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ALACHUA ‒ After an action-packed summer filled with engaging activities, the City of Alachua’s Recreation & Culture Department is celebrating the success of its programs and expressing gratitude to the organizations and individuals who contributed to their success.

With significant support from the Children’s Trust of Alachua County and Good News Art, local youth experienced an exceptional Summer Arts Camp. “With lots of behind-the-scenes efforts and dedication to the community, we feel this past summer session was a huge achievement,” said a Recreation & Culture Department spokesperson.

The Children’s Trust of Alachua County provided crucial funding and support, making the camp affordable and offering numerous scholarships and field trips. Good News Art supplied skilled art teachers who helped campers tap into their creativity. The camp was divided into two three-week sessions, resulting in a six-week summer camp filled with fun, education, and camaraderie.

Campers explored various art mediums, including sculpting, drawing, painting, music, dance, photography, and writing. They also enjoyed Alachua’s outdoor spaces for adventures and team sports. The program kept campers engaged and excited throughout.

While saying goodbye to the Summer Arts Camp, there are other programs ending the summer season as well. The 399 Sports & Recreation Youth Basketball Summer Clinic/Academy came to an end last Thursday with a celebration banquet.

Local youth from ages 7 to 15 had the amazing opportunity of working with Santa Fe High School Hall of Famers for a six-week grind on strict basketball fundamentals. The all-inclusive academy provided guidance for all participant regardless of skill level. Every child received the same attention, and the result was a monumental success.

The Recreation & Culture Department spokesperson highlighted the dedication of the coaching staff, including Coach B, Coach Horace Jenkins, Coach Rudy Rothseiden, Coach Dontrell Jenkins, and High School Girls Varsity Head Coach Brandalyn Williams. “The coaching staff was genuinely welcoming and vibrant with the youth, and pushed them to reach their full potential,” added the spokesperson. “Looking forward to next summer.”

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HIGH SPRINGS – A 62-year-old High Springs man was arrested at approximately 4:56 p.m., Wednesday, July 24, 2024, after fleeing from High Springs Police Officers at a high rate of speed.

The first police officer responded to a call for a well-being check on a man who was slumped over inside a pickup truck. The officer tried to make contact with the driver, later identified as Howard Carl McLees, but instead of responding, McLees reportedly started the truck.

The officer reportedly told him multiple times that he could not leave, but McLees allegedly accelerated away at a high rate of speed and turned west from Southeast Douglass Street onto Northwest 180^th Avenue, a dead-end road.

The officer followed McLees in his patrol car. When McLees realized it was a dead-end street, he allegedly turned his truck around and accelerated at high speed toward the officer’s patrol vehicle and a second patrol vehicle that had arrived.

The first officer activated his emergency lights to signal McLees to stop, but McLees allegedly drove toward the patrol vehicles, forcing one of the officers to get out of his way to avoid a collision. McLees allegedly ran the stop sign, turned north on Douglass Street and encountered a third patrol vehicle.

The third officer reportedly had to get out of McLees’ path to avoid a collision. All three patrol vehicles pursued McLees’ truck, with lights and sirens activated.

McLees allegedly ran multiple stop signs while driving west on Northwest 184^th Road and crossed High Springs Main Street at a time of day when there is heavy traffic. His truck reportedly broke down as he was turning north on Northwest 237^th Street, and the officers ordered him out of the truck.

McLees allegedly refused to get out of the truck and had to be forcefully removed.

McLees has been charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence.

McLees has 16 felony convictions, three of which were violent, and nine misdemeanor convictions, one of which was violent, and has served three state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2020.

In March, Judge James Colaw sentenced him to five years in prison for stealing $500 in steaks from Hitchcock’s Markets, with the condition that the sentence would be suspended if he successfully completed five years of probation. An affidavit of violation of probation was filed in June after McLees reportedly failed a urine test and was found to have cocaine in his system.

Judge Kristine Van Vorst did not set bail initially because McLees was hospitalized at that time. However, bail was later set at $150,000.

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HIGH SPRINGS – Qualifying for the City of High Springs Nov. 5, 2024 municipal election has closed. The qualifying period for candidates to file required paperwork, including Form 6 and pay the $111.24 filing fee, was July 22 at 7:30 a.m. to July 25 at 6 p.m. Two seats are up for election this election cycle.

Three candidates will vie for Seat 5, currently held by incumbent Katherine Weitz. In addition to Weitz, the other two qualified candidates are Zackary Walters and Sue Weller. Weller previously served as High Springs City Commissioner and Mayor.

Seat #4, currently occupied by Byran Williams, has two qualified candidates in Chad Howell and Julie Ann Tapia-Ruano. Williams, a longtime member of the High Springs City Commission, is not be seeking reelection.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Like a long-lost relative making a welcome return, the beloved Canoe Outpost in High Springs is once again open to the public. This time, the community hopes the iconic spot is here to stay. The City of High Springs purchased the property in August 2021 from Jim and Sally Wood, who had run the business for over 30 years, transforming it into a favorite launch site for river trips among locals and tourists.

Following the purchase, the city contracted Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures (AOA) to manage day-to-day operations. However, the arrangement ended when it was discovered that AOA was primarily launching their vessels from other locations. In May 2023, then City Manager Ashley Stathatos announced the Canoe Outpost would transition to a city park open to the public.

At a June 2023 Commission meeting, issues surrounding the recreation area, which provides access to the Santa Fe River, were discussed. Commissioner Tristan Grunder suggested the City consider selling the facility, a sentiment echoed by then Commissioner and current Mayor Katherine Weitz. Stathatos highlighted the escalating costs of replacing the dock and the wooden walking path to the river, including a significant rise in insurance costs. City staff recommended pausing the project while seeking additional funding and exploring other options.

Fast forward to Monday, July 29, 2024, and the Canoe Outpost is once again up and running and welcoming to the public. And, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department has already made several improvements to the facility and will be housed in the Canoe Outpost building.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Jennifer Applebee shared her enthusiasm for what is now an area with limited access to the river as well as future plans for a picturesque launching pad to the Santa Fe River.

Currently river access is available for fishing or paddling and kayak launches. The old boardwalk has been removed, but river access can be made along a path on land. The public is cautioned to watch for Cypress Knees and use extreme caution when accessing the water and wear a lifejacket.

Applebee says they can already accommodate kayak launches for individuals who bring their own kayaks, and they will be making ongoing upgrades to the facility to include a boardwalk, handicap accessible bathrooms, a dock with a boat launch, and picnic tables.

And while not all planned amenities are currently in place, it will be a work in progress to make all the required repairs and upgrades. “Wild Spaces and Public Places funds are being used to make repairs to the Canoe Outpost facility,” said Applebee.

Applebee encourages the public to visit the Canoe Outpost, which is free, and check out the City of High Springs’ Facebook page for updates on facilities and programs.

The City’s Canoe Outpost is located at 21410 U.S. Highway 441, High Springs, FL 32643 and is open to the public seven days a week from 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. for fishing, swimming and paddling. The Recreation Department administrative office will be open on-site Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“The Canoe Outpost is the gateway to not just the river, but also to all the beautiful springs in our area,” said Applebee.”

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HIGH SPRINGS – At the July 25, 2024, High Springs City Commission meeting, the Commission proposed a tentative millage rate of 6.99 mills, matching the current year's rate. However, Commissioners Tristan Grunder and Wayne Bloodsworth expressed a desire to lower the final rate. Grunder emphasized that he had agreed to the 6.99 mills rate last year under the assumption it was for only one year.

The rollback rate is 6.3802 mills, with the proposed rate representing a 9.56 percent increase over the rollback rate. The 6.99 mills rate would generate approximately $3,372,295 in revenue for the City. A millage rate is one-tenth of a percent, which equates to $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in home value. Public hearings on the millage rate have been scheduled at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 and 23.

During discussions, it was revealed that the taxes on the city's solar array are estimated at around $500. The rezoning of this property from County to City had initially promised higher tax revenues. However, since the property remains zoned as Agricultural instead of Industrial, the tax rate is significantly lower. The City Attorney will consider a request to change the property's tax classification to reflect its industrial usage. The City Finance Director suggested this issue could be appealed to the Valuation Board.

The Commission unanimously approved Resolution 2024-J regarding the millage rate.

In related budget matters, the Commission approved the fire services rates for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-25, maintaining the current rate structure. Residential properties will continue to be assessed at $223, while non-residential property assessments will remain based on square footage, capped at 40,000 sq. ft. Commercial properties will be charged $0.09 per square foot, Industrial/Warehouse properties $0.02, and Institutional properties $0.16.

Finance Director Diane Wilson noted that an assessment fee for a study to determine the appropriate rates to meet the city's expenses is projected to cost between $8,000 and $10,000. This study will be conducted by a consultant.

Code Enforcement Services

Willdan Engineering, Orlando, was unanimously approved to provide Code Enforcement Services to the City for a one-year period. City Manager Jeremy Marhsall said he interviewed all three responders to the Request for Proposals (RFP) and believes Willdan to be the best fit for the City. The cost is $750 per week with an additional $250 charged to attend Code Enforcement Hearings.

Marshall also said he had an RFP out for a Special Magistrate and anticipated a response in the next two weeks. The Magistrate is necessary not only for Code Enforcement but also for appeals to the speed zone charges.

Inoperable Meters

The Commission unanimously approved to surplus water meters declared inoperable. Marshall said that someone came to him with a request to purchase the meters for $7,000. Currently, they were stockpiling those meters as they were not repairable.

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The High Springs Police Department has received an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Grant of $18,000 for advanced technology and law enforcement equipment. The department also received a grant from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for additional ballistic vests for first responders. Each vest costs about $1,500 and requires replacement every five years.

The City of High Springs provides fire suppression and first response Advanced Life Support (ALS) EMS services. The Department went though inspections recently and, according to Marshall, “passed with flying colors.”

The City is considering what to do with an old pumper that the Fire Department is currently unable to use. Marshall has agreed to prepare a listing for govdeals for the next meeting for Commission approval. If the pumper does not sell, the City is considering donating the pumper to the Lofton Center.

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ALACHUA ‒ When medical care is needed, it often isn’t expected. Alachua area residents now have another option for quick treatment of minor illnesses or mild conditions that don’t necessarily require an emergency room visit. MainStreet Family Care opened its doors on July 10, 2024, and held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 23, 2024. The facility is located at 16314 N.W. U.S. Hwy 441, next to Santa Fe Ford.

The Alachua location is the company’s 63rd facility in the country, with operations in four states — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. “We are happy to be here to serve all of Alachua’s medical needs,” said MainStreet Family Care Sr. Marketing Coordinator Erica Dunn. The facility will be staffed by six medical care professionals, three for each shift, plus an operations manager. Regional Marketing Coordinator Shelby Womack added, “We look forward to serving the Alachua community and neighborhoods.”

City of Alachua elected officials and staff, members of the Alachua Chamber of Commerce, and local business owners attended the ceremony, which started at 9 a.m., followed by a facility tour and light refreshments. Individuals helping MainStreet Family Care staff cut the ceremonial ribbon included Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper and Alachua Chamber President Adam Boukari.

“We welcome MainStreet Family Care to Alachua and to the Alachua Chamber of Commerce,” said Boukari, noting that the business had already become a member of the Chamber. Mayor Coerper echoed Boukari’s comments, adding, “They will be providing a great resource for medical care to our community.”

MainStreet Family Care offers primary care, urgent care, vaccines, lab tests, and x-rays, as well as school and sports physicals. The facility is open seven days a week – Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are not required, and patients can register online. They accept most major insurance programs, Medicare and Medicaid, and also offer a self-pay option.

With the opening of this new facility, Alachua residents now have greater access to convenient and timely medical care, ensuring that minor health issues can be addressed quickly and efficiently without the need for emergency room visits.

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