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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs City Commission meeting room was filled to capacity on July 13 with citizens recounting how meaningful the historic Priest Theatre has been to their lives. The many testaments consumed much of the meeting as citizens and Commissioners alike shared recollections of the theatre and what it had meant to them.

The Priest Theatre, a 1910-era landmark in the heart of downtown High Springs located along Northwest 237^th Street, is currently in a severely blighted condition and has been so for some time. The Florida Legislature approved a $1,040,450 legislative appropriation to the City of High Springs to purchase, renovate and restore the building for public use. The first steps in this process for Commission consideration include an appraisal of the building and that an earlier assessment report by architect Paul Stressing be updated. The Commission unanimously authorized City staff to move forward with these two matters.

The appropriation from the state requires $250,000 in matching funds, and both CRA and Wild Spaces funds have been identified as appropriate to meet the matching requirement.

In other business, the Commission gave final approval for a zoning change from Planned Development (PD) to Residential (R-1) on one acre +/- located next to Bridlewood along Northwest 222^nd Street. The zoning change was requested by Joe Tillman and was approved on first reading on June 22. This property was originally zoned R-1, then became a part of the Tillman Planned Development (PD). Tillman requested that the parcel revert back to R-1. Staff recommended approval of the zoning change.

Tillman plans to place a mobile home on the property while his home is being built, a process which he expects to take three to four years to complete. Although the zoning change is not related to the mobile home, Tillman can request that a mobile home now be allowed on the site.

When this item was heard by the City’s Plan Board on June 19, several citizens expressed concern that a mobile home should not be allowed to be placed on the property as it would be inconsistent with surrounding residential properties. Although only one citizen, Sue Weller, addressed the issue at this Commission meeting, she asked that her objection be put on the record. Ultimately, the High Springs City Manager will resolve the matter whether to allow the mobile home on this property if Tillman makes that request.

In other City business, the Commission unanimously approved an ordinance on second reading that regulates the use of larger vehicles on Northwest 186^th Avenue, formerly known as U.S. Highway 27 Alternate. The change is intended to help maintain normal and safe movement of traffic. Staff met with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and requested that all motor vehicles having three or more axles use the preferred truck route of State Road 20/State Road 25 U.S. Highway 441 to State Road 45/High Springs Main Street. FDOT had requested that the City provide an ordinance restricting vehicles having three or more axles. This item was heard and approved on first reading on June 8. Signage will be prepared to advise trucks of the change.

Fire Services Assessment rates for Fiscal Year 2023-24 will remain at the current rate with no increases. Commissioners voted unanimously to maintain the initial preliminary rate resolution. Those rates are $223 for residential dwellings, $0.09 per square foot for commercial properties, $0.02 per square foot for industrial/warehouse properties and $0.16 per square foot for institutional properties. The resolution establishing the final assessment will be considered at the Aug. 10 meeting.

The Commission unanimously approved a minor site plan for a pole barn to be located at Sweet Meats Butcher Shop, 18172 U.S. Highway 441. The property, which is currently under construction, consists of 1.8 +/- acres and is owned by Robert Gay, President, BCE Supply Chain Enterprises, Inc.

Gay was at the Planning and Zoning Board meeting on June 19 and explained that the pole barn would be located behind the building and would be used for barbecue classes, competition, special events and a wild game dinner later this year.

Commissioners also approved a preliminary plat for Hidden Springs Villas, a 44-unit townhome project located off of Railroad Avenue. It meets the standards outlined in the Planned Development/Developer’s Agreement previously approved by Commission. Concern was expressed about dumpster locations on the site, but the Commissioners were assured that trash containers would be kept inside garages until trash pickup days as part of the homeowners’ association requirements.

Commissioners approved a project from low bidder FLA Homes, Inc. for $375,745 to perform several construction-related projects for the Catherine Taylor Park Community Center Project. The project consists of furnishing plans, securing permits, providing labor and materials to renovate the former school/day care and turn it into a community center. The scope of work includes, but is not limited to asbestos, lead abatement, framing, new roof, windows and doors, cabinets and flooring, kitchen and bathroom finish out and painting.

Due to a recent resignation from a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member and two alternates, the Commission appointed Jeffrey Dobbertien to fill out the remainder of the Board member’s term, which will expire in November. Valerie Bronstone will serve as an alternate member, with her term expiring in 2024 and James Amato will serve as an alternate member, with his term expiring in 2023. All three may request consideration to serve another term when their current term expires.

A Plan Board and Historic Preservation Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., July 17 and a Strategic Planning Workshop is planned to take place at the Civic Center, 19107 N.W. 240^th Street at 5:30 p.m. on July 20. The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on July 27.

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GAINESVILLE ‒ This fall, Santa Fe College is opening its new high school, the Academy of Science and Technology, on the college’s Northwest Campus in Gainesville. There are currently a few seats still available to interested students.

The inaugural class of incoming 9^th graders will begin with a standard high school curriculum before moving into college-level courses as early as their sophomore year. Students in the Academy will select one of four college-level tracks.

The school offers two tracks in health sciences and two tracks in information technology. Students who graduate from the Academy will have the opportunity to earn their high school diploma, an Associate in Science degree and at least two industry certifications. Students will also be able to attend the school at no cost to themselves or their families.

“This is an incredible opportunity for Alachua County students,” principal Bill McElroy said. “To be able to get a jump start in these in-demand career fields while still in high school creates opportunities for economic mobility for the student, and supports workforce needs for our entire community.”

The charter school is funded through the Building Florida's Future program aimed at enhancing workforce initiatives across the state.

Students interested in attending the Academy can request an application by emailing academy@sfcollege.edu or by calling 352-395-4444.

Classes begin Thursday, Aug. 10.

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ARCHER ‒ Patrick Boss King, 35, of Archer, was arrested on Wednesday, July 12, on a bench warrant for a June 25 shooting in Archer.

Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 15100 block of Southwest 170^th Street in Archer at about 9:53 p.m. on June 25 and found a male victim with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was transported to the hospital and survived the injury.

The investigation found that King was known to the victim and that both men were romantically involved with the same woman. Detectives reportedly reviewed video evidence that showed King arriving at the victim’s residence and knocking on the door before telling the victim he had a “9” he wanted to sell him. The victim answered the door and talked to King, then King can be seen brandishing the gun and firing one shot.

The report states that the victim can be heard screaming in pain on the video, then King tried to enter the residence, but the victim started throwing things at him, resulting in King falling down the outside stairs. King is shown trying to re-rack the slide of his gun and then he entered the residence before running back out the door.

Four gunshots were reportedly heard from inside the residence and may have been fired in self-defense by the victim. A revolver was reportedly found inside the residence with four spent casings.

King was not located at the time and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest on July 12 on charges of attempted murder, armed burglary of an occupied dwelling, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and use of a firearm during a felony.

King also had an active warrant for arson from an April 13 incident in which he allegedly burned down the tent of a homeless man while his girlfriend stood by with a gun, causing the victim to be afraid of intervening to stop the arson. The victim reportedly took pictures during the incident and provided them to a Gainesville Police Department officer.

King has nine felony convictions, two of which were violent, and six misdemeanor convictions, one of which was violent. He has served three state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2019.

Bail was set by Judge Walter M. Green at a total of $725,000 as follows: $50,000 for 2^nd Degree Arson, $50,000 for Possession by a Florida Felon with a Gun or Ammunition, $50,000, Burglary $100,000, Displaying a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony $25,000 and Attempted Felony Murder at $500,000.

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• The assisted unit must be owner-occupied, the owner’s primary residence, and located in Alachua County and outside the City of Gainesville.
• Property taxes must be paid current on the unit to be assisted.
• Homeowners must be very low or low income, depending on the funding source.
• Each unit, with the exception of emergency repairs, must meet or exceed the minimum housing code.
• Other requirements may need to be met, depending on the funding source.

ALACHUA ‒ Anthony Brandon Williams, 42, was arrested at 11:49 p.m. on Monday, July 10, and has been charged with possession of trafficking quantities of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, two counts of possession of Ecstasy and resisting an officer after Williams allegedly ran from a traffic stop in Alachua.

An Alachua Police Department officer pulled Williams over in the 16500 block of U.S. Highway 441 at about 10:50 p.m. and requested consent to search the car. After Williams denied consent, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy and K-9 team arrived and established probable cause to search the car, at which point Williams allegedly ran away on foot along U.S. Highway 441.

A deputy reportedly chased Williams for about 100 yards before Williams ran into the woods. As units were closing in on Anthony’s location, he was provided announcements that a K9 officer was present and ordered to surrender himself. Williams complied and was taken into custody.

A deputy walked back along Williams’ path and found a balled-up sock in a sandy area that was wet due to recent rains. The ASO deputy reported that the sock was dry and was not covered in debris, so it had been dropped very recently. A search of the sock reportedly produced 55 grams of methamphetamine, broken pills that tested positive for Ecstasy and 0.62 grams of MDPV. A scale and baggies were reportedly found in the car in which Williams had been the sole occupant and registered owner.

Williams has seven felony and seven misdemeanor convictions, mostly related to drugs. He has served three state prison sentences for selling drugs, with his most recent release in 2013. He was arrested for possession of Ecstasy pills in 2020, but the charge was dropped.

Bail was set at a total of $250,000 by Judge Susan Miller-Jones as follows: Trafficking in Amphetamine or Methamphetamine $100,000, Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (two charges) at $20,000 each, Drug Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Sell $100,000 and Resisting an officer without violence, $10,000.

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