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WALDO ‒ A 46-year-old Bradenton man was arrested on Saturday, Feb. 17, following a call at 5:48 a.m. in response to a burglary of a vehicle at Waldo Motorsports Park, 17000 N.E. U.S. Highway 301. Upon arrival, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Deputies spoke with security officers on the scene who stated that a disturbance occurred between the defendant, Robert Wayne Powell, the victim and the victim’s boyfriend.

The couple indicated they were sleeping in the back of their vehicle when Powell approached and attempted to enter the vehicle. Powell allegedly opened the vehicle door and repeatedly stated that he wanted to have sex with the victim.

The victim’s boyfriend then exited the vehicle and began having a scuffle outside of the vehicle. Multiple other people staying at the motor park ran over and began holding the defendant back. The victim’s boyfriend then returned inside his vehicle with the victim.

The defendant allegedly later returned to the victim’s vehicle and ripped off the passenger side view mirror and scratched the passenger side window. Shortly after that security arrived on scene and detained the defendant.

According to the ACSO, security officers stated that Powell continually mentioned wanting to have sex with the victim and even offered the Security Officers money to facilitate it.

ACSO Deputies estimated the damages to the vehicle at approximately $800.

Post Miranda, Powell stated that he did open the vehicle’s door and broke the mirror. Later, after being asked more specific questions, he denied both allegations.

Powell has been charged with attempted burglary of an occupied conveyance and criminal mischief for damage to the vehicle of more than $200, but less than $1,000.

Powell has no local court history but was convicted of disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer in 2023 in Manatee County.

Bail was set by Judge Sean D. Brewer at $55,000.

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ALACHUA Feb. 26, 2024 - On Tuesday, February 27th, at approximately 10:00 AM, CSX will conduct road maintenance on the railroad crossing at CR 235 and CR 235A (NW 173rd Street). This maintenance will have CR 235A (NW 173rd Street) inaccessible from CR 235 until the morning hours on Wednesday, February 28th. Please plan accordingly.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The City of Newberry is weighing its options, including assessments, to fund costs of running the City’s infrastructure and upcoming development.

The City Commission previously expressed interest in possibly establishing a stormwater assessment district to fund stormwater maintenance and improvements in the downtown area. The stormwater assessment, much like the fire assessment, is required to benefit the properties that pay the assessment, and funds collected are restricted to use on stormwater projects.

At the Feb. 12, 2024 City Commission meeting, the Commission voted 4 – 1, with Commissioner Tim Marden casting the dissenting vote, to move forward with a stormwater assessment study.

“Proceeding with the study does not implement the fee without several additional actions of the Commission,” said Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Dallas Lee. The Commission will have several opportunities to move forward or put the brakes on the matter following completion of the study.

It is estimated that adoption of a stormwater ordinance could occur sometime between April and June of this year. If approved at that time, the Commission will consider a final resolution to adopt the new rate sometime between July and August.

The study is expected to cost approximately $30,000.

Newberry Historical Association

With an eye toward the town’s past and future, the Commission unanimously approved Resolution 2024-04, to create a five-member Newberry Historical Association (NHA). Each member, who will be appointed by the mayor, will have one vote, as well as a non-voting chair. The NHA will elect its own officers and establish its own procedures. NHA meetings will be open to the public will conform to Sunshine Laws and Roberts Rules of Procedure.

Identified undertakings include exploring establishment of a historic museum within the community. The Newberry Historical Association will prepare a final report and deliver it to the mayor and commissioners with the findings, recommendations and proposals to establish the museum.

The association will also explore opportunities and initiatives for the sole purpose of restoration and preservation of the community’s buildings and artifacts, as well as developing procedural methods for cataloguing historic moments, impactful citizens, events and artifacts.

Solid Waste Rate Amendments

In other business, the Commission unanimously approved Resolution 2024-05, to fund solid waste collection services with WastePro USA. In November 2023, the Commission extended the existing agreement with WastePro, leading to price increases for all customer categories.

The City is revising its customer rates to pay for twice-weekly household garbage collection and once-weekly collection of yard waste and recyclables.

Historically, the City added a 18 percent markup to cover costs related to city-provided waste services, customer service and other solid waste activities. Due to the cost increase, the Commission approved lowering the markup to 15 percent for all categories. The City anticipates this reduction will generate enough revenue for the City’s solid waste operations while offering minor rate relief to customers.

Rate increases in the coming years for residential customers have been calculated as follows: As of 10/01/24 - $24; as of 04/01/25 - $29; as of 10/01/25 - $33; as of 04/01/26 - $34; and as of 10/01/26 and beyond the rate will be based on the CPI Increase amount. In addition, a $0.50/monthly postage fee will be charged to cover the cost of billing customers.

The resolution also addresses non-residential solid waste for small commercial accounts. Garbage, trash and rubbish will be picked up twice weekly with yard debris, recyclables and white goods picked up once weekly. The cost is $43.50 plus $0.50/monthly postage fee to cover the cost of billing customers.

Non-residential solid waste services for large commercial accounts, which will be effective for billing periods after March 1, 2024, are based on the yard size and frequency of pickups. Interested businesses should contact the City for details.

Water/Wastewater System Development Fees

Newberry is currently considering rates for impact fees for water/wastewater systems. Dallas Lee presented information for Commission consideration during the budget process later this year.

A development fee report was completed in 2023 to consider the current rates and/or development fees to ensure funding availability for future infrastructure renewal, replacement or expansion projects.

Development fees are collected to offset the impact development has on the utility infrastructure. These fees are charged against new construction at the time of permit issuance to offset the cost of new infrastructure needs of the utility.

These funds are held in trust funds to only be used on expansion and enhancement of the system. The City Commission adopted development fees in 2005 and last increased the fees in 2022 by 12.5 percent. “These fees have been critical in funding the utility system,” Lee said.

Election Update

The City of Newberry will be holding its annual Municipal Election on April 9. All seats are elected at-large and are non-partisan, with City Commissioners serving two-year terms. The qualifying period for the upcoming election ends at noon on Thursday, Feb. 15.

Up for election this year are seats currently held by Commissioner Group I - Ricky Coleman, Commissioner Group II - Mark Clark and Commissioner Group III - Monty Farnsworth.

The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for Feb. 26.

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GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA, Feb. 26, 2024 at 5:45:21 PM EST – The last of 12 federal defendants was sentenced for drug-trafficking and firearm charges related to a joint federal and state investigation into the 4K criminal street gang in the city of Alachua, Florida. The sentences were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Our law enforcement partners’ concerted investigation and prosecution of violent crime – here acts of murder and retaliatory gun violence by rival gang members – is central to our mission to protect the public,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “The sentences imposed in this investigation, some spanning multiple decades, illustrate our shared resolve to keep our communities safe and the significant consequences associated with gun violence by gang-affiliated drug traffickers.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Safe Streets Task Force began an investigation of the 4K gang following a number of gang-related shootings in the city of Alachua in 2018.

The FBI worked with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Alachua Police Department to investigate the initial shooting and numerous other shootings thereafter. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) aided through investigation of 4K’s drug-trafficking activity.

Between Feb. 22, 2020, and May 20, 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office, FBI, and DEA obtained six court-authorized Title III wiretaps on cellphones used by members of the drug-trafficking conspiracy. On May 20, 2020, federal search warrants were executed, and four individuals were federally arrested, with others being indicted in June and August 2020.

The federally sentenced defendants, which included 4K gang members and associates, as well as people selling drugs to the 4K gang, were:

Roddrae Antonio Williams, 32, Alachua, Florida, 480 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.

Elboric Quadarius Robinson, 32, Alachua, Florida, 336 months in prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release.

Decoda Kadarrell King, 36, Williston, Florida, 168 months in prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release.

Eric Jermaine Williams, 42, Gainesville, Florida, 104 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release

Daniel Heath Willis, 30, Alachua, Florida, 96 months in prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release.

Morris Cordell Robinson, Jr., 58, Alachua, Florida, 78 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.

Gregory Lavough Williams, Jr., 44, Yorba Linda, California, 48 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release.

Rakeidra Alexandria Neal, 33, Gainesville, Florida, 14.5 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Rayme Herhandez, 47, Morriston, Florida, 12 months and 1 day in prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release.

Tomeka Necole Bryant, 44, Gainesville, Florida, 12 months and 1 day in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release.

Edward Lashawn Garrison, Jr., 27, Fort White, Florida, 10 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Lorenza Durr, 33, Alachua, Florida, 8 months in prison in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

“The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the grave threats posed by drug trafficking and firearm violations,” said Sheriff Emory Gainey. “We understand that multi-agency cooperation is not merely a strategy but an essential approach to addressing these challenges.  Together, we stand united in our mission to protect our neighborhoods and uphold the rule of law.”

“The sentencing of Roddrae Williams brings to a close a years-long joint investigation involving multiple law enforcement and investigative partners.” 

“The cooperation between these agencies resulted in the successful prosecution of these 12 individuals who terrorized our local communities,” said Alachua Police Chief Jesse J. Sandusky.  “We are thankful for the assistance we received from our partners and hope that this can help bring closure to the victim's families."

Charges by the Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office were brought against the following:

Hakiem Brockman, 25, West Palm Beach, Florida, pled nolo contendere to second degree murder with discharge of a firearm causing death, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, and four counts of attempted murder in the first degree with discharge of a firearm. Brockman was sentenced to 35 years in prison, 25 of which will be served day-for-day.

McKenzley Edwards, 30, Alachua, Florida, pled nolo contendere to six counts of attempted second degree murder with discharge of a firearm and actual possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, tampering with a witness, victim, or informant, and one count of conspiracy to commit first degree murder (premeditated) and attempted murder. Edwards was sentenced to 25 years in prison, 20 of which will be served day-for-day.

Kenzel Edwards, 28, Alachua, Florida, pled nolo contendere to three counts of attempted second degree murder with a firearm and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, 10 of which will be served day-for-day.

Jeffery Robinson, Jr., 29, Alachua, Florida, pled nolo contendere to accessory after the fact to the murder and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Roddrae Williams pled guilty to conspiracy to commit first degree murder (premediated) and is pending sentencing

“Each of these violent felony offenders posed a significant risk to the safety of our community.  Thanks to the professional, expert work of this task force and our prosecutors, this community will be protected from further violence by these offenders,” said Brian Kramer, State Attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit.

“These sentencings demonstrate the FBI's relentless determination to eradicate drug-fueled gang violence that is plaguing communities,” said FBI Jacksonville Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis. “Disrupting organizations like this one is a critical part of the FBI mission, and we will use every legal means available to hold accountable those who threaten our neighborhoods. The rule of law is not optional, and we want to make clear to other gangs operating in our communities: the FBI and our local, state, and federal partners are coming for you, and the violence won't be tolerated.”

“DEA’s top priority is protecting the safety and health of our Florida communities.  Drug trafficking and associated violence puts our communities in danger,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “The DEA Miami Field Division remains committed to working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime, remove dangerous drugs from our streets, and hold those responsible for distributing this poison in our communities accountable for their actions.”

These convictions were the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Alachua Police Department, Gainesville Police Department, University of Florida Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ocala Police Department.

The federal cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain, and the state cases were prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Daniel Owen.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

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GAINESVILLE, FL - Thirty-four Alachua County Public School students have been selected as finalists in the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program, which each year recognizes the nation’s top-achieving high school students.

Earning finalist status has long been recognized as an indicator of high academic achievement. There are several standards students must achieve to become National Merit finalists.

First, they must qualify as semifinalists by earning among the nation’s highest scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which is taken by more than 1.5 million students annually and measures a student’s critical reading, math problem-solving and writing abilities. About 16,000 students are named semifinalists each year.

To become finalists, students must also earn high scores on the SAT. They must also submit applications highlighting their other academic achievements, awards and honors and leadership activities within their school and community. Teacher recommendations and an essay are also required.

Twenty students at Buchholz High School have been named finalists, seven at Eastside High and seven at Gainesville High.

National Merit finalists are all eligible for thousands of dollars in scholarships provided by businesses, colleges and universities and other organizations.

This year’s finalists are: Buchholz High School—Megan Chen, Richard Feng, Nolan Gao, William Guan, Noah Hunter, Max Kaplan, Melissa Li, Hailey Lin, Edison Loftus, Kelsey Morey, Peter Neubert, Warren Pfund, Sarah Rodkin, Parsa Tehranipoor, Daniel Wang, Laurie Wang, Nathan Wei, Billy Yang, Kailyn Zhai, Emmanuel Zheng; Eastside High School—Madeleine Gurka, Daniel Huang, Shravya Mandava, August McDaniel, Isaac Savin, Noah Siegel, Rachel Xu; Gainesville High School—Cadien Archer, Maheer Bansari, Peter Blay, Kyle Choe, Kathleen Ferrer, Ellee Guin, Katelinn Kochtan.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida’s Republican-led Legislature passed a sweeping bill Thursday in Tallahassee that would ban all kids under 16 from using social media – even with a parent’s permission – and would require everyone else in the Sunshine State to prove they are adults to continue using their online accounts.

Within hours of the Senate’s vote, Gov. Ron DeSantis resurfaced his own objections over banning high school students who are 14 or 15 and whose parents might want to give their children access. “Parents need to have a role in this,” he said at a news conference. He added, “We can’t say 100% of the uses are bad.”

“It’s still under negotiation,” DeSantis said. “We’re working.”

The Senate voted 23-14 to pass the bill, a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner and one of the most consequential and far-reaching pieces of legislation considered this year by lawmakers. The House voted later in the day 108-7 to pass the Senate’s version of the measure and send it to DeSantis for signature.

“We know that there are pedophiles and sexual predators on these platforms and children can be groomed in less than 45 minutes,” said Sen. Erin Grall, R-Fort Pierce, who championed the measure in the Senate. “The sale of human beings is happening with our most vulnerable children in these platforms.”

Grall said Thursday that she hasn’t discussed concerns with the governor or his representatives.

“I haven’t communicated with the governor’s office on the bill, at all,” Grall said.

Under the bill – and an amendment by Grall that passed late Wednesday – adults in Florida would be required to submit proof-of-age documents or evidence to third-party, U.S.-based companies to prove to social media companies they are old enough to use their accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, Reddit and others. 

The bill would require that these companies immediately delete copies of any age-verification information at the end of the process and assure the anonymity of anyone who submitted it. It did not specify what documents or evidence would be acceptable to prove age, but legislative researchers said options include government-issued records such as drivers’ licenses, credit or banking records or even biometric tools that use facial recognition to estimate a person’s age.

It would go into effect July 1. 

The Senate vote was largely along party lines, except that five Republicans voted against the bill and two Democrats supported it. Debate on the Senate floor was rancorous. In the House, the only lawmakers who opposed it were Reps. LaVon Bracy Davis of Orlando, Daryl Campbell of Fort Lauderdale, Anna Eskamani of Orlando, Ashley Viola Gantt of Miami, Angela Nixon of Jacksonville and Felicia Simone Robinson of Miami Gardens – all Democrats.

Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, said the bill – if enacted – would almost certainly be blocked by legal challenges. Critics said it interferes with the First Amendment rights of social media users. A similar law in Arkansas was blocked after a judge ruled that it placed too high a

burden on adults and children attempting to access protected content.

“We are walking ourselves into a judicial defeat, and I’d like to know who’s paying for that,” Polsky said. “We’re cutting our budget; we’re cutting our programs. We’re going to spend another million dollars on defending a case that we all know is unconstitutional.”

NetChoice LLC, a trade organization for major social media platforms, said the age-verification requirement for adults in Florida raised serious privacy concerns. 

“The terrifying component of this bill is a requirement that private businesses send and export sensitive personal information of users to another company,” said Carl Szabo, the group’s top lawyer. “That’s really scary that my most sensitive personal information would be required by Florida law to be sent to a third party to verify I am who I say I am.”

The bill identifies social media services as having “addictive features,” which Grall compared to drug addiction. The bill wouldn’t apply to email providers, streaming services, photo-editing applications, news sites or other popular digital services.

“This has been equated to digital fentanyl,” Grall said. “This is a different version of drug use than most of us have ever seen, but it is just as bad and it affects their brain development and it affects their ability to participate in society.”

Polsky unsuccessfully offered an amendment late Wednesday that would exempt teens under 16 in Florida who could show a reasonable need to use social media, such as young entrepreneurs, dance or recording artists or prospective athletes who showcase their talent to college coaches online. 

On the Senate floor, Polsky read from a news story published earlier Wednesday by Fresh Take Florida, a news service operated by the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, that included interviews with teens who ran businesses or advocacy groups before they turned 16.

Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-Hollywood, said parents, not the government, should control what their children can do online. 

“If you need 40 people hanging out in Tallahassee for 60 days to be able to teach your kids, or restrict them from something, you need to seek help,” Pizzo said. 

Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, who voted against the bill said it could prevent children from watching popular cartoons on YouTube Kids. 

Szabo, the lawyer for NetChoice, said his group or others would seek a preliminary injunction in court to block the bill from taking effect if signed by the governor. 

“We can do that on First Amendment grounds because when it comes to free speech, the chilling of free speech, the limiting of free speech, even the threat of losing the opportunity of free speech is a harm unto itself,” Szabo said.

Grall said she believed Florida’s new law would hold up to court challenges because it targeted social media platforms with addictive features, not specific online companies. Such features include “autoplay,” when a website plays videos automatically in succession, or “infinite scroll,” when a website serves up content endlessly.

“This language is very different from some of the other states,” she said. “Some of the other states have specific exclusions for specific platforms. Those make it look like we’re targeting one platform over another versus focusing on the addictive harms that our children are facing.”

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