Local

HAWTHORNE –  As part of the of widening improvements on State Road 20 from the Putnam County line to SW 56^th Avenue, Chesser Monroe Road at State Road 20 will close to traffic Wednesday, February 16 through late April, weather and schedule permitting. The temporary closure is necessary to complete driveway, sidewalk and asphalt paving tie-in work.

Drivers will detour via Baden Powel Avenue to East Washington Avenue to return to Chesser Monroe Road (map below).

Anderson Columbia Co. Inc. is estimated to complete the $49 million widening improvements by early 2023. Construction completion estimates are fluid and subject to change, weather and schedule permitting. 

February is “hit-and-run” awareness month in Florida. When you flee the scene of a crash, you are breaking the law, which carries serious consequences. FDOT reminds motorists to take responsibility and stay at the scene of a crash.

Stay informed about lane closures and roadwork in your area by following FDOT District 2 at @MyFDOT_NEFL on Twitter or at MyFDOTNEFL on Facebook.

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The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention’s popular adults-only evening event, Cade After Dark 21+, returns with spring dates and all new activities centered around a different theme each month. 

At Cade After Dark 21+, guests can relax with adult beverages while reliving their childhood with board games and science experiments and checking out the museum’s latest exhibits. Past events have gotten visitors’ hands sticky with gooey slime while blowing minds with Shrinky Dinks, 3D-pen drawing tables, and radioactive snow, and entertaining with giant Jenga and other old school games. 

Cade After Dark guests can enjoy some snacks and then work them off by testing their strength and endurance in the Sweat Solution, the Cade’s permanent exhibit that tells the story of the invention of Gatorade.  

They can then take an afterhours look at the Cade’s current museum-wide themes and temporary exhibits. This spring, the Cade unravels textile technology in the theme Tech Tapestry and exhibit Fabric Frontiers, demonstrating how a penchant for fancy silks in 18th century France inspired the first computers, or how the evolution of cold weather clothing unfolded through three generations of Antarctic explorers.  

A host of tactile, experimental and STEAM-powered activities fill every nook and cranny at Cade After Dark. Each month something new and surprising awaits participants. 

Cure the end-of-season, post-Super Bowl blues at the February 18 Cade After Dark, where a roster full of football-themed games, refreshments and activities provide adults a much-needed timeout.  

Recharge those drained, mid-semester batteries on March 18. Participants will have an electrifyingly good time as all things light and electricity course through the museum’s activities and games. The Cade’s brand-new exhibit on the inventions you find in bathrooms (that’s right, bathrooms) will be brimming with scavenger hunts and other bathroom-related distractions and adventures. 

After getting wired up in March, the Cade will switch its flip for an ultimate glow in the dark vibe session on April 8th. Attendees’ smiles will surely light up the room, along with their glow sticks and glowing slime. Afterall, growing up can be hard. Why not glow up instead?  

Speaking of growing up, the Cade is turning four in May! Party hats and kazoos will be encouraged at the Cade After Dark Birthday Bazar on May 20th. Attendees will also be able to explore the world of storytelling through animation in the Cade’s latest exhibit, Animationland. 

“We’re thrilled to be able to set aside this time just for adults, away from the hustle and bustle of daily museum activities, field trips, and group tours,” says Cade Museum President and CEO, Stephanie Bailes. “It’s a chance to really be immersed in the museum. I love seeing the wild experiments our educators come up with and the games that take over the museum at night. It’s the perfect date night or friends’ night out!”  

Cade After Dark 21+ takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, March 18, April 8, and May 20. To register in advance, visit cademuseum.org/calendar. Adults 21 and older only will be admitted. Admission is $15 per person and includes a drink ticket, redeemable at the Cade’s cash bar. Additional drinks will be available for purchase. Also included is a free ticket to a raffle prize drawing.  

Cade After Dark is sponsored by First Magnitude Brewing Company and Goldie’s Burgers. 

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ALACHUA – The City of Alachua has named a new Chief of Police. Interim City Manager Mike DaRoza appointed Lt. Jesse Sandusky to the position effective Feb. 1, 2022. 

An 18-year veteran of the Alachua Police Department, Sandusky takes over for outgoing Chief Chad Scott, who resigned after 13-plus years.  Scott will be taking a position at the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. 

Sandusky has served in many different capacities throughout his career, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. He began his career in 2003 as an officer in the Patrol Division. 

“After we learned of Chief Scott’s plans, the choice became clear who needed to take the helm,” DaRoza said. “Jesse has grown alongside the department for nearly two decades, and has developed the necessary leadership and trust our community needs to take us to the next level.” 

With a strong interest in the investigative side of law enforcement, Sandusky served for several years as a Detective, and ultimately a Detective Sergeant within the Criminal Investigations Division before being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and appointed as the Commander of the Administration Division. 

Sandusky, the long-time Public Information Officer for the Alachua Police Department, was elected President of the Florida Law Enforcement Public Information Officer Association where he served for two years. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Peaceful Paths Domestic Violence Network. 

“Chief Sandusky is a trusted leader who has built important relationships in our community,” said Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper.  “He has a proven track record as a police officer and a problem solver, and I know he will be an effective leader for the Alachua Police Department.”

“I am honored to have this opportunity to lead such a great team of dedicated law enforcement professionals,” Sandusky said. “Together, we will continue the tradition of providing excellent law enforcement services to the residents and visitors of the City of Alachua. The safety of our citizens will always remain top priority.”

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GAINESVILLE  – Students and faculty at Santa Fe College (SF) will join others across the nation during the month of February to celebrate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. CTE Month is recognized to celebrate and highlight the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs both in the state of Florida and across the nation.   

  “Our CTE programs are designed to work in collaboration with our business community, to provide students with the training required for the high-demand careers here in North Central Florida,” SF Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs – CTE, Dr. Tyran Butler said. “We are proud of the work our students do, this CTE month and every month.”   

CTE can accelerate personal and professional success. With little to no barriers to enrollment and 17 career pathways to choose from, individuals can acquire the skills needed through real-world, hands-on experience.   

“The CTE programs at Santa Fe College provide our community with highly skilled workers in a number of regionally in-demand industries, including critical fields like healthcare and biotechnology,” added SF Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs – Health, Dr. Jodi Long. “What students learn in the classroom and labs provides the necessary training for successful careers that promote economic security and opportunities for upward mobility and even higher wages.” 

As our faculty prepare CTE students for their future careers as skilled professionals, students engage in hands-on learning with real life applications. These approaches to teaching are linked to greater understanding, comprehension, and retention.  

  CTE offers a way for students to gain skills and earn certifications in some of Florida’s most critical and desirable industries. Unlike traditional higher education, CTE programs can set individuals on the right path in less time with less cost. 

  To see what SF has to offer in Career and Technical Education, visit sfcollege.edu/cte.

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NEWBERRY – A Newberry man is behind bars after deputies say he hit a 15-year-old child with a rock in an altercation on Feb. 4.  Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the scene of a fight between 37-year old Kenneth Polk and another family member.  

A witness said that the two had gotten into an argument over a gun that the 15-year-old said he had found in Gainesville.  During the physical altercation, Polk shoved the child and took the gun from him in an attempt to dispose of it.  Polk then left the residence with the boy following him in an attempt to recover the weapon.  

The child chased Polk onto the railroad tracks at which point witnesses said Polk picked up a rock from the train track bed and threw it at the child, hitting him in the back of the head and causing a raised knot of approximately 1.5 inches in diameter.  

Polk fled the area but was located several hours later walking southbound along State Road 45.  Post Miranda Polk admitted to being involved in a physical altercation, but denied throwing a rock and claimed the 15-year-old was the primary aggressor.

Polk was subsequently arrested for child abuse and transported to the Alachua County Jail.

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