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ALACHUA ‒ Former Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson Jr. will not face criminal prosecution following a decision by State Attorney John F. Durrett of the 3rd Judicial Circuit.

In a letter dated Feb. 19, 2025, to Inspector David Snowden of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Orlando Regional Operations Center, Durrett stated there was insufficient evidence to support two criminal charges brought against Watson.

The case was reassigned to Durrett’s office after 8th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brian Kramer cited a conflict of interest. The FDLE submitted its investigative report to Durrett following the reassignment by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The investigation focused on two potential offenses: interception of privileged communications and official misconduct.

On the first charge, Durrett said the only supporting evidence was the testimony of an immunized witness, Capt. Kutner, who alleged he was directed by Undersheriff Joel Decoursey to monitor and intercept privileged communications. Kutner claimed he relayed the content of the intercepted communications to both Decoursey and Watson. A lieutenant reportedly stated in a sworn affidavit that “they” had personally witnessed Kutner conducting the monitoring.

However, the FDLE report noted that Kutner “was the only Chief Inspector of the five that were interviewed to report being instructed to do so,” according to Durrett’s letter.

“The entire charge rests upon the immunized testimony of a singular witness,” Durrett wrote. “The Sheriff and Undersheriff can simply deny or not speak at all,” he added, concluding the allegation “cannot be proven beyond and to the exclusion of a reasonable doubt.”

On the second charge of official misconduct, Durrett found a lack of evidence to implicate Watson. The FDLE investigation revealed a sergeant in the sheriff’s office had unlawfully recorded a phone conversation with an attorney. The recording was later given to the attorney, who alerted the agency to the violation, pointing out that the law enforcement exception did not apply.

“Here, the Sergeant simply made an error in believing that the same exceptions applicable to criminal investigations applied in internal investigations,” Durrett wrote. “The Sergeant was disciplined for the error. This action stands in contrast to Captain Kutner who indicated he was directed to unlawfully intercept communications involving the same attorney.”

Durrett also declined to pursue charges related to the destruction of the recording or orders to destroy it, citing a lack of evidence tying Watson to the act.

“All sides agree the conversation should not have been recorded,” Durrett wrote. “A copy was provided to the attorney who was recorded. The officer was disciplined…without evidence to implicate Mr. Watson in the destruction a criminal charge cannot ethically be filed.”

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The 8th Annual Santa Fe Plein Air Paintout will bring 19 artists to downtown High Springs and three area parks for a three-day outdoor painting event beginning Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

Hosted by Lanza Gallery & Art Supplies, the event invites the public to observe artists as they paint natural landscapes on-site, a method known as plein air painting. The artists, both local and visiting, will be working from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

Public observation is encouraged at the following locations:

• Wednesday, April 9: Rum Island Springs County Park, 1447 S.W. Rum Island Terrace, Fort White, Fla. (Entrance fee: $5)
• Thursday, April 10: Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, 7450 N.W. 60^th, High Springs, Fla. (Entrance fee: $4 per person or $6 per car)
• Friday, April 11: O’Leno State Park, 410 SE O’Leno Park Road, High Springs, Fla. (Entrance fee: $4 per person or $6 per car)

This year’s featured poster painting is “Whispers of Turquoise” by artist Karen LeMonnier.

Following the paintout, the artworks created during the event will be on display at Lanza Gallery & Art Supplies from April 12 through May 17, unless sold prior. All pieces are available for purchase.

A public reception celebrating the artists and their work will be held at the gallery on Saturday, April 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Ten percent of all art sales will benefit Our Santa Fe River, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of local springs and rivers.

Maps for the paintout and exhibit will be available at the gallery throughout the week during normal business hours.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs City Commission met Thursday, March 27, 2025, to address several new business items, including awarding a contract for a fire station HVAC replacement, approving two commercial site plans, and discussing a potential $260,000 repayment related to the purchase of Canoe Outpost.

Vice Mayor Andrew Miller presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Tristan Grunder.

Commissioners unanimously awarded a contract for the replacement of the fire station’s HVAC system to Crystal Air and Water, Inc., the lowest of two bidders at $109,823. Shine and Company, Inc. also submitted a proposal in response to the city’s request.

The commission also unanimously approved a site plan for Whitfield Window & Door, which will construct a 9,500-square-foot office and warehouse facility in the High Springs Industrial Park. The proposal was presented by city planning technician Kristyn Adkins.

Adkins also presented a site plan for a new McDonald’s restaurant to be located at 20410 N. U.S. Highway 441, adjacent to Tractor Supply. Craig McDonald appeared before the commission to summarize the project and answer questions. The proposed 3,859-square-foot fast food restaurant will include a drive-thru and is expected to employ approximately 60 people.

McDonald outlined planned road modifications to accommodate increased traffic, including the addition of a turn lane, median upgrades, and road widening along U.S. 441.

Residents voiced concerns over potential noise—particularly from truck traffic—and lighting. McDonald responded that a substantial tree and plant buffer will be installed and that lighting will be focused inward, away from neighboring properties.

Commissioner Katherine Weitz left the meeting before the McDonald’s presentation; the site plan was approved by a 4–0 vote.

In other business, City Manager Jeremy Marshall informed the commission of a possible repayment of $260,000 in Wild Spaces & Public Places funds used toward the purchase of Canoe Outpost. Marshall said Alachua County had notified the city earlier in the day about the issue.

Marshall noted the matter was still in early negotiations and expressed hope that, if repayment is necessary, the city would not have to return the full amount immediately. He added that he and the city’s finance director were reviewing options with the county and would provide updates as discussions continue.

When asked if selling the Canoe Outpost property could resolve the situation, Marshall said he did not believe that was an option. However, the city attorney stated they would review the purchase agreement and closing documents to determine what legal options may exist.

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ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua will hold its 2025 municipal election on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, to fill Seat 1 for Mayor and Seat 2 for City Commissioner. Incumbent Mayor Gib Coerper is seeking re-election and is being challenged by Walter Welch. Incumbent Edward Potts is being challenged by Jacob Fletcher as they vie for a three-year term ending in April 2028.

Coerper, retired, previously served as a commissioner from 1999-2002. He has been in his current seat since 2005 although Seat 1 was not designated as the mayoral seat until 2010. No one challenged Coerper for the mayoral seat in 2022. As of March 27, Coerper had raised $2,200 in monetary campaign contributions.

Walter Welch, who is challenging Coerper, is a newcomer to elected office, but he has previously served on an advisory taskforce board. Welch’s campaign finance reports show little activity, with only $425 in contributions as of February 20, but nothing since that time.

Ed Potts has been in Seat 2 on the commission since winning in the 2022 cycle. Prior to winning the election in 2022, Potts was a member of the City of Alachua Planning & Zoning Board. He is retired from the insurance and financial advisor industry. As of March 27, Potts raised $9,660 in monetary campaign contributions. Potts is being challenged by newcomer Jacob Fletcher, employed by the University of Florida. As of March 26, Fletcher raised $3,803 in monetary campaign contributions.

Polls will be open on Tuesday, April 8, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Legacy Park Multipurpose Center , Cleather Hathcock, Sr. Community Center and the Clubhouse at Turkey Creek.

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UPDATED 04.02.2025 5:42 p.m. - GAINESVILLE ‒ A lawsuit alleging incidents of a “sexual” nature at Santa Fe High School, brought by Anneke Acree on behalf of her child, has been dismissed.

The amended complaint, dated Jan. 8, 2025, stemmed from an initial filing on Oct. 30, 2024, against both the Alachua County School Board and the City of Alachua.

On Monday, March 31, 2025, Circuit Judge Donna Keim dismissed Count III (negligence per se) against the City of Alachua with prejudice—barring the plaintiff from refiling the same claim.

On Tuesday, April 1, Judge Keim also dismissed both remaining claims against the Alachua County School Board: Count I (negligent supervision) and Count II (negligence per se). Count II was dismissed with prejudice, while Count I was dismissed without prejudice—though the judge's order casts doubt on whether any amendment could keep the case alive.

As to the count lodged against the City of Alachua, the judge stated the negligence theory advanced by Acree’s attorney, based on an alleged violation of statute, is premised on an unknown City employee's failure to comply with the child abuse reporting guidelines of Chapter 39, Florida Statutes. “Notably, Plaintiff does not identify the City employee or employees purported to have been negligent, nor does she articulate what knowledge is imputed to the City regarding the alleged abuse,” the judge wrote.

Additionally, Judge Keim clarified that courts in Florida have repeatedly ruled that Chapter 39 does not give individuals the right to sue over a failure to report abuse. Unless a law clearly states that people can file lawsuits, or lawmakers intended for it to be an option, no such right exists. This has been confirmed in several court cases, the judge said.

The Count II negligence per se claim against the Alachua County School Board was dismissed with prejudice for the same reasons as the count against the City of Alachua. In other words, the allegations by Acree are vague, and the legal theory advanced by Acree’s attorney is statutorily unsound.

Finally, the court left little room for hope on Count I against the Alachua County School Board, which is titled as “Negligent Supervision.” In ruling on that issue, the court found that under Florida's Impact Rule, a plaintiff can only recover damages for emotional distress in this type of case if the person suffered a physical injury, a direct impact, or if their emotional distress has caused physical symptoms. The judge held in this case that the alleged physical manifestations of emotional distress clearly fell outside of the exceptions to the “impact rule,” contrary to those arguments put forth by Acree’s attorney. In fact, court cases cited by the court specifically found that the types of “trauma” allegedly suffered by the student are precisely the types that elude any exception to the impact rule.

Although the judge left the door open for Acree to file an amended complaint, the outlook for the plaintiff is bleak. “The Court believes additional amendment to the Complaint is likely futile as the detailed facts previously alleged clearly fail to state a cause of action against this Defendant due to the impact rule.” However, Judge Keim is allowing Acree 10 days to attempt to file a second amended complaint. A failure to file an amended complaint will close the case without further order.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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