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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ A devastating house fire on Sunday morning, Dec. 29, 2024, has claimed the life of a female victim and displaced a frightened dog. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Combined Communications Center began receiving multiple 911 calls at 9:53 a.m., reporting a fire near Northwest 183^rd Road and Northwest 238^th Street in High Springs.

Responding police officers arrived on the scene by 9:56 a.m., encountering substantial black smoke billowing from the residence. Reports en route indicated that a person and a dog were trapped inside the structure. Firefighters arrived shortly thereafter and launched an aggressive effort to contain the blaze to the right side of the home.

At 10:14 a.m., firefighters located the dog, which was alive but visibly frightened. Tragically, at 10:22 a.m., they discovered a deceased female victim near the fire's origin. The fire was fully extinguished by 10:28 a.m.

The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office, working in conjunction with the High Springs Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Alachua County Fire Marshal, has launched an investigation to determine the fire's cause. Authorities are also examining the circumstances surrounding the victim's death, which is standard procedure in such incidents. As of now, the deceased individual has not been positively identified.

High Springs officials expressed gratitude to the Alachua County Fire Rescue, Newberry Fire Department, Alachua Police Department, and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office for their coordinated efforts during the emergency.

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ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) has announced significant advancements in its firefighting equipment, introducing state-of-the-art Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and new Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) bags. These additions mark a milestone in enhancing both firefighter safety and operational efficiency.

The newly acquired SCBAs, funded through a combination of Alachua County tax dollars and grant funding, replace older equipment that had served the department for over a decade. Designed with cutting-edge technology, the SCBAs boast improved communication systems and lightweight materials to help reduce fatigue during demanding emergency operations.

Adding to the upgraded gear are new RIT bags, which are specifically designed to expedite rescue operations for downed firefighters. Equipped with a dedicated air supply, quick-connect fittings, and essential rescue tools, the RIT bags enable rapid deployment in high-stakes situations.

To ensure seamless integration of the new gear, ACFR has implemented extensive training programs. All personnel are undergoing hands-on instruction to become proficient in using the advanced SCBAs and RIT bags, further enhancing their readiness for the most challenging scenarios.

The investments reflect ACFR’s commitment to protecting both the first responders and the citizens of Alachua County. “These investments demonstrate the ongoing dedication to protecting both our first responders and the citizens of Alachua County,” said an ACFR representative

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ALACHUA ‒ The Alachua Police Department is appealing to the public for assistance in identifying a suspect involved in an armed robbery that occurred late Wednesday night, Dec. 18, 2024, at the Marathon Gas Station located at U.S. Highway 441 and Northwest 43rd Street.

At approximately 10:50 p.m., an unidentified black male entered the gas station and brandished a firearm, confronting the store clerk. The clerk escaped the building through the back door, but the suspect chased after him, stopping him by placing the firearm to the clerk’s back. The suspect forced the clerk to return to the store, where he demanded money from the register and lottery tickets.

The situation escalated when the clerk managed to activate a silent panic alarm. However, the suspect noticed the action and fled the scene, heading toward a roadway behind the gas station. Responding officers, assisted by a K-9 unit, discovered fresh tire tracks at the location, indicating that the suspect likely escaped in an unknown vehicle.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned black male, approximately 6 feet tall, with a slender build. At the time of the robbery, he was wearing a black Reebok sweater with white writing, light-colored soiled shoes, and a face mask resembling a medical covering.

Law enforcement is urging anyone with information about the incident or the suspect's identity to come forward. The Alachua Police Department can be reached at 386-462-1396. Alternatively, tips can be submitted anonymously through Alachua County Crime Stoppers at 352-372-7867, their website, or their mobile app.

Anonymous online tips can also be submitted via the department's website at https://loom.ly/7uR9tR4.

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CROSS CREEK ‒ Early Monday morning, Dec. 23, 2024, emergency crews from the Cross Creek Fire Department and Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) responded to a single-vehicle accident on County Road 325.

When crews arrived, they discovered a pickup truck overturned, resting on its roof after rolling multiple times. One individual was trapped inside the wreckage, prompting a coordinated rescue effort. Using hydraulic rescue tools, also known as the “Jaws of Life,” firefighters from ACFR and Cross Creek worked together to safely extricate the occupant.

Photos taken at the scene demonstrate the severity of the incident, showing firefighters and first responders working diligently under nighttime conditions. The overturned vehicle is surrounded by debris, emphasizing the violent nature of the crash. Emergency personnel can be seen stabilizing the truck and carefully preparing to extract the trapped individual.

Once freed, the occupant was transported to a local hospital by ACFR for medical treatment. Their condition has not yet been released.

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is currently investigating the cause of the crash.

In response to the incident, ACFR issued a seasonal safety reminder to the public: “Drive with care during this holiday season and please remember to move over for emergency vehicles in the roadway.

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GAINESVILLE ‒ Large trucks will be prohibited from using many of the smaller roadways in Alachua County. In a press release, the Alachua County Public Works Department announced that it installed more than 240 “No Trucks” signs across 44 road segments within the county. The release states that the initiative is designed to redirect large commercial trucks onto wider, “more suitable” state and county roads, reducing the risks posed by heavy vehicles on narrow roadways.

The new prohibitions are dispersed throughout all of Alachua County, and near Alachua and High Springs, include large sections of Northwest County Roads 236, 235A, 237, and 239 north of U.S. Highway 441. All of Old Bellamy Road and a portion of Northwest/Northeast 56^th Avenue are also restricted.

Additional restrictions are in place along all of County Road 337 south of Newberry and significant portions of Southwest County Roads 346 and 346A.

Trucks are prohibited from using all of Millhopper Road west of Northwest 43^rd Street in Gainesville and most of Wacahoota Road near Micanopy. Near Hawthorne, Southeast County Roads 234 and 2082 as well as South County Road 325 and County Roads 219A and 1474 have similar new restrictions.

According to the press release from Alachua County, the move comes in response to numerous citizen concerns about the dangers of large trucks traveling at high speeds on roads with limited width. In light of these concerns, the Alachua County Commission directed the Public Works Department to implement “No Trucks” restrictions on collector roads with travel lanes measuring 11 feet or narrower. These roads constitute approximately 14 percent of the county's collector road system.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol’s Bureau of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement in the Ocala District, the “No Trucks” designation is more straightforward and effective to enforce compared to weight-based restrictions. Consequently, some roads previously governed by weight limits are now marked with “No Trucks” signage, making enforcement by law enforcement agencies more efficient.

Importantly, these restrictions apply exclusively to commercial trucks passing through the area and do not affect local deliveries. Trucks making deliveries to addresses on these roads, including those during the busy holiday season, are exempt from the new regulations.

For more information, residents can contact Alachua County Civil Engineer Tony Flegert at 352-548-1218.

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HIGH SPRINGS – An investigation was launched at 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, after an adult female shopper at Bealls Outlet in High Springs located at 20201 N. U.S. Highway 441, Unit 10, reported an alarming incident. While using a fitting room, the victim observed a recording device being extended above the partition by an individual in the neighboring stall, who began filming her as she undressed.

The victim immediately yelled at the offender and attempted to confront him, but he fled the store on foot. Witnesses later observed the suspect leaving the area.

Officers from the High Springs Police Department (HSPD) acted promptly, employing advanced investigative techniques to identify and locate the suspect. Within hours, they apprehended 42-year-old John David Mills of Gainesville without further incident.

This was not the first allegation of video voyeurism against Mills. A similar incident occurred on Oct. 14, 2024, at approximately 3:20 p.m. at Ross Dress for Less at 2643 N.W. 13^th Street, Gainesville. In that case, a female victim noticed a cellphone camera protruding from a hole in the cardboard separator above the metal dividing wall in the fitting rooms.

The victim immediately left the fitting room and reported the incident to her mother, who alerted store employees. Mills reportedly walked toward the front of the store as the victim’s mother took several photos of him, as well as of the silver Infiniti he drove away in.

Gainesville Police Department (GPD) detectives identified Mills as the suspect. Both the victim and her mother positively identified him in a photo lineup. Investigators also confirmed that the silver Infiniti seen at the Ross location was registered in Mills’ name.

Mills, a registered sex offender, has a prior conviction for recording video of an undressed minor in Virginia in 2018. He is classified as a Sexual Offender in Florida and has a documented history of similar offenses.

In the High Springs case, Mills has been charged with video voyeurism of a victim over 19 years old, a second or subsequent offense under Florida law. Following his arrest, Judge Kristine Van Vorst added $150,000 bail to his existing bail, bringing the total to $300,000.

“This arrest highlights the swift action and dedication of our officers in protecting the community and holding offenders accountable,” said High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard. “We commend the victim for their quick thinking and bravery in reporting the incident, which enabled us to respond promptly.”

The High Springs Police Department continues to investigate this case and encourages anyone with additional information to contact Detective T. Taylor or their local law enforcement agency.

Mills’ actions have raised concerns about the recurrence of similar offenses, and additional charges may be filed as investigations unfold.

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