instructions on how to provide evidence to the Alachua County Canvassing Board that the voter was eligible to vote. 

 Polling places close at 7 p.m.

If you are in line at your polling place at 7 p.m. on Election Day to vote, you will be able to vote if you remain in line. 

 Election Results

Unofficial election results will be available after the polling locations close at 7 p.m. on Election Day. Please visit VoteAlachua.gov and click the "Unofficial Results" button on the home page. Election results will not be official until the Alachua County Canvassing Board meets to certify the election results.

HAWTHORNE ‒ A 35-year-old Hawthorne woman was arrested on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 8:10 a.m., on a warrant for fraudulent use of a credit card. She allegedly resisted the deputies who were arresting her and was charged with resisting an officer without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The victim of the credit card fraud told an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy that on Feb. 3, 224, that Angela Denice Hollie, who he knew from living in the area, approached him while he was in his vehicle at a gas station. He said she had some new makeup, still in its package, and asked the victim if he wanted to buy it. He said he paid her $25 for the makeup and gave it to his daughter.

He said that while his attention was distracted and she was holding her phone, she took a picture of his debit card, which was in the overhead center console with the rear of the card facing the driver’s side window. The rear of the card showed the victim’s name, the card number, the expiration date, and the CVC number.

Two days later, he reportedly noticed 15 unauthorized charges to different retailers totaling $1,061.27, and there were more than 50 voided attempts to use his CashApp. One of the charges reportedly paid Hollie’s mother’s utility bill. A City employee reportedly told a deputy that the bill is usually paid in person or by mail and not online with another person’s credit card.

When deputies attempted to make contact with Hollie at her residence, she allegedly ran out the back door and could not be located.

Hollie was charged via sworn complaint with credit card fraud, scheme to defraud, grand theft, and use of a two-way communications device to commit a felony. Formal charges were filed on June 21, 2024, and a warrant for her arrest was issued on June 27, 2024.

Deputies made contact with her on July 31, 2024, in Hawthorne and she allegedly ignored over 20 commands to put her hands behind her back and stop resisting arrest. She was finally taken to the ground by multiple deputies and handcuffed. A search following her arrest reportedly produced a crack pipe. She was charged with resisting arrest without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Hollie has one felony conviction and two misdemeanor convictions. She was on pre-trial release after an April arrest for theft, escape and resisting an officer without violence.

Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail on the previous charges at $75,000, the amount set in the arrest warrant, and set bail on the new charges at $5,000. Hollie’s bond in the April case has been revoked which leaves her held without bond in the Alachua County Jail.

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• What: College Fair 2024
• When: Monday, Aug. 26, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
• Where: 3000 NW 83 Street (Building V)

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