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HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs City Commission convened Thursday, April 10, 2025, to recognize two standout student groups: the Santa Fe High School Winter Guard and members of the City of High Springs/City of Alachua High School Honor Band. Both teams were applauded for their achievements and dedication throughout the season.

In addition, alternate dates were set for the September, November and December City Commission meetings and budget workshops.  Temporary suspension of the alcohol consumption ordinance for the Hot Rodding for Heroes one-day event and a change was approved of City Attorney services from one attorney to another within the same firm.

Commissioners voted unanimously to temporarily suspend the alcohol consumption ordinance for the Hot Rodding for Heroes one-day event.  The event will donate all proceeds to the Veteran’s Foundation and Marine Corps League.  The event will feature live music, food trucks and awards for the best in show as well as the top 10 vehicles.  This event has been successfully managed in the past and staff has no issues with designated drinking areas as long as clearly defined boundaries are in place.

Commissioners also voted unanimously to change City Attorney services from Scott Walker to Danielle C. Adams, an Associate with the same firm, Folds Walker.  Adams attended American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. on an academic scholarship.  During her academic career at the Washington College of Law, Adams was the Managing Editor for the Journal of Gender, Social Policy, and the Law, the top cited legal periodical in the United States in the topic area of gender, social policy and the law.  She was also the Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee Chair for all the Journals at American University.

Other topics covered by City Manager Jeremy Marshall and the Commission included an update on the Priest Theater.  Marshall said the State needs to give final approval of a request to extend the grant for the project until the end of the calendar year.  Wall pressure tests have been performed and results were sent to the State for their review.  The City is waiting on the State approval prior to completing construction.

In other business, the City has received two magistrate bids and will place both items on the next meeting’s agenda.

Marshall will be meeting with the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD regarding the city-owned and operated Canoe Outpost.

The City is working with bond attorneys and Alachua County regarding a Wild Spaces Public Places matter.   As reported by Alachua County Today in its April 4, 2025, edition, Marshall said at the March 27, 2025 City Commission meeting that there is a possible repayment of $260,000 in Wild Spaces & Public Places funds used toward the purchase of Canoe Outpost. Marshall said Alachua County had notified the city earlier in the day about the issue.

Marshall noted the matter was still in early negotiations and expressed hope that, if repayment is necessary, the city would not have to return the full amount immediately. He added that he and the city’s finance director were reviewing options with the county and would provide updates as discussions continue.

The next Florida League of Cities will provide free tutoring on April 21 at the Douglass Center.  

Commissioner Katherine Weitz requested and received permission to send a letter asking that the City of High Springs be listed as an affected party regarding Tomoka Hills in Alachua.

Marshall reported that the Garden Club, whose building was damaged during the last hurricane, is still looking for a location for their meetings.  Marshall said he is looking at rooms at Canoe Outpost for Club members to meet. 

The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for April 24 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

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alachuatoday.com

NEWBERRY – The City of Newberry held a swearing-in ceremony Monday evening to officially install its newly elected mayor and commissioners following the 2025 municipal election.

City Clerk Judy Rice administered the oath of office to Mayor Tim Marden, Commissioner Group IV Donald Long, and Commissioner Group V Tony Mazon during a ceremony held at 6 p.m. on April 28, 2025, at City Hall.

Before the ceremony, the official results of the 2025 Newberry Municipal Election were announced. According to the City of Newberry, 1,676 voters participated out of 6,590 eligible voters, marking a turnout rate of 25.4 percent.

In the race for mayor, Tim Marden received 886 votes, defeating challenger Joy Glanzer, who garnered 788 votes. For the Group IV City Commission seat, Donald Lewis Long won with 1,019 votes over Steve Panaghi, who received 610 votes. In the Group V City Commission race, Tony Mazon secured a decisive victory with 1,145 votes, while Rosa Marie Campbell received 510 votes. Election results reflect votes cast on Election Day, by vote-by-mail ballot, and via hand count.

Following the swearing-in, the commission read Resolution 2025-15 into the record and conducted internal elections for leadership roles. Tony Mazon was elected Chairperson Pro-Tempore, and Rick Coleman was elected Alternate Chairperson Pro-Tempore.

The ceremony concluded ahead of the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting, which began at 7 p.m.

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 ALACHUA ‒ Three local elementary schools in Alachua and High Springs received a major boost to their literacy efforts during National Library Week, thanks to a surprise visit from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), who marked 20 years of partnership with a generous donation of grants and books.

W.W. Irby Elementary School and Alachua Elementary School, both located in Alachua, along with High Springs Community School in High Springs, each received a $20,000 literacy grant from DGLF. In total, the schools received $60,000 in funding and nearly 4,500 new books from RIF to support reading engagement in and out of the classroom.

More than 30 Dollar General employees from area stores and the company’s Alachua distribution center joined RIF representatives on-site to help students select books to take home and encourage their love of reading outside the classroom.

“The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is thrilled to celebrate more than two decades of partnership with Reading Is Fundamental and our collective commitment to enhancing literacy and education in our hometown communities,” said Denine Torr, executive director of the foundation. “We are proud to celebrate today, and during National Library Week, by helping enhance local literacy programs that open doorways to new opportunities and brighter futures for Alachua-area students.”

The donation event highlighted the long-standing involvement of the three schools in RIF’s flagship Books for Ownership program. All three have participated since the national literacy partnership began in 2004. The program annually supports more than 60 elementary schools, offering students the opportunity to select high-quality books based on their interests.

The visit also reflected Dollar General’s continued investment in the area, with its Alachua distribution center serving as a key employer and community partner in North Central Florida. Since its founding in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $254 million in grants and supported more than 21.8 million individuals through adult, youth, family, and summer reading programs. The partnership with RIF has helped distribute more than 2.2 million books to approximately 680,000 students nationwide in communities served by Dollar General.

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HIGH SPRINGS – Tensions flared at a High Springs fast-food drive-thru Saturday when an argument escalated into a reported gun threat. A Jacksonville man was arrested Saturday evening after allegedly pulling a gun and threatening two people during an argument at a fast-food drive-thru in High Springs, according to police.

Christian Glenn Rogers, 26, was taken into custody at approximately 5:50 p.m. on April 26, 2025, after an incident at the Hardee’s restaurant located at 19143 N.W. U.S. Highway 441, the High Springs Police Department reported.

According to an arrest report, Rogers was in a vehicle at the drive-thru window when another individual approached to cancel an order. Witnesses said Rogers and his passenger exited their vehicle and began yelling at the individual.

Two other uninvolved customers reportedly got out of their vehicle and confronted Rogers about the altercation. At that point, Rogers allegedly spit in the face of one of the individuals, told them to “try me,” and threatened to kill them if they did, authorities said.

Rogers then allegedly reached into his vehicle, retrieved a firearm from under a seat, racked the slide, and pointed the gun at the two victims, according to police. Rogers and his passenger then fled the scene, traveling northbound on County Road 236.

High Springs officers initiated a traffic stop near the southbound Interstate 75 exit at mile marker 399. A search of the vehicle uncovered a 9mm handgun under the passenger seat, loaded with one round in the chamber and eight rounds in the magazine, according to the arrest report.

Police said the accounts provided by the two victims and an uninvolved witness were consistent.

After being read his Miranda rights, Rogers reportedly denied that a gun was involved and said the victims initiated the argument.

Rogers was charged with battery and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Court records show he has no local criminal history but has previous convictions in Duval County for driving under the influence and driving without a valid license.

Judge Gloria Walker set bail at $10,000.

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alachuatoday.com

ALACHUA – The City of Alachua’s Recreation and Culture Department marked a busy weekend with a series of community events and spring sports in full swing across local facilities.

Last Saturday, Copeland Progress Park was abuzz with Santa Fe Babe Ruth Baseball games, while Santa Fe High School’s Raider Regiment presented “Painted Melodies” — a music, art, and craft festival held at the Legacy Multipurpose Amphitheater. At the same time, the city’s annual Easter Egg Hunt brought hundreds of families to the Hal Brady Recreation Complex.

More than 3,000 colorful eggs — including several golden eggs with special prizes — were scattered throughout the complex. Children received free baskets filled with eggs and candy upon arrival. Participants were divided by age group and guided to designated hunting areas by city staff and volunteers. After the egg hunt, families lined up for professional photos with the Easter Bunny, courtesy of Magnolia Lane Studios.

Spring programming continues across the city, with youth volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball, flag football, and cheerleading leagues currently underway.

Looking ahead, the annual Relay for Life event is scheduled for the evening of Friday, April 25, at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex.

The City is also accepting registrations for its Legacy Kids Adventure Camp. Parents can sign up their children Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Legacy Multipurpose Center.

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