GAINESVILLE – Beginning Monday, Nov. 1, the City of Gainesville’s Regional Transit System (RTS) will temporarily reduce the frequency of bus service until further notice, due to decreased ridership demand and to staffing shortages. 

The affected bus routes are Route 1, 5, 12, 13, 20, 21, 28, 35, 36, 38, 118 and 121. Please visit www.go-rts.com or the new GNVRideRTS app for updated schedules and bus tracking.

RTS frequently hosts hiring events where applicants can apply on site and receive conditional job offers. Individuals interested in a career at RTS are asked to visit City of Gainesville Careers.

For additional information or assistance, please call RTS Customer Service at 352-334-2600, ext. 1. 

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HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs City Commission has rejected a bid of no confidence for Alachua County School Superintendent Carlee Simon. On Oct. 14, High Springs Vice Mayor Linda Jones introduced the item saying, “Teachers and staff cannot voice their opinion for fear of losing their jobs. This was shown at the end of the school year when nine of 11 principals, teachers and staff were released.”

Commenting that Simon is defying the governor, the Florida Department of Education and Florida Department of Health, Jones noted, “She seems to revel in her actions by appearing on 17 TV shows, one social media video with Secretary Cardona, U.S. Department of Education, accepting $147,000 that the Florida Department of Education withheld and wrote an op-ed in the ‘Washington Post.’ All of this within a two-month timeframe.”

Jones continued by saying, “The Petition of No Confidence of Superintendent Simone has been signed by over 1,500 people, including 158 residents of High Springs and growing.”

“It is my opinion that we need to send a message from our City and perhaps other cities will follow,” said Jones.

Commissioner-elect Katherine Weitz described the environment within the school system as “toxic.” She said teachers are “terrified to speak.” She said she has emailed Simon and never received a response. She also said she has called in during School Board meetings, but has never been able to get her calls through. She described Simon as “drunk with power.”

David Lynch also addressed the Commission saying this was a strange situation for the Commission to take a position against the School Board.

Melissa Scott, self-described as a Gainesville resident who grew up in High Springs, said she has sent numerous emails to Simon and received not one response. She also remarked at how “shocked” she was to see parents escorted out of School Board meetings after expressing opposition to Simon.

While her emails go unanswered, Scott said, “She has lots of time for media coverage…she also likes to hunt down doctors who sign medical exemptions for parents.” Scott said Simon has worked with abused children and believes that parents do not have the best interest of their children at heart. Scott added that Simons seems to feel that “we as parents don’t care about our kids because we don’t want to mask.”

“I get you [Commissioners] probably don’t want to go this route, but there’s a lot of parents being ignored right now,” said Scott.

City Clerk Jenny Parham read a message from Commissioner Scott Jamison who was not in attendance at the meeting. “I apologize for not being able to attend tonight’s meeting, but my duties as Risk Manager for Alachua County Public Schools required that I be out of town Oct. 12 – 15.”

“That said I would like to make a comment on Agenda Item 4. Consider, discuss and act on the school superintendent, Carlee Simon submitted by Vice Mayor Linda Jones.

“I do not believe this is the course of action the commission should engage in. It is not our job as City Commissioners to evaluate other governmental officials.”

City Commissioner Ross Ambrose agreed. He said it would not be appropriate for a governmental board to criticize decisions of other boards.

Mayor Gloria James nodded her head in agreement. Commissioner Byran Williams had no comment on the issue when asked.

Hearing the comments from audience members, Jones made a motion to approve a petition of no confidence by the City Commission. The motion died for lack of a second.

Ambrose suggested that the City extend an invitation to the Alachua County School Board to hold a joint meeting in High Springs to help citizens get answers to their questions that they expressed as not being addressed. City Manager Ashley Stathatos said they would follow up on that suggestion.

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GAINESVILLE – Devaron Cartrell Brown, 31, of Newberry, was arrested by the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) on Saturday, Oct. 16. Brown was charged with carrying an unlicensed concealed firearm, trafficking in methamphetamines, possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis, possession of a controlled substance and resisting an officer without violence.
According to GPD, Brown was approached by an officer at 1:02 a.m. as the suspect was loitering in the driver’s seat of a vehicle that was running with its lights on. The officer was able to smell a strong odor of cannabis coming from the vehicle and also observed in plain view a cannabis joint sitting on top of the center console.
The officer asked Brown to keep his hands visible and to stop digging around in the vehicle. Brown ignored the officer’s commands and continued to dig around in his vehicle. Brown then placed his right hand under his right leg. The officer asked Brown to step out of the vehicle and told him to place his hands behind his back.
As the officer was putting handcuffs on Brown, the suspect tensed up and lunged forward. Brown tried to spin around to face the officer at which time the officer grabbed Brown firmly and forcibly put his hands behind his back.
After Brown was handcuffed, Brown was asked to move away from his car and into the front of a marked GPD unit. Brown continued to resist the officer by tensing up his upper body and pulling away. Brown had to be forcibly moved to the front of a patrol car.
A search of Brown’s vehicle revealed a Glock 43 pistol, loaded with eight rounds, which had been concealed under a black beanie on the front passenger seat. According to GPD, the pistol was not securely encased and was easily assessable to Brown. Also found was 68.6 grams of MDMA/field-tested positive, which was co-located with the pistol, 3.5 grams of cannabis, which was identified by sight and smell, and found on the front passenger seat, one gram of cannabis in a joint found on top of the console and one Ecstasy pill found in the center console.
A check through the GPD teletype revealed that Brown did not have a concealed firearms license.
Brown was arrested for trafficking methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), possession of a concealed firearm, possession of a controlled substance and possession of less than 20 grams of MDMA.
Brown has been released from the Alachua County Jail on $65,000 bond.


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NEWBERRY ‒ Newberry residents made their voices heard at a recent City of Newberry strategic planning session. Citizens identified infrastructure and parks as the areas they would like to see their tax dollars support.
On Oct. 11 the City Commission set about establishing a five-year goal plan keeping in mind the areas residents set as priorities.
Commission proposed infrastructure projects include connectivity of Larry Keene Drive and Southwest 15th Avenue connectivity on Southwest 15th Avenue to County Road 337, the City Hall expansion project, installing sewer lines as companion lines to the water lines along State Road 26, implementation of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system, impact fees to fund the infrastructure goals, an elevated water storage tank and expansion of a wastewater treatment facility.
Noting that the AMI system should be running smoothly in a year, Commissioners determined that the remaining projects would take two – five years to accomplish.
Mayor Jordan Marlowe said that the city has seven parks offering many of the amenities residents cited at the strategic planning session. He also pointed out that there are two walking trails. To the suggestion of beach volleyball, Marlowe said, “Done. Jimmy Durden Park.”
Marden suggested that the City provide information to residents about city-owned parks. “Maybe a map showing park locations and the available amenities in each park might go a long way toward letting people know how they can better enjoy what the City has already provided.”
In other business, City Manager Mike New offered an update on the status of the Two-way Pairs project, saying that the design is expected to be completed by April 2022. “At that point the project will be construction ready,” he said. “They are telling us funding will become available in the very next fiscal year. They are trying to make sure their design documents are complete so that we could have it out to bid before the end of 2022.” Assistant City Manager Dallas Lee said the final plan will be brought before the Commission for approval.
At Marlowe’s request, it is expected that the recreation director will brief the Commission in the next four to six weeks about park improvements and scheduling.

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GAINESVILLE – At 32, Newberry resident Jessica Gray was thrilled to show her artwork last weekend at the 36th Annual Art Festival at Thornebrook. Gray is a painter and jeweler who uses and re-uses materials in what she calls a “closed loop practice.”

“My work is abstract and heavily influenced by nature and natural textures,” said Gray. When she talks about closed loop work she is referring to using items left over from one project to enhance another. She says she uses an extremely heavy amount of paint and recycled material…sometimes soil with an acrylic paint base.

“I use recycled paint from work surfaces to close the loop rather than throwing it away or washing paint down the drain into the water supply.”

While Gray’s jewelry is unique and interesting, she says she tries to keep it simple. She builds pieces using epoxy and clay along with gemstones. Her jewelry is often electroformed using copper wire suspended in a bath of chemicals connected to a power supply.

It has taken Gray research and trial and error to develop her method. “There is a resurgence in popularity of this method,” said Gray. “You have to troubleshoot on your own until you get it right.” This method is scientific and very “left brain,” she said. “Painting, on the other hand is right brained.” The two different methods help keep her grounded – along with her cat “Remy” who she says is boss of the household.

Gray said she “sort of side-stepped into becoming an artist ” as she studied businesses at Santa Fe College and took a few art classes on the side. She obtained her business degree while at Santa Fe but she stayed on and got her degree in Graphic Design.

“Our family has a creative streak running through it so my parents supported me in taking art classes while working on my business degree.” Gray’s grandmother is a ceramicist, her father and brother are into drawing and photography. Her mother did fiber arts – crocheting, quilting, etc.

Gray worked in graphic arts and marketing for more than 10 years. Over the years she dabbled in art but still kept her day job. “In 2020 I set priorities and knew I’d rather be making art than anything else. I decided to use the skills I had developed over the years to market my own business.”

Using those fun art classes, a lot of trial and error and a certain amount of recklessness, the primarily self-taught artist officially launched her own business. She said she has been selling her art for some time, but this is the first time she has focused all of her energy on these two types of artworks.

“You have to make bad art before you can make good art,” she said. “If you let the fear of a blank canvas paralyze you, you’re never going to make anything.” She launched her website www.andpersestudios.com earlier this year. Using social media and in-person local events in the north Florida area, she has made a name for herself in the art world.

Gray launched a new collection just prior to the festival and visitors to her booth seemed interested in her unique new designs. “In person, the stones just pop, but,” she says, “it’s difficult to photograph some of these stones to capture their wonderful colors. People just have to see them in person sometimes in order to really appreciate the work.”

Another local artist, Archer resident Amber Rust, 43, also showed her artwork at this year’s Art Festival at Thornebrook. Her web, Instagram and Facebook pages are all called “Fluidity by Amber” and show her fluid acrylic pour painting techniques on canvases, wood and other substrates.

The results are abstract, but focus heavily on beach and seashore types of scenes. Rust enjoys adding embellishments with realism such as hand-painted turtles, manatees and other sea creatures.

“I will sit with a finished product until I can envision what completes the scene,” said Rust. Referring to a large turtle painting she said, “I sat with that painting for a year before it came to me what would complete it.”

Rust spent the first 20 years of her working life in management at a credit union. As a teenager she spent time drawing, but a career and family took center stage for several years.

“I was always interested in art,” she said. Once she began playing with painting her interest in art was rekindled from a spark to a flame. “I was non-stop on art after that,” she said. She converted her dining room into her studio and has been going strong ever since.

“I had to focus my attention on one theme and that became oceans and shore life.” She learned that different additives to paint can cause shimmer and other different effects. “I learned how to create an ocean feel,” she said. The addition of resin over paint brings out the colors.

Rust also creates earrings and jewelry using an acrylic pour on a silicone mat. “I cut out the shapes I want for earrings and pendants and seal them with resin, which really makes the colors pop,” said Rust. “They are really light because there is no heavy metal behind the painted jewelry item, so they are very comfortable to wear.”

Rust claims because she is an introvert, she has shied away from YouTube videos. “The process of doing what I do is messy and requires specialized equipment and protective gear. It’s not just something I can easily show in a YouTube video without a whole lot of editing.”

Rust likes art shows for the interaction with her customers. “I have been doing this for two and a half years now and really enjoy talking with people about the work and seeing what they are interested in.

Rust’s art includes wall art, serving boards, trays, coasters, jewelry, occasional bracelets and specialized custom furniture pieces.

Rust will be showing also at the Ocala Art Festival, the Micanopy Art Festival and the Gainesville Downtown Art Festival in the next few weeks.

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ALACHUA ‒ On Nov. 4, Alachua residents will be able to access Alachua County Supervisor of Elections and Tax Collector services at Alachua’s City Hall.

The addition of these services is part of an ongoing effort by the Alachua City Commission to provide enhanced access to County services in-person in the city of Alachua, which stems from a high-priority initiative in the City’s Strategic Plan.

Supervisor of Elections services provided at this event will include assistance with new voter registration, voter registration updates, vote-by-mail requests, elections information dissemination and election worker recruitment.

Tax Collector services at this event will include assistance with property taxes, tangible property taxes and tourist development taxes such as Airbnb and short-term rentals.

This one-day event is also open to other County residents outside of the City of Alachua who may find this location more convenient. The event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at City Hall located at 15100 N.W. 142nd Terrace, Alachua, FL 32615.

“We are so proud to continue providing additional in-person County services access to our community,” Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper said. “This not only makes doing County business more convenient for our residents, but also for the rest of the northwest portion of Alachua County.”

For more information about Supervisor of Elections services, contact the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections office by calling 352-374-5252, or by visiting www.votealachua.com For more information about Tax Collector services, contact the Alachua County Tax Collector office by calling 352-374-5236, or by visiting www.alachuacollector.com

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ALACHUA COUNTYStudents at Alachua County elementary schools that participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program (FFVP) will be receiving a special edible treat through the end of this month.

Through the FFVP program, students at 16 local schools are served fresh fruit and vegetable snacks daily. The offerings often include items the students have rarely, if ever, tried before. The program also provides educational information about the snacks, including nutrition information, geography, history and fun facts. The goal is to encourage students to try different, healthier food options.

The FFVP program is provided by the Food & Nutrition Services Department and funded through the USDA Department of Agriculture Farm Bill.

As part of the program, the district’s Food & Nutrition Department purchased individual fruit skewers from Edible Arrangements for students at the FFVP schools, including Alachua, Archer, Boulware, Caring and Sharing, Foster, Glen Springs, Irby, Lake Forest, Littlewood, Metcalfe, Newberry, Norton, Rawlings, Shell, Terwilliger, and Williams. Students at some of the schools have already received the special treat, and distribution will continue through the end of October.

The Food & Nutrition Department is thrilled to be able to offer this delicious, tasty and healthy treat from Edible Arrangements to the students that participate in the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable program,” said Maria Eunice, Food & Nutrition Services Director. “We know this special treat is going to be a nice surprise and enjoyed by all.”

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