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NEWBERRY – The Newberry City Commission met Aug. 25, 2025, to review a series of development and zoning issues including the Avalon Woods development, a multi-phase project.

Newberry Principal Planner Jean-Paul Perez presented an application from JBrown Professional Group, Inc., representing M3 Avalon Land 2, LLC, owner of the project. The plan for Avalon Woods Phase 5A covers 15.5 acres and includes infrastructure and site improvements to support 91 single-family homes within the mixed-use development.

A key point of contention centered on a proposed road connection linking the southern edge of the subdivision to Northwest 244^th Drive. That road provides access to 41 Commerce Park and had not been part of the previously adopted development plan. Because it constitutes a major change to the development order, the new connection required commission approval.

A traffic impact analysis by MPH Transportation Planning indicated that routing traffic through the industrial park could help disperse vehicle trips generated by Phases 4 through 6. However, staff also noted potential conflicts between residential and industrial traffic, raising concerns over maneuverability and use-type compatibility.

City staff recommended adoption of Resolution 2025-26 with multiple conditions. Among them were requirements to amend the master development plan before Phase 5B, to resolve outstanding utility and easement issues, and to sign a maintenance and indemnification agreement for backwater valves.

Another condition addressed force main infrastructure along U.S. 27/41. While the city agreed to reimburse the difference in material costs for upsizing from a 6-inch to an 8-inch pipe, officials emphasized that reimbursements would be subject to city approval of engineering cost estimates.

Assistant City Manager and Director of Utilities and Public Works Jamie Jones suggested advancing Phase 5A with conditions attached, while deferring the road connection question to a later stage. Under the motion, the road will currently end at the last lot, with future resolution required before Phase 5B construction.

Commissioner Mark Clark moved for approval, seconded by Commissioner Don Long. The measure passed 3-2, with Commissioners Monty Farnsworth and Tony Mazon voting against.

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ALACHUA – The City of Alachua Commission voted 3-1 Monday night to approve the first reading of Ordinance 25-05, a comprehensive amendment to the city’s Land Development Regulations that lays the groundwork for more mixed-use development. Commissioner Jacob Fletcher cast the only dissenting vote, while the rest of the commission agreed to advance the measure to a second and final reading on Sept. 8. Commissioner Jennifer Ringersen was not present.

Mixed-use development combines housing, businesses, and sometimes offices or recreational spaces within the same project or district, creating walkable areas where people can live, work, and shop in closer proximity. Planning Director Carson Crockett explained that the ordinance is designed to entice developers to pursue infill opportunities within the city rather than pushing outward onto greenspace and undeveloped tracts. The changes align with the city’s 2025 Strategic Plan and last year’s Comprehensive Plan update, both of which identified mixed-use zoning as a key growth management strategy.

The amendments modify multiple articles of the Land Development Regulations, adding standards for density and intensity in business districts, creating new definitions for mixed-use projects, reducing parking requirements by 25 percent in certain zones, and establishing new landscaping, buffering, and orientation rules to help commercial and residential uses coexist within the same development.

While city staff framed the ordinance as a carefully calibrated tool for managing growth, the vote drew criticism from residents who said the commission had acted too quickly and without sufficient public understanding. Alachua resident Tamara Robbins argued that commissioners themselves did not fully understand the ordinance they approved and insisted that greenspace should remain untouched regardless of infill strategies.

Several residents of High Springs added their voices in opposition, contending that the city should be more cautious before opening the door to broader residential uses in commercial zones. Alachua resident Rudy Rothseiden told the commission that too many unanswered questions remained and warned that mixed-use projects could easily overwhelm commercial corridors with parking problems and congestion.

Despite these objections, the majority of commissioners endorsed the ordinance as consistent with the city’s adopted planning policies and noted that it represents the continuation of work begun last year when the city created mixed-use future land use categories.

The new standards spell out what qualifies as mixed-use development and what protections are required when such projects are placed alongside existing single-family neighborhoods. City staff emphasized that the changes were researched with examples from peer communities across Florida and were intended to give Alachua flexibility to shape growth in a way that balances new housing opportunities with commercial vitality.

The ordinance does not impose any new fees or compliance costs on businesses, according to a state-mandated Business Impact Estimate. The report concluded there would be no financial burden on private, for-profit businesses, and no new regulatory costs for the city.

Supporters argue that the changes will provide additional housing choices, especially in areas like downtown Main Street and the U.S. 441 corridor, while protecting residential neighborhoods through buffers and landscaping standards. Opponents remain unconvinced, warning that parking and compatibility concerns will surface as soon as developers take advantage of the new rules.

With the first reading now complete, the ordinance returns to the City Commission on Sept. 8 for a final vote. If approved, the changes will take effect later this year.

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ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ Several Alachua County innovators are among the finalists for the 16th Annual Cade Prize for Inventivity, one of the region’s premier competitions recognizing groundbreaking ideas.

Judges selected 15 finalists nationwide from a pool of 100 applicants representing 16 states, including entrepreneurs, researchers, and technology transfer organizations. Competitors are advancing in five categories: Environmental, Healthcare, Technology, Sports, and Wildcard.

Finalists will gather Oct. 14 at the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention in Gainesville for the awards ceremony. The event will feature an expo-style showcase of projects, networking with attendees, and a final round of live judging. Winners in each category will receive $10,000, and five finalists will present pitches on stage for a chance at the $50,000 grand prize, the Student Choice Award, and professional consulting services.

Alachua County innovators are strongly represented in the Healthcare and Technology categories. NanoNeurosciences of Alachua was named a finalist for NanoGlaucoOut, a peptide-based nanomedicine platform designed to treat conditions such as glaucoma, epilepsy, and depression. The technology focuses on long-lasting, nonsurgical treatments that support cell survival and energy function.

CasNx of Gainesville advanced for its CRISPR technology that edits donor organs to reduce viruses and immune rejection, with the goal of providing safer and longer-lasting transplants.

Elias Sayour, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Florida, and Adam Grippin, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Texas were recognized for research aimed at improving cancer immunotherapy through methods that enhance treatment response.

Immunogenik of Gainesville earned a spot in the Technology category for 8R-70CAR, a CD70-targeted CAR T cell therapy designed for aggressive, treatment-resistant cancers, including glioblastoma and pediatric high-grade gliomas.

The Cade Prize, named after Dr. James Robert Cade, the lead inventor of Gatorade, is a national competition celebrating creativity and innovation. Each year, it highlights early-stage inventions with the potential for significant societal impact.

This year’s competition is supported by sponsors including the Community Foundation of North Central Florida, the Florida High Tech Corridor, Gatorade, the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, OneSixOne Ventures, NVision Strategies, and Hyatt Place Downtown, among others.

The Oct. 14 awards ceremony will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cade Museum. Tickets are available at cadeprize.org.

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NEWBERRY – After hours of debate and public comment, the Newberry City Commission voted Aug. 25, 2025, to set the city’s final fire assessment rate at $300 per residential property.

The vote came after weeks of discussion and public workshops. Although the previously discussed rate of $419 per residential unit was listed in the Alachua County Property Appraiser’s Truth in Millage (TRIM) Notice, City Staff recommended a reduced rate of $300 per residential unit for a final assessment

The commission ultimately approved the measure in a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Monty Farnsworth opposing.

Public Pushback and Calls for Broader Solutions

More than 10 residents and business owners voiced concerns over the increase, which marks the first change in three years. The commission had previously held the rate steady at $200 per residential unit, but officials said that amount was no longer sustainable.

Former commissioner Jason McGehee argued that the city could have avoided the steep increase if past boards had raised the rate incrementally, suggesting $25 annual increases as a way to reduce the impact on households.

Others focused on the burden for businesses. Industrial property is assessed at $0.09 per square foot, which drew objections from business owner Todd Russo. Russo said that much of the 119,000 square feet attributed to his company falls under canopy space, yet is still billed at the industrial rate. City officials explained that the county, not the city, determines industrial square footage. City Manager Jordan Marlowe said he would accompany Russo to meet with county staff on the issue.

Some residents urged commissioners to look beyond rate increases. Developer Trip Norfleet said the city should review its budget more carefully, while resident Sherry French called for expanding the commercial tax base to ease the load on homeowners.

Assistant City Manager and CFO Dallas Lee presented comparison tables showing that funding fire services through property tax increases would ultimately cost residents more than the flat assessment. Lee also explained that the fire assessment ensures costs are distributed evenly across property types.

Several speakers said they had not been aware of earlier workshops and urged the city to expand its outreach. Marlowe noted that Newberry maintains an email notification list for all meetings, but residents must sign up to receive those messages.

The fire assessment dominated the meeting agenda, extending the commission meeting to nearly five hours. Commissioners twice voted to extend the session, first beyond 11 p.m. and later to 11:30 p.m., before finally approving the new rate.

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K-9 Thor, pictured with his handler Sgt. Justin Horn (kneeling, center left) and members of the Alachua Police Department, was honored at his 2023 retirement after eight years of service. Thor, a Belgian Malinois trained in narcotics detection and patrol duties, remained with Horn as a family pet until his passing on Aug. 24, 2025./ Alachua County today file photo

ALACHUA– The Alachua Police Department is mourning the loss of retired K-9 Thor, a Belgian Malinois who dedicated eight years to serving the city before retiring to family life. Thor died Aug. 24, 2025, at age 13, surrounded by his handler’s family and his police department colleagues.

Born July 21, 2012, Thor joined the Alachua Police Department in May 2014. Over his career, he was trained and certified in narcotics detection and patrol functions. His work included building searches, locating wanted individuals, and recovering lost evidence — tasks that made him a valuable partner in day-to-day police operations.

Thor’s contributions to law enforcement extended beyond technical skill. His presence at crime scenes and community events strengthened bonds between the police department and residents, making him a recognizable and trusted figure in Alachua.

On Feb. 27, 2023, the Alachua City Commission publicly recognized Thor for his years of service. At that meeting, Police Chief Jesse Sandusky honored the K-9’s career with a ceremonial presentation. Thor officially retired that day, and his handler, Sgt. Justin Horn, received a shadow box commemorating their time together. After retirement, Thor remained with Horn and his family, enjoying a quieter life as a household pet after years of demanding service.

Thor’s career is remembered as an example of dedication and loyalty. His work alongside officers not only supported criminal investigations but also reinforced community trust in the department. His transition from a working dog to a family companion reflected the strong bond between police dogs and their handlers, as well as the department’s appreciation for the role K-9s play in public safety.

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