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WALDO ‒ On Sunday, June 9, 2024, a 21-year-old man from Waldo was arrested and charged with fleeing, resisting an officer without violence, and drug possession following a high-speed chase on Waldo Road. The suspect, identified as Mitchell Craig Griffin, Jr., allegedly drove at speeds of 130 mph and cut through residential yards while attempting to evade a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper.

The trooper reportedly saw a Toyota traveling southbound on State Road 24 just after 8 p.m. and estimated it was traveling at about 90 mph in a 65-mph zone.

The incident began just after 8 p.m. when an FHP trooper spotted a Toyota traveling southbound on State Road 24 at approximately 90 mph in a 65-mph zone. As the trooper moved behind the Toyota and activated lights and sirens, the driver made a U-turn and began heading northbound toward Waldo, accelerating to over 130 mph.

The Toyota reportedly entered the city limits of Waldo and drove into a residential neighborhood to the northeast of County Road 1475 and Northeast 148^th Avenue. The trooper reported that the Toyota ran stop signs and almost crashed into several vehicles and then cut through multiple residential yards. The trooper tried to conduct a PIT maneuver twice, but both attempts were unsuccessful.

The Toyota reportedly stopped at the intersection of Northeast 150^th Avenue and Northeast 139^th Terrace. The driver got out of the vehicle and lay down on the ground, where he was taken into custody. The driver was Mitchell Craig Griffin, Jr. A search of Griffin reportedly produced a small bag of marijuana. A search of the vehicle reportedly produced an open bottle of liquor and two digital scales.

Griffin has four non-violent felony convictions and is currently on probation in Marion County for grand theft of a motor vehicle. He was arrested in Gainesville in 2021 and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and illegally carrying a concealed firearm. The charges were later dropped.

Bail was set at $75,000 by Judge Kristine Van Vorst, who also set a curfew of between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ On Thursday, June 6, 2024, the City of High Springs hosted a joint meeting between the City Commission and the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC). The meeting was led by High Springs Mayor Katherine Weitz and BoCC Chair Mary Alford, focusing on topics such as infrastructure and youth literacy.

Mayor Weitz highlighted innovative programs to encourage youth literacy, such as High Springs Librarian Ann Lane’s therapy dog initiative, where children read to a therapy dog at the library. She also mentioned the positive impact of having a K-9 at schools, advocating for increased canine involvement with children. Former City Commissioner Sue Weller noted that the Gentle Carousel mini-horses had visited the High Springs Library the day before to promote reading among kids.

County Commissioner Anna Prizzia discussed the Children’s Trust and the University of Florida’s comprehensive literacy needs assessment program, designed to support both children and adults aiming to improve their reading skills. Commissioner Ken Cornell emphasized the Children’s Trust's commitment to smaller communities, while Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler elaborated on the Library Board’s Literacy Department for Adults and summer activities for kids.

The meeting then shifted to proposed updates on the City’s Infrastructure Surtax Partnership Projects. Mayor Weitz reported that the surtax funded six new pumps for the lift station and stressed the need for financing to manage effluent of a local subdivision, aiming to protect rivers from contamination. BoCC members suggested seeking funding from the water management district for the effluent return design.

The discussion also covered the Canoe Outpost and the property behind the River Rise boat ramp. The BoCC requested to see the City’s Parks Master Plan, which is nearing 75 percent completion with consultants, upon its conclusion.

The Rails-to-Trails project was also discussed with Commissioner Cornell noting progress in communication with CSX, indicating potential discussions about the project. He also recommended contacting Newberry to get involved.

Alachua County’s Jeff Hays addressed transportation projects, mentioning a $50,000 grant focused on safety and community engagement. He discussed a county-wide bicycle master plan supported by a $250,000 contribution from the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO). Although this program has been under the North Central Florida Planning Council (NCFPC) in the past, it may eventually come under the County's jurisdiction, benefiting the entire county.

Hays also outlined a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) improvement program for resurfacing Highway 27/41 from Newberry to U.S. Highway 441, estimated to cost $11 million and scheduled for 2025-2026.

Alachua County Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete reviewed various resurfacing and roadway projects in the High Springs area. Details on Alachua County Transportation Capital Improvement Program Projects for 2023 – 2032 are available on the Alachua County Public Works website. He said the County will be spending $252 million on roadways between 2023 – 2032 with $4 million in projects already completed.

City Commissioners raised concerns about the lack of a light at Poe Springs Road, noting that crash data had not been recorded in FDOT’s database, thus not prioritizing the area. Efforts are underway to correct this oversight, aiming for future safety improvements at the intersection. Mayor Weitz also called for stop signs on 237^th Street, and a residential city street.

City Commissioner Andrew Miller named Kevin Mangan, the City’s Public Information Officer, as his Employee of the Week.

The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 13, 2024.

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GAINESVILLE ‒ A 37-year-old woman from Newberry and a 36-year-old man from Gainesville have been arrested on charges of grand theft and fraud. The pair, Katheryn Ann Blevins and Jason Edward Sauls, allegedly used another person's identity to file for unemployment compensation, resulting in over $10,000 being deposited into Sauls' bank account.

The victim reportedly learned about the scheme in January 2023 when she received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service stating that she owed $2,515 in taxes as a result of receiving $18,250 in unemployment payments in 2021. The victim told a Gainesville Police Department (GPD) Officer that she worked two full-time jobs in 2021 and never filed for unemployment. She told the officer that she suspected Katheryn Ann Blevins and Jason Edward Sauls had fraudulently used her information because of “past issues” with the couple.

The victim told the officer that Sauls had been her friend before he met Blevins through a dating app, but then he “changed.” She said the pair told her she could receive a stimulus check in April 2020, and they helped her fill out an online application for the check. She said she believed that Blevins or Sauls obtained her identity information at that time.

The past issues reportedly included a GoFundMe that the pair set up for the victim when she became ill with COVID, against her wishes; although $1,050 was raised, the victim said she never received the funds.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) reportedly provided information showing that the email address on the unemployment account was changed to Blevins’ email in June 2020, and the phone number was changed multiple times. The address was also reportedly updated from the victim’s mailing address to Blevins’ address in Newberry.

DEO also reportedly provided information showing that the funds were sent to a bank account owned by Sauls, with Sauls’ phone number and Blevins’ Newberry address on the account. DEO records report $275 per week was sent to the account under the victim’s identity. Deposits were reportedly made under the names of both Sauls and the victim, and bank records show that the minimum loss to DEO was $10,225.

An investigator contacted Blevins in March 2023. At that time she reportedly said she knew the victim and Sauls was her boyfriend. She also said she had helped the victim create an unemployment account, but that was the extent of her involvement. She said she didn’t know why the email address had been changed to her email address. Blevins said Sauls “didn’t have anything to do with unemployment” and she didn’t know why his bank account was used, but she knew he wasn’t involved. She reportedly promised to contact the investigator later and also promised to have Sauls contact the investigator. However, the investigator reportedly was unable to make contact with Sauls.

In February 2024, formal charges of grand theft and engaging in an organized scheme to defraud were filed against both Blevins and Sauls, and they were arrested on May 17, 2024.

Blevins was also booked on a warrant from a January 2022 incident in which she allegedly paid for a service with a forged $200 check. Blevins has no criminal history. Bail was set by Judge James Colaw at $52,500.

Sauls, also without a criminal history, had his bail set at $50,000. His attorney filed a motion for release on his own recognizance, arguing his inability to afford the bail and asserting Blevins' statement that Sauls was uninvolved in the scheme. The motion noted that Sauls immediately hired an attorney and turned himself in upon learning of the warrant for his arrest following Blevins' arrest.

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NEWBERRY ‒ Newberry City Commissioners honored Director of Planning and Economic Development Bryan Thomas during the May 28, 2024, City Commission meeting for his 10 years of service to the Newberry community. Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe read a proclamation into the record to thank Thomas for his service and to honor him by declaring June 3, 2024, as Bryan Thomas Day in Newberry.

During his career in Newberry, which began Jan. 1, 2014, Thomas has worn many hats in service to the community. He began by serving in the City of Newberry Planning Department and has since served as the Director of Planning and Economic Development.

“He has been instrumental in helping the City Commission, Development Application Review Team, Planning and Zoning Board, the Historic Architectural Review Board, and many developers in their discussions of planning, land use, historic preservation, economic development, and many other issues that affect the City of Newberry and its residents,” said Marlowe.

A few of his accomplishments include the creation of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), streamlining of the development process, establishment of the gateway corridor standards, the creation of the Economic Development Steering Committee, and much more.

“Bryan’s service extends well beyond the Planning Department and he is well respected by the community,” said Marlowe. “Bryan has built cooperative relationships with residents, other government organizations, community groups, local non-profits, Newberry businesses, design and development professionals and other members of the community,” Marlowe said.

He commended Thomas as a hard-working and dedicated public servant, at all times committed to helping the Newberry community and administering planning regulations with a sense of fairness; and has provided invaluable leadership and guidance on many significant projects.

“On behalf of the entire City Commission, I want to express our sincere appreciation to Bryan for his loyalty to the City of Newberry and wish him much happiness as he begins this exciting new chapter in his life,” Marlowe said.

Marlowe finished by proclaiming Monday, June 3, 2024, as Bryan Thomas Day in the City of Newberry. He urged all residents and employees to join with the City Commission in congratulating Thomas on an outstanding career with the City of Newberry and wished him many continued years of happiness and good health.

Asked what Thomas has planned after his lengthy career with the City of Newberry, he remarked that he wanted to take some much needed “R & R” for the moment.

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WALDO ‒ Waldo Mayor Louie Davis has been recognized with the Florida League of City’s “Mayor John Land Years of Service Award” for his 40 years of service to the City of Waldo as a council member and mayor.

This award recognizes elected officials' years of service, and according to the Florida League of Cities (FLC), America’s municipal governments have long relied upon the unselfish leadership of their citizens for local self-government, and Florida’s municipal governments share the time-honored role as the level of government closest to the people, this reliance places extraordinary responsibilities upon elected officials – who make significant sacrifices of their time and energies on behalf of their citizenry, making this commitment a true labor of love.

The FLC honors municipal leaders who strive for excellence in the governance of their city and commit themselves to providing quality services, governing effectively and working to improve the quality of life. The award is in honor of John Land, the Mayor of Apopka for 65 years between 1949 and 2014 and who, according to the FLC, was a leader whose dedication was unsurpassed at the national and state levels and who modeled the way for decades of municipal leaders.

In addition to recognition by the Florida League of Cities, Davis was also recognized by the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council (NCFRPC) at their meeting on May 23, 2024, in Gainesville. Davis has served many terms on the NCFRPC Board, serving as chair and vice-chair over the years.

Davis’ is recognized for his service that extends beyond the City of Waldo. His active participation on various boards, including serving as Chair, and his efforts to represent Waldo from Tallahassee to Washington, DC, and beyond, have been invaluable. His efforts have not only saved the City of Waldo significant costs but also fostered strong relationships with state legislators, which have had a positive impact on Waldo and Alachua County.

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ALACHUA ‒ This past weekend, the City of Alachua’s Recreation & Culture Department and District 5 hosted the highly anticipated first round of All-Star play for youth ages 4 to 15. The event, held across multiple venues including the Hal Brady Recreation Complex, the baseball park at downtown Skinner Field, and Preacher Copland Field at Progress Park, saw participation from over 40 teams.

These teams hailed from various areas, including Alachua/High Springs, Newberry, Palatka, Bradford, Chiefland, Gainesville, Wriggly, Williston, Keystone, Melrose, Bronson, and Archer.

The tournament was marked by sportsmanship, teamwork, and dedication, leaving a lasting impression on participants and spectators alike. The local volunteers, coaches, and officials played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth execution of the event and in creating unforgettable memories for all involved. Congratulations and best of luck to the teams advancing to the Florida State Championship Round.

In addition to the sports festivities, the City of Alachua also organized a trip for its senior citizens. Last week, a group of the city’s golden agers embarked on an enriching journey to St. Augustine, Florida. The trip, which included lunch, sightseeing, strolling, shopping, and bonding, was a resounding success, thanks to the assistance and coordination of Crafty Gemini. This initiative is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to provide quarterly adventures for local senior citizens.

Looking ahead, the City of Alachua is set to offer more exciting recreational opportunities. The 399 Sports & Recreation Basketball Academy will be hosting two three-week sessions, promising a mix of fun, skill-building, and competitive games for young basketball enthusiasts. Additionally, on June 22, the Legacy Park Multipurpose Center will host the Saucy Elite Basketball Camp, featuring two-time Gainesville Sun Player of the Year Don’Trell Jenkins and other local basketball legends. These events aim to nurture young talent and provide enriching experiences for the community.

For more information on upcoming activities and programs, residents can contact the City of Alachua’s Recreation & Culture Department at recreation@cityofalachua.org or call the Legacy Multipurpose Center at 386-454-0145. Those interested in the basketball camp can reach out to 399 Sports & Recreation via email at 399sportsrecreation@gmail.com.

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