HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Adam Joy feels a strong kinship and support for the law enforcement community. Pastor at the Deeper Purpose Community Church, Elder Joy also serves as the Executive Director of the church's Deeper Purpose Kids Academy Learning Center.  He founded the church in 2017 while working at a different career. He was a police officer for 15 years, first with the City of Alachua for three years and then with the High Springs Police Department for 12 years. In 2021 he left the police force to put all his efforts into the church. “After much prayer and thought, I felt the church was my true calling and needed all my effort,” Joy said. To honor officers and raise awareness and support of all the duties and security they provide for their communities, he organized Back the Blue on March 12 at the High Springs Civic Center.

For several months, he contacted various agencies and gained volunteer services to create a family friendly event.  “We wanted to spread the message of support, love and being there for law enforcement community,” said Joy. “The fact is that law enforcement feels like community support has faded away over the last couple of years, so we need to show them we still have their backs and support them and we want them to have our backs as well.”

The event was open to everyone and the community came out to show their support and get to know their local law enforcement. Over 49 officers from multiple agencies were there, both to inform and interact with the public. Members of the High Springs Police Department, Alachua Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Gainesville Police Department, UF Police Department, Santa Fe College Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Wildlife Commission, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office were all represented.

Each department brought displays of their equipment and vehicles. The Alachua County Sheriff’s office brought their Bomb Squad vehicle and robots, an armored car and a bulldozer used in hostage situations. Gainesville Police Department brought examples of riot gear and personal protection while the Florida Highway Patrol brought a spinning car to show how quickly someone could be ejected from a rollover.  The High Springs Police Department put goggles on people that simulated impairment from alcohol as the person staggered and lost their sense of balance, much to the amusements of other spectators.

Departments also brought recruitment officers, hoping to interest adults in joining the force or staff positions.  “There has been a national trend of officers leaving their careers. While that has been true in many fields, law enforcement has been hit especially hard due to a number of factors including the pandemic, negative responses from the public, lack of funding and burnout from stress and PTSD among first responders,” Joy said. “So many of the departments are understaffed and looking to fill their positions.”

In addition to the focus on law enforcement, the event also included a family fun day.  Volunteer activities included a train ride for kids and free hot dogs from the High Springs Lions Club, Jump Houses from Jump Stars Party Rentals and Jumping Jacks Bounce house, a dunk tank and Face Painting by Tonya.  North Central Florida Ponies provided pony rides and a petting zoo.  DJ Cowboy Mike provided music and the Deeper Purpose Church also sponsored a Blue Fun Run where families had the opportunity to run and donate toward sponsoring two high school graduates from Alachua County who are interested in attending the Police Academy. There were several food trucks and vendors selling crafts and military clothing and patches.

The event had a chilly and windy start, but the weather warmed up for the crowds that attended through the event.  “We wanted to make it a fun event while providing information and interaction with the public to show them that law enforcement is part of the community and police officers are their neighbors to put a positive face on the departments,” said Joy.  “Each year we will host it in a different community in the county so all have an opportunity to bond with their law enforcement officers.”

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NEWBERRY ‒ The arena at Alachua County’s new fairgrounds has been named in honor of former Alachua County Commissioner Lee Pinkoson. The new fairgrounds were a long time in coming, and the search for a new location for the fairgrounds and a new IFAS extension center spanned decades. Pinkoson was at the forefront of the project and made it a priority, cementing the deal at his final Commission meeting

In 2019, Alachua County signed an agreement with the City of Newberry to purchase the former Canterbury Equestrian Showplace site at 23100 Newberry Road for nearly $3.9 million. The County spent an additional $8.5 million to upgrade the facility that was renamed Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center.

The City of Newberry contributed to the project by purchasing the five acres of land adjacent to the center for $1million and now leases that to the County for 99 years at $1 per year. In addition to the IFAS educational facilities, the center has a 37,500-square-foot arena with seating for over 2,000 for livestock events such as the Alachua County Youth Fair & Livestock Show

Much of the credit for finding and purchasing the new facility goes to Pinkoson who served on the Alachua County Commission from 2002 to 2018 and currently sits on the Children’s Trust of Alachua County Advisory Board. Pinkoson believed that the Agricultural Center was a vital location that would give rural youths an opportunity to showcase their abilities, provide opportunities for them to pursue agricultural careers and offer educational farming programs to let young adults gain confidence in their abilities.

One year ago, the new center opened with its first event on March 5, 2021 hosting the Alachua County Youth Fair & Livestock Show. The event was sponsored by UF IFAS and the ACYFL Association, a non-profit organization that operates public fairs and expositions related to agricultural matters, particularly to the exhibition of livestock, poultry, crafts, youth projects, and farm products and is an educational platform for the youth in Alachua County who are interested in agriculture. The Youth fair returned this year, for a week starting on March 3 with over 300 youths participating from 4-H and FFA in a week-long event.

On Friday, March 4, during the 2022 Alachua County Youth Fair & Livestock Show, the County and the City of Newberry honored Pinkoson by naming the arena in his honor. Over 100 people gathered to thank him and unveil a plaque renaming the facility for his diligence on behalf of the project. Dignitaries from Alachua County and Newberry spoke about his contribution in establishing the facility.

Chair of the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners Marihelen Wheeler said Pinkoson’s last act when he chaired the board was to move the fair to the new site, completing decades of talk. “Lee was here from the start. He made this a priority when we needed a champion,” Wheeler said.

Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe said, “This is going to keep agriculture as the gateway to our city.” He added that City officials hope the center will be a tourist attraction as well. “Lee’s help in preserving the fairgrounds and bringing the youth fairs out here will help us preserve that legacy.”

UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Director Cindy Sanders said the majority of participants in agriculture events come from rural areas while 25 percent are from one of the municipalities. “This puts all of the IFAS education and training facilities together, providing a place to help the next generation of farmers continue supplying food for our population,” said Sanders. “When the facilities were completed, Lee was the first visitor out here.”

The first thing Pinkoson did was thank people who helped make this project a reality, saying the facility was a needed upgrade to the previous location and a small way to repay rural Alachua County.

“The rural part of the county deserved this,” Pinkoson said. “This will give our young adults the ability to learn life and career skills in a new facility that far exceeds what we had before.”

A plaque was unveiled renaming the arena in honor of Pinkoson, “Dedicated in honor of Alachua County Commissioner Charles Lee Pinkoson for his support of Agriculture funding 4H and Future Farmers of America.”

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ALACHUA ‒ The Babe Ruth Jamboree has returned to Alachua. The Babe Ruth League was established in 1951 to provide coaching and training for young athletes from 4 to 16 years of age in recreational baseball. The goal was to help them learn not only baseball but to build their understanding of working as a team and competing with other teams with the core values of honor, integrity, unity and sportsmanship.

Now over 70 years later, there are leagues throughout the United States with over one million players, divided by age groups and style into four groups. Cal Ripken Baseball is for ages 4-12, Babe Ruth Baseball covers ages 13-16 with other leagues for Babe Ruth Softball, and Buddy Ball. Each group has a regular season, post-season games with different leagues and then at the end of the season the best players are picked for All Star team competitions.

In Alachua, the Santa Fe Babe Ruth Baseball League was founded in 1986. The league ran roughly 30 teams in the spring season and slightly less in the fall. Typically, a team practices or plays games three days a week. In the spring, the league starts the season with a “Jamboree” ceremony.

But like many other traditions, the Pandemic negatively affected the annual event. In 2020 there were no games. In 2021, the opening Jamboree was cancelled due to social distancing restrictions.   Games were played since it was an outdoor setting where distance rules could be observed. Today, the Jamboree has returned in full swing with an opening event that allows parents and players to gather and kick off the season and a full schedule of spring games.

“Before 2020, we had about 300 players and 30 teams, but due to the canceled seasons, we are now at 16 teams and about 187 players for the 2022 season, but we expect it to grow back to previous figures in a year or two,” said League President Chris Swilley. “Beyond players, we have to rebuild our all-volunteer staff and the sponsors that host and fund each team.”

Swilley said that all home games are played on fields in Alachua or High Springs, but they also compete with other leagues throughout North Florida. “They are doing the same rebuilding as us, but Babe Ruth Baseball has returned,” said Swilley. “Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization and the Board is incredibly grateful for all of the parents, coaches, scorekeepers, concession volunteers and field crews that put in countless hours making this league possible. ‘

The efforts of all those volunteers and sponsors were on full display March 12 when players, staff, vendors and families gathered at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex for the opening Jamboree ceremony. The weather had been bad, with heavy rains for two days, but the rain stopped and skies cleared during the indoor ceremony leaving clear skies for the day's full slate of baseball games.

City officials, staff and police chiefs from both Alachua and High Springs were on hand to show their support for the league and the opportunities it brings the youth of the two cities.

Former Alachua City Commissioner Ben Boukari, Jr., served as MC, introducing the dignitaries and each team. Local celebrity and recording artist Cliff Dorsey sang the National Anthem as Boy Scout Troop 69 from High Springs posted the colors. Swilley presented the “Hal Brady” awards for 2020 to 2022 to honorees who had shown the most dedication and support for the league, even during the troubled two years of the Pandemic.

The league mascot, “Homer,” dressed as a baseball, enthusiastically walked the sidelines working up the assembled families and players to show their excitement. Boukari, along with dignitaries, league leaders and Homer, formed a line, and each team walked down the line as each person slapped hands to the players congratulating them as they were introduced and filed past.

The final act of the Jamboree opening ceremony was the first pitch thrown to one of the players by Alachua Parks and Recreation Director Elliot Harris to signify the opening games of the season.

Outside the skies cleared as players and families enjoyed barbecue provided by Buttman BBQ of Lake City and sweets and deserts from Mamas Sweet Blessings they headed to the playing fields to bring back the season for the Santa Fe Babe Ruth League. It was time to “Play Ball!”

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ALACHUA ‒ Alachua Police Chief Jesse Sandusky was officially sworn in to his new position in a standing room only Commission Chamber at the Alachua City Commission meeting on Feb. 28. Members of the Alachua Police Department were present to show their support of the new chief. Also in attendance were current and former chiefs of the Alachua Sheriff’s Office (ASO), City of Alachua Police Department (APD) and the High Springs Police Department (HSPD).

Sandusky was promoted to the Chief of Police position on Tuesday, Feb. 1 after then Chief Chad Scott accepted a position with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Sandusky began his career with the Alachua Police Department (APD) in 2003. He worked his way up through the ranks as a patrol officer, then to special teams traffic unit, then detective, sergeant, and lieutenant where he was the public information officer for the department.

At the request of Sandusky, his mother pinned the Chief's badge on him and Judge Susanne Wilson-Bullard officiated his swearing-in and administered the oath of office. Former APD Chief Chad Scott held the Bible Sandusky swore on.

In other business, the City Commission recognized the Santa Fe High School Lady Raider Volleyball program, which won the State Championship in Class 4A on Nov. 17. They finished the season 29-3, and at the end of the season were ranked second in the nation and first in Florida. This is not only the first Volleyball State Championship for Santa Fe High School, also the first-ever State Championship in any women’s sport at Santa Fe High School. Head Coach Eric Marshall, Assistant Coach Nicole Stout, Assistant Coach Kayla Hess, and most members of the team were in attendance for the presentation and to take a photograph with the Commission.

The Commission appointed four new members to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The Board serves in an advisory role to the City Commission concerning recreation services and potential long-range capital improvements. They also evaluate existing programs, recommend changes and enhancements and promote and review citizen participation in utilizing city services and facilities. Carol Richardson was re-appointed to a three-year term and Travis White was appointed to a three-year term. Malcolm Dixon and Jovante Hayes were appointed to the one-year terms.

In other business, the City of Alachua will be waiting a while longer for its latest purchase of transformers. City staff solicited pricing and availability on 12 types of transformers from four different vendors for a total of 39 transformers at a cost of $617,234. Due to continuing supply chain issues, delivery of these transformers is anticipated to be between 12 and 39 weeks.

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