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ALACHUA – A 59-year-old Newberry man, Joseph Paul Andes, has been sentenced to five years in state prison after pleading nolo contendere to 14 counts of possession of child pornography. The sentence was handed down by Judge David Kreider, who credited Andes with 351 days already served in jail.

Andes was arrested on Nov. 15, 2023, following a months-long investigation triggered by three CyberTips submitted in 2022. Authorities executed a search warrant at Andes’s Newberry residence on April 11, 2023.

During questioning, Andes initially denied possessing any child sexual exploitation material. However, he admitted to having detailed knowledge of such investigations, citing his previous role on a Federal Grand Jury that had overseen similar cases.

Digital forensic examiners discovered recent searches on Andes’s electronic devices for terms commonly associated with child sexual abuse material. When confronted, Andes claimed ignorance, insisting he didn’t understand the terms’ meanings. He suggested he was merely curious about how accessible such content might be but denied ever finding illegal material.

Despite his denials, investigators found multiple images of child sexual abuse on his devices. When asked if he had engaged in hands-on offenses involving children, Andes responded, “No, as a matter of fact, I am around kids a lot because I am a soccer referee.”

Following his arrest, Andes’s bail was set at $1.4 million, and he has remained in custody since. His plea of nolo contendere, which neither admits guilt nor disputes the charges, led to his conviction on 14 counts of possession of child pornography.

Judge Kreider sentenced Andes to 14 concurrent five-year prison terms.

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ALACHUA – A 51-year-old Micanopy woman has been sentenced to one year and seven days in state prison, followed by 13 years of probation, after pleading guilty to grand theft of over $20,000. Kari Lynn Adams was also ordered to pay more than $139,000 in restitution for funds stolen from her employer, the Hampton Inn in Alachua.

Adams was arrested on March 22, 2024, following an investigation into unauthorized use of multiple company credit cards. Over a 16-month period, she racked up more than $118,000 in personal purchases.

According to the arrest report, Adams used the company cards to fund “lavish dining experiences” across Florida, spending more than $2,800 on meals in 2022 alone. She also made significant purchases at retail and outdoor stores, including over $33,000 spent at Bass Pro Shops, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sam’s Club, Lowe’s, Northern Tool, Ace Hardware, Home Depot, and Rural King.

Adams was initially charged with grand theft and engaging in a scheme to defraud. As part of a plea agreement, she entered an open plea to grand theft over $20,000, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison. In exchange, the fraud charge was dropped.

Judge David Kreider sentenced Adams to just over a year in prison, followed by a 13-year probation period. She was also ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution to the insurance company covering her employer’s losses and $39,436 directly to the Hampton Inn. The repayments must be completed three months prior to the end of the probationary period.

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NEWBERRY – The Newberry City Commission convened for a special meeting on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, to tackle two key agenda items: a first reading of an ordinance amending the City’s Comprehensive Plan and a letter of financial support for the Newberry Charter School application.

Comprehensive Plan Update Moves Forward

Director of Community Development Stacey Hectus and CHW Executive Vice President Gerry Dedenbach presented the latest updates to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Their overview highlighted the extensive public engagement process and outlined a timeline for finalizing the document.

The commission unanimously approved the transmittal of the plan to the Florida Department of Commerce's Community Planning, Development, and Services division for review. The state’s review process, which can take up to 45 days, will determine whether any revisions are needed. The plan is expected to return to Newberry in January 2025, with potential adoption as early as February, pending state feedback.

Charter School Secures City Support

The commission also addressed a request for financial backing from the Newberry Community School. Board Chair Derek Danne sought a $2,201,000 funding commitment from the City to support the establishment of the Newberry Charter School.

The funding includes an initial $200,000 for the application process with the Florida Charter Review Commission, with the remaining $2,001,000 to be disbursed upon official approval of the application by the Florida Charter Review Commission, in accordance with a formal loan agreement. Danne noted that the application is due by Nov. 26, 2024, and anticipated an approval decision by February 2025.

Danne assured the Commission that as successful grant funds are awarded, the City of Newberry will be reimbursed toward the $2,201,000 loan, positioning the funding as a financial safeguard. Following public comments, where six residents expressed support and three opposed the measure, the Commission unanimously approved the letter of financial support.

Additional Announcements

City Manager Mike New informed attendees that three seats on the Planning and Zoning Board will soon be open. Interested residents are encouraged to apply. He also announced plans to install lights at the Easton soccer fields.

Mayor Jordan Marlowe reminded the community of CLF Church’s “Thanksgiving in the Park” event on Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. The event, offering boxed Thanksgiving meals, will be held at 120 N.W. 260^th Street in Newberry.

Upcoming Meetings

The next regular City Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at 7 p.m., followed by a Board of Adjustment meeting. A City Roads Workshop will be held on Dec. 16, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. The Planning and Zoning Board will not meet this month.

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ALACHUA ‒ The Alachua County Arts Council has announced the return of its annual Artists Conference, scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2025. Now in its fourth year, the event aims to foster connections and learning within the local arts community.

The council is currently seeking presenters for the conference. Prospective speakers are encouraged to propose sessions that would engage and benefit the arts community. Each presentation should run between 30 to 60 minutes, including time for audience questions and answers.

Additionally, the council is welcoming sponsors to support the event. Both presentation and sponsorship applications can be found on the council’s website under the “Artists Conference” section at alachuacounty.us/Arts-Council. The deadline to submit applications is Jan. 31, 2025.

The conference aligns with the council's mission to enhance the quality of life for Alachua County residents by promoting arts exposure, supporting local artists, and expanding community resources for the arts.

For more details, interested individuals can contact Gina Peebles, Alachua County Assistant County Manager – Chief of Staff, at 352-538-8265 or via email at gpeebles@alachuacounty.us.

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ALACHUA – A 45-year-old Alachua man is facing serious charges after allegedly threatening his two teenage sons with multiple weapons, including a hunting knife, a metal rod, and a car. Robert Cornelius Jackson was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, and charged with four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

According to the Alachua Police Department (APD), the altercation began around 3 p.m. when Jackson discovered a $50 bill missing from his wallet. Believing one of his sons had taken it, Jackson reportedly grabbed an eight-inch hunting knife and threatened to “kill” someone unless the money was returned.

Jackson allegedly approached one son with the knife, prompting the teen to retreat to his bedroom. He then turned his attention to his other son, reportedly pressing the knife’s blade against the boy’s cheek while making further threats.

The second son told police that he fled the house, but Jackson followed him outside, this time wielding a three-foot-long metal rod weighing approximately five pounds. Jackson allegedly chased the boy down the road, attempting to strike him with the rod.

The situation escalated when Jackson reportedly returned to the house, retrieved his car keys, and attempted to hit his son with his vehicle. According to the son, Jackson drove toward him, coming within two or three feet before the boy managed to move out of the way. Jackson allegedly turned the car around and tried a second time to hit him, but the boy again avoided injury.

Neither son was harmed during the incident, according to the APD.

Jackson was charged with two counts of aggravated assault for threatening his sons with the knife, one count for chasing his son with the metal rod, and another for attempting to hit him with the car.

This is not Jackson’s first run-in with the law. Court records reveal he has five prior felony convictions and three misdemeanor convictions,

Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial.

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Alachua County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2811 Commander Avery L. Owen (center) presented trophies and cash awards Dec. 12 to Ilo Pillari (left) and Isa Pillari as winners of the annual Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests. / Photo by Michael P. Mauer special to Alachua County Today

GAINESVILLE ‒ Two local siblings earned top honors from Alachua County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2811 as this year’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen winners.

Earning first in this year’s VOD competition is 17-year-old Isa Pillari from Newberry, Fla. Her brother, 13-year-old Ilo Pillari, got the top slot for the post’s Patriot’s Pen scholarship. Both students are home schooled by their parents, Pramod and Catherine Pillari.

Each winner received a $100 award and a trophy from VFW Post 2811 at the organization’s Dec. 12 meeting.  Annabell Zachritz, a 17-year-old senior at The Rock School, received a trophy and $75 as the post’s second place VOD contestant.

At the same meeting, the siblings read their essays to VFW Post 2811’s membership and auxiliary.

“The post membership and I were truly impressed with the quality and content of both their essays,” said Avery L. Owen, VFW Post 2811 commander. “As an organization of combat veterans, many of us were sincerely touched at the sentiment. It is good to know that the basic principles of freedom and democracy that we fought for are being cherished by young people in our community.”

The topic for this year’s VOD essay competition was ‘Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?’  Competitors for the Patriot’s Pen contest wrote to the theme of ‘My Voice in America’s Democracy’.

“I don’t think the students who participated this year could have written to these subjects any better than what they did,” said Owen, a retired master sergeant who served with the 3^rd Bn, 20^th Special Forces Group of the Florida Army National Guard. “I think they’ll do well at the next level.”

The combat veteran also added a personal reflection.

“They give me hope for the future,” said the VFW Post 2811 commander.

The winning VOD and Patriot’s Pen candidates will move to the next bracket at Florida VFW District 14. This is comprised of VFW posts from Lake City, Palatka, Lake Butler, Interlachen and Gainesville. If forwarded from there, entrants will earn a chance to compete at the VFW Department of Florida. Once advancing, winners will then vie at the VOD national level where the top laurels include a $30,000 scholarship.

Other VOD national scholarships range from $1,000 to $15,000, and the top winner from each state can earn a minimum scholarship of $1,000, plus an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

The top Patriot’s Pen competitors selected from each state can earn $50,000 in awards, as well as a top prize of $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

Both the VOD and Patriot’s Pen scholarships are open to all students from middle school through high school.

The VFW is observing its 125^th anniversary this year. Those interested in VFW Post 2811 and its activities can call 352-376-7660.

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Editor’s Note: Michael P. Mauer is a life member of VFW Post 2811. He served as an Army photojournalist during Operation Desert Storm, and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal by Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf for his actions during the war. This year, Mauer won the Silver Award for top feature article in the VFW National Publications Contest. Email mikemauer@hotmail.com