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Photo special to Alachua County Today / A creative puppet show by students in the local Music and Arts Program engaged youngsters in the teachings of Dr. King.

ALACHUA – More than six decades after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech on a sweltering August day in Washington, D.C., his legacy continues to inspire people across the nation. From the monumental March on Washington in 1963 to the frosty morning of Alachua’s 20^th Annual MLK Celebration in 2025, the dream of equality and justice remains alive, uniting communities in remembrance and hope. More than 150 people attended the event to honor Dr. King's legacy.

The City of Alachua held its celebration at Alachua’s Legacy Park Multipurpose Center beginning at 10 a.m. Just as King captivated a nation with his words in 1963, Alachua’s celebration featured inspiring speeches and performances that carried forward his message. Six-time Grammy Award nominee Vickie Winans headlined the event, delivering a soul-stirring musical performance and a keynote address that left attendees both moved and motivated. Her dynamic presence brought energy and inspiration, echoing King’s ability to uplift a crowd.

Joining community members in the remembrance celebration were City of Alachua elected officials Mayor Gib Coerper and City Commissioners Shirley Green Brown and Dayna Williams and City Manager Mike DaRoza and Assistant City Manager Rodolfo Valladares.

The celebration also featured performances by University of Florida student Frantz Emmanuel and a creative puppet show by students in the local Music and Arts Program, showcasing the contributions of young people—a reminder of King’s belief in the power of youth to drive change. Students delighted attendees with the engaging show, a heartwarming family play filled with laughter, love, and inspiration.

There were additional performances including singer Caitlyn Phillips, the Alachua Cha Chas and Smooth Flava Dance.

Leading up to the event, Gainesville’s Cultural Affairs Manager and event committee member Carol Richardson said, “This celebration will be nothing short of spectacular and memorable. With the addition of Vickie Winans this year, you will not want to miss this celebration.”

In both moments — separated by over six decades — the act of gathering in King’s name reflects his enduring belief in the power of community. Just as the 1963 March on Washington ended with calls for unity, equality, and justice, Alachua’s MLK Day celebration concluded with a shared community meal, offering attendees a chance to reflect, connect, and celebrate together.

“Our Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations are a cherished tradition in Alachua, and this year was no exception,” said Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper. “Each year, the event grows more meaningful as we come together as a community to honor Dr. King’s legacy.

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NEWBERRY – The City of Newberry has once again been recognized by the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) with a “Building Strong Communities Award.” This is the eighth time since the award was introduced in 2015 that Newberry has been a recipient.

The award, which recognizes public power utilities for initiatives that promote education, charitable giving, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, was announced on Nov. 12, 2024, during the FMEA Energy Connections Conference and Trade Show in Daytona Beach. Newberry joins 19 other community-owned utilities across Florida in receiving this year’s distinction.

Newberry earned the award for a diverse range of programs and projects designed to serve its residents and enhance the quality of life in the city. Among the initiatives highlighted are:

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which is designed to give residents and electric customers more information and control over their utility usage

Bill paying assistance programs

Production of the annual Career Fair at Newberry High School focusing on trades, including utilities and public safety

Recognition of local government operations with annual My City event highlighting benefits of municipal services

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Provision of Christmas for families in Newberry

Christmas in the Park event, and

WestFest Music Festival, a free all day festival highlighting family-centered entertainment.

“The City is delighted that our efforts are recognized by FMEA,” said City Manager Mike New.

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Photo by Contributor VIVIAN ARNDT/special to Alachua County Today

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The brisk weather was offset by the glow of community spirit at the Martin Luther King Walk held in High Springs on Jan. 20, 2025. As the end of the mile-long walk drew close, a special addition to the day was about to take place as part of the celebration. At the destination of Catherine Taylor Park, there stood a new bench and picnic table along with three potted Live Oak trees ready to plant.

This “addition” was the culmination of months of planning in a joint venture between the City of High Springs Parks and Recreation Board and The Kiwanis of Santa Fe to honor the work of Tammy Fleming, retired director of the former Martin Luther King Daycare.

Kiwanis Vice President Linda Hewlitt gave a warm welcome to the group. This was followed by Cassandra Davis from High Springs Parks and Recreation, who recounted how this day arrived.

“Forty-two years ago, a young mother came to the daycare to pick up her small son and tearfully said it would be his last day at the center because she was unable to pay to keep bringing him.

“The young mother was offered a job there at the daycare, which eventually grew into her running the daycare. For over 40 years, Tammy Fleming nurtured and cared for the young ones entrusted to her. Her work eventually extended from the original young ones on down to their children and now grandchildren,” said Davis.

“Miss Tammy” as she is known, was presented with a plaque honoring her contribution to the community along with the bench, picnic table, and the trees which were planted with “Miss Tammy's” help.

“Some people say they have to go to work,” said Tammy. “I always wanted to go to work! I wanted to go and teach my kids. To see them learn and grow and teach those young ones to go out into the world and do well.”

Learn and do well is what has happened as “Miss Tammy” counts among her former students a principal at a Gainesville high school, a dean at a local college, an anesthesiologist, and a local policeman.

“I see that policeman around town sometimes, and I love knowing he's taking care of me and my town the same way I used to take care of him,” she says with a big smile.

While she only had one son, she counts the many children she cared for as “her kids” and many of them were there to congratulate her, a line forming to hug her as she greeted them each by name.

Martin Luther King left the world with many stellar quotes among them being:

“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

On a day that has been set aside to honor his legacy, what better way than to see these words being put into action and to experience the ripple effect it spreads throughout the community.

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ALACHUA –A collision between a semi-truck and a Road Ranger truck early Saturday morning, Jan. 18, 2025, resulted in a fire and prompted a multi-unit emergency response from Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR). Fortunately, the crash caused only minor injuries, and no hospitalizations were necessary.

The accident occurred around 12:30 a.m. near the 398-mile marker on Interstate 75. According to ACFR, the semi-truck collided with the Road Ranger truck under circumstances that remain under investigation. The impact sparked a fire, leading to immediate safety concerns and the dispatch of four ACFR units to the scene.

Emergency crews acted quickly to extinguish the flames and secure the area, ensuring no further injuries or property damage occurred.

While the drivers involved in the crash sustained minor injuries, they were treated on-site, and no one required transportation to a hospital. However, the collision had a significant impact on traffic, as Interstate 75 was shut down for several hours. Motorists traveling through the area were detoured, resulting in delays as crews worked diligently to clear the wreckage and assess the scene’s safety.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), which will determine the factors that contributed to the collision and whether charges may be filed.

This incident serves as a reminder for all drivers to exercise caution on the road, particularly when approaching emergency vehicles and service trucks. Florida’s “Move Over Law” requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks, or Road Rangers.

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HIGH SPRINGS – During the Jan. 9, 2025, High Springs City Commission meeting, several residents shared reactions on the proposed Bridlewood development and other community matters.

Becky Burns, a local real estate agent, highlighted potential issues with the Bridlewood project’s process. Burns alleged that the developer had failed to comply with Section 1115-05 Notice of the City’s codes, claiming that required notifications to nearby residents were incomplete. She also criticized the marketing tactics associated with the development, citing violations of Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) rules and misleading claims about native plantings and infrastructure inspections.

Additionally, Burns expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed Community Development District (CDD) on the city and future homeowners, referencing her personal experience with similar districts in St. Augustine.

“I’m making it aware they’re just doing a sales pitch on you,” said Burns, urging the Commission to fully understand the implications of approving a CDD. She also highlighted environmental concerns, noting the presence of wildlife, including protected species, on the land.

Another resident, Bryan Buescher, shared his own reservations about the CDD, stating that it would primarily benefit the developers while increasing financial burdens for future homeowners. He emphasized that the roads and stormwater basins in the gated community would remain private, providing little benefit to the City. “Approving a CDD would be detrimental,” said Buescher.

Mayor Tristan Grunder assured residents that the City would ensure the developers follow all regulations moving forward. “We will look into the ordinance stuff… I don’t know there’s much we can do against Bridlewood, but the one thing we sure can do is make sure that they follow the rules and regulations that are put before them moving forward.”

In other City business, the Commission unanimously approved changes to the Mayor’s Youth Council, aligning member terms with the school year to improve coordination. Commissioners Katherine Weitz and Chad Howell were absent from the meeting.

Resident David Linch expressed concerns about preserving High Springs’ historic decorative concrete streets, noting their age and historical value. At 82 years old, Linch said the streets predate him and are an essential part of the city’s charm.

Former City Commissioner and Mayor Scott Jamison urged the Commission to reconsider their earlier decision to reject a $1.8 million grant for sewer installation for a small number of homes. Jamison emphasized the importance of clean water and warned of potential long-term consequences if the city failed to address water infrastructure needs.

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HAWTHORNE ‒ A 37-year-old Hawthorne man, Brian Michael Hendrickson, was arrested on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, following a high-speed chase involving reckless driving on State Road 20 (SR 20) and U.S. Highway 301. Hendrickson now faces charges of fleeing and reckless driving after allegedly attempting to evade law enforcement at speeds exceeding 100 mph.

At approximately 6:54 a.m., an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a Subaru Crosstrek traveling over 70 mph on SR 20 near Southeast 65^th Lane. When the deputy activated their lights and sirens, Hendrickson reportedly accelerated and began weaving through traffic, disregarding public safety.

The chase continued as the suspect briefly exited onto U.S. Highway 301 before re-entering SR 20 westbound, according to the deputy’s report. During the pursuit, Hendrickson allegedly ignored all traffic control devices while maneuvering through vehicles at high speed.

The pursuit came to an end near Southeast 171^st Street, where Hendrickson reportedly raised both hands out of the driver’s side window before pulling over and surrendering to authorities.

Hendrickson’s criminal history includes two felony convictions, one misdemeanor conviction, and a prior state prison sentence for grand theft, from which he was released in July 2023. He is currently on pre-trial release in Marion County for a misdemeanor case and has an active felony warrant from the same county.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones set Hendrickson’s bail at $125,000. Authorities noted the danger Hendrickson posed to the public during the pursuit, citing his disregard for traffic safety and property. The case remains under investigation.

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