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ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua Recreation and Culture Department congratulates Momentum Dance for taking first place in the Annual City of Alachua Christmas Parade. We would also like to congratulate Canvas Church for coming in second and Swamp Bots for claiming the third-place spot.

In other Recreation and Culture news, Legacy Park Multipurpose Center Gym hosted the first 399 youth Sports basketball practices of the winter 2023 season. We are looking forward to what the season has to bring and watching our youth grow and learn skills and sportsmanship under the guidance of our wonderful volunteers. Joining a sport is a great way to make friends, meet mentors and become a part of your community.

We also hosted the Alachua Raiders Youth Football and Cheer Banquet. The organization literally pulled out the red carpet for the players and parents. A great time was had by all and trophies and rings were given out.

Looking forward to January, the City of Alachua will hold its Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday Jan. 15 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Cleather H. Hathcock Community Center. There will be a special performance by 1000 Voices of Florida. Alachua’s Adrian Peterson, College Football Hall of Fame Inductee, will be speaking. There will be performances, speakers from the community and free lunch provided. All are welcome. Please plan on attending.

Sprout Squad is looking for kids ages 10-14 who want to learn to grow veggies! If your child is interested, email Vanessa@craftygemini.com.

Remember, Legacy Park Multipurpose Center also hosts free Zumba classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, there is free Bingo at the Hathcock Community Center Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will not be Bingo on Dec. 20 or Dec. 27 due to the holidays.

Finally, visit the City of Alachua’s Recreation and Culture Departments Facebook page to stay up-to-date on all exciting upcoming events!

Happy holidays from the City of Alachua Recreation Department.

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GAINESVILLE ‒ A 37-year-old Hawthorne man was arrested on Sunday, Dec. 10, at approximately 10:49 p.m. after he allegedly tried to hit an officer with a stolen car and then fled across Gainesville. Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle near Ironwood Golf Course on Northeast 39^th Avenue, but the driver allegedly refused to stop and drove through the Eden Park complex.

Once the fleeing vehicle was stopped, the driver, Johnny Mack Bryant, Jr., was arrested and charged with Grand Theft of an automobile, trafficking methamphetamines, possession of cocaine with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) arrest report, GPD officers had attempted to stop the stolen white Hyundai Sonata, which had been spotted in the area of Pineridge Apartments, Northwest 23^rd Terrace. While attempting to stop the car, GPD officers said that the driver of the Hyundai deliberately attempted to hit a GPD officer, who narrowly dodged the car, as the driver fled the scene.

ACSO Deputies joined the chase in the 4300 block of Southeast Hawthorne Road and deployed stop sticks, successfully stopping the vehicle.

While following the car, a GPD officer reported that he saw something thrown out the window in the area of Earl Power Park. A search of the area reportedly produced two baggies containing 21 grams of methamphetamine and six grams of cocaine and a search of the vehicle produced an Ecstasy tablet located in the driver’s side well.

Post Miranda, Bryant reportedly admitted driving the vehicle but said he didn’t know it was stolen. According to the ACSO report, he stated that “he had no knowledge that the vehicle was stolen, and that his friend told him to drive it.” Bryant also reportedly admitted swallowing an ecstasy pill during the incident. The ACSO report continued, “Based on Bryant’s admission, as well as the location of the tablet in proximity to Bryant’s location in the car, he is being charged with tampering with evidence.

Bryant was transported to Shands Hospital to be treated for ingesting narcotics.

According to law enforcement databases, Bryant has existing warrants out of Marion County and St. Johns County. GPD is also charging for fleeing and eluding law enforcement, as well as aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

Bryant has nine felony convictions, four of which were violent, and seven misdemeanor convictions, one of which was violent. In addition, he has served three state prison sentences, with his most recent release in August 2022. Bail was set at $905,000.

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NEWBERRY ‒ Thanks to a Ring Doorbell and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), a suspected porch pirate was taken into custody on Dec. 12. A Newberry man’s Ring Doorbell Camera aided ACSO detectives in recovering an item stolen from the victim’s covered front porch at 1:51 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 12. Due to the camera capturing the culprit in action, what he was wearing and the vehicle in which he left the scene, deputies later were able to locate a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle at Newberry Car Wash, 77 N.W. 250^th Street.

Gainesville resident Terrell Shane Rhine, 40, was arrested and charged with two counts of grand theft over $750 and two counts of armed burglary after allegedly stealing packages from front porches in Newberry. At the time of his arrest, ACSO detectives reported that the defendant was wearing the same camouflage pants he wore in the camera footage and also had the same facial hair. Packages from both thefts were in the truck. On the passenger seat was the black hooded style sweat shirt he was wearing in the videos.

ACSO deputies responded to two Newberry porch theft incidents. The first victim said a package had been placed on a covered front porch and that his doorbell camera had captured a man taking the box and then leaving in a small gray pickup truck. The man was wearing a black hooded jacket and camouflage pants.

The second victim reported that a package placed on a covered front porch was taken by a man wearing the same clothing reported by the first victim. This second incident was also captured on a doorbell camera and the suspect also left in a small gray pickup truck.

Post Miranda, Rhine reportedly declined to answer questions about the thefts and said he was in Newberry to pick up his son. In a later interview, he reportedly said he had two knives when he took the items during multiple burglaries.

Rhine has two non violent misdemeanor convictions and completed a pre-trial intervention agreement on a felony fleeing charge in 2011.

Bail was set at $20,000 by Judge Aymer “Buck” Curtin on first appearance.

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HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs City Commission has signed an agreement with Alachua County for access to the Public Safety Radio System (PSRS). This access will allow communication between the City of High Springs police and fire departments and Alachua County’s Combined Communications Center (CCC)

Alachua County purchased the PSRS, or trunked radio system, previously owned by the City of Gainesville. Access to the system is in the public interest as it enables public agencies with access to PSRS to communicate with Alachua County’s CCC that provides county-wide dispatch services and is the contact location for all emergency calls.

The agreement is for a period of five years and the cost will be split 50/50 between the High Springs Fire and Police Departments. The cost has already been budgeted by the City, said Theus.

The agreement calls for High Springs to pay Alachua County $2,200 in 12 equal monthly installments totaling $26,400 annually for a period of five years. In the agreement it states, “At the end of 5 years the payment for services under this agreement will be renegotiated to include a method for the calculation of user fees going forward.” The five-year-period will allow the County time to determine a fair and equitable way to charge for the services in future years.

Currently, the system has six tower sites, which Alachua County Fire Rescue Chief Harold Theus said should be increased to service the outlying areas of Alachua County.

The Commission unanimously approved this agreement.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Commission on Dec. 14 approved increasing solid waste disposal rates for both residential and commercial users. The vote came after Commissioner Tapanes first proposed to increase the solid rate charge for residential customers only from $23.13 per month to $27.75, an increase of $4.62, which is the amount current waste hauler WastePro is charging the City for residential pickups. The motion did not include an increase for commercial customers and died for lack of a second.

Commissioner Tristan Grunder stated his fear that the City was getting deeper in debt by not charging commercial customers the increased rates as well. He made a motion to increase the rates on all customers, noting that the City is paying significantly more to WastePro for commercial pickups than the City is charging commercial customers.

City Manager Ashley Stathatos reported she contacted WastePro and company representatives were open to discussing the existing contract with commissioners. Tapanes said other commercial waste hauling contracts in nearby cities are being billed by the waste hauler and not the municipality. He would like the City to negotiate that matter with WastePro when they meet.

City Attorney Danielle Adams advised the Commission that there may have to be changes or addendums to the current contract with WastePro should there be a change in the agreement.

Following discussion, the Commission unanimously approved Grunder’s motion to increase residential and commercial customer rates.

The Commission unanimously approved water and sewer charge increases based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of 5.7 percent. The Commission had previously passed a resolution to automatically increase rates on water, sewer and solid waste funds yearly by the CPI amount to keep up with inflation.

In a related matter, Mayor Katherine Weitz reported that Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe contacted her about their Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) system they are installing in Newberry. Weitz said she would meet with Marlowe and the Newberry city manager to discuss the issue further. She requested that Public Works Director Thomas Henry join her for that meeting.

Henry pointed out that the cost of replacing or repairing grinder pumps is high and that the pumps were at the end of their life. Commissioner Steven Tapanes said he had talked with Henry and they are trying to figure out ways to conduct preventive maintenance on the pumps to extend their life. Residential grinder pumps work like a household garbage disposal grinding up solids produced in the residence and pushing the materials toward the main sewer line.

School Zone Cameras

High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard introduced Ordinance 2023-18 on first reading to request authorization for use of an Automated Speed Detection Systems (SDS) in municipal school zones pursuant to Florida Statutes. He pointed out that the SDS would be authorized to monitor traffic for 30 minutes prior to and after school hours.

The license plates of speeders would be turned over to the High Springs Police Department (HSPD)for review prior to sending out notices for speeding tickets. Also, an appeals process would be created to address drivers’ who protest the tickets.

Monies collected for violations will be returned to the HSPD for use in their public safety program. Sheppard said the program most likely will be operational for the next school year and there would be a public education element to gradually provide notice to drivers that SDS cameras are in use. The Commission unanimously approved this ordinance on first reading.

LifeSpring Church Site Plan

The Commission unanimously approved a request by Joshua Highlander, speaking on behalf of LifeSpring Church, to approve a reduced site plan for the church site. Highlander said the scope of the project has decreased due to budgetary changes, the parking spaces would be reduced and 20-25 trees will not be removed from the site.

Mayor Weitz recusing herself from voting on the matter.

Budget Amendment

Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 2023-17 on second reading, which “trues up” the budget at the end of fiscal year 2022/2023 and is required by Florida State Statute.

The city manager announced that the Revenues and Expenditures for the general fund were $6,771,844. Fire accounted for $2.1 million, Transportation $620,000, Building $390,000, the CRA $299,000, Water $1.6 million, Sewer $1.9 million and Solid Waste $1.5 million.

Final Comments

Wrapping up the meeting, City Manager Ashley Stathatos said the pickleball court was now open and in use. She and all the commissioners commented favorably about the Christmas Parade. Stathatos also said the CRA sponsored this year’s the tree lighting ceremony.

Mayor Weitz reported that she, the city manager and Fire Chief Bradley met in Tallahassee to lobby for funding for a new police station, which they felt went well.

Public Works Director Thomas Henry said that 1,700 AMI meters of the 3,000 have now been installed. He also wants to send out guidelines for grinder pump users and would be setting up a tent at Pioneer Days to answer questions and provide education to citizens about their utility systems. He also reported that framing is being done on the inside of the Douglas Center building.

The next regular City Commission meeting will be held Jan. 11, 2024.

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