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Town Leaders and area dignitaries unveiled the Newberry Veterans Memorial honoring veterans who gave all / Photo special to Alachua County Today

NEWBERRY – A long-held vision became reality on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, as between 700 and 750 attendees gathered to witness the dedication of the Newberry Veterans Memorial. The ceremony honored local service members and celebrated the community’s dedication to bringing the memorial to life.

Newberry City Commissioner Mark Clark, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Iraq, was a driving force behind the project.

“The whole experience was an absolute pleasure,” Clark said. “I don’t know anywhere else where business owners and residents open their wallets wide and ask, ‘How much do you need?’”

The idea for the memorial took shape more than two years ago, when Clark and then-Mayor Jordan Marlowe began discussing the concept. Marlowe encouraged Clark to lead the charge. Having visited numerous veterans memorials around the country, Clark envisioned a design that would stand out. He sketched his concept, which artist Paula Willis transformed into a detailed rendering based on their conversations.

The core committee consisted of nine members who committed to the long-term effort. “We reached out to people we knew, and although many were interested, the two-plus year commitment was more than some could take on,” Clark said. Community volunteers formed an ad hoc committee to assist with fundraising.

The City of Newberry committed $350,000 in Wild Spaces & Public Places funds as seed money to launch the project. Additional contributions came from brick sales, T-shirt sales, and large private donations. Veteran names were engraved on bricks and benches placed throughout the site. Each level of contribution, whether monetary or in-kind, was acknowledged with permanent markers on benches.

Clark praised many contributors but gave special recognition to Debbie Boyd. “She kept the records and kept us straight. We met every two weeks and she was responsible for making sure everything went as planned,” he said.

Boyd confirmed the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for construction, set by Oelrich Construction, was $589,912. “In some cases, people provided in-kind services to help offset the specified cost,” said Boyd, “which was very helpful.”

A standout feature of the memorial is a life-sized bronze statue of a military working dog, a Belgian Malinois, sculpted by Master Sculptor Lena Toritch of Salt Lake City, Utah. Both Boyd and Clark noted the level of detail in the sculpture and said Toritch flew in to attend the dedication ceremony. Another guest, a man from California who had purchased memorial bricks for his two sons, also traveled to Newberry for the event.

“The ceremony took approximately 45 minutes,” Clark said. “Middle and high school bands performed the national anthem and the fight songs for each branch of service.”

Many audience members were unaware that among them sat decorated veterans, including recipients of the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star with Valor.

Asked for final thoughts, Clark replied simply: “Semper Fi” — always faithful.

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HIGH SPRINGS — The High Springs Playhouse is bringing a whirlwind of wit and laughter to the stage this June with its latest production, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] [Again] — a high-energy, comedic romp through all 37 of the Bard’s plays in just under two hours.

Performances of the show begin Friday, June 6, and run through Sunday, June 29, at the High Springs Playhouse, 23416 W. U.S. Highway 27. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Originally devised by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, The Complete Works was born in 1987 at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where three charismatic comics transformed their Renaissance fair act into what would become a global sensation.

The play went on to earn the title of London’s longest-running comedy during its decade-long run and has since been translated into several dozen languages and performed around the world.

Described as fast-paced, witty and physical, the show is filled with broad comedy, quick costume changes and sharp improvisation. It’s designed to entertain both die-hard Shakespeare fans and those who might never have read a single line of his work.

Cast members include Chelsea Chapman, Bryan Corley III, Mary J. McKire and Timothy O'Quinn.

Tickets are available online at https://www.highspringsplayhouse.com/

Advance purchase is recommended, as seating is limited and demand is expected to be high. For questions, email hsplayhouse@gmail.com or call 386 454-3525.

Performance Schedule

• Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8
• Friday, June 13 – Sunday, June 15
• Friday, June 20 – Sunday, June 22
• Friday, June 27 – Sunday, June 29

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

For more information about this and other productions, visit https://www.highspringsplayhouse.com.

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Zach Nichols received a standing ovation at the May 22, 2025, High Springs City Commission meeting in recognition of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout /Photo special to Alachua County Today

HIGH SPRINGS — The High Springs City Commission honored local resident Zach Nichols on May 22, 2025, for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest distinction in the Boy Scouts of America.

Nichols received a formal proclamation during the commission's regularly scheduled meeting, followed by a standing ovation and photo opportunity. Commissioners praised his dedication, leadership, and community service.

Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth Jr. noted the significance of the achievement, while also announcing that the local Boy Scout troop would be disbanded. According to Bloodsworth, the current members had either already earned or were in the process of completing their Eagle Scout requirements, and no new boys had joined the troop.

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NEWBERRY – A 46-year-old teacher at Newberry’s Oak View Middle School has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide in connection with a February crash that killed a 29-year-old pregnant woman from Newberry, according to law enforcement officials.

Carrie Janeene Russell was placed on administrative leave by Alachua County Public Schools on Monday, May 19, following her arrest, according to district spokeswoman Jackie Johnson. The fatal crash occurred on the evening of Feb. 16, 2024, around 7:38 p.m., when a northbound pickup truck driven by the pregnant woman was struck head-on by an SUV on U.S. Highway 27/41, near Newberry. Witnesses told investigators the SUV, later identified as being driven by Russell, crossed the center line and veered approximately three feet into the northbound lane before the collision.

The victim was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her unborn child did not survive.

A toxicology report later indicated that Russell’s blood alcohol content was 0.11, exceeding Florida’s legal limit of 0.08. The report also detected the presence of amphetamine at a concentration of 57 ng/mL. An autopsy report showed the victim tested negative for alcohol and drugs.

According to findings by the Florida Highway Patrol, Russell was solely responsible for the crash, which also caused significant damage to both vehicles.

Russell has no prior criminal history. She has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. During a court appearance, Judge James Colaw set bail at $500,000. The judge also ordered Russell to be fitted with a transdermal alcohol monitor and to surrender her passport to her attorney.

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NEWBERRY – A 19-year-old Newberry man was arrested Sunday after a shooting that killed 44-year-old Harley Van Leer, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded around 11:45 a.m. to the 25700 block of Northwest 7^th Place after reports of a shooting, the sheriff’s office said. They found Van Leer with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, authorities said.

Deputies at the scene detained David Dwayne Martin Jr., 19, after he identified himself as the shooter, officials said. Martin was taken to the sheriff’s office for questioning.

According to an arrest report, Martin told investigators the firearm used was a 9mm Glock 19 Gen5 pistol with a laser-and-strobe-light attachment and an extended 17-round magazine. He said he had initially kept the gun hidden in a backpack while in a vehicle and then moved it to his pocket shortly before the shooting, the report said.

Martin also recounted that after the shooting, he fled to an area known as Triangle Park on Northwest 260th Street and gave the gun to someone there before returning to the scene, according to the report. A witness told deputies that a man matching Martin’s description ran to a grill near the witness’s home and placed something inside it, the sheriff’s office said. Investigators searched the grill and found a handgun matching the description Martin provided, authorities said.

At one point Martin claimed he had handed the gun to a friend — described as a tall white male with long hair — after the shooting, the sheriff’s office said. When deputies pressed him about the conflicting accounts of what happened to the weapon, Martin requested an attorney, according to authorities.

Martin has been charged with carrying a concealed firearm and tampering with evidence, officials said. The shooting death remains under investigation. Authorities noted that Martin has no prior local criminal record. Judge Luis Bustamante set Martin’s bail at $500,000.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs City Commission at its May 22, 2025, meeting, addressed several key items, including the adoption of a Parks and Recreation Master Plan, appointments to the Mayor’s Youth Council, and recognition of St. Madeleine Catholic Church’s 100-year anniversary.

The meeting opened with a special presentation by State Attorney Brian Kramer, who introduced himself to the commission and community members, shared contact information, and discussed his office’s availability to support local needs.

Commissioners also issued a proclamation recognizing the Centennial Jubilee of St. Madeleine Catholic Church, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary on May 25. Applause followed the reading of the proclamation.

Two students, Jenelie Camille Avila and Zachary Nichol, were unanimously appointed to the Mayor’s Youth Council.

Kristen Kborn of GAI Consultants presented the final version of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, developed in partnership with the city through workshops and focus groups. The plan outlines a vision for future park services, levels of service, and key community priorities. Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the plan.

The commission also unanimously approved Resolution No. 2025-E and a services agreement with the Gilchrist Law Firm, P.A., securing special magistrate services for the city.

Upcoming Meetings:

• June 6: Joint meeting with Alachua County Board of County Commissioners at the Civic Center.
• June 12: City Commission Budget Workshop at 5:30 p.m., followed by a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

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