Local

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Changes are coming to the pedestrian crosswalk on Main Street at the intersection of Northwest 185^th Road. The High Springs CRA Board met April 28 and approved changes that include new motion detector flashing pedestrian crossing signs to alert drivers that a person is in the crosswalk area to help provide more safety to those attempting to cross the street. This project has been approved by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

High Springs Assistant City Manager Bruce Gillingham said that in a recent meeting with FDOT staff, they said the CRA could apply for a permit, which they would grant. The City can install the signs at a projected cost of about $4,000 or FDOT can do the install in 18 to 24 months. Board members opted for the faster installation to complete the project.

Commissioner Byran Williams suggested a sign be placed in advance of the intersection to alert drivers that they may need to stop.

In a related safety matter, the Board considered awarding a contract to one of four companies that bid on a railing to be installed along the elevated sidewalk at 23517 NW 185 Road in front of the Chamber of Commerce’s building.

This sidewalk is elevated and has been a safety issue as people have misjudged the distance or not seen the drop. With increased traffic on Northwest 185^th Road and Northwest 235^th Street due to Farmers’ Market Pavilion activities and the openings of new businesses, a railing to prevent people from falling and guiding them to a pedestrian crossing is important to prevent potential future injuries, said CRA Coordinator David Sutton.

Companies submitting bids were Gainesville Ironworks, MPH Industries, Inc., dba Boone Welding, Rogers Welding and English Metalworks LLC. The range of prices, dependent on the style and materials chosen, ranged from $11,000 to $36,000.

Board members authorized a price range of $25,000, but asked for the companies to submit designs for future consideration that are more historic in nature to compliment the building’s style.

The Board approved $3,441 to purchase 16 American flag-related and 20 fireworks-related style banners. Last year, the CRA purchased new banners for the downtown area, along with seasonal banners that were displayed during the holidays. Sutton suggested that the banner should be rotated so they last longer in the Florida sun.

The Board also gave thumbs up to Gillingham and Sutton to coordinate a proposed Hometown Heroes banner project.

Hometown Heroes banners would include a picture of a service person who a citizen would like to honor. The banners could be located throughout the downtown area or at the four entrances into High Springs, depending on space availability and the number of applications the City receives. The cost for each banner would be $111.

The Hometown Hero banners would be on display for Patriot Day on Sept. 11 through Veterans Day on Nov. 11, in mid-November.

The program would continue yearly, and Gillingham said, “We expect to have a lot of people want to participate in this program.” Several options were discussed as to how the program would work, but ultimately the person who submits the application will receive the banner after it has been hung so they could keep it for themselves and their family.

Gillingham and Sutton will bring back details of how the program would work to the Board for final consideration.

The Board approved an agreement with Extreme Exposure for an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station. The charging station license agreement addresses the area at 18481 High Springs Main Street and, if finally approved, will provide one charging station at that location. After Extreme Exposure reviews the agreement, it will come back to the Board for final approval.

The CRA is sponsoring a Social Soiree upstairs at the Opera House on May 17 at 6:30 p.m. with guest speaker Joe Cirulli, Gainesville Health and Fitness Center founder and owner. Light refreshments will be served, and both Sutton and Gillingham will be on hand to discuss changes occurring in the downtown area. “This will give people an opportunity to learn what projects the City is working on and how they will impact residents,” said Suttong. “It also gives people an opportunity to ask questions of City staff and keep the dialogue open and informative.”

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HAWTHORNE ‒ The City of Hawthorne is the recipient of a $3,538,035 grant through the Community Development Block Grant – CV Small Cities and Entitlement Programs. The grant is earmarked to construct a new Hawthorne Area Resource Center (HARC) that will provide a food bank, medical and outreach services to residents.

The grant is administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) with CDBG-CV funds federally awarded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding is earmarked to help local governments prepare for, prevent, or respond to the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

Grant guidelines require that awarded projects must be critical to the locality and primarily benefit low- and moderate-income residents. Local governments are encouraged to include activities that benefit workforce housing, training and sustainability, as well as broadband infrastructure and planning.

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MICANOPY ‒ Four Micanopy residents were arrested Wednesday, April 27, after an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy was called to a residence in response to a neighbor’s report of animal cruelty. An additional four more people were subsequently charged in the case following investigation.

According to the deputy’s report, when he arrived at the residence, he found a large number of dogs in “obviously frail and neglected condition.” As he approached the house several dogs, including three young puppies, were laying in the driveway and were “too weak to physically stand on their own.”

Additional dogs were located surrounding the house, all of which he said “appeared extremely malnourished indicated by the visible presence of the ribs showing through their skin.”

During interviews the deputy established that Erin Alexandra Douglas, 27, Kimberly Ann Hicks, 43, William Cecil Garcia, 27, and Dawson Alan Hicks, 22, lived at the residence at 17415 S.E. County Road 234, Micanopy, the location of the dogs.

Stephen Lancaster also said he was a resident living on the property in a camper. William Ferguson, Sr. and Debra Ferguson were also identified as residents and made statements that they assisted in the care and custody of the dogs. Stephanie Prentzler, another resident, said she lived in a shed on the property.

Erin Douglas said she recently moved back into the house after being gone for a few months and indicated that several of the dogs belonged to her as well.

Kimberly Hicks, also a resident, said she assumed custody and control of the animals since her ex-boyfriend moved out of the residence over a month ago. She told deputies that she knew the dogs needed help and has been feeding them, but has not contacted anyone for assistance other than trying to get her ex-boyfriend to take them.

During discussion with the deputy, William Garcia said that there were multiple deceased puppies buried at the location, in addition to the two deceased inside of a kennel on the front porch. He said the puppies died approximately a month previously when it was cold and they were buried to the back side of a camper on the property. Three small dog skeletons were located above ground in the area Garcia described.

The Sheriff’s report indicated a total of 19 dogs were found alive, but in questionable condition, and were located mixed in with the five deceased dogs, three of which were skeletal remains only. Alachua County Animal Control assisted in the investigation and stated that “the condition of many of the animals was life-threatening and cause for immediate removal and veterinary care.” Two additional dogs were found in separate cages in the woods without food or water.

A description of the condition of the structure, along with the yard and camper, was described as “unhealthy for humans or animals.”

The four main residents were arrested and charged with 24 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and five counts of unlawful disposal of a dead animal.

The Fergusons and Prentzler are charged with 24 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and five counts of unlawful disposal of a dead animal via sworn complaint. Steven Lancaster is charged with 24 counts aggravated animal cruelty, five counts of unlawful disposal of a dead animal and one count of dumping raw human waste via sworn complaint.

Alachua County Animal Resources and Care has worked with the confiscated animals and they are now reporting that they actually received 22 dogs and one pig. The agency says they have received numerous calls to adopt the animals.

“These animals will not be available for adoption for some time,” said Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton. They are undergoing evaluation and extensive veterinary care to help rehabilitate them and improve their physical and emotional condition.

However, Sexton said that the best thing concerned citizens can do at this time is to adopt another animal from the facility to make room for the dogs that have just been confiscated.

“We are bulging at the seams right now and there are many animals that are healthy and looking for their forever homes,” said Sexton. “People who adopt at this time will ease the burden on the facility and make room for these unfortunate animals to get the care they deserve.”

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GAINESVILLE -  The National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive returns Saturday, May 14, after a two-year absence from the community due to the COVID pandemic.  This one-day event provides an opportunity for the community to help hungry individuals and families.  

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, the country's largest one-day food drive, provides residents with an easy way to donate food to those in need.  People are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, canned meats and fish, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox before the regular mail delivery on that Saturday. 

The food donations collected locally stay in the community, going to help local residents.  Food collected will be distributed through the following local agencies:  Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, Catholic Charities, Food for Kids and Gainesville Community Ministry.  

Sherah English, Agency Relations Director and Co-CEO of the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, said, “We are pleased to partner with the local mail carriers and appreciate their efforts to make a significant contribution toward hunger relief.”  In the 30 years since it began, the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has collected about 1.88 billion pounds of food nationwide, helping to feed millions of Americans.  

Dave Hill, President of Union President Branch 1025, Florida said, “The timing is important, with food banks, pantries and shelters running low on donations from the winter holidays and with summer approaching, when most school meal programs are suspended.  Mail Carriers see the need every day and are proud to make a difference in the lives of the hungry.”

Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, established in 1987, serves the counties of Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette and Levy.  Bread of the Mighty Food Bank acquires, stores and distributes food and basic essentials through the support of over 170 agency partners, including feeding programs, churches, food pantries and shelters.  

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ALACHUA ‒ A one-vehicle crash was reported to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and Alachua County Fire Rescue at 4:13 a.m., Tuesday, May 3. The driver of a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis was traveling south on County Road 235 when she attempted to evade an Alachua Police Department (APD) officer who had attempted an earlier traffic stop on the vehicle.

On Tuesday, May 3 APD officers observed a blue Mercury four-door vehicle driving erratically in the area of Northwest 159^th Place.

Officers attempted to catch up to the vehicle in order to effect a traffic stop. The vehicle continued traveling through the neighborhood while increasing speed. The vehicle, in disregard of a red traffic signal, crossed four lanes of Northwest U.S. Highway 441 on Alachua’s Main Street.

Due to the blatant disregard for traffic control and the risk of danger to other motorists, the original officer ceased attempting to stop the vehicle. Officers continued looking for the vehicle in the area of CR 235.

Another officer spotted the vehicle, which was traveling at a high rate of speed, heading southbound on CR 235. The officer turned around and attempted to catch up; however, due to the high rate of speed, the officer lost visual contact and subsequently deactivated their emergency equipment.

Due to the erratic and unsafe driving behavior, the officer continued searching for the vehicle, which was later found to have crashed in the tree line along CR 235.

The driver, a 17-year-old Jacksonville woman, lost control of the Grand Marquis and spun off the roadway onto the west grass shoulder, at which point the vehicle’s left rear struck a tree. According to the FHP, the vehicle came to a final rest on the shoulder of CR 235 at approximately 1,000 feet south of Northwest 164^th Terrace.

Units from Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) responded, along with law enforcement. When crews arrived, they found a single vehicle with heavy damage, multiple patients outside of the vehicle and one patient who required extrication with the “Jaws of Life” to remove them from the seriously damaged vehicle.

Passengers included a 15-year-old male, listed in critical condition, and a 14-year-old male, listed in serious condition, both Alachua residents.

Additional passengers listed as Gainesville residents included a 17-year-old female in serious condition, a 14-year-old female in critical condition, and two females listed as 17- and 13-year-olds, both of whom were listed in serious condition.

The driver and passengers were all transported to UF Health Shands. According to the FHP, the driver was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. It is unknown whether the passengers were belted in.

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ARCHER ‒ Donteau Ontrais Symonette, 41, was arrested early Saturday morning, April 23, following an attempted shooting at a card game in Archer.

According to the arrest report, an Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a call regarding an armed disturbance in Archer and found a victim bleeding from the back of his head.

The deputy learned from witnesses that a group of 10-20 people, including Symonette, had been playing spades on the front porch of a home. Symonette reportedly began losing money and told the other players he was going to get more money. When he returned, he allegedly pulled a handgun from his waistband and racked the slide back, then fired a round into the floor of the porch, saying, “Empty your pockets.”

The witnesses said that people started running, and Symonette said, “Don’t run, empty your pockets.” Symonette allegedly took money from some of the players and from the card table. He allegedly approached the victim and started hitting him in the head with his gun, then pointed the gun directly at the head of the victim and pulled the trigger multiple times. The gun malfunctioned, so the victim was not shot. The victim was able to strike the gun with his hand, causing Symonette to lose his grip. The gun fell in the bushes located just in front of the porch.

Witnesses said that Symonette retrieved the gun from the bushes and sat down at the table, racking the slide back and forth to try to clear the malfunction. Only one person was left sitting. Symonette placed the firearm on the table and allegedly exclaimed, “Don’t worry I’m not going to shoot you.” When deputies arrived, Symonette reportedly got into his truck and tried to drive away.

The deputy saw the truck driving away and relayed that information to other deputies, who pulled Symonette over and arrested him.

The deputy said he saw the hole in the wooden floor of the elevated front porch. Deputies were able to retrieve one spent .40 mm shell casing.

Post Miranda, Symonette denied ever being in the area of the incident location.

Symonette has previous felony convictions in Levy County and has been charged with attempted homicid, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and unlawful discharge of a firearm. He is being held on $350,000 bond at the Alachua County Jail.

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