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ALACHUA ‒ With the opening of Alachua County public schools just days away, many parents and caregivers are scrambling to gather school supplies for their students. To assist the community, the Alachua Police Department (APD) hosted a “Back 2 School Giveaway” on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

The event took place at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex from 10 a.m. to noon. Officers, along with volunteer assistants, distributed around 300 backpacks and school supplies. The APD has declared the event a resounding success.

“Because of your incredible support, we were able to provide over 300 backpacks and essential school supplies to our community's children,” said an APD spokesperson. “Together, we are giving our kids the necessities they need to thrive and succeed in the upcoming school year. Let's keep the momentum going and continue to invest in their bright futures.”

APD also expressed gratitude to this year's sponsors, which included the Alachua Raiders, Walmart Distribution Center, Dollar General of Alachua, Sysco Distribution Center, Children's Trust of Alachua County, Hitchcock's Markets, and the City of Alachua Recreation & Culture Department for hosting the event.

The “Back 2 School Giveaway” is an example of community spirit and dedication to ensuring that all students have the tools they need for a successful academic year.

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HAWTHORNE ‒ A 61-year-old Hawthorne man was arrested on Monday, July 29, 2024, following a multi-day search and two violent incidents at a Grove Park residence.

At about 5:20 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a residence in the Grove Park area, where the victim said Michael Gregory Wilkinson had thrown a dinner plate at him, resulting in an injury that was bleeding severely. The victim said he’d had to place a makeshift tourniquet on his arm.

The victim reportedly told the deputy that he and Wilkinson had gotten into an argument in the backyard of the residence and Wilkinson threw a plate at him and then left on foot. The deputy noted that the victim lives at the residence and Wilkinson stays there “sporadically.”

Alachua County Fire Rescue reportedly told the deputy they needed to keep the tourniquet on the victim’s arm and would transport him to the hospital for treatment.

The deputy reported that Wilkinson was not found after “an extensive canvass of the area was completed.”

At about 12:15 p.m. the next day, a deputy responded to the same residence, where the victim said he had seen Wilkinson sitting in the backyard and asked someone inside the residence to call 911. He said he told Wilkinson not to leave, but Wilkinson allegedly picked up a metal pipe, swung it at the victim five times, then threw the pipe at him and ran.

A K-9 team was unable to locate Wilkinson at the time, but he was arrested the following day at a residence on Southeast County Road 2082.

Wilkinson has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with the intent to commit a felony. He has two felony convictions and seven misdemeanor convictions, four of which were violent.

He was arrested for felony battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in 2022, but the charges were later dropped.

Bail was set at $90,000 by Judge Kristine Van Vorst.

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ALACHUA ‒ In an effort to bridge the digital divide for its residents, the City of Alachua has launched “Access Alachua,” a new initiative that provides public internet at the city’s neighborhood parks. As of Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, community members and visitors will be able to access public internet at Criswell Park, Maude Lewis Park and Welch Park.

“Offering public internet free to the community in certain areas will support our citizens in many ways,” said City of Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper. “Community education, connection, engagement and outdoor activity are just a few of them.”

Signage has been placed in the areas where community members can access the service, assisting with ease of connection and use. Since the service is public, users will be required to read and acknowledge a disclaimer, outlining permitted use and connection security.

“Access Alachua,” is sponsored by the City of Alachua Electric Department, using its resources to reinvest in the community and its citizens.

The City has future plans for the “Access Alachua” project as well. “Our goal is to increase the number of public areas where our community can easily access the internet in the coming years,” said Rodolfo Valladares, Alachua Assistant City Manager. “‘Access Alachua’ is just one way the City is providing valuable resources for the Good Life Community.”

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MICANOPY ‒ A 63-year-old Micanopy man was arrested on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, and charged with sexual battery on a victim under 12 years old after allegedly touching a young girl who was sleeping over with a friend at his house.

The victim reportedly disclosed the incident on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, and said she had slept over with a girl who sometimes visited Reese’s house. She said that she and the other girls were watching a movie when Willie James Reese called for them. The other girls appeared to be asleep at that time.

Reese eventually called the victim and told her to come to his room and sit on his bed. She said he touched her inappropriately and it hurt; she said she asked him to stop, but he continued until he decided he was done. The victim said this only happened once, but Reese had previously touched the girls’ buttocks, over their clothes, “as a game.”

Reese has six convictions for infractions related to driving without a valid license between 1994 and 2008 but no other criminal history.

Judge Kristine Van Vorst ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial.

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NEWBERRY ‒ Newberry will soon be home to the longest zipline park in Florida. And the attraction is opening this fall. Zipline will be situated east of Northwest County Road 235. At the Newberry Planning and Zoning meeting on April 3, 2023, it was announced that the site would include construction or installation of an approximately 1,000-square-foot building, three towers and walking trails.

The “Dragon” is the longest zipline in the park, and it will be a dual line for two people to zip at the same time.

A specialized landing zone has been constructed to accommodate riders with special needs.

Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe is attempting to convince the owners of a small beach located in the same vicinity as the zipline park that it would be an amazing spot to open up to customers for an after zipline swim. Marlow is hoping that Alachua County residents will spread the word to help encourage the owners to consider the idea.

“I will keep making the case that the quarries in our community are Newberry’s best untapped resource,” said Marlowe. But I also believe this zipline park is about to change that.”

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NEWBERRY ‒ In her wake, along with damaging winds and localized flooding, Hurricane Debby left a large sinkhole in the City of Newberry. Authorities closed West Newberry Road/State Road 26 on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in both directions near the Gilchrist County line due to the large sinkhole opening up. The sinkhole, which was 35 feet wide and 15 feet deep on Monday, is expanding.

The sinkhole is currently on the shoulder, but the road has been determined to be unstable. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office was on the scene and the Florida Department of Transportation is assessing the situation.

Making landfall in the Big Bend area, the hurricane pelted communities with heavy rain and flooding as well as strong wind gusts and has been blamed for four deaths in the state.

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