Local

WALDO ‒ On Friday, July 12, 2024, at approximately 12:35 p.m., a Gainesville man and woman were killed in a traffic crash that occurred at Northeast U.S. Highway 301 and County Road 225.

The minivan the couple were traveling in entered the southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 301 from the stop sign at County Road 225 where it was struck in a T-bone fashion by a tractor trailer traveling southbound in the inside lane.

Occupants in the minivan were an 82-year-old man and 80-year-old woman. After Alachua County Fire Rescue and Melrose Fire Rescue were able to extract the minivan driver, both occupants were transported to UF Health Shands where they were pronounced deceased.

The driver of the tractor trailer was a 45-year-old Ocala man who reported no injuries.

All parties were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

#     #     #

Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Police Department brought the community together on the evening of Aug. 6, 2024, by hosting the annual National Night Out event at the High Springs Civic Center, located at 19107 N.W. 240^th Street. From 6 to 9 p.m., families and community members enjoyed an evening filled with fun, games, and camaraderie.

National Night Out is a nationwide initiative aimed at fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The High Springs Police Department made sure this year’s event was one to remember, offering a variety of activities for attendees of all ages. The event featured sports, interactive games, a dunk tank, and more, creating an atmosphere of excitement and community spirit.

The event was free to the public, and residents from across the area were invited to join in the festivities. The High Springs Civic Center buzzed with energy as friends, families, and neighbors came together to enjoy the offerings and spend time with local law enforcement officers in a relaxed, informal setting.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

L-R: Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper receives the Florida League of Cities’ highest award from League President Greg Ross /Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – Mayor Gib Coerper of Alachua has been awarded the prestigious E. Harris Drew Municipal Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his decades of dedication to public service and his outstanding contributions to the City of Alachua and the state of Florida. The award was presented by the Florida League of Cities (FLC) during its Annual Conference on Aug. 16, 2024.

The E. Harris Drew Municipal Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed by the FLC, an organization that has been promoting municipal self-governance in Florida since its formation in 1922. Named after Supreme Court Justice E. Harris Drew, the award acknowledges local elected officials who have made significant and lasting impacts on their communities through dedicated public service.

“Throughout my life, I’ve always volunteered and I’ve always wanted to help,” Coerper said after receiving the award. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. I’ve been in the City of Alachua for nearly 50 years and it’s such an honor to be involved in this wonderful community.”

A resident and homeowner in Alachua since 1974, Coerper has devoted his life to the service of his community. He was first elected to the Alachua City Commission in 1999 and has since been re-elected four times. Beyond his official duties, Coerper has been deeply involved in youth mentorship, serving as a youth liaison for Boy Scouts of America Troop 88 for nearly two decades and volunteering as a tutor in the local elementary school.

“I love helping kids become good adults,” Coerper added, reflecting on his extensive community work.

Under Coerper's leadership, Alachua has experienced significant growth while preserving its small-town charm. His focus on infrastructure and technology has attracted major companies and bioscience businesses to the area, creating diverse employment opportunities. A notable achievement was the acquisition of a multimillion-dollar Florida Job Growth Grant, which was used to develop a parkway that could potentially double the region’s bioscience sector.

Alachua City Commissioner Dayna Miller praised Coerper's accomplishments, saying, “The E. Harris Drew Achievement Award that Mayor Coerper recently received was certainly well deserved; he’s accomplished great things as our mayor. He has been a member of this community for many years, and his heart for Alachua shines bright. I am proud to serve the City of Alachua alongside him.”

Coerper’s contributions extend beyond his mayoral duties. He has served as the Vice Chair of the Florida League of Cities Nominating Committee, President of the Alachua County League of Cities, and is a two-time recipient of the Florida League of Cities' Home Rule Hero Award. He remains an active member of the Alachua Chamber of Commerce and the Florida League of Mayors and has previously served on the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

In addition to his civic duties, Coerper is an active volunteer for various organizations, including the American Cancer Society and Keep Alachua County Beautiful. He is also a committed member of the Alachua Lions Club and has previously been recognized by Lions Club International with the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship in 2013. Other accolades include being named the 2013 Volunteer of the Year by the Alachua Chamber of Commerce and receiving the Outstanding Service to Our Community award from St. Luke AME Church of Alachua.

Coerper’s leadership and dedication have left an indelible mark on the City of Alachua, and his recent recognition by the Florida League of Cities is a testament to his unwavering commitment to public service and community enrichment.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

ALACHUA – A 37-year-old Alachua woman was arrested on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after allegedly pointing a rifle at another woman during a fight in Alachua.

At about 9:15 p.m., Alachua Police Department (APD) officers responded to report of a shooting in the 13200 block of Northwest 151^st Place. Upon arrival, officers reported finding several people crowded into an outside patio area and initial reports indicated that there had been a fight between Shantavia D’Shante Jenkins and multiple people.

Jenkins had reportedly been previously trespassed from the property where the incident occurred.

A woman reportedly told an officer that Jenkins had taken a rifle from another person during the fight and had pointed it at her, saying her name. She said she was in fear of being harmed and fled; she also told the officer that a gun was fired.

Post Miranda, Jenkins reportedly said there had been “an issue” at the location and she was asked to go there to “assist with the situation.” She said someone gave her a knife before she left to go to the incident location.

Jenkins reportedly said a fight started between several people at the location, and during the fight, “guns came out,” and she asked a relative to help her.

Jenkins said a man grabbed her by the throat, and she heard a gun go off. The officer reported that while Jenkins explained this, she motioned with her hands as if she were holding a rifle and fighting with someone for control of the firearm. However, she denied possessing a firearm at any time during the incident. She also said she never took the knife out, but the officer reported that the knife was found on the ground near blood spatter and concluded, “This would indicate [Jenkins] was in proximity of a firearm and the person shot.” The officer also noted that there was blood on Jenkins during the interview.

Jenkins has five felony convictions, two of which were violent, and five misdemeanor convictions, one of which was violent. She is on drug offender probation after entering a plea of nolo contendere to five charges related to drug possession, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and driving with a suspended license following a March 2024 arrest.

An affidavit of violation of probation was filed in July after Jenkins’ urine sample reportedly showed that she had been using methamphetamines and she signed a statement acknowledging this. She was issued a Notice to Appear for an August hearing.

Bail was set at $300,000 on the new charges by Judge Donna Keim.

#     #     #

Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com

ALACHUA ‒ It was an evening to remember as Ken Block and Drew Copeland, two of five original members of the platinum-selling band, Sister Hazel, performed at the Legacy Park Amphitheater on Aug. 8, 2024. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. the best known two of the five members of the platinum-selling southern rock band brought their wildly celebrated tunes to Alachua. Under clear August skies spectators arrived early, setting up chairs and blankets across the amphitheater grounds, eager to experience the magic of Block and Copeland’s acoustic performance.

Over the last 15 years, Block and his band have not only maintained a relentless touring schedule but have also been prolific in the studio. Their dedication to creating new music has resulted in a steady stream of albums and singles that continue to resonate with audiences. Each release showcases Block's vocal prowess and the band’s evolving sound, ensuring that their music remains fresh and relevant.

Copeland is also a celebrated songwriter and vocalist. In 2004 he released a solo album, “No Regrets.”  An avid sports and music lover, Copeland has been honing his songwriting skills in Nashville, Tennessee over the last decade with some of country music's finest tunesmiths.

Sister Hazel has always been known for their personal connection with fans, organizing fan-friendly events like The Rock Boat and the annual Hazelnut Hang. Their philanthropic efforts, including the creation of the “Lyrics for Life” charity, have raised nearly $1 million for childhood cancer research and family support programs. As proud University of Florida alumni, Block and Copeland made history as the first-ever celebrity hosts of Gator Growl, the world’s largest student-run pep rally.

Thursday’s event at Legacy Park was free to the public and featured local food vendors, adding to the community spirit of the evening. The performance was a testament to the enduring appeal of Block and Copeland, whose music continues to inspire and bring people together.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

ALACHUA ‒ FEMA is warning Floridians that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after Hurricane Debby, and the agency is offering tips to help avoid being scammed. FEMA has stated that in some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from people affected by the disaster.

If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If this happens, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.

If you did not apply for assistance but receive a letter from FEMA, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline will submit a request to stop further processing of that application.

If you do want to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, the helpline will assist you in creating a new application.

Residents should be aware that FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews, housing inspectors and other officials will be working in areas impacted by Hurricane Debby. They carry official photo identification badges. FEMA representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.

Homeowners and renters in Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Manatee, Sarasota, Suwannee and Taylor counties can apply in several ways: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App, or call 800-621-3362 any day of the week. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance - YouTube. Their services are free.

Don't believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.

Don't give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff's department or contact Florida’s Office of the Attorney General by calling 866-9-NO-SCAM (866-966-7226) or visit myfloridalegal.com. To file a fraud complaint, go online to Scam Report (myfloridalegal.com).

If you have knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse, you can report these tips – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. You can also email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov to report a tip.

For the latest information about Florida’s Hurricane Debby recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4806. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com