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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ On July 14, 2024, at Camp Kulaqua, a 45-year-old woman was saved from a near-drowning incident thanks to the swift actions of four off-duty personnel from the High Springs Fire Department and a vigilant lifeguard.

The woman experienced a sudden medical emergency, causing her to go under the water for about 20 seconds. Fortunately, Lieutenant Kim Wilson, Firefighter Chris Tatum, Chief Joe Peters, Captain Kevin Pearson, and lifeguard Ben Bache were nearby and quickly sprang into action.

When the lifeguard blew the whistle to signal distress, firefighters rushed to help. They found the lifeguard already initiating the rescue and joined in, taking over patient care without hesitation.

Chief Joe Peters described the critical moments, “We assessed the woman's condition as soon as we got her out of the water. At first, we couldn't detect a pulse,” said Chief Peters. “Firefighter Tatum performed chest compressions, and after only four compressions, the woman began coughing up water and regained consciousness.”

The patient was taken to UF Health Shands as a trauma alert due to the time she spent submerged. She remained conscious and breathing during transport, with no additional injuries reported.

“Had the lifeguard and our off-duty guys not acted as quickly as they did, this story may have had a very different ending,” said Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Rivers, who responded to the call.

Camp Kulaqua management praised the collaborative effort, emphasizing the crucial role of preparedness and rapid emergency response. They commended the High Springs Fire Department and lifeguard for their bravery and professionalism, stating that their quick actions undoubtedly saved a life.

“This incident reminds us of the importance of being prepared, acting swiftly in emergencies and swimming in areas with lifeguards,” said High Springs Public Information Officer Kevin Mangan.

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NEWBERRY ‒ During the recent Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board meeting, Newberry Senior Planner Uma Sarmistha unveiled a proposal for a mural program aimed at enhancing the downtown Newberry area. Sarmistha's presentation included slides showcasing several buildings that would serve as ideal canvases for murals, along with artist renderings that provided examples of potential artwork.

Sarmistha detailed a one-to-one grant opportunity and suggested the formation of an art advisory committee. This committee would be responsible for reviewing proposed mural artwork and making recommendations to the CRA Board and City Commission for final approval.

Board members unanimously supported Sarmistha’s proposal and agreed to apply for a one-to-one $5,000 Art Tag Program grant. They also approved the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to attract artists interested in contributing their artwork for the Board’s consideration.

In addition to the mural program, the CRA Board addressed budgetary matters. A resolution was passed to update the CRA Board’s 2023-24 fiscal year budget. The approved changes included adjustments to align with actual revenues received, accommodating a prior employee’s leave balance payout, and transferring funds to the capital improvement fund earmarked for repaving the municipal building parking lot.

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HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs City Commission on July 11, 2024, approved on second reading an ordinance calling for a referendum to be placed on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot. Amendments included in the referendum were proposed by the City’s Charter Review Committee and approved on first reading at the June 27, 2024, City Commission meeting. Citizens will have an opportunity on Nov. 5 to cast their votes in support of or against the amendments.

The July 11 Commission vote on the matter passed 3 – 2 with Commissioners Tristan Grunder and Byran Williams casting the dissenting votes. Both expressed their opinion previously on first reading on June 27, 2024, that all of the items initially proposed by the Charter Review Committee should be on the ballot. Several Charter Review Committee amendments were voted down by the Commission at the June 27 meeting. Of the eight amendments proposed by the Charter Review committee, the four that will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot are:

Updating Corporate Boundary to that of the present-day boundary and provide for the ability of the City to change its boundary as prescribed by law.

Updating Public Notice Requirements to allow for electronic advertisement of public notices in the event the City has followed the requirements of Fla. Stat. 50.0311 and require five weeks of online publication in the event of electronic advertisement.

Updating Oath of Office and Ability to Alter Appropriations and Reductions to require commissioners and charter officers to assert they are not precluded from holding office pursuant to Article VI, Section 4 of the Florida Constitution prior to taking office, and allow the City Commission to make supplemental appropriations or reductions and require the City Manager to inform the City Commission when revenues will be insufficient to meet appropriation amounts.

Updating Public Owned Lands to update the names of public parks and add the Sports Complex to the list of public owned lands.

Four of the amendments initially proposed by the Charter Review Committee will not appear on the ballot. At the June 27 meeting, some Commissioners expressed the need to review the remaining recommendations in more detail prior to placing them on the ballot. Another reason also expressed was the large number of amendments for voters to consider on the November ballot. Some Commissioners also voiced concern that voters may tire of reading all of them and skip the City Charter items.

The Commission passed in a 4 - 1 vote on July 11, that the Charter amendments not included on the ballot will come before the Commission again for consideration at the Commission’s second meeting in January 2025. Grunder casting the dissenting vote.

Charter Review Committee recommendations which will not be on this year’s ballot are: Commissioners, Voting, and Notice; Commissioner Salary, Mayor Term, and Unified Commission to Instruct City Manager; Adding Forfeiture of Office Section; and Disallowing Individual to Serve as both Manager and Clerk, Residency Requirements for City Manager and Candidates.

Of the failed recommendations, issues regarding forfeiture of office and censuring a commissioner for not adhering to the Charter appeared to be of most concern. At the June 27, 2024 commission meeting, several commissioners and a few audience members along with Commissioner Andrew Miller expressed concern about that proposed charter amendment.

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• $10: adults
• $6: children ages 4-12, Seniors (60+), Active Military and Veterans, Teachers, Police, Firefighters, First Responders, EMT/EMS, Healthcare Workers (all with valid ID), UF students and staff with current Gator1 ID
• $3: Electronics Benefits Transfer recipients (up to 4 total tickets with card, any combination of adults/children)
• Free: Children (3 and under), SF Students, Staff, and Retirees (with current SFID), and Zoo Members

WALDO ‒ A 34-year-old Waldo woman, Brittany Jo-Lee Helton, was arrested on Saturday, June 15, 2024, and charged with burglary and property damage. The arrest followed a report by a homeowner who discovered Helton sleeping in an upstairs bedroom of their house.

An Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the residence in the 13600 block of N.E. 148th Terrace at approximately 11:23 p.m. on Friday night. Witnesses indicated that Helton, whose listed address is on the same street as the burglarized house, had broken into the property.

Upon arrival, the deputy noted that a glass pane in a door had been shattered, suggesting forced entry. After making announcements at the front door, the deputy reported that Helton emerged from a room on the second floor. At the homeowner's request, the deputy conducted a thorough search of the premises and found a hammer and a flat pry-bar in the upstairs bedroom where Helton had been discovered. The damage to the door was estimated to be around $150.

Post Miranda, Helton reportedly declined to speak with the deputy. Her criminal history includes two non-violent felony convictions and four misdemeanor convictions, one of which was violent.

Helton has two non-violent felony convictions and four misdemeanor convictions, one of which was violent.

Bail was set at $25,000 by Judge William Davis.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- This week, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) issued a warning to drivers with Florida license plates that have been airbrushed, vinyl-wrapped, or customized. Such alterations violate the legal tag requirements under Florida law for reflectivity and safety enhancements and can potentially impact the yellow validation stickers. Driving on a public roadway with these altered plates displayed is against the law and violates Section 320.061, Florida Statutes, which prohibits the unlawful altering of a Florida License Plate.

Tag alterations like these are frequently found in communities across Florida, and the FHP is being proactive in raising awareness of the law. This is to ensure that individuals who may not realize they are breaking the law by altering their tags are informed.

Since 2020, citations for unlawful alteration of a Florida license plate have increased over 98%. The citation is classified as a moving violation which includes a state fine of $60, three points on your license and then an accompanying fee set by the county in which the citation was issued.

If you have altered your Florida tag and cannot return it to its original condition, you will need to get a replacement Florida license plate from your local tax collector. Troopers encountering altered tags can seize the tag requiring the owner to apply for a new license plate.

Florida offers more than 100 specialty license plates for various organizations, with the proceeds from the sales going directly to support the causes they represent. Additionally, personalized license plates can be ordered in person at a motor vehicle service center.

For more information about specialty and personalized license plates visit:  Personalized and Specialty License Plates - Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov).

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