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ALACHUA ‒ As Florida braces for the potential impact of Hurricane Helene, state and local officials are ramping up preparations. The storm, currently intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to make landfall by Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, potentially as a Category 3 hurricane.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 61 counties, expanding the initial declaration as the storm's threat increases. Evacuations are underway in several coastal areas, especially in regions vulnerable to storm surge like the Big Bend.

Hurricane and storm surge watches have been issued for the Gulf Coast of Florida, including the Florida Panhandle and portions of Florida’s west coast. The National Hurricane Center forecasts this system will strengthen while moving northward over the Gulf of Mexico.

Residents are being urged to finalize preparations, including gathering emergency supplies. Sandbags are being distributed in flood-prone areas, and local authorities are preparing for potential heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and strong winds. Storm surge is expected to reach up to 9 feet in some areas, and rainfall could total 8 inches in parts of North Florida.  

On Tuesday Alachua County issued a local State of Emergency in preparation for Tropical Storm Helene, which was upgraded from a potential tropical cyclone. The order was passed at Tuesday’s County Commission meeting. Alachua County has also activated the 311 Emergency Information Line (352-264-6557 if 311 is unavailable in your area). This is for questions and rumor control. If there is an actual emergency, call 911. Alachua County officials are urging residents not to underestimate the potential impact of this storm. Residents are urged to make sure they have hurricane kits and emergency plans are ready.

Sandbag Locations

Alachua County staff will distribute 10 sandbags per vehicle at designated locations. Sandbags are available at Alachua County’s Wayside Park, 11855 N.W. U.S. Highway 441, Alachua. Distribution began on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and was scheduled to continue until Wednesday at 9 a.m., weather permitting, until 3 p.m. The County says that after staffed hours, sand, bags and shovels will be available for self-service.

In the City of High Springs, an unmanned sandbag site has been opened at Memorial Park, 17380 N.W. U.S. Highway 441. Bags and sand are limited although additional truckloads of sand are being delivered. Anyone wishing to obtain sand from this site must bring their own shovel and be prepared to load their own bags.

For residents of the City of Gainesville, pre-made sandbags were being provided at the Public Works Center, 405 N.W. 39^th Ave., Gainesville. Distribution began Tuesday, Sept. 24 and was scheduled to continue Wednesday at 8 a.m. A limit of 10 filled sandbags per vehicle can be picked up at this location. To ease traffic flow, arrive at this location via northbound Northwest 6^th Street and then turn east (right) onto Northwest 39^th Ave.

Self-Serve sandbags were available on the same schedule at Citizens Field, 1000 N.E. Waldo Rd., Gainesville. Persons wishing to obtain sandbags from Citizens Field should be prepared to bring a shovel or trowel to fill sandbags. Assistance is available for those in need. To ease traffic flow, access the site from Northeast 12^th Ave. via Waldo Road, or travel south on Northeast 15^th Street via Northeast 16^th Ave.

The City of Hawthorne has sand and bags available at the City of Hawthorne Wastewater Treatment Plant, 23016 S.E. 65^th Lane. Residents are informed to be prepared to fill their own bags.

The City of Newberry has sand and bags available at the public works compound at 120 N.W. 260^th Street and residents are advised to bring their own shovels.

Early Prescription Refills

Additionally, the Florida Department of Health is working with emergency managers statewide to prepare for any impacts to communities and reminds Floridians to have enough of their prescriptions on hand in the event pharmacies are temporarily unavailable. Under a state of emergency, Floridians are permitted to receive early prescription refills. An early refill may include controlled substances as long as the medical drug is not listed in Schedule II appearing in Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, of the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act.

State Emergency Response

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) activated the State Emergency Operations Center to a Level 1 on Tuesday, Sept. 24 and is leading coordination efforts for the State Emergency Response Team. FDEM is hosting twice-daily calls with all 67 counties to identify needs and to ensure the state is prepared to respond quickly and efficiently.

Additionally, FDEM is coordinating with state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector partners to facilitate ongoing resource requests for counties, including requests for water, generators and support personnel.

Nearly 500 missions are being facilitated by the State Emergency Response Team to assist counties in their preparation efforts. These missions accomplish vital tasks like prestaging response resources, protecting critical infrastructure facilities like hospitals and utility stations, and coordinating personnel statewide.

The Florida State Guard (FSG) has prepared the following:

• 250+ Soldiers ready to deploy.
• 10 shallow water vessel boat teams
• 7 flat-bottom-flood rescue skiffs
• 2 amphibious rescue vehicles
• 12 UTV’s
• 15 Cut and toss crews
• 7 search and rescue teams
• 1 UH-60 Blackhawk for daytime aerial assessment and logistics missions

Important actions to take include:

• Secure loose items around your home that could be carried by strong winds.
• Protect properties in flood-prone areas.
• Trim tree limbs around windows and clear debris.
• Move vehicles away from trees.
• Ensure all family members are familiar with your emergency plan.
• Prepare for possible extended power outages.
• Refill essential prescription medications.
• Create a plan for pets.
• Check-in on neighbors, particularly those with special needs.
• For the latest storm track and updates, Alachua County recommends visiting www.weather.gov/media/jax/briefings/nws-jax-briefing.pdf

Local residents may sign up for text alerts by texting the word ALACHUA to 888-777 to stay fully informed of any disaster-related information related specifically to Alachua County

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ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ Alachua Country began the widening and resurfacing of Southwest 170^th Street (County Road 241) south of Archer on Sept. 9, 2024. The $4.7 million project will begin at the intersection of Southwest 143^rd Avenue and extend approximately 3.1 miles to the Levy County line. The project includes milling and paving the existing asphalt surface, widening the travel lanes to 11 feet and adding four-foot-wide paved shoulders for improved safety.

The southern 2.5 miles is being funded by a safety grant from the Federal Highway Administration and the remainder by County general fund dollars.

“I am so excited about this and the many road projects both underway and planned,” said Alachua County Commission Chair Mary Alford. “Between the voter-approved Wild Spaces Public Places surtax, Gas Tax, general fund dollars and grants, the County Commission has assembled over a quarter of a billion dollars to fund our aggressive pavement management plan.”

Local paving contractor Watson Construction Company, LLC has been awarded the construction contract for the project. Alachua County officials remind the public to expect some delays while traveling this road during the next seven months.

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ALACHUA COUNTY – A 25-year-old Newberry man was arrested at approximately 7:57 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, and charged with DUI, DUI with serious bodily injury to another person and DUI with property damage after allegedly crashing his car into a ditch and a fence after inhaling nitrous oxide.

Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies and Florida Highway Patrol Troopers responded to a crash on County Road 241/Northwest 143^rd Street, north of Northwest 39^th Avenue in Gainesville. The deputy reported that a gray Mini Cooper with major damage had crashed into a ditch and a wooden fence.

Several witnesses stayed at the scene and reportedly told officers that Henlo Diedricks had been driving the Mini Cooper south on CR 241 and the car had been weaving in and out of its lane. Witnesses reported that the car swerved out of its lane and crashed into the ditch and then into the fence. Witnesses also reportedly told the deputy that Diedricks said he had just inhaled nitrous oxide, known as “whip-its.”

Diedricks reportedly performed poorly on field sobriety exercises. The deputy noted that his lips appeared to be “crusted and looked to have freeze-dried skin on both lips. This is commonly associated with inhaling [nitrous oxide].” The deputy reported finding two bottles of nitrous oxide on the back seat floorboard behind the front passenger seat. One of the bottles was cold to the touch, indicating it had been used recently.

At the jail, Diedricks reportedly provided two breath samples, which were both 0.000. He reportedly consented to providing a blood sample after he was medically cleared at an emergency room.

Diedricks’ passenger was trauma-alerted to an emergency room, where she was confirmed to have a broken arm. She spontaneously said that she and Diedricks had both been inhaling nitrous oxide while driving.

Diedricks has no criminal history. He was released on his own recognizance to treatment supervision for substance abuse by Judge Denise Ferrero, who also added a prohibition on any alcohol or illegal drugs along with “No huffing.”

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Alachua Lions Club members joined together with Troop 88 Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts to celebrate completion of scout hut renovations with a ribbon cutting ceremony. / Alachua County Today Staff Photographer

Renovated And Expanded Scout Hut Unveiled

ALACHUA ‒ Renovations to Alachua Boy Scout Troop 88’s scout hut are now officially complete. Chartered in 1912, Troop 88 is one of the oldest Boy Scout troops in the United States, with deep ties to the Alachua community and the Alachua Lions Club. The troop has been sponsored by the Alachua Lions Club since the organization’s charter in 1931.

Located on Northwest 142^nd Terrace across from the Alachua Post Office, the Alachua Lions Club broke ground for the expansion of the scout hut on Nov. 10, 2023. The renovation project included a major expansion, increasing the size of the scout hut by two-thirds. Renovations included the refurbishment of the existing restroom, the construction of a new wheelchair-accessible restroom, a new HVAC system, and the addition of a covered front porch.

On Sept. 7, 2024, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the renovations. The event attracted a large crowd that include Lions Club members, current and former Boy Scout Troop 88 and Cub Scout members and leaders. Lions Club members attending included Alachua Mayor and Lions Club Troop 88 Liaison Gib Coerper, Lions Club member and Alachua Vice Mayor Ed Potts, Lions Club Past President Paul Good and Alachua City Commissioner Shirley Green Brown.

Alachua Lions Club President Jack Zuidema offered remarks about the project and the importance the renovated and expanded facility will make for current and future scouts. Coerper led the ribbon cutting ceremony that formally marked the end of construction and a new beginning for the scouts who will be using the building.

Alachua Lions Club records show that the first scout hut in Alachua was built in the 1930s with the help of the Lions Club. After that building burned down in 1983, club member Gilbert Whitman spearheaded the construction of a new scout hut. Tragically, Whitman was killed in a car accident on February 14, 1984, after helping pour the concrete for the new building. The new scout hut, completed in February 1984, was dedicated in his memory.

In 2017, Lions Club member Gib Coerper began efforts to raise funds for another major expansion, with a total price tag of $185,000. Donations from the community, including Scherer Construction, made the renovated scout hut possible. Despite material delays pushing back the initial completion date, construction is now complete.

Thanks to the efforts of so many community members and supporters, Troop 88 now has a larger and fully modernized scout hut to serve future generations.

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ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ The voter registration deadline for the 2024 General Election is Oct. 7, 2024. This deadline is now four weeks away.

All registered voters, regardless of their party affiliation, will be able to vote for the candidates running in their electoral districts and on state constitutional amendments.

Election Day for the General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Any individual who would like to participate in the General Election must be registered to vote by Oct. 7, 2024.

If you are not yet registered to vote, there are numerous ways to register:

• Online: Florida residents can register to vote online. The online voter registration portal — found at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov — is a safe and secure option for voter registration. You will need a valid Florida State ID (Florida Driver's License number/Florida ID Card number) and the last four digits of your social security number.
• In person: The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections office, which is located at 515 N. Main Street on the third floor, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Voter registration forms can also be completed and turned in at any Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office or any Alachua County Public Library.
• By mail: Forms are available online at VoteAlachua.gov. Completed forms must be received by the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office before 5 p.m. on the Oct. 7, 2024, deadline.

Already registered voters are encouraged to verify and update their voter registration status. This can be done at https://www.votealachua.gov/My-Registration-Status, by calling 352-374-5252, or by visiting the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office in person. Voters are encouraged to make any changes to their voter registration in advance of Election Day as changes could impact a voter's assigned polling place.

For more information on registering to vote or making changes to your voter registration record, please contact the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office at 352-374-5252. 

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L-R: City of Alachua Public Services Director Michael Carrillo, Assistant City Manager Rodolfo Valladares, City Manager Mike DaRoza, Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman, Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper, Alachua Vice Mayor Ed Potts, Alachua City Commissioners Shirley Green Brown, Jennifer Ringersen, Dayna Williams (formerly Miller) and Alachua County Fire Rescue Chief Harold Theus / Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – A new roadway and waterline extension project is set to enhance both safety and infrastructure in Alachua. On Sept. 5, 2024, the City of Alachua held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Northwest 86^th Drive Roadway and Waterline Extension Project, marking the start of construction aimed at improving fire suppression capabilities and traffic flow in the area.

Once completed, Northwest 86^th Drive will connect to U.S. Highway 441 at the northern end of the San Felasco Tech City area and run alongside an abandoned parking area near the temporary Alachua County fire station. This extension is expected to provide improved access to a planned permanent fire station in southern Alachua.

The groundbreaking ceremony featured Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper offering opening remarks followed by City of Alachua Pubic Services Director Michael Carrilla, P.E., and Alachua Assistant City Manager Rodolfo Valladares, P.E.

Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman spoke on the importance of the project for enhancing emergency services access, while City Manager Mike DaRoza expressed gratitude to all involved for their dedication in bringing the project to life.

Other notable attendees included City of Alachua Vice Mayor Ed Potts, City of Alachua Commissioners Shirley Green Brown, Jennifer Ringersen, Dayna Williams (formerly Miller), and Alachua County Fire Rescue Chief Harold Theus.

Hip Construction, the contractor for the project, was selected as the low bidder and is expected to complete construction by early 2025. Once finished, the roadway and waterline extension will significantly benefit the community by improving infrastructure and safety.

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