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WALDO ‒ A Gainesville couple was arrested Monday, June 23, 2025, in connection with the theft of lawn maintenance equipment from the Pilot gas station at 17276 N.E. U.S. Highway 301 in Waldo.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, 39-year-old Lindsay May Sheddan, an employee at the gas station, is accused of providing her husband, Christopher Eugene Sheddan, 42, with a key to the business’ maintenance storage shed. Surveillance video reportedly shows Lindsay handing Christopher a key while she was behind the front counter. A separate camera captured Christopher loading a weed eater, backpack blower and water pump from the shed into his vehicle.

The gas station manager told deputies that only management and maintenance personnel should have had access to the storage shed key and that regular employees had no reason to possess it.

Deputies say Christopher later sold the stolen equipment to a private party and that Lindsay assisted in the theft.

After being read his Miranda rights, Christopher reportedly confessed to stealing and selling the backpack blower and weed eater. Lindsay, however, denied involvement, claiming she handed Christopher her phone, not a key. Deputies reported that surveillance footage contradicted her statement.

Both individuals were charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure, dealing in stolen property, grand theft, and petit theft.

Christopher has a criminal record that includes seven felony and eight misdemeanor convictions. His bail was set at $45,000 by Judge Meshon Rawls.

Lindsay, who has no prior criminal history, was also held on $45,000 bail set by Judge Rawls.

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Photo special to Alachua County Today

“Boogie for a Cause Kick Off Party” will be held Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

GAINESVILLE — The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting the community to put on their dancing shoes for a disco-themed kickoff party ahead of the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Gainesville.

The “Boogie for a Cause Kick Off Party” will be held Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Village at Gainesville, 8000 NW 27th Blvd. The event will feature music, refreshments, dancing, and a best-dressed contest, while also offering information on how to get involved with this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Organizers say the event is more than just a celebration — it’s a chance for people to come together in the fight against the disease. More than 7 million Americans, including 580,000 Floridians, are living with Alzheimer’s. Funds raised from the Walk support research, advocacy, and care resources for families affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

The Gainesville Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place Saturday, Oct. 11, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 4000 NW 53rd Ave. A highlight of the day is the Promise Garden Ceremony, where participants hold colorful flowers representing their personal connection to the cause — whether walking for a loved one, as a caregiver, as a supporter, or in memory.

Since its start as the Memory Walk in 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s has grown into the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research.

Registration for the Gainesville Walk is open at alz.org/GainesvilleWalk. For more information, contact Steph Watts at stwatts@alz.org or 813-493-0026.

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The vibrant “Greetings from Newberry, Florida” mural, completed by artist Jesus Martinez, now brightens the west wall of a city-owned building, serving as both public art and a new downtown landmark. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

City’s first mural, blending local history with a splash of color

NEWBERRY –A once-blank wall along West Newberry Road has been transformed into a splash of color that Newberry city leaders hope will capture the spirit of the community and draw new attention to downtown.

Now completed, work began Aug. 4, 2025, on Newberry’s first downtown mural, the opening project of a mural program launched by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The design, created by artist Jesus Martinez, spells out “Newberry, Florida” in bold letters filled with images of local landmarks and themes.

The project reflects months of planning, community engagement and funding partnerships. The CRA Board directed staff to pursue a mural and apply for the Alachua County Art Tag Grant to help cover costs. That application was successful, bringing in a $2,000 matching grant supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, Visit Gainesville and sales of Florida’s “State of the Arts” license plate.

The mural design emerged after input from residents, social media feedback, and review by the CRA Board and the Historic Architectural Review Board. Suggestions included highlighting Newberry’s agricultural history and incorporating Veterans Memorial Park, which was dedicated in 2024. Martinez’s final design weaves these elements into the city’s name, turning the wall into both artwork and a statement of civic pride.

The mural can be seen on the western wall of a city-owned building at 25439 W. Newberry Road. To encourage visitors to stop and enjoy it, the CRA has also funded improvements around the site, including a sidewalk, landscaping and a bench.

The mural program is part of Newberry’s Downtown 5-Year Action Plan, which called for a “selfie wall” to promote the city through social media and boost foot traffic to local businesses. Public art projects like this are increasingly recognized as tools not only for beautification but also for economic development.

By creating a focal point for visitors, city officials believe the mural will strengthen downtown’s role as a gathering place and encourage people to linger at nearby shops and restaurants.

The mural is the first in what city leaders hope will be a series of public art initiatives. Along with other redevelopment programs — such as façade improvement grants, marketing support for businesses, and potential residential paint programs — the mural reflects Newberry’s broader effort to balance historic character with growth.

Public art has been shown in other communities to become informal landmarks and popular social media backdrops, providing free publicity for small cities while fostering civic identity. For Newberry, this mural marks an important step in that direction.

The completed mural has quickly become a focal point, drawing residents and visitors who pause to take photos and admire the bold “Newberry” letters filled with images of the city’s history and character. The artwork now serves as both a visual welcome to the community and a lasting reminder of how creativity and collaboration can transform public spaces into landmarks. From blank wall to bold landmark, the mural now tells Newberry’s story in color.

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Photo courtesy of Alachua County Public Schools

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Gainesville High School history teacher Lauren Watts has been placed on administrative leave while both district and state officials investigate serious allegations of student bullying.

A parent, Dr. Crystal Marull, reported that in May 2023, her son—active in ROTC and known for his conservative views—was labeled by classmates as a “Naziphile” due to his interest in World War II history. According to her account, Watts then had the student nominated for a mock superlative, “Most Likely to Become a Dictator,” and tried to compel him to accept the award—actions Dr. Marull says caused emotional harm to her son.

In response, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier urged the school district to dismiss Watts and press for revocation of her teaching license if the claims are validated.

Shortly thereafter, Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios (Stasi) Kamoutsas filed a formal administrative complaint seeking sanctions against Watts’s certification. The complaint lists multiple possible penalties, ranging from reprimand to permanent disqualification from teaching in the state.

Alachua County Public Schools confirmed that Watts remains on leave and emphasized that details of the case are protected under Florida confidentiality statutes.

These events unfold amidst broader controversy involving the school board’s leadership. Just weeks earlier, School Board Chair Sarah Rockwell faced a public relations crisis after making a social media post about the death of wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, remarking that his passing meant “one less MAGA.” Though the post was quickly deleted, it drew significant backlash and heightened scrutiny of board conduct.

The two matters have intensified community dialogue around accountability, ethics, and the district’s educational environment. No timetable has been announced for resolution of the investigation into Watts’s conduct.

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The following is a press release provided by Alachua County. It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff.

All Alachua County government offices (except emergency services) will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

 Residential curbside collection service for solid waste, recycling, and yard trash will not be affected by the Labor Day holiday. In addition, the Hazardous Waste Collection Center and the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station will be open during regularly scheduled hours on Monday, Sept. 1.

 The five Alachua County Rural Collection Centers and the Office of Waste Collection will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1. They will resume normal schedules on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

 For more information, contact Alachua County Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Director Gus Olmos at 352-338-3233.

 The holiday does not affect the Alachua County Animal Resources schedule. The office and shelter are closed on Monday, per their regular schedule.

 Animal Resources Officers respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays, to matters affecting public safety and animals in immediate danger. Citizens should dial 911 to report such emergencies on Sundays, holidays, and between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m.

 Alachua County Animal Resources can be reached at 352-264-6870 during regular hours (Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays).