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FORT WHITE ‒ The rivers and springs are an integral part of life in North Central Florida. They are the life blood of communities providing water for agriculture, wildlife and people. They are also vital to the economy. Florida leads the southeast in farm income, produces about 67 percent of the U.S. oranges and accounts for about 40 percent of the world's orange juice supply as well as numerous other crops. Tourism brings over 131 million visitors to the state, with an economic impact of $98.8 billion. The north central area of Florida brings many tourists to the pristine springs and rivers for camping, kayaking and cave diving.

But periodic droughts, groundwater pumping to satisfy ever increasing residential, agricultural, and industrial water demands, along with groundwater pollution from urban and agricultural factors, impact Florida's spring systems. Water flow in many of Florida's springs has been declining, while nutrient loading to the springs has been growing, affecting the condition of aquatic ecosystems and water clarity in the springs and downstream bodies of water.

RiverFest songwriting contest sponsor Our Santa Fe River (OSFR) was founded in 2007 as a grassroots educational organization to help raise awareness of the importance of the springs and aquifer. For the past 10 years the organization has sponsored the contest to raise awareness of the rivers and fund projects to protect and preserve the rivers and springs. The contest is open to all song writers, but the songs have to be original compositions about the Santa Fe River. The winning songwriter gets a prize of $300 and all songwriters who perform receive a video of their performance.

Originally a canoe and kayak sales and rental place that offered trips down the river, Rum 138 has grown and diversified over the years, adding a concert stage, art gallery, and a café. This year saw a larger crowd of several hundred people over the course of the day from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on a perfect sunny Sunday.

The Rum 138 bar offered locally crafted beer, national brand beer and wine and several area restaurants served food for the crowd. The event also featured a silent auction, with 74 pieces donated by the area’s leading artists and craftsman. A 50/50 raffle produced over $500, and booths from the Florida Springs Council’s member organizations provided information about the springs and aquifer to attendees of the event. Under a tent covering, Danielle Shmalberg was dressed as a mermaid, complete with fin tail for people to take photos with for a $10 donation. On either side of the songwriters contest, the band “In the Moment” provided additional music to stay with the event's theme.

One by one, the nine contestants took the stage to sing their original songs about the river with the audience applauding each performance. Ellen Bukstel took first place with a prize of $300, which she immediately donated back to OSFR as a donation. Mike Manetz and Alivia Hunter took second and third place respectively.

“Our goal is to make it easy for area residents and visitors to have fun and learn more about our precious water resources,” said Rhonda Long, event co-coordinator. “The events also will enable us to raise funds so we can continue our grassroots efforts to protect the aquifer, springs and waters in this area.”

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Adam Joy feels a strong kinship and support for the law enforcement community. Pastor at the Deeper Purpose Community Church, Elder Joy also serves as the Executive Director of the church's Deeper Purpose Kids Academy Learning Center.  He founded the church in 2017 while working at a different career. He was a police officer for 15 years, first with the City of Alachua for three years and then with the High Springs Police Department for 12 years. In 2021 he left the police force to put all his efforts into the church. “After much prayer and thought, I felt the church was my true calling and needed all my effort,” Joy said. To honor officers and raise awareness and support of all the duties and security they provide for their communities, he organized Back the Blue on March 12 at the High Springs Civic Center.

For several months, he contacted various agencies and gained volunteer services to create a family friendly event.  “We wanted to spread the message of support, love and being there for law enforcement community,” said Joy. “The fact is that law enforcement feels like community support has faded away over the last couple of years, so we need to show them we still have their backs and support them and we want them to have our backs as well.”

The event was open to everyone and the community came out to show their support and get to know their local law enforcement. Over 49 officers from multiple agencies were there, both to inform and interact with the public. Members of the High Springs Police Department, Alachua Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Gainesville Police Department, UF Police Department, Santa Fe College Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Wildlife Commission, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office were all represented.

Each department brought displays of their equipment and vehicles. The Alachua County Sheriff’s office brought their Bomb Squad vehicle and robots, an armored car and a bulldozer used in hostage situations. Gainesville Police Department brought examples of riot gear and personal protection while the Florida Highway Patrol brought a spinning car to show how quickly someone could be ejected from a rollover.  The High Springs Police Department put goggles on people that simulated impairment from alcohol as the person staggered and lost their sense of balance, much to the amusements of other spectators.

Departments also brought recruitment officers, hoping to interest adults in joining the force or staff positions.  “There has been a national trend of officers leaving their careers. While that has been true in many fields, law enforcement has been hit especially hard due to a number of factors including the pandemic, negative responses from the public, lack of funding and burnout from stress and PTSD among first responders,” Joy said. “So many of the departments are understaffed and looking to fill their positions.”

In addition to the focus on law enforcement, the event also included a family fun day.  Volunteer activities included a train ride for kids and free hot dogs from the High Springs Lions Club, Jump Houses from Jump Stars Party Rentals and Jumping Jacks Bounce house, a dunk tank and Face Painting by Tonya.  North Central Florida Ponies provided pony rides and a petting zoo.  DJ Cowboy Mike provided music and the Deeper Purpose Church also sponsored a Blue Fun Run where families had the opportunity to run and donate toward sponsoring two high school graduates from Alachua County who are interested in attending the Police Academy. There were several food trucks and vendors selling crafts and military clothing and patches.

The event had a chilly and windy start, but the weather warmed up for the crowds that attended through the event.  “We wanted to make it a fun event while providing information and interaction with the public to show them that law enforcement is part of the community and police officers are their neighbors to put a positive face on the departments,” said Joy.  “Each year we will host it in a different community in the county so all have an opportunity to bond with their law enforcement officers.”

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NEWBERRY ‒ A woman who has made significant contributions to the City of Newberry over the years was honored on March 24 at a retirement party given by City management and staff. Principle Planner Wendy Kinser-Maxwell has served the citizens, staff and Commissioners for more than 15 years.

“Wendy’s list of accomplishments with the City are too numerous to list,” said Mayor Jordan Marlowe. As for the highlights of her career with the City, “She is responsible for helping Newberry establish our professional planning department,” said Marlowe. “Our Planning Department operates at a level that is unmatched for small cities. It has been crucial in enabling the strong development that we have realized over the past decade, development that has elevated Newberry.”

In addition to her role as Principal Planner, Kinser-Maxwell also served as the City’s grants manager. In that role she secured more than $10 million in grants that provided critical utility and recreational infrastructure for the City and improved housing for residents in need.

“It will be difficult to find someone as experienced to fill Wendy’s shoes,” said Planning and Economic Development Director Bryan Thomas at the Feb. 28, City Commission meeting, the last meeting before her March 3 retirement.

Marlowe read a proclamation into the record during the Feb. 28 meeting honoring Kinser-Maxwell and naming March 3, her last day with the City, as Wendy Kinser-Maxwell Day in Newberry. He also presented her with a plaque and an award for her years of service and wished her well. This was her last official City meeting before retiring.

Attending the March 24 retirement event in her honor were several dignitaries, developers, current and previous city commissioners and citizens. Several City employees touted her as a great resource to assist them when they were new to the City and beyond.

The retirement event was held in the Metholee Norfleet Municipal Building, which was recently named in honor of the City’s first and only female mayor to date.

“We are going to miss her, but we will also forever be grateful for all that she has done for our community,” said Marlowe. “Enjoy your retirement, Ms. Wendy! You have definitely earned it!”

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Police Department (HSPD) has obtained an active warrant for the apprehension of a 34-year-old Columbia County man. The warrant was issued by the Eighth Judicial Circuit for John Kyle Culp following a March 18 interaction with HSPD officers.

The officers were responding to a citizen’s call regarding an alleged attempt by Culp to sell drugs to a juvenile. Culp was seen pacing around his vehicle at approximately 6:23 p.m. at 26400 West U.S. Highway 27, near the River Glen Subdivision.

Culp allegedly hit one officer with the passenger door of the vehicle he was driving as he backed up and subsequently drove off of the scene as officers attempted to assess his condition.

The warrant states that Culp is being charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, aggravated fleeing or eluding and resisting arrest with violence.

Culp is described as a white male, six feet tall and weighing 170 pounds. He has brown hair and is believed to be traveling in a white 2001 Isuzu Rodeo with an NRA sticker on the lower side of the rear window. The vehicle has a Florida Tag #53ANCS.

The subject is described as dangerous and anyone seeing Culp or his vehicle is asked to call law enforcement. HSPD warns people not to try to apprehend the suspect.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency or Crime Stoppers at 352-372-STOP. Callers can remain anonymous and may qualify for a reward.

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ALACHUA ‒ After a two-year absence, the Alachua Lions Club held its largest charity fundraiser of the year to a packed house at Valley View, just outside of Alachua. The annual Cattlemen's Banquet is the longest continuous Lions Club fundraising event in Florida, with all profits from the banquet supporting charitable sight, hearing, youth and community service activities. The Alachua Lions Club is a member of the International Lions Club, a global organization whose charitable mission is to serve others.

It all started 1940. The Alachua Lions Club sought to bolster Alachua High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) students in their quest to raise a steer for auction. Lions Club members attended the auction and drove the bidding higher. Not only did their winning bid cover the FFA's cost, but it also provided additional funds to the FFA.

Each year the event grew, bringing many of the area’s cattle ranchers, politicians and residents to the event. For years the event was held at the Alachua Woman’s Club and attracted the attention of local and state officials as guest speakers including President Jimmy Carter, Florida Governors Buddy McKay, Lawton Chiles and Bob Graham. Eventually the event outgrew the Woman’s Club and was moved to a bigger venue at the Santa Fe River Ranch. Due to Covid-19, the banquet was canceled for the past two years. But in 2022 the fundraising event came back strong with record attendance and was moved to an even larger venture at Valley View near Santa Fe River Ranch.

It was another fun filled evening of laughter and good food as nearly 400 people attended the event that was kicked off with a cocktail hour on the veranda overlooking rolling pastures dotted with sprawling oak trees. An event of this size takes months of planning as well as coordinating support from the 28 corporate sponsors who provided either funding or services for the banquet. The Alachua Woman’s Club sponsored a silent auction featuring an assortment of items and specialty wines available for bidding. Local businesses pitched in with Capital City Bank sponsoring the cocktail hour, Conestoga’s Restaurant providing the dinner’s Caesar salad, and Alan Hitchcock providing the steaks.  In keeping with tradition, the Santa Fe High School Chapter of FFA was on hand to assist as guests helped themselves to the choice aged controlled steaks, loaded potato casserole, salad and dessert.

A number of local and state politicians mingled in the crowd as well as city leaders, Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr., and police chiefs from High Springs and Alachua. When the doors opened to the main hall, guests were welcomed by Alachua Lions Club President and Alachua City Commissioner Dayna Miller. After a Pledge of Allegiance ceremony and an invocation led by Alachua Lions Club member Joel DeCoursey, Jr., the buffet line was opened. Longtime banquet grill masters led by Alan Hitchcock provided sizzling steaks to accompany the meal. The banquet steak committee has been grilling for years and announced this was their final go round as they are hanging up their tongs and aprons. The group was honored by the Lions Club with an award for their service over decades of Cattlemen’s Banquets

Former Alachua County Clerk of the Court J.K. “Buddy” Irby served as Master of Ceremony. Tribute was paid to rancher C.E. Ed Calendine as Miller presented his widow with flowers to the standing ovation of the entire crowd. A twist to this year’s presentation of the Cattleman of the Year award was the presentation of two awards due to the cancellation of the prior years. Longtime Lions Club member and banquet favorite Ralph Cellon did the presentation honors, handing out the awards. For 2020, the award went to longtime Alachua ranchers Tom and Buckley Shaw of Shaw and Shaw Farms. The 2021 award went to Marty Smith.

The evening’s keynote speaker was Chiefland’s Luther Beauchamp, a lawyer, author and professional speaker with a humorous slant, often employing self-deprecating humor referencing his short stature. His two books are entitled “I'll Try to Be Short” and “Legal Shorts, Not Briefs.” Beauchamp knew many of the guests attending and his jokes often included good natured jabs about them as well. And an appreciative audience laughed continuously throughout his entertaining presentation.

The Cattlemen’s Banquet is back and a bigger success than ever. “It has just been a blessing the past six months to bring it all together again,” said Miller as the crowd began to leave. “This was a great success for the Lions Club,” said former Alachua Lions Club President Jim Emerson. “We raised around $25,000 tonight for the charity causes we support. This will go a long way in improving people’s lives”

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ALACHUA ‒ On March 14, Alachua Police Chief Jesse Sandusky addressed the Alachua City Commission regarding using funds from the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, which provides law enforcement agencies the authorization to use proceeds collected under this act as supplemental funding for department needs. The funds, which total $9,687 will be used for the purchase of Power FTO and Power Policy from Software City. Commission approval is required for all expenditures from the City's established Forfeiture Fund. The estimated cost for the purchase of this software/management system is $9,687. The Commission approved amending the budget for this purchase.

In other business, in recognition of 100^th anniversary of the Gainesville Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the City Commission proclaimed March 20 as Daughters of the American Revolution Day in Alachua. The Gainesville Chapter was chartered on March 20, 1922 with 13 members and in 2022 has grown to164 members. The Commission presented a proclamation to Kay Hall, Past Regent of the Gainesville chapter to honor the work of the DAR. The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was formed in 1896 in Washington, DC. Its primary purpose is to promote patriotism by preserving America's heritage and history, and securing America's future through better education. The DAR is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization that works to acquire and protect historical locations, erect historical monuments, and promote historical research of the Revolutionary War.

The Alachua County school system has started several new innovative mental health programs and private counseling options to help students The Commission heard about these options from Kathleen Endorf, a school counselor at Santa Fe High School. Accompanying Endorf was newly appointed Santa Fe high School counselor Lea Byrd. Both of them spoke about the issues facing teens and the stigma that is sometimes attached by other students and parents to those trying to seek counseling. Endorf said that mental health issues have increased over the past two years due to the Covid Pandemic and other societal changes and pressures. The school system’s new program counseling options help students in need without them feeling singled out among peers.

In other business, Commission approval of two ordinances related to development of Tara Forest East Phase 1 Final Plat has been postponed. The proposed ordinances were to subdivide two properties. A 10.86-acre property is to be divided into 32 lots, with associated common areas and rights-of-way. A second property consisting of 20.25-acres is proposed to be divided into 61 lots, also with associated common areas and rights-of-way. The ordinances are expected to be rescheduled at a later date.

In a general budgetary housekeeping matter, the Commission passed a resolution and budget amendment related to the grant award from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Subgrant for Neighborhood Revitalization. The $700,000 grant award will fund a milling and resurfacing project, which is expected to cost $921,614. The required match and additional project funds totaling $221,614 come from the City's Public Works Road Maintenance funds allocated within the Fiscal Year 2021-22 General Fund budget.

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