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ALACHUA ‒ A wrong-way driver was arrested late March 9, 2025, after colliding head-on with another vehicle on U.S. Highway 441, leading to multiple charges, including DUI and possession of a controlled substance.

At approximately 10:15 p.m., Alachua Police Department (APD) Officer Garrido observed a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes near Northwest 135th Terrace. After turning around and activating emergency lights, the officer attempted to intercept the vehicle, but before a stop could be initiated, the driver crashed into a 2003 silver Dodge. The impact disabled both vehicles.

The driver of the Dodge was evaluated at the scene and was medically cleared. The wrong-way driver, identified as Ludwin E. Funes Salazar, showed clear signs of impairment, including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and the smell of alcohol. Salazar refused to perform field sobriety exercises and was found to be unlicensed, presenting only a Guatemalan passport. Despite the crash, he declined medical attention from fire rescue personnel.

Salazar was taken into custody and, following Alachua County Jail policy, was transported to a local hospital for medical clearance. While at the hospital, he became combative, resisting officers and stepping on a Gainesville Police officer’s foot.

After being transported to the Alachua County Jail, Salazar consented to a breath test, which revealed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.245—more than three times the legal limit. A search at the jail uncovered two small baggies containing 0.3 grams of cocaine hidden in his jeans pocket.

A subsequent search of Salazar’s vehicle before it was towed revealed multiple alcoholic beverages and open containers.

Salazar faces several charges, including DUI, driving without a license, resisting an officer, and possession of a controlled substance.

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ALACHUA ‒ A verbal dispute escalated into a shooting on March 4, 2025, prompting a multi-agency law enforcement response and a high-risk traffic stop in High Springs.

At approximately 4:41 p.m., Alachua Police Department (APD) officers responded to reports of a gunshot victim in the 13800 block of Northwest 148^th Place. Due to the severity of the call, assistance was requested from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO) and the High Springs Police Department (HSPD).

Upon arrival, officers found a male victim with a gunshot wound to his leg. First responders provided immediate first aid, securing the scene for Alachua County Fire Rescue personnel to administer medical care. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where an APD detective continued the investigation.

While attending to the victim, officers determined that the suspect had already fled the scene. However, because the suspect and victim were known to each other, law enforcement was quickly able to obtain the suspect’s name, physical description, and vehicle details.

As ASO and HSPD units assisted in the response, officers located the suspect’s vehicle traveling north on U.S. Highway 441 toward High Springs. A “high-risk” traffic stop was conducted near Northwest 218^th Terrace, where the suspect complied with law enforcement and was taken into custody without incident. The individual was then transported to APD headquarters for questioning.

Preliminary findings indicate that the shooting stemmed from a verbal dispute between the suspect and victim. However, at this stage of the active investigation, no arrests have been made. The suspect, after being questioned, was released pending further investigation.

Due to the ongoing nature of the case, APD has not released additional details, including the identities of those involved.

The Alachua Police Department expressed gratitude to ASO, HSPD, and Alachua County Fire Rescue for their assistance in ensuring a swift and safe response to the incident.

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ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua is approaching the final stages of its Water Quality and Resiliency Improvement Project, a major infrastructure initiative designed to strengthen the city’s water supply and enhance long-term reliability. The project includes the construction of a new wellfield, advanced treatment facility, and additional infrastructure aimed at ensuring residents have dependable access to clean water.

At the heart of the project is a new supply production well capable of producing one million gallons of water per day. The wellfield will also house Florida’s first-of-its-kind water treatment facility, an operating center, yard piping upgrades, electrical backup systems and other improvements designed to increase efficiency and resilience.

The initiative is a direct response to Alachua’s commitment to proactive infrastructure planning, supporting both current residents and future growth. Beyond expanding capacity, the project adds geographical redundancy, reducing the risk of service interruptions caused by natural disasters or unforeseen water quality issues.

“This project is a direct result of the forward-thinking mission and vision of the City Commission, and it will propel our community into a new season of redundancy and reliability for the City,” said City Manager Mike DaRoza. “Operating at this level of proactivity echoes our continued commitment to providing a top-quality level of service to our citizens.”

The need for such improvements became clear in 2017, when Hurricane Irma caused disruptions to the City’s potable water sources. The new wellfield will provide critical safeguards against similar challenges in the future, reinforcing the city's ability to withstand extreme weather events and other potential water supply threats.

The Water Quality and Resiliency Improvement Project is expected to be completed by mid- to late-2025, marking a significant milestone in Alachua’s long-term strategy for water security and sustainable growth.

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NEWBERRY ‒ During the Feb. 24, 2025, meeting of the Newberry City Commission, Director of Community Development Stacey Hectus introduced the City’s Building Division Team and provided updates on parking expansion in downtown Newberry. Commissioners also celebrated the City’s recent recognition by the Florida Municipal Electric Association’s (FMEA) Restoring Communities Award and announced an upcoming joint City/County meeting in May.

Hectus introduced the Building Division Team, which was reported fully staffed as of Jan. 27, 2025. The team includes Ashley Monk, Building Permit Tech I, Michael Booth, Building Permit Tech II, Tony Carpenter, Building Inspector and David Meyer, Building Official. Commissioners and audience members welcomed the team, acknowledging their role in ensuring the City’s continued growth and development.

In other business, Assistant Director of Utilities and Public Works Rance Green shared that Newberry was one of 28 Florida public power utilities recognized with the Restoring Communities Award from the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA). This award honors utilities for their exceptional power restoration efforts following severe weather events and for providing mutual aid assistance to neighboring communities.

In 2024, Florida endured one of its most destructive hurricane seasons in recent years, including Hurricane Debby – a Category 1 storm that caused widespread power outages and Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton – two back-to-back major hurricanes that left extensive damage across Florida.

Newberry’s public power crews worked tirelessly to restore power quickly and safely. In addition to aiding local communities, Newberry’s electric utility workers provided mutual aid assistance to Louisiana following Hurricane Francine, and South Carolina and Florida electric cooperatives after Hurricane Helene.

Green emphasized that the dedication and quick response of Newberry’s electric utility teams played a crucial role in helping the community and neighboring areas recover from severe storm damage.

The meeting also included two official proclamations recognizing the contributions of City Clerk Judy Rice. Resolution 25-79, from the Florida Association of City Clerks, highlighted Rice’s years of service to the City of Newberry. And a City resolution, read by Mayor Jordan Marlowe, honored Rice’s dedication and impact on the community. Commissioners expressed gratitude for Rice’s commitment to the City and her role in ensuring efficient local government operations.

In still other business, commissioners reviewed a presentation on ways to increase parking in downtown Newberry. Current parking availability (FDOT Data) is 109 on-street parking spaces and 83 off-street parking lot spaces for a total 192 total existing parking spaces.

The proposed future parking expansion includes 134 on-street parking spaces and 22 off-street parking spaces for a total of 156 projected parking spaces.

City staff presented a map of proposed parking expansions, highlighting potential areas for additional parking spaces. No formal vote was required at this time, as the presentation was for informational purposes only.

A joint meeting between the Newberry City Commission and the Alachua County Commission is scheduled for Monday, May 12, at 7 p.m.

One of the key topics expected to be discussed is the Southwest 15^th Street project, which both commissions have expressed interest in. Mayor Jordan Marlowe encouraged commissioners from both City and County levels to suggest additional agenda items.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission welcomed mayoral and commission candidates during its latest meeting, providing an opportunity for them to introduce themselves and discuss their campaigns.

Mayoral candidate Tim Marden and Commission Group IV candidates Donald Lewis Long and Steve Panaghi addressed the commission and audience members. Their remarks focused on their visions for the city and key priorities for their campaigns.

The remaining candidates, mayoral candidate Joy Glanzer and Commission Group V candidates Rosa Marie Campbell and Antonio (Tony) Mazon, are scheduled to speak at the next City Commission meeting.

In preparation for the upcoming April 8 municipal election, commissioners unanimously appointed the Board of Canvassers. The board will oversee election procedures, with Mark Clark serving as chairperson, alongside Commissioner Monty Farnsworth and City Clerk Judy Rice.

Commissioners also heard from Ag-Tech and F-300 consultant Kamal Lathem, who highlighted efforts to position Florida as the “Silicon Valley of Agriculture.”

Lathem detailed the goals of the program, which include upskilling the workforce, attracting AgTech enterprises, and funding research and entrepreneurship to accelerate solutions to market. He also introduced the F-300 AgFood Tech Startup Accelerator, a three-month program designed to support agriculture and food technology startups.

The “F” in F-300 represents Florida, while “300” signifies the 300 specialty crops grown in the state. Lathem noted that two companies have already expressed interest in the program.

Over the past year, the program has held an F-300 stakeholder meeting, added new consortium members, completed an incubator feasibility study, and held a European AgTech company meeting and demonstration with dairy farms. Other key milestones included submitting an application for the Florida Job Growth Grant, securing media coverage in FDI Alliance International Magazine, and welcoming 15 new consortium members.

Lathem also highlighted that Duke Energy awarded Newberry a $20,000 grant, and the city was honored with the 2024 StartGNV Community Builder Award.

In other City business, Acting City Manager Dallas Lee announced that “The Great American Cleanup” will take place in Newberry on March 21-22 and that Government Finance Professionals Week is set for March 17-21. Lee also met with the new Alachua County sheriff and plans to present a tentative law enforcement agreement to the commission in May.

In other business, the commission unanimously approved a contract to sell property to the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners for a Rural Collection Center and Recreation Director Rod Clark presented a proposal to expand the Easton Newberry Sports Complex, showing slides of the planned expansion.

City Attorney Scott Walker introduced Tom Robinson as the newest hire in the city’s legal office, while Commissioner Mark Clark announced that the Veterans Memorial is nearing completion.

Commissioner Tony Mazon announced that the Spring Festival will take place on April 5, and Movie Night will be held at the Martin Luther King Center, 255 N.W. 6^th Avenue.

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GAINESVILLE ‒ A 45-year-old Archer man was arrested Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, following a traffic stop in northwest Gainesville and charged with selling marijuana, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Larry Donnell Porter was stopped around 8:23 p.m. in the 7600 block of West Newberry Road after reportedly failing to stop at a marked stop bar before making a right turn. After turning, the black Dodge Charger Porter was driving allegedly crossed over the center line and back, and deputies noted that the vehicle’s window tint appeared to be illegal, which was later confirmed.

According to the arrest report, Porter declined a deputy’s request to search his vehicle. A K-9 unit was called to the scene and alerted deputies to the presence of drugs, leading to a probable cause search.

Deputies reported finding a grey, locked, scent-proof backpack in the vehicle. After initially stating he did not know the combination, Porter eventually provided the code. During the stop, deputies said Porter called his wife to tell her where to find money at their house and instructed her to contact a lawyer and his employer, actions deputies said indicated he expected to be arrested.

Inside the backpack, deputies said they found two additional locked, odor-proof bags containing multiple packages of marijuana, a digital scale, an empty heat-seal bag and other materials commonly associated with drug distribution. The total weight of marijuana recovered was approximately 141 grams, according to the report.

Porter, who reportedly holds a medical marijuana card, was noted in the arrest report as being “well aware of the requirements” for legally possessing marijuana. However, deputies said the marijuana found was not in dispensary containers and was packaged for street-level sales.

After being read his Miranda rights, Porter reportedly denied knowledge of the marijuana but said his fingerprints would likely be on at least one of the bags. While being transported to jail, he reportedly remarked, “It’s just marijuana.”

In a social media post following the arrest, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office warned of the risks associated with street-purchased marijuana.

“While most in our community may find no harm in Marijuana, we want to remind you of the many stops we have conducted where we continue to find that what seems to be ‘just weed’ is often laced with deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine,” the post read. “There is a mission here and it’s simple. No street level narcotic is safe. We must do everything possible to prevent having to tell a family member that their loved one overdosed because they thought they were ‘just smoking weed.’”

Porter is charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, selling or distributing marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Court records show Porter has a criminal history including juvenile convictions from 1994 to 1997, six adult felony convictions—two of them violent—and four misdemeanor convictions. He has previously served two state prison sentences and was last released in 2010.

Judge Meshon Rawls set Porter’s bail at $55,000. Porter was released on bail on Feb. 28, 2025.

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