Local

ALACHUA ‒ A drunk Alachua man was arrested in an apartment complex Sunday night. Michael Jewel Coulon, 46, was arrested at approximately 7 p.m. Sunday following reports of a fight in progress at an Alachua apartment complex parking lot. When Alachua Police Department (APD) officers arrived on the scene, they found Coulon in a visibly irate state. The 6-foot-1-inch man began walking toward officers in an aggressive manner saying, “Y’all f***ing want some,” and pounding on his chest.

When Coulon proceeded to punch the front of a marked APD patrol car, he was ordered to the ground numerous times by officers.

Coulon didn’t comply but continued to pace around threatening to fight law enforcement. During this time officers were able to determine Coulon was heavily intoxicated. According to the APD report, “The defendant was subdued and post-arrest stated he had been drinking heavily.”

After subduing Coulon, officers were able to investigate the initial cause for the call and spoke with two females who said that Coulon had approached them as they walked through the parking lot of the apartment complex. During that time, he began yelling expletives at both women, balling his fists and making statements about fighting.

The women said that due to the defendant’s size, estimated at 280 pounds, as well as his aggressive statements and behavior, they were in fear for their safety.

Coulon was charged with simple assault/threat to do violence, two counts of disorderly intoxication in a public place and resisting arrest. He was taken to the hospital and will be held on bond of $40,000 when he is released from the hospital. Coulon currently lives in Alachua, but according to APD he has an out-of-county criminal history from 2000 to 2022.

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L-R: Grant Dougherty, Thomas Goss, Brianne Kilpatrick, Taylor Roberts and Erika Wells were awarded scholarships from the Alachua Business League

Article updated June 3, 2022

ALACHUA ‒ The Alachua Business League (ABL) has presented five students from Santa Fe High School $1,000 scholarships to Santa Fe College.  The ABL has been awarding scholarships through the Education Foundation of Alachua County since 2006. 

The recipients this year were Grant Dougherty, Thomas Goss, Brianne Kilpatrick, Taylor Roberts and Erika Wells, who were selected from 32 qualified applicants.

The Alachua Business League's mission is to promote business-to-business support by being involved in the community and providing networking events for local businesses.  The ABL also organizes the Alachua Main Street festival in the fall, which is scheduled for Nov. 13, 2022.

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HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recommend approval of expanding the city’s CRA district to City Commissioners.

At the May 26 board meeting, CRA Coordinator David Sutton presented two maps for comparison showing the original proposed expansion area and also an expansion area that included two more parcels of land. Staff had requested that the Board consider the two properties in the CRA district expansion. The properties are located to the west of the peanut mill property, which was included in the original expansion map and are identified as 00726-000-000 and 00726-001- 000.

The CRA works to assist in economic revitalization in the core of downtown High Springs and to secure funding for infrastructure improvements. The parcels are undeveloped industrial properties and adjoin the mill property. “The addition of these two properties will provide the CRA with the opportunity to assist in the development of these parcels,” said CRA member Ross Ambrose.

Sutton has spoken with CRA’s consultants regarding the required “Finding of Necessity” and was told there would be no additional cost if the City were to add the two parcels.

CRA Board members approved the addition of the two parcels to the proposed district expansion.

During the following City Commission meeting, Commissioners unanimously approved expansion of the CRA district along with property located on either side of West U.S. Highway 27 from Northwest 239^th Street (currently the west boundary) west to Northwest 246^th Street.

This proposed extension from Northwest 239^th Street to Northwest 246^th Street would have a northern boundary of Northwest 187^th Avenue and a southern boundary of the CSX property (future Rails to Trails).

GAI has been engaged to complete the “Finding of Necessity” at a cost of $15,000. Once completed, the matter will go back for adoption by the CRA Board and then by the Commission. Following that, the proposed expansion will be submitted to the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners for approval.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Area small businesses, artists and local organizations have teamed up to help raise funds for children’s art programs in High Springs. The “Paint the Night Benefit Gala” raised funds for the Good News Arts Gallery programs focused on children. The gallery, founded and owned by Jessica Caldas, provides space for local, regional, and national artists to show challenging and engaging work tied to relevant contemporary issues.

When Caldas opened the gallery in 2020, she also envisioned an open space for community members to present work via additional exhibitions, musical performances, spoken word, events, and whatever else served the community’s needs as well as teaching classes in different arts for both adults and children.

The non-profit gallery does not take a commission on artists’ sales but does pay teachers and buys supplies for all classes and camps. Good News Arts also offers after-school art classes for kids for $5 per student and a seven-week summer camp with only a $20 registration fee, which provides free snacks, lunch and art supplies for all students. Costs associated with the camps are supplemented by donors and volunteer staff. The gallery also works with several agencies that sponsor the summer camp including the City of High Springs Parks and Recreation Department, the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, and private donors.

The May 21gala was held at the High Springs Woman's Club to raise funds to support these programs through the $40 entry fee donation. The evening was a community effort, with numerous local and regional artists offering their works for auction. Various organizations donated food, drink and entertainment adding to the lively ambiance of the evening. Wine was supplied by Specialty Wines while local breweries First Magnitude Brewing Company, Swamphead Brewery and Cypress and Grove supplied craft beers.

Miami Chef Joe Richard supplied all the southern fare food and Gainesville Event DJ's supplied music for dancing. Local artisit Kimberly Bossons provided a live painting experience at a side table while guests wandered aroung the tables featuring art for auction and enjoyed the food, drink and dancing. Over 90 people attended the event to support the gallery and raise money for its programs.

“It was a wonderful night that helped us raise close to $5,000 to keep the programs going,” said Caldas. “The money we raised will go toward supporting our programming, especially our free and low-cost arts education for all ages and our youth programming, which includes a free Summer Arts Camp for youth. We are extremely grateful for the support of the community to keep these programs alive."

More information on the classes, after school program and summer camp can be found by emailing goodnewsarts@goodnewsarts.com, visiting https://www.goodnewsarts.com or visiting the gallery to see the current exhibit by Paul Shortt. Shortt, called “Farewell to Adulthood” at 18555 Main Street in High Springs.

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• Alachua County Commission – Districts 1, 2, and 4 (District 1 will be on the ballot this year due to the resignation of Commissioner Mary Alford. The person elected to this position will fill the unexpired portion of the term).

• Alachua County School Board – Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5 (District 2 will be on the ballot this year due to a declared vacancy by the Governor last year. The person elected to this position will fill the unexpired portion of the term).

• Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor – Group 1, 3, and 5 (Senate Bill 1078 requires all soil and water conservation seats to be on the ballot this year. This bill has not yet been signed into law by the Governor. An update will be provided if there are any changes).

• Gainesville Mayor At Large Commission Seat

• District 2, 3, and 4 Commission Seats

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ A homeless man was arrested at 10:35 a.m., Friday, May 20, in High Springs after he trespassed at a High Springs residence on three consecutive days.

The victim contacted the High Springs Police Department when she found the man had walked up to her front door, which was cracked open and stood there looking inside at her and her 11-year-old daughter. The victim and her daughter were alone in the apartment at the time.

Christian David Greenwald, 31, who is described as “homeless” on the arrest report, was arrested when the victim reported that he stood outside her apartment, which is located near Winn-Dixie, for three days in a row. He was trespassed from the location on May 19 by the High Springs Police Department.

Post Miranda, Greenwald reportedly said that he believes the victim is Taylor Swift and that she has his child. He was charged with trespassing and is being held on $25,000 bond.

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