Local

NEWBERRY – On Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, the Newberry City Commission met to address budget adjustments, land use and zoning changes and long-term infrastructure planning. The meeting also included a Board of Adjustment session to review a development plan for a new orthodontics office.

Assistant Director of Finance and Administration Amanda Hagan requested adoption of a resolution to provide fiscal amendments to the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget, saying that the City’s expenditures were under budget. The Finance Department performs an end of year review of actual receipts and expenditures to identify budget and expenditure variances in need of correction. As a result of the review, the Finance Department reallocated previously appropriated funds to correct several budget variances. The resolution was unanimously approved.

In other business, the Commission unanimously approved second reading of a petition by Joy Glanzer, on behalf of Coleman, Gerald & Melanie, owners, to amend the City’s Future Land Use Plan Map of the Comprehensive Plan from Industrial to Commercial, on property located at 849 N.W. State Road 45. The property consists of approximately 1.28 acres. The request is to make the land use category consistent with the proposed use, which will be a retail store called Shirt Shack.

In a related action in a Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing, the same 1.28 acres was heard on second reading to rezone the property from Industrial (I) to Commercial, Intensive (C-I) to make the land use category consistent to the use of the property. This item also was unanimously approved on second reading.

In an additional Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing, an application for rezoning 0.16 acres from Commercial, Neighborhood (CN) to Commercial, Central Business District (CCBD), located at 22 S.W. 258^th Street, was unanimously approved. The property is located within the Urban Service Area, Community Redevelopment Area and Transportation Enhancement Project Area.

The proposed use will be Hedge Eye Care and Coffee Place. The coffee shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be a full coffee bar with a pick-up window and interior seating for 10-15 people. The coffee shop will also have a remodeled ADA accessible restroom.

The optometric facility will have four exam treatment lanes for two doctors, state-of-the-art optical and contact lens fitting with support laboratory, a new restroom for optometric patients only and will be fully ADA accessible.

In other business, a resolution of intent to implement a stormwater infrastructure and services assessment program was also approved unanimously. Assistant City Manager and CFO Dallas Lee emphasized the need to adopt the resolution by Jan. 1, 2025, to preserve the option of including the assessment on 2025 tax bills. While the assessment would primarily target downtown businesses, it excludes homeowners.

In other business, Eda Consultants, Inc., agent on behalf of RRL Newberry Holding, LLC requested approval of the final plat for Magnolia Acres Subdivision. The property is approximately 79.3 acres and contains 15 lots. It is located south of Southwest 15^th Avenue and East of Southwest 226^th Street. The plat proposes 15 developable detached single family lots at an average density of one dwelling unit per five acres. The subdivision will have private roads and utilities. The Commission unanimously approved the final plat.

In a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Monty Farnsworth casting the dissenting vote, the Commission authorized City Manager Mike New to offer $110,000 to purchase of a 0.56- acre property owned by Mr. Estes. The property is parallel to the CSX tracks on a road that the City could in the future develop to run from State Road 26 to 15^th Avenue. The purchase would also have to be approved by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board.

Looking ahead, the Commission voted unanimously to provide Charter Officers with a two percent cost of living raise effective immediately. Charter Officers are the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk. Commissioners also voted to hold one meeting in December due to the holidays. That meeting will occur on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. The second meeting of the month has been cancelled.

Board of Adjustment

Following the Commission meeting, the Board of Adjustment (BOA) held a quasi-judicial hearing to review a site and development plan for Progressive Orthodontics for an orthodontics office on property located south of Southwest 15^th Avenue and west of Southwest State Road 45. The property has a future land use designation of Commercial and is located within the Commercial Intensive (CI) zoning district and is located within an Urban Service area (USA) of the city. Progressive Orthodontics proposes construction of a 9,929-square-foot orthodontics office along with associated infrastructure.

The development also sought a parking variance from City of Newberry Land Development Regulations that require one parking space per 150 square feet of building for a total of 66 parking spaces. The variance request was based on trip generation calculations that use daily number of trips and the peak hour trips for the proposed use per number of employees.

According to the owner, the building will be split into three separate uses, each with approximately five employees, which generates 17 trips during the peak hour. The proposed plan is for 33 parking spaces to serve these facilities.

Although some BOA members questioned whether 33 parking spaces would be adequate, the site and development plan was approved in a 4 – 1 vote with Board Member Monty Farnsworth casting the dissenting vote.

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Alachua Family Becomes 185^th Habitat for Humanity Homeowner

ALACHUA ‒ For Shinda Ivery, a mother determined to overcome economic challenges, Oct. 30, 2024, was a special day. On the day that Alachua Habitat for Humanity celebrated the dedication its 185^th home, it was a first for Ivery and her family.

The dedication ceremony, held at 14263 N.W. 136^th Terrace, marked the culmination of an inspiring journey for Shinda Ivery, her husband and three sons, ages 18, 12 and 8. Shinda Ivery worked alongside Alachua Habitat for Humanity to fulfill her dream of homeownership. The Ivery home build brought together 129 dedicated volunteers who contributed 1,027 hours of labor, and a network of generous sponsors.

It was a stirring moment when the Ivery family received the keys to their new home and Shinda cut the bright red ribbon officially opening the home to her family. And it was especially meaningful for her, as it was Shinda’s dream to one day return, along with her family, to the community where she grew up. In fact, Shinda held out for an Alachua homesite even in the face of other areas being available earlier. For the entire Ivery family, the new home represents stability and a fresh start in the community they can all call home now.

On hand representing Habitat for Humanity was Habitat Executive Director Stevie Doyle and Family Services Director Kristine Thompson. Minister Ashley Hill of Consecrated Contemplations Faith Community offered the home blessing.

Special thanks were given to the City of Alachua for donating the lot and to grant partners including Florida Realtors Homeownership for All, State Farm, TD Charitable Foundation, Walmart Foundation, and the Hall of Framers 2024 Paddle Raise. Alachua city officials were on hand including Commissioner Dayna Williams along with Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper and Vice Mayor Ed Potts who spoke at the event, honoring the partnerships that made the project possible.

Alachua Habitat’s Homeownership Program has changed lives by empowering local families to achieve homeownership and offering them a stable foundation for the future.

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NEWBERRY ‒ A land donation to the City of Newberry may soon provide for expanded local reactional opportunities and revenue generation. The Newberry City Commission on Nov. 25, 2024, approved the acceptance of a 60-acre land donation from the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD). This acquisition, located adjacent to Easton-Newberry Sports Complex, is valued at $900,000.

Newberry Director of Capital Projects and Facilities Joe Lovelady detailed the years-long negotiations with SRWMD to secure the property, originally acquired by the district in the 1980s for use as a city wellfield. The land already hosts two city water wells, treatment facilities, and an elevated storage tank, with plans for additional wells as needed. Most of the tract remains undeveloped, serving as a vital buffer to protect the water supply.

“The Deed of Conveyance and Conservation Easement Agreement resulted from hours of persistent negotiations to reach an agreement that meets the needs of Newberry citizens while preserving protections important to SRWMD,” Lovelady said.

The donated land opens opportunities for the city to expand its recreation offerings. The site may be used to house three lighted, multi-purpose turf sports fields, part of the city’s 10-year parks master plan. These fields aim to meet increasing demand for local recreation. Lovelady noted that development of the fields aligns with the city’s FY 2024-2025 budget, funded by the county-wide Wild Spaces Public Places sales tax.

As part of the agreement, SRWMD will thin pine trees on the property before conveyance and impose a conservation easement to restrict certain types of development. While the easement prohibits the construction of impervious surfaces like roads, parking lots, and buildings, it permits recreational development such as turf fields.

“Staff reviewed the proposed conservation easement and finds that it constrains development but is workable,” Lovelady explained. “It permits construction of multi-purpose turf fields, aligning with our master plan.”

The Commission voted unanimously to accept the land donation, authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to finalize the acquisition, and proceed with the closing.

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ALACHUA – Legacy Park Multicultural Center in Alachua will soon transform into a wonderland of holiday magic as Dance Alive’s Nutcracker kicks off its 21-performance tour across the Southeast. Sponsored by PNC Foundation, the celebrated ballet will enchant local audiences with two free performances on Nov. 23, 2024, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

This year’s Nutcracker offers an opportunity for the community to experience the holiday classic in an intimate setting. The captivating tale of Clara and her journey to the Kingdom of Sweets will unfold with the elegance and charm that have made this production a staple of the season.

Artistic Director Kim Tuttle promises audiences a feast for the senses, saying, “Tradition, beauty, grace, and a terrific story. What more can you ask for?” Set to Tchaikovsky's timeless score and featuring stunning set designs by Denis Mauldin, the production also boasts costumes crafted by Soili Arvola and a team of skilled designers.

Following the performances at Legacy Park, the ballet will travel to South Carolina, The Villages, Ocala, and Belle Glade, before culminating in Gainesville with five public shows at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts from Dec. 19 to 22. These performances will include matinees and evening shows, ensuring everyone can enjoy the holiday cheer.

Additionally, Dance Alive is committed to inclusivity with special events like the Magic of Nutcracker for special needs children and Class with Clara sessions, which allow young fans to step into Clara’s shoes.

Beyond its professional cast, the production will feature local dance students, creating a bridge between professional artistry and community involvement. Tickets for Gainesville performances are available at the Phillips Center box office, by phone, or online.

“As a Main Street Bank, PNC is proud to support the arts in our local communities, knowing how a vibrant arts community enriches lives and builds strong communities,” said Chris Kalin, PNC regional president for North Florida. “In this context, supporting Dance Alive’s performance of The Nutcracker, which is a holiday tradition for many, not only makes sense, but it is also something we couldn’t be prouder to be part of.”

As the holiday season approaches, Dance Alive’s Nutcracker invites families to gather and celebrate a cherished tradition, starting with the warmth and spirit of the Legacy Park performances.

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ARCHER – A 45-year-old Archer man, Quinnell Lavon Thompson, was arrested Wednesday afternoon and faces multiple charges, including battery on a deputy, resisting an officer without violence, and making threats. The incident began at around 1:24 p.m. when an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a call from a woman alleging that Thompson had threatened her.

Upon arriving at the scene, the deputy found Thompson on one side of the road, with the woman who made the call standing across the street from him. When the deputy approached Thompson, he allegedly became agitated, shouting that the deputy should not be speaking to him since he was not the one who called. The deputy reported that he ordered Thompson to stop, but he kept walking. The deputy reported that after he drew his taser, he was able to handcuff and arrest Thompson for resisting an officer without violence.

According to the deputy’s report, Thompson resisted efforts to secure him in the patrol car and allegedly struck the deputy with his elbow, causing a minor injury as the deputy’s hand was pushed into his uniform tools. The confrontation reportedly started over an argument regarding the handling of leaves on the victim’s property. Both the victim and a witness stated that Thompson grew aggressive, and about six feet away, advancing toward the victim with fists clenched and threatening to beat her up.

Thompson has a criminal history that includes eight felony convictions—six of which were violent—and 14 misdemeanor convictions, two of which involved violence. He has previously served two prison sentences, the most recent ending in 2011. In March of this year, he was convicted for pulling a knife on a store clerk, resulting in six months of house arrest followed by probation, which is set to continue through March 2027 under an alias, Quindell Devon Thompson.

Judge Kristine Van Vorst set Thompson’s bail at $55,000. Records from the Department of Corrections indicate that Thompson has used several aliases, contributing to some confusion over his current probation status.

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ALACHUA – A 59-year-old Newberry man, Joseph Paul Andes, has been sentenced to five years in state prison after pleading nolo contendere to 14 counts of possession of child pornography. The sentence was handed down by Judge David Kreider, who credited Andes with 351 days already served in jail.

Andes was arrested on Nov. 15, 2023, following a months-long investigation triggered by three CyberTips submitted in 2022. Authorities executed a search warrant at Andes’s Newberry residence on April 11, 2023.

During questioning, Andes initially denied possessing any child sexual exploitation material. However, he admitted to having detailed knowledge of such investigations, citing his previous role on a Federal Grand Jury that had overseen similar cases.

Digital forensic examiners discovered recent searches on Andes’s electronic devices for terms commonly associated with child sexual abuse material. When confronted, Andes claimed ignorance, insisting he didn’t understand the terms’ meanings. He suggested he was merely curious about how accessible such content might be but denied ever finding illegal material.

Despite his denials, investigators found multiple images of child sexual abuse on his devices. When asked if he had engaged in hands-on offenses involving children, Andes responded, “No, as a matter of fact, I am around kids a lot because I am a soccer referee.”

Following his arrest, Andes’s bail was set at $1.4 million, and he has remained in custody since. His plea of nolo contendere, which neither admits guilt nor disputes the charges, led to his conviction on 14 counts of possession of child pornography.

Judge Kreider sentenced Andes to 14 concurrent five-year prison terms.

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