Local

Gainesville, Fla. – In 2022, Haven Hospice’s combined five Attic Resale Stores—located in Chiefland, Gainesville, Lake City, Orange Park and St. Augustine— made more than $1.8 million in net revenue in support of Haven Hospice.  

Thanks to the dedication of 345 volunteers, loyal customers, donated goods, and a committed staff, the Attic Resale Stores generated a total net revue of  $1,823,422.

“Haven Hospice Attic volunteers are the true reason the Attic stores are able to keep their doors open and products stocked,” said Clay Dzioba, Haven Hospice Attic Volunteer Services Manager. “Attic volunteers give their time, hearts and many inventive ideas that differentiate our stores from others.”

Dzioba also extended Haven’s thanks to the shoppers and donors who have supported the Attics. He said it is their continued support that brings shoppers and builds the Attics’ positive reputation. 

“Without the support of our communities providing the much needed donations, we would not be able to offer the wonderful quality products to those that may not otherwise be able to afford them,” said Dzioba.

Merchandise at the Attic is solely generated by donations. Each Attic accepts new or gently used housewares, clothing, and electronics. All proceeds financially support the Haven mission, local hospice patients and families, as well as many other people in the community served by Haven programs and services.

If you’re interested in volunteering with Haven’s Attic Resale stores, please visit https://BeYourHaven.org/Attic for more information. 

About the Haven Hospice Foundation: The Haven Hospice Foundation, formed in 2020, is a 501 ©(3) not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting the work and mission of Haven Hospice, which provides hospice and palliative care across 18 Florida counties.  For Foundation details, visit https://beyourhaven.org/donate. 

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GILCHRIST COUNTY ‒ A silver 2018 – 2021 Kia Rio sedan was traveling west on State Road 26, east of Southwest 19^th Circle, on Wednesday, March 15, sometime before 6 a.m. At the same time a female pedestrian was walking east on the north paved shoulder of SR-26.

For unknown reasons the Kia Rio travelled to the north shoulder where it struck the pedestrian. The driver of the Kia Rio fled the scene. The pedestrian, a middle-age white female, was transported to UF Shands Hospital where she later expired.

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is seeking any information the public may have about this vehicle. The Kia Rio should be missing the headlight assembly and trim on the right side. To report any information relevant to this incident, call the local Crime Stoppers, FHP Communication Center at 1-800-387-1290 or *FHP.

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NEWBERRY ‒ Joseph Michael Tugman, 26, of Newberry, was arrested on March 12, 2023 at approximately 12:25 a.m. and charged with drug possession and carrying a concealed firearm after a deputy reportedly found him asleep in a parked car with the engine running.

An Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy made contact with Tugman after he observed a silver Toyota sedan parked with its lights on and engine running just outside the entrance to the bus loop at Oak View Middle School in Newberry.

The deputy made announcements over his patrol car’s PA system for the driver to get out of the car, but there was no response. Approaching the car, he reportedly saw a male, later identified as Tugman, in the driver’s seat, apparently asleep. The deputy awakened the man by knocking on the passenger side window and Tugman was asked to get out of the car.

The deputy reported that Tugman had a large fixed-blade knife visible on his belt and that Tugman denied having any other weapons and gave consent to search his person. Deputies reportedly found a loaded .38 revolver in an inside-waistband holster, about one gram of cocaine, and about 0.7 grams of methamphetamine.

Post Miranda, Tugman reportedly said he didn’t know what the substances were and admitted he did not have a valid concealed weapon permit.

Tugman has been charged with carrying a concealed firearm without a permit, committing a third-degree felony while armed, cocaine possession, and possession of a controlled substance. Bail was set on first appearance at $25,000 by Judge Denise R. Ferrero.

Currently, Tugman is not listed as being in the Alachua County Jail.

Tugman was arrested in 2015 and charged with stealing an iPod, a BB gun, and a revolver from a neighbor and pawning the items. He entered a plea of nolo contendere to five felonies in exchange for one year of community control, followed by four years of probation; adjudication of guilt was withheld. In 2018, he requested early termination of his probation and thanked the judge in advance for giving him a “second chance.” The probation was terminated shortly thereafter.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry Board of Adjustment has approved an application by The Citadel Family Church, Inc., for a special exception to permit a church in a Residential, Single-Family (RSF-2) zoning district.  This item was also recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Board on March 6. 

The property is located at 145 N.W. 257^th Street, consists of 0.24 +/- acres and was originally used as a Methodist Church.  Most recently, it was used as a Masonic lodge meeting hall.  The 3,348-square-foot building was constructed in 1950 and is a contributing structure for the City’s Historic District. 

The property fronts the westbound segment of the Florida Department of Transportation project for the two-lane, one-way pair split for State Road 26/West Newberry Road. 

Items brought up in discussion included concerns about adequate parking and noise impacting neighboring residents.  Reverend Arraelieus Garrison explained that there are only four families in the congregation and, if attendance increases, he has already spoken with another neighboring church that could accommodate overflow parking.  

He explained that his sermons are not loud, but said he was planning to hold a barbecue on the grounds to introduce the church to the neighbors.  Otherwise, his sermons would be inside the building.  No tent revivals would be held outside, he said.

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ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua has cancelled its upcoming municipal election. The qualifying period for the scheduled April 11, 2023 election ended at 12 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2023. Current City Commissioner Dayna Miller was the only individual who submitted qualifying documents for Commission Seat 3. As there were no other races or matters to be placed on the ballot, the scheduled April 11, 2023 election was cancelled. There will be a swearing in ceremony held on April 24, 2023 for Miller as she enters a three-year term.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Each year on the first weekend in March, the High Springs Lions Club opens its doors and helps make dreams come true for local teenage girls by offering free prom gowns, shoes and corsages. The motto at the event is “If it Fits, Its Yours.” The event is successful due to support and sponsorship from the local community. The dresses are donations from people who had their prom, formal affair or wedding party and no longer need the dress, and they offer it to a new generation for them to have their prom dreams come true. Many accessories and services are donated by businesses and individuals.

Serving an increasing number of girls each year, the dresses and accessories are collected throughout the year. Items and funds are donated by people throughout the community through the club’s “Donate a Dress - Support a Dream” team project. Local businesses provide additional services to make it a complete magical experience for the teenagers. Referred to as Fairy Godmothers and Godfathers, they offer such free services as boutonnieres and corsages from flower shops, tailors for alterations, limos and party buses, hair salons for nails, hair and makeup, photographers, DJ /bands, tux rentals and caterers.

The Lions Club also creates a book for the girls for use at special events throughout their lives. “We are trying to create a guide book so they can use it not just for prom but also for their next prom (senior) or wedding as well as a memory book of their event,” said Lions Club member Barb Kowats.

“We gave away 108 dresses over the weekend and still have 815, which will go back in storage for next year to help make the cost of a prom dress not an obstacle to a family being able to afford send their daughter to prom,” said Lions Club member Leslie Flage.

Cinderella’s Closet was founded in 2006 in Lakeside Park, Kentucky, after Erin Peterson overheard a teenager ask a consignment shop clerk if a gown on display could be put on hold while she figured out how to pay for it. The teenager asked her foster mother for the money, but a prom dress was an extra in life, and its price was out of their reach. Seeing her disappointment, Peterson stepped in bought the dress for her. As tears flooded her eyes, said she would look “just like Cinderella.”

In partnership with Immanuel United Methodist Church, Cinderella’s Closet was born. Through donations of new and gently used formal dresses and accessories, the organization was able to “Turn Dresses into Dreams” for juniors and seniors referred to the organization by their schools, community organizations or social care agencies. The program ensures that costs associated with attending prom are not a financial burden on a family by offering the gown shopping experience at no extra cost. But the benefit is more than just a dress, Cinderella's Closet provides an unforgettable experience for these girls to remember for the rest of their lives.

In High Springs, Kelly Dees, who owned All Creations Salon, heard about the idea and began working with the High Springs Lions Club to sponsor a local event in 2010. Dees ran the program and recruited sponsors while the Lions Club provided the location, additional sponsors and staff to hold the event.  

Now the Lion's Club is running the program under the direction of Lion member Shelly Smith Denton, and all the female members of the Lion's Club also participate

Denton says that seeing the girls’ faces shine when they see themselves in a three-way mirror makes it all worth it.

“It’s a great experience to see it—many of these girls couldn’t even go or get a dress if they didn’t come here,” said Denton. “The excitement and joy in their faces makes the event a success.”

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