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NEWBERRY ‒ Members of Newberry’s Planning and Zoning Board heard and approved 12 items following quasi-judicial public hearings on Monday, Oct. 4. Once approved by the Planning Board, the items will be forwarded to the City Commission with their recommendation for consideration.

Ordinance 2021-29/CPA 21-13 involves three contiguous parcels of land totaling approximately 237.92 acres, applying to change the Future Land Use classification from Alachua County Rural/Agriculture to City of Newberry Agriculture—the first step in the process of bringing the annexed property into the City. This property was voluntarily annexed into the City of Newberry on June 14 and is located on the west side of Northwest 202^nd Street, approximately half a mile south of Northwest 46^th Avenue.

If approved by the City Commission, due to the size of the property, the item will be transmitted to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and other state agencies for review and approval.

The second step is LDR 21-21 to bring the property into compliance with City zoning by amending the City’s Official Zoning Atlas by changing the zoning on the same 237.92 acres from Alachua County Agriculture (A) to City of Newberry Agricultural (A).

If all requested changes are approved on these 237.92 acres, the property owner is considering installing a zip line park over the mining pits on Northwest 202nd Street.

This item as well as all additional items recommended by the Planning and Zoning Board for approval by the City Commission will be heard on first reading by Commissioners at their Oct. 25 meeting.

Ordinance No. 2021-31/CPA 21-11 is an application by Andrew Fuller, Agent, for Intellectual Partners LLC, owners to amend the Land Use Plan Map by changing the Future Land Use classification from Agriculture to Commercial on approximately 3.67 acres located on Alachua County Tax Parcel Number 01924-002-000. The property is located on the south side of West Newberry Road and to the east of Southwest 218^th Street.

The Planning Board also considered a development agreement proposed on the same parcel of land. City of Newberry Planner Wendy Kinser-Maxwell introduced this item and explained that consideration of the development agreement would enable the owners to move forward to develop the property now rather than wait for the design and landscaping requirements, which resulted from the Community Visioning process, to be adopted by the City. She said the development plan would put into effect the same requirements which were determined during that process. “The proposed Development Agreement provides that necessary infrastructure improvements are in place at the appropriate time,” said Kinser-Maxwell.

In a third action relating to the same 3.67 acres, Board members heard an application to change the zoning from Agricultural (A) to Commercial Intensive (CI). Although the Board voted to recommend approval of this request, this application is contingent upon approval of Ordinance 2021-31/CPA 21-11 by the Newberry City Commission.

Also approved for recommendation was an application by Joseph J. and Teresa L. Hoffman to change the Future Land Use classification from Agriculture to Commercial on approximately 18.48 acres. The properties are located at 20785 and 20737 W. Newberry Road.

In a separate hearing, a development agreement brought by the Hoffmans was approved to amend the existing zoning from Agricultural (A) to Commercial, General (CG). The CG zoning classification limits building intensity to a maximum 40 percent lot coverage with maximum floor area rations of 0.75 and 0.50 for properties between five and 20 acres. No portion of any structure can exceed 72 feet in height. “The Development Agreement addresses compliance with design and landscaping requirements resulting from the Community Visioning process,” said Kinser-Maxwell.

During the presentation, property owner Joseph Hoffman said he had received interest in the property for use for medical offices and a hotel, but that nothing was firm. He also said he had been planning to take this action earlier but that the City asked him to wait until after the Community Visioning process was complete, which he did.

In a third action on the same Hoffman properties, an application by the City was heard to change the zoning from Alachua County Agriculture (A) to City of Newberry Agriculture (A).

An application to change the Future Land Use Map classification from Alachua County Rural/Agriculture to City of Newberry Agriculture on approximately 6.77 acres referred to as Tax Parcel No. 04265-007-000 also received approval as part of the hearing on Ordinance 2021-54/CPA 21-17. This property was annexed into the City in July.

During the final quasi-judicial public hearing, Ordinance 2021-55/LDR 21-25 was approved to be recommended to the City Commission. This action, if approved by the Commission, will change the zoning from Alachua County Agriculture (A) to City of Newberry Agriculture (A) on the same 6.77.

Following the business of the meeting Plan Board members briefly discussed the existing sign ordinance and possible future modifications that might be made.

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HIGH SPRINGS – Dozens of community volunteers gathered on Saturday, Oct. 9, to plant new trees throughout downtown High Springs. 

Thirty-three beautiful new Live Oak and Cypress trees now beautify downtown High Springs from the Farmers' Market Pavilion to High Springs Brewing Company.

The program, funded by Alachua County Department of Environmental Protection and Keep Alachua County Beautiful, was led by Alachua County Arborist Lacy Holzworth. Holzworth and her team will continue to oversee the care and watering of all 36 trees until they are established.

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HAWTHORNE – A 29-year-old Hawthorne man is facing a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after Alachua County deputies say he stabbed his stepfather with a butcher knife.

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies say the victim was giving his stepson a ride home from his job at approximately 10 p.m. on Oct. 7. According to the ACSO arrest report, Tyris Devante Hawkins “entered the passenger side of the vehicle and without any warning immediately began to stab his stepfather with a large butcher knife while the victim was still seated in the driver’s seat.”

The victim defended himself and was able to leave the scene after Hawkins stopped swinging the knife and left the vehicle. The victim had several lacerations described as “defensive.”

ACSO deputies located Hawkins and arrested him. He was booked into the Alachua County Jail at 11:39 p.m. and is being held on $80,000 bond.

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• Online: The online voter registration portal — found at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov — it is a safe and secure option for voter registration.

• In person: The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections’ office, located in Gainesville at 515 N. Main St., Suite 300, will be open on Monday, Oct. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registrations can also be completed and turned in at any Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office or Alachua County Library District branch by the Oct. 18 deadline. 

• By mail: Forms are available online at VoteAlachua.com. Mailed forms must be completed and postmarked by the Oct. 18 deadline.

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in High Springs will hold a two-day celebration of its 125^th anniversary Nov. 6 through Nov. 7 that is open to the community. The church has roots that extend throughout the community and has been holding regular Sunday services for 125 years in its present location, making it the oldest continuous church in High Springs. According to Reverend Canon Lance Horne, the services actually go back further, with the congregation holding services in private homes.

The current location became a reality when a parishioner deeded the land for the church that would be built in the Carpenter’s Gothic style with a steep central gable, wheel windows and pointed-arched windows. At the time, railroads were booming, and in 1883, the railroad had extended from Live Oak to Gainesville, passing through the small community of Santa Fe, named for the nearby Santa Fe River. A post office and railroad station were established, and in 1888, the name was changed to High Springs. When phosphate was discovered in the area that same year, three branches of the Atlantic Coast Line converged in the town which became known as "The Railroad Center."

But in 1896, a tornado devastated High Springs, including the church. The “Great Storm” as it became known, caused 202 deaths and was one of the costliest hurricanes on record at the time. With winds at 125 mph, the storm surge destroyed almost every building on the coast and spawned tornadoes, including the one that devastated High Springs. It was a tragic chapter in the church’s history, but St. Bartholomew's was an important part of the community with its influence extending well beyond its walls, and railroad workers and townspeople worked tirelessly to rebuild the damaged church, cutting down pine trees and even using railroad ties to bring the church back to life. St. Bartholomew's Church became a landmark and an integral part of the town.

Since its reconstruction, the congregation has held two services every Sunday for the past 125 years. This year, the church and community will celebrate the anniversary with a BBQ, music, tours of the sanctuary and original memorabilia along with other activities for children. Speakers include High Springs CRA Coordinator David Sutton who will discuss the early history of High Springs, retired CBS radio host Ben Hill who will be the MC and also speak about the history of St. Bartholomew's, and High Springs City Manager Ashley Stathatos who will talk about High Springs today.

BBQ luncheons will be provided on site by Mr. P's BBQ and the High Springs Lions Club. There will also be a UF Clinical Research Vehicle (CRV) for free health screenings and vaccinations. Julie's Pin's & Needles will be displaying quilts on the back of the pews. To promote the historical aspect of the anniversary, some parishioners will be dressed in period costume. Music will be provided by four acts starting at 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., starting with gospel singers Band Together, followed by Canopy Road, Disney's Alpine Rose Band and ending with a performance by High Springs recording artist Cliff Dorsey.

On Sunday there will be a special service with Bishop Samuel Howard, Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida, officiating the 10 a.m. service with baptisms, and confirmations along with the church's Reverend Canon Lance Horne. Horne, a career Naval officer with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Masters of Divinity, has been the reverend at the church for over a decade. Although he and his wife live in the Mayport area of Jacksonville, they make the trip for Wednesday Bible Study and Youth Services as well as the two services on Sunday.

“Travel time is over two hours, but there are absolutely wonderful people in this congregation,” Horne said. “It’s a family I am proud to be part of it.”

St. Bartholomew's church is located at18615 N.W. 238^th Street, High Springs. For more information about the anniversary celebration, call 386-454-9812.

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NEWBERRY ‒ A Newberry teacher received a coveted award and a $500 grant recently for her exemplary work in educating her students using Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Newberry High School Spanish teacher Grisell Santiago was awarded the My Virtual Learning Success Story grant by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), Atlanta. 

This grant recognizes high school teachers who, when presented with a tough situation and through the trials and tribulations of virtual learning, came out successful.  Santiago was one of five educators, and the only one in Florida, who was selected to be awarded this grant and recognition.

Santiago was faced with trying to make sure that all students were able to complete the various tasks online for her class such as speaking, presenting, listening, reading and writing in Spanish.  In Zoom break rooms, students were able to work in groups and talk to each other in Spanish, helping them with not feeling alone or feeling that they were not able to make friends during the shutdown.  

Santiago also worked with her students from the Hispanic Honor Society to assist her with tutorial sessions after school to help students via Zoom who needed extra practice or were having internet issues during class time.  This was successful and doing tutorials gave the students the opportunity to also earn community service hours for their graduation requirement.

With the students in advanced level courses, Santiago created an online bilingual newspaper, celebrating different activities each month and things they learned in the classroom.  This also helped students in the lower levels express themselves by publishing poems, essays and art.  They had originally started the newspaper only for the Spanish classes, but when they decided to share it with the whole school, it was a success.  

Topics covered culture and education, including Hispanic food, dances, festivals, music and literature.  They also used the newspaper to celebrate the graduating class of 2021 by having student-conducted interviews with seniors talking about their experiences during the year.

Making the changes to virtual learning gave Santiago the opportunity to seek other outlets to celebrate students and help them have a way to express themselves.

“The switch to virtual learning has been a challenge for students and educators, but it has also opened up new possibilities for creativity and innovation in teaching and learning,” said NSHSS Director of Scholarships and Communications Karen Kane.  “NSHSS wanted to celebrate those success stories of educators pushing past the difficulties to create rich, new, and engaging experiences.”

Kane said that Santiago was able to quickly use the virtual learning environment to help her Spanish language students share how they were feeling while practicing the required skills, and from that simple exercise grew a bilingual newspaper that eventually involved the whole school.  

“Submissions of art, poems and articles on Hispanic food, music, and literature from all grades provided a forum for self-expression at a time when social connections were scarce,” said Kane.  “The popular project is continuing even though in-person classes have resumed and the grant from NSHSS will hopefully help it grow.”

Co-founded by Claes Nobel and James Lewis, NSHSS is the premier international honors and scholarship program.  It offers a lifetime of benefits, pairing the highest performing students worldwide with high school and college scholarships, events, connections, internships and career opportunities that begin in high school and carry on through college and careers.  

For more information about NSHSS and their program, visit NSHSS.

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