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Cutline: Alachua County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2811 Trustee Gary McCrea, left, and Senior Vice Commander Jim Johnson help with the organization’s Buddy Poppy program. The two Vietnam War veterans were among several in the post who helped raise more than $5,000 last year to benefit VFW programs. Photo special to Alachua County Today by Michael P. Mauer

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Ben E. Keith officials and City of Alachua elected officials and staff celebrated the Jan. 29, 2025 groundbreaking of the 707,000 square-foot distribution center. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

L-R: Alachua Chamber President Adam Boukari and Chamber Big Business of the Year recipient Scherer Construction / Photo special to Alachua County Today

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Alachua Spring Concert, March 30, 2025 at 3 p.m., Legacy Park, Alachua

Admission at the door the afternoon of the show, Adults: $8 / Youth: No charge

 

ALACHUA — The City of Alachua is joining forces with Dance Alive National Ballet (DANB) to present a special collaborative program featuring young dancers from DANB’s Next Generation and danceAbout outreach initiatives. The event will showcase students who have been training under DANB outreach instructors Alison Tucker and Marilyn Deiorio since February, thanks to support from the City of Alachua and danceAbout sponsors.

Next Generation, DANB’s youth performance group, will take the stage alongside danceAbout participants to present a dynamic lineup of performances, including Le Corsaire Suite, Night Sky, Appalachian Spring, Boogie Shoes, Playground and Boogie Wonderland.

The program aims to introduce young dancers to a range of classical and contemporary styles. Le Corsaire Suite was chosen to expose students to classical ballet and character dance, while Night Sky, choreographed by DANB Resident Choreographer Tales Ribeiro, is designed for older dancers. Younger members of Next Generation will perform Appalachian Spring, a piece choreographed by DANB Principal Rachel Ridley.

Other featured works include Boogie Shoes, created by DANB’s Judy Skinner, and Playground, choreographed by guest artist Michelle Zada. The performance will conclude with Boogie Wonderland, which will feature danceAbout students before transitioning through ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap, with guest artist Victor Mancuso leading the tap segment. The finale will bring together both danceAbout and Next Generation dancers in a celebratory performance.

The event not only highlights young talent but also supports DANB’s outreach programs. Proceeds will benefit these initiatives, which aim to enrich the lives of youth by providing them with choreography, instruction, and performance opportunities.

Founded in 1966 in Gainesville, Florida, Dance Alive National Ballet is a premier touring company in the southern United States, known for its diverse repertoire ranging from classical ballets like The Nutcracker to innovative contemporary works. Under the leadership of Executive Artistic Director Kim Tuttle and Company Choreographer Judy Skinner, the company has toured extensively in the United States, Brazil, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Russia.

Dance Alive National Ballet receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Florida Department of State’s Division of Arts and Culture, the City of Gainesville’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs department, and Visit Gainesville, Alachua County. The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with additional financial details available upon request by calling (800) 435-7352.

With a mission to foster artistic expression and provide young dancers with performance experience, DANB’s Next Generation continues to serve as a vital part of the region’s arts community. The upcoming showcase in Alachua promises to be an inspiring evening of dance, creativity, and collaboration.

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~ Families Invited To A Fun-Filled Day Of Nature, History, And Art ~

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Gather the family and head outdoors for a day of fresh air, local history, and hands-on activities at O’Leno State Park’s Spring Frolic on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 410 S.E. O’Leno Park Road. For just $5 per vehicle (up to eight people) or $4 for a single occupant, families can spend the day exploring one of Florida’s oldest and most beloved state parks while enjoying a lineup of activities designed to entertain visitors of all ages.

This year’s celebration invites guests to experience all that makes O’Leno special. Guided hikes will take participants deep into the park’s natural landscapes, from towering hardwood forests to the winding paths that reveal hidden sinkholes and diverse wildlife. Along the way, historical re-enactors and nature exhibitors will share stories of the area’s past, offering families a chance to learn about the people and ecosystems that shaped the region.

For those looking to take home something unique, local arts and crafts vendors will be on-site with handmade goods and artwork available for purchase. When it’s time for lunch, Charlie’s Chuckwagon food truck will serve up fresh, hot meals to fuel the afternoon adventures.

While the park's iconic suspension bridge remains closed for safety renovations, its rich history still towers over the event. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the wooden suspension bridge has long been a symbol of O’Leno’s past, stretching across the Santa Fe River and once connecting visitors to trails and scenic overlooks. Although visitors can no longer walk across it, the bridge remains a popular photo backdrop and a lasting reminder of the park’s historic roots.

The Friends of O’Leno and River Rise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the park, will also be available to answer questions about volunteer opportunities, fundraising efforts, and future projects, including the upcoming renovation of the park's Dining Hall, which will temporarily close beginning April 1, 2025, and is expected to reopen in late summer.

Beyond the day’s festivities, families are encouraged to explore O’Leno’s everyday amenities, including shaded picnic areas, open playgrounds, and miles of tranquil hiking trails. Whether visiting for the first time or returning to a favorite spot, this event offers the perfect opportunity to unplug and reconnect with nature while celebrating a park that has been a part of Florida’s story for nearly a century.

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~ Cites Lack of Rational Basis, Improper Evidence And Instructions ~

GAINESVILLE – Attorneys for Alachua County Sheriff’s Office have formally requested a significant reduction to the $15 million jury award granted to a sheriff's office employee, arguing the verdict is grossly excessive and unsupported by the evidence presented at trial.  The award came on Feb. 7 when an all-white jury handed down a more than $15 million verdict after a weeklong trial in which Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Sergeant Kevin Davis, also white, claimed racial discrimination and retaliation.  

The jury awarded Davis, the plaintiff, $115,724 for lost wages and benefits.  The jury also awarded an astounding $15,000,000 for emotional pain and mental anguish, although no medical records were admitted, nor were there any medical or psychological expert witnesses who testified to the extent of such pain and anguish.

In a motion filed on February 21, 2025, the Sheriff's legal team contends the multimillion-dollar judgment, awarded for emotional distress and lost wages in a workplace discrimination and retaliation lawsuit, “shocks the judicial conscience” and should be lowered to $30,000 for emotional damages and $16,457 for lost wages.

Davis, who remains employed with the Sheriff’s office and according to the Sheriff’s motion, has never lost pay or been disciplined, alleged emotional harm stemming from adverse employment actions.  However, according to the Sheriff’s motion, the plaintiff's evidence of emotional distress was limited to general claims of trouble sleeping, occasional crying spells, feelings of isolation, and concerns over blood pressure—without medical diagnosis or expert testimony to support the claims.

“The evidence presented provides little detail of the duration, severity or consequences of the condition,” the motion states, labeling the plaintiff's claims as “garden variety” emotional distress that typically warrant only modest compensation.

Disputing the Numbers

During closing arguments, the plaintiff’s attorney suggested the jury award $11 million – calculating $1 million for each year of alleged past emotional distress and $8 million for future distress. The jury ultimately returned a verdict totaling $15 million, an amount the Sheriff's attorneys argue is arbitrary and fueled by passion rather than fact.

“The extra four million dollars has absolutely no basis in the record for support,” the motion argues, suggesting the jury's verdict functioned more as punitive damages – prohibited under the law in this case – disguised as compensation.

Caps On Damages Awards

Beyond contesting the sufficiency of the evidence, the Sheriff’s office also pointed to statutory limits on damages under both federal and state law. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, compensatory damages are capped at $300,000 for large employers, while Florida’s Civil Rights Act (FCRA) imposes a $200,000 cap on claims against government entities.

“Even considering the uncapped claims under Section 1981, the most that the evidence supports is an award of $30,000,” the Sheriff’s attorneys wrote.

Future Pay Dispute

The motion also challenges the jury’s award of $115,724 in lost wages and benefits, asserting that figure improperly includes front pay – a form of relief that courts, not juries, are tasked with determining.  The Sheriff’s motion points to the Plaintiff’s expert, stating that the plaintiff's actual lost wages and benefits total just $16,457.

Motion to Set Aside the Verdict

In addition to the remittitur request, the Sheriff’s Office is seeking to have the jury’s verdict set aside entirely. One of the key issues raised in the motion is the alleged violation of attorney-client privilege. The Plaintiff’s legal team, according to the Sheriff’s motion, improperly questioned witnesses about confidential communications between the Sheriff’s Office and its legal counsel. The defense argues that this violated established legal protections and unfairly tainted the trial by introducing privileged information to the jury.

Further compounding the issue, the Sheriff’s Office claims that the Plaintiff introduced irrelevant and prejudicial evidence, including references to other African American employees with criminal backgrounds. These references, the Sheriff argues, were not only unsupported by evidence but were used to improperly suggest a pattern of racial discrimination that was not directly related to Kevin Davis’s case. The motion asserts that this type of evidence was inflammatory and unjustly biased the jury against the Sheriff’s Office.

Hearsay and Improper Evidence

The Sheriff’s team also objects to the admission of hearsay evidence. Several statements made by Sheriff’s Office employees were admitted under the Florida Evidence Code’s party admission rule, but the defense argues that these statements were not appropriately authenticated. Because the witnesses did not meet the necessary criteria, the defense claims that the statements should have been excluded from the trial. As a result, they believe the jury was exposed to irrelevant information that unfairly impacted their verdict.

Flawed Jury Instructions

Another critical point in the motion is the contention that the jury instructions regarding retaliation claims were misleading. The Sheriff argues that the court’s instructions improperly grouped several separate acts of alleged retaliation together, preventing the jury from evaluating each one on its own merits. The defense asserts that this led the jury to mistakenly weigh each action in a cumulative manner, which prejudiced the Defendant by making the individual acts appear more significant than they were.

Request for a New Trial

If the court does not set aside the verdict, the Sheriff’s legal team is requesting a new trial. They contend that the errors made during the trial, particularly the admission of irrelevant and prejudicial evidence, as well as the improper closing argument, deprived the Sheriff’s Office of a fair trial. The Sheriff’s Office argues that the cumulative effect of these mistakes resulted in an unjust verdict, including the inflated emotional distress award, and that a new trial is necessary to ensure fairness.

Additionally, the Sheriff’s legal team challenges the Plaintiff’s claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which, in accordance with a 1978 case referred to as “Monell,” required the Plaintiff to prove that the Sheriff’s Office had a discriminatory custom, policy, or practice that led to retaliation or race discrimination. The defense asserts that the jury was not properly instructed on this matter and did not make the required findings. Without these findings, the defense argues, the Plaintiff is not entitled to damages under the civil rights statute.

A Call for Fairness

The Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that the trial’s fairness was compromised by the introduction of inflammatory and irrelevant evidence, hearsay, and the improper jury instructions. The motion argues that these issues unfairly swayed the jury and led to a verdict that was not based on the greater weight of the evidence.

As the court reviews the motions, a decision is expected soon regarding whether the jury’s verdict will be set aside or a new trial will be ordered.

The motions requests that the presiding judge:

  1. Set aside the jury verdict and enter a directed verdict in favor of the Sheriff’s Office or grant its motion for a new trial; and
  2. Reduce the damages in line with the Sheriff's arguments if broader post-trial motions seeking to overturn the verdict are not granted.

As of March 4, 2025, no response from the Plaintiff has appeared on the Clerk of Courts website.  The motions filed by the Sheriff’s Office do not represent an appeal but rather are post-trial motions.  An appeal, if any, would be likely be filed within 30 days after entry of a final judgment or ruling on a motion for reconsideration, which has not occurred yet.

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ALACHUA. – The Alachua Business League (ABL) recognized Julie Smith as the recipient of the 2024 Rosanne Morse ABLe Award during its first member meeting of the year on Feb. 17, 2025. The prestigious honor is awarded annually to an individual who is Active in the Community, Believes in Others, and Leads with Style, embodying the core values of the Alachua Business League.

Smith was selected from a distinguished group of nominees, including Ben Boukari, Jr., Mitch Glaeser, Joe Hancock, Michele Lee, Mark Rizzotto, Robert Rush, and Julie Smith, all of whom have made significant contributions to the city of Alachua and its residents.

Last year’s award winner, Nicole Stroud of Valerie’s Loft, was recognized for her contributions to local business and community initiatives. This year, Smith joins the ranks of past honorees celebrated for their outstanding dedication to service, leadership, and economic development.

Smith has been widely recognized for her commitment to giving back, her passion for supporting businesses, and her dedication to uplifting others through various initiatives. Her ability to foster collaboration and bring people together has made a lasting impact on the community.

One of her most notable contributions is her advocacy for promoting tourism in the region. She has played an active role in the Visit Natural North Florida Tourism Task Force, where her efforts have helped showcase the area’s unique attractions and build partnerships that benefit local businesses.

Smith’s leadership extended to disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Helene, when she spearheaded a donation drive for the local food bank. Her coordination led to significant contributions, ensuring that many individuals and families in need had access to essential resources.

In addition, she has played a vital role in connecting and informing the community through the development of “High Springs What’s Happening,” a platform that has become a key resource for residents and businesses alike.

For her selfless dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of the community, the Alachua Business League named Julie Smith as the 2024 Rosanne Morse ABLe Award winner.

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ALACHUA – The City of Alachua was recognized for its power restoration efforts during Florida’s destructive 2024 hurricane season, receiving the “Restoring Communities Award” from the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) in January.

The award, presented to 28 public power utilities across the state, honors utilities for restoring power after severe weather events and providing mutual aid to other communities.

“These awards follow an incredibly active and destructive hurricane season for Florida, with August’s Hurricane Debby, a Category 1 storm, and back-to-back major Hurricanes Helene and Milton causing widespread power outages within weeks of one another,” an FMEA representative said in a statement.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region on Sept. 26, 2024, knocking out power to approximately 1,500 electric customers in Alachua. City crews with the Electric Department began restoration efforts as soon as conditions were safe, fully restoring power to all customers—excluding those with property damage preventing service—within six days.

“Last year was a particularly rough hurricane season for Florida,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA executive director. “Millions of people and communities across the state were impacted, some without enough time to recover from the previous storm before the next one hit.”

Just one week after completing local restoration, the City of Alachua sent four electric line workers—Blake Cox, Kris Kadlec, Andy Lindsey and Matt Lynn—to assist with power restoration efforts in Mount Dora, Florida, following Hurricane Milton’s landfall in Central Florida.

“Despite one of the most powerful hurricane seasons to impact the Good Life Community and the state of Florida, none of this would have been possible without an immense group effort, especially including our Electric Department,” City Manager Mike DaRoza said. “They are always willing to lend a hand whenever and however they can.”

The City of Alachua operates one of Florida’s 33 public power utilities and regularly participates in mutual aid during emergencies, providing crews and resources to help neighboring communities restore essential services.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Police Department (HSPD) is asking for the public’s help in identifying two women suspected of stealing merchandise from a local department store earlier this week.

According to police, around 8:35 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, two Black female suspects entered the Bealls Department Store located at 20201 N. U.S. Highway 441 in High Springs.

While inside the store, the women gathered multiple items, including boys’ and girls’ clothing, as well as men’s and women’s fragrances. After approximately 12 minutes, police said both suspects left the store without paying, carrying the stolen merchandise.

The total value of the stolen items has not been released.

Investigators are working to identify the suspects and are asking anyone who may recognize them or have information about the theft to contact the High Springs Police Department at 352-955-1818. Tips can also be submitted via email to Detective T. Taylor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Police are urging the public not to approach the individuals if they are seen. Instead, authorities ask anyone with information to contact law enforcement immediately.

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TALLAHASSEE – In support of President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14172, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson today directed the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to, as quickly as possible, rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in all department administrative rules, forms, maps, and resources.

“The Gulf of America has helped shape our state and nation’s economy, history, and culture for generations. It is a vital resource that has fed our families, powered our economy, and provided unrivaled opportunities for recreation and tourism,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “President Trump’s action rightfully recognizes the Gulf of America’s significance to our nation, and I am proud to help support this effort and ensure that Florida honors this historic change.”

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has many divisions, offices, and programs that directly pertain to the Gulf of America, including:

  • Division of Aquaculture: Responsible for developing and enforcing regulations governing commercial aquaculture harvesting and processing; leasing of coastal state submerged land for aquacultural purposes; developing and enforcing Aquaculture Best Management Practices; supporting financial, educational and technical assistance to Florida aquafarmers; certifying and inspecting shellfish processing plants; classifying and monitoring shellfish harvesting areas; and more.
  • Division of Marketing: Promotes the state’s commercial fishing industry and retail seafood markets to increase sales of Florida seafood products.
  • Division of Food Safety: Enforces the illegal mislabeling of foreign-caught seafood as wild-caught Florida seafood at Florida retail seafood markets and grocery stores.

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TALLLAHASSEE — Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky today is requiring additional data from insurers to be submitted to the Office of Insurance Regulation and is directing insurers to make sure they are following the law. OIR is issuing an informational memorandum to remind insurers of the need to properly evaluate property damage claims caused by the peril of water and the peril of wind sustained during the 2024 Hurricane Season. The Office recently learned of potentially concerning behavior relating to anti-concurrent causation policy language and the explicit avoidance of applying coverage for policyholders. Commissioner Yaworsky expects insurers, before denying a total loss claim, to be mindful and make sure the company is following the law. OIR’s informational memorandum also requires residential property insurers to report certain flood-related information to the office.       

Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky said, “The Office of Insurance Regulation is examining data from companies to ensure that there is no abuse with the exemption process when determining total loss claims, especially for policyholders impacted by repeated hurricane damage during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. If our office finds explicit abuse and failure to comply with Florida law, OIR will take additional regulatory action.” 

During the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, three hurricanes impacted Florida causing significant and, in certain areas, repeated damage by both wind and storm surge. The Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Consumer Services receives intake of consumer complaints regarding insurance matters. DFS has received a significant number of flood-related consumer complaints relating to timely payment of claims, inaccurate claims payments and post-claims underwriting.

OIR’s informational memorandum is requiring the reporting of information about National Flood Insurance Program’s Write Your Own policies and reminds insurers of the need to properly evaluate claim determinations when damage is caused by the peril of water and the peril of wind, commonly referred to as concurrent causation. While the office recognizes case law surrounding concurrent causation and anti-concurrent causation policy language, it is not a mechanism to handle claims poorly. Claims that trigger concurrent causation must be well documented and determined in accordance with Florida law. As in all cases, violations of the law, improperly handled claims involving concurrent causation will result in administrative action and restitution to the consumer.

OIR’s Market Regulation Bureau will review information from all three storms that made landfall during the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, as well as the accuracy of insurers’ claims determinations—including information stemmed from the concurrent causation doctrine and anti-concurrent causation policy language.

To view the informational memorandum, click here.

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 GAINESVILLE – The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is preparing to bid a bittersweet farewell to its beloved Asian small-clawed otter family as they move to their new home at the Memphis Zoo on March 5, 2025. Duncan and Chitra arrived at the SF Teaching Zoo in 2019, where they delighted everyone with the arrival of pups in 2020 and again in 2023. All 7 members of the otter family will make the move.
 
The move is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP), a nationwide effort to protect and sustain the Asian small-clawed otter population in accredited zoos. Recommendations are made based on breeding compatibility and needs of the otter population in zoos.
 
While their departure will be emotional for students, staff, and visitors, the transition comes at an ideal time, coinciding with planned renovations to the otters’ habitat at SF Teaching Zoo as part of the Zoo’s newly created Master Plan.
 
“We know the otter family is a favorite for many of our guests” said Zoo Director, Jonathan Miot. “They will be missed by students and staff, but we are comforted to know they will be living in a beautiful new home while we renovate the habitat.” 
 
In preparation for their move, the otter family has been participating in a groundbreaking interspecies communication program using FluentPet technology, a system of buttons that allows animals to associate words with actions and objects.
 
“This is a unique opportunity for both the otters and our students,” said Julie Smith, professor in the Zoo Animal Technology Program. “Our team has been working on innovative training techniques to help ease the otters’ transition to a new facility and new caregivers.”
 
SF Teaching Zoo is among the first institutions to expand FluentPet research beyond companion animals, training otters, tortoises, and capuchin monkeys to use communication buttons. The otters are currently learning words such as “new,” “move,” “otter,” and “human” to help them adapt to their upcoming transition. 
 
“This is the first time any animal in the FluentPet program will be transferred from one zoological facility to another,” Smith said. “The Memphis Zoo team is excited to continue this innovative research.”
 
Otter Farewell Weekend – March 1 & 2
The zoo invites members and visitors to say their goodbyes at a special farewell event on March 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include:
 
  • Otter training demonstrations
  • Keeper talks 
  • Crafts and activities 
  • A special gift for zoo members
 
Support the Otter Habitat Renovation
To ensure that otters can return to the SF Teaching Zoo in the future, donations are being accepted to support the renovation of their habitat. Contributions can be made online at tinyurl.com/47zda5d2 (type “otters” in the comments). For larger contributions, please contact Jonathan Miot at 352-395-5602 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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GAINESVILLE – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping new law Thursday at the Capitol that puts him in charge of a new state board of immigration enforcement, toughens punishments for crimes committed by immigrants in the U.S. illegally and requires state and local governments to cooperate with federal deportation efforts.

The new law, passed during a four-day special session of the Legislature, also cancels in-state tuition for immigrants at Florida’s public colleges and universities who are here illegally and prohibits the state from issuing driver’s licenses to those immigrants. It also permits Florida’s disaster management agency to deport immigrants aboard state planes and seek reimbursement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The new law also makes it illegal for others to aid or solicit a non-citizen immigrant to vote in elections. It already was illegal in Florida for those immigrants to vote, and there is no evidence such voting has taken place on any significant scale.

In Tallahassee, the governor and legislative leaders billed the new immigration package as a compromise, after DeSantis had criticized an earlier proposal approved Jan. 28 by the Legislature as “weak, weak, weak.” The new bill effectively put DeSantis in charge of immigration policy in Florida, while the previous measure – which DeSantis had threatened to veto – gave that authority to the elected commissioner of agriculture.

“I absolutely anticipate other states will follow what Florida has done as we move forward in the weeks and months ahead.” DeSantis said. “We are ahead of the curve on ending the illegal immigration crisis. We didn't just set our hands. We got to work.”

Under the new law, a new immigration enforcement council will advise the state immigration enforcement board. The council will include police chiefs appointed by the governor, attorney general, chief financial officer and agriculture commissioner, plus sheriffs selected by the Senate president and House speaker. The council’s first meeting must take place by April 1.

Thursday’s action ended a surprisingly bitter and rare disagreement between the Republican governor and GOP-led House and Senate. 

DeSantis said he did not take the disagreement personally and harbored no hard feelings toward Florida legislators, after they snubbed him by immediately adjourning his special session, beginning their own and overriding a previous budget veto for legislative funding in January.

Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Bartow, said the disputes were part of a healthy legislative exercise.

“It's very complex. It's very complicated,” Albritton said. “I'll just tell you that our Republican family, we're together, and we are moving forward together.”

House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, agreed.

“This is just a disagreement. It's normal. It's healthy,” Perez said. “People wanted to make this seem like a feud, but it wasn't. It was just a disagreement on how to get to the finish line.”

The bill passed in the Senate 27-10 and in the House 85-30 largely along party-line voting.

“The recent dynamics between the House, the Senate and the governor's office may have made some of us a little bit uncomfortable over the last couple weeks, but the reality is that experience is healthy,” said Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Tarpon Springs. “It proved that when we all work together, we produce the best possible product for Floridians, and that product is before us today.”

Rep. Wallace Aristide, D-North Miami Beach, acknowledged concerns about crimes committed by immigrants but defended other immigrants working for better opportunities, citing his family’s experiences.

“There's two sides to a story,” Aristide said. “I'm against those that are here, illegally committing crime, doing something wrong. We can't support it, but I got to support those that are trying to make their lives better for themselves and their family.”

Most provisions of the new law took effect immediately after DeSantis signed it. In-state tuition for students who were immigrants in the U.S. illegally will end July 1.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Governor DeSantis is charting a new course for Florida’s recreational boaters, urging state lawmakers Tuesday to prohibit marine law enforcement officers from stopping boats on the water for inspections unless there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.

During an appearance at a boat show in Miami Beach, the governor said he was announcing a “boater freedom initiative” that would change Florida’s existing laws permitting inspections and searches of boats under the justification of safety checks. 

The move would represent a major change for maritime law enforcement. DeSantis called the existing law “a wrong that has been an issue in this state for far too long.” It wasn’t clear how any change to Florida law would affect operations by the U.S. Coast Guard in the state’s waters.

“We don’t want to have our boaters to be unnecessarily interfered with,” DeSantis said. He described marine law enforcement officers as “sometimes well meaning.” 

“People who are just out enjoying themselves when there’s no indication that anything is wrong, they should not be subjected to these intensive searches,” DeSantis said at the Miami International Boat Show.

The Legislature’s annual session begins next month for 60 days. 

State law allows authorities to stop and inspect boats, passengers and search any containers on board without probable cause. Officers routinely check a boater’s registration paperwork, fishing licenses or catches, storage containers or coolers, life preservers and required safety equipment – and a boater’s sobriety.

DeSantis said the law has resulted in unwarranted inspections and cited an example that went viral from August, when law enforcement arrested a Jupiter executive who later blew a 0.0 in a breathalyzer. DeSantis met with the executive two weeks ago, on Jan. 29, according to a copy of the governor’s official schedule. 

Michael Christian Arrieta, 36, was on the Loxahatchee River with his wife on board when a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer stopped him. Arrieta was driving his boat on full plane in a slow speed zone, according to his arrest report.

Per the officer’s instructions, Arrieta performed a series of sobriety tasks before being arrested and accused of operating the boat under the influence. 

“I’m with all my kids right now,” Arrieta told the officer. “You don’t smell alcohol on my breath. There’s not one ounce of alcohol on the boat.” At one point during the encounter, Arrieta told the officer he is a church elder, knows the local police chief personally and said, “Sir, if you Google me, I’m on Governor Ron DeSantis’ council, OK?” 

It wasn’t immediately clear which council Arrieta was describing. A search of the governor’s appointment announcements didn’t show one for Arrieta. He was not among the members of the governor’s Faith-Based and Community-Based Advisory Council, according to the council’s website. The governor’s press office did not immediately respond to a request for an explanation.

According to the arrest report, Arrieta told his wife to “call multiple high-ranking officials” in the state to demand the officer’s name and badge number.

The incident was captured on video through the officer’s body camera and shared online.

Arrieta, who was never charged with a crime, said in a new interview Tuesday the situation was traumatizing for him and his family. He declined to discuss the governor’s new proposal or the incident further.

DeSantis also said Tuesday he intends to repeal a restriction some state municipalities enforce that ban fuel-based boats on the water.

“You don’t need to be driving an electric boat if you don’t want to,” he said.

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TALLAHASSEE —On February 12, 2025, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Paul Renner to the Board of Governors of the State University System. This appointment is effective April 15, 2025.Speaker_Paul_Renner.jpg

Renner is the former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 19 and is currently Of Counsel for Nelson Mullins. A public servant for most of his life, he is a veteran of the United States Navy and began his legal career as a state prosecutor. Renner earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Davidson College and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. 

This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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We want to thank the Alachua County Today community for strongly supporting the Alachua Main Street Harvest Festival this past Sunday.

There were over 200 vendors with all types of products and a record crowd that was amazing from start to finish.  The vendors do a fantastic job of coming early and setting up for a big day and they were rewarded. 

Our 37th Alachua Main Street festival was a resounding success!

Marilyn Vanover

Alachua Business League

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Small municipalities are currently undergoing numerous changes and financial problems. Elected officials often spearhead projects within their cities, but I do not see much of that taking place in my city of Archer. In most cases we have no oversight, follow up or plans. The lack of these brings about project delays affecting the utilization of grants and other resources in the city.

It is a sad thing to see the newly planned Community Center project for the Holly Hills neighborhood going down the drain and grant funding being returned.

Municipalities are grappling with an influx of grant funds aimed at addressing numerous community projects. As someone who has authored and received numerous grants, I can attest that effective leadership is crucial for fund management. The associated reports alone are intricate. This underscores the importance of well -trained municipal managers and staff, including contingency training.

The city manager should be a proficient communicator, hands-on, and proactive, engaging with the community to address the needs. The city manager assumes a leadership role, ensuring task are completed, while the commissioners act as overseers, bridging the gap between politics and administration and executing the laws.

Citizens and residents in many small towns like Archer often refrain from participating in the political process. Attending meetings become futile when the issue affecting you have already transpired, rendering your input belated.

We all contribute taxes to support our cities and understanding how the funds are spent is crucial.

Roberta C. Lopez

Archer, Florida

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Our small town of High Springs is beloved because its elected leaders have done more things right than wrong over time. Just like with big families, there is rarely unanimous agreement on how issues should be addressed. Issues are not simple, and leaders that let you believe the choices are not hard are fooling you. What usually tells the truth is time.

In the past year, High Springs has received no new grant funding, returned over a million dollars in grants, lost leaders in every major department other than police, while retaining an under qualified finance director. Our mayor and other first-term commissioners have blamed former staff and former elected officials for a range of problems and suddenly the city is portrayed as poor.

For the first time in years, our city is being sued. Current leadership has accepted no responsibility and created a budget, that in the coming year, will repeat many of the mistakes previous commissions had been working for years to fix.

The stage is now set for our community to lose our exceptional Fire Department.  Current commissioners have lowered expectations for what a small-town department can offer.  They have hired leadership with little experience and the slow recovery from the recent storms are an example of what we have lost.

Do you see a pattern?

Luckily, we have two citizens who are willing to step up, accept responsibility, make decisions and guide our growing town to its future.

They have experience in public service; they have training in emergency management, large budgets, and leadership. Sue Weller has felt compelled to return to office because of the intentional mistruths spoken by our mayor.

Ross Ambrose

High Springs Resident

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To fellow High Springs voters:

I have been a resident of High Springs since 1979 with a unique multi view experience of our City's political climate and government.

Back in the 1980s, I worked as a paralegal for the then High Springs City Attorney. Decades later, my husband served on the High Springs Commission and later became City Attorney for High Springs before the City's current legal counsel. I have spent the past 28 years working for a local developer and real estate investor managing both residential apartments and professional commercial properties in the City of High Springs.

Over the decades, I have witnessed Commissions that have operated as a cohesive body following the Charter, working with the City Manager, and conducting City business with thoughtful, well versed and trained leadership. Unfortunately, I have also witnessed Commissions that have been riddled with partisanship, discourse, and lack of training trying to manage staff at City Hall and make decisions outside of the Commission as a whole.

Unfortunately, we are again experiencing this type of local government climate. Our City is in crisis. The turnover rate from the number of employees leaving the City has resulted in great inefficiency in services to our citizens, not to mention the lack of transparency within our government causing many citizens to be uninformed at best or ill-informed at worst.

We need proven, experienced non-partisan leadership, and that is why I am endorsing Sue Weller for Seat #5 for the High Springs City Commission. As many voters know, Sue served on the Commission from 2010 through 2016.

What voters may not know is that Sue has stayed continually engaged in the governance of High Springs. She has served on multiple boards as well as faithfully followed the City Commission meetings live or online. Her depth of knowledge around our Charter and our history regarding planned responsible growth are pluses in a time when there are many gaps in our City's continuity in leadership.

Sue's professionalism and ability to stay neutral while listening to our citizens is refreshing and supportive of the direction we want to take our City.

A vote for Sue Weller provides an opportunity to begin to restore and rebuild the City's reputation and service to our residents; supports a healthy cohesive working environment for City staff; and strongly sends the message that we believe our commissioners should be willing to attend Florida League of Cities training programs for new commissioners as well as continuing education classes for current commissioners.

I personally am grateful that Sue Weller is willing to serve our community again; especially at a time when we so need proven leadership. I love High Springs and I know that we, as voting citizens, can help our City course correct and return to service and civility. Please join me in making sure this opportunity to have Sue Weller back on the Commission is not missed.

Alvalyn Lancaster

High Springs, Florida 32643

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Tim Marden, Alachua County Republican Chairman, seeks to divide us and spew hatred whenever and wherever he can. He recently sent out a letter concerning the upcoming City Commission election in High Springs. Such elections are non-partisan, i.e., the candidates do not list their political affiliations and a candidate’s party affiliation is not listed on the ballot.

Marden tries to create an issue about Precinct 60 voting place being moved from the 1st Methodist Church to the newly named and remodeled Douglas Community Center. He incorrectly states that Ross Ambrose “quietly initiated” such polling change “earlier this year.”

Mr. Ambrose originally brought this proposed change about four years ago. Polling places are supposed to be in the precinct that they represent. The church is not in Precinct 60. The Douglas Community Center is. Ms. Barton [Alachua County Supervisor of Elections], after the recent renovation of the Center, determined that it is now “a suitable location” in Precinct 60, and moved the polling place to the Center.

Marden questions the “last minute” change, but the renovation was finished only about a month ago and the request to move the polling place from the church originated about four years ago. But don’t let facts get in the way if Marden wants to spew hatred.

He writes that Barton has made two changes that directly affect the votes of Republicans. What about those voters (Republican and Democratic, alike) who live in Precinct 60 and have to drive to the church? No, Marden doesn’t’ care about that. In Marden’s mind Barton’s decision is solely to hinder Republican voters.

Lastly, Marden states that voters in Precinct 60 have to be told of the polling change. I don’t know the date that his letter went out, but voters in Precinct 60 have already received such a notice in the mail.

Marden follows up his imagined tirade with directions to vote for Katherine “against” Sue Weller and Judith Jensen against Kim Barton. Such wording only shows that Marden spews hatred, has no knowledge of the facts (or totally avoids them) and wants to spread his hatred to others. As for Sue Weller’s stand on the issues …. Her campaign sign says it all, “No politics, Just issues.”

Thomas R. Weller

High Springs, FL 32643

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We wish to express our gratitude to:

Jeremy Marshall, City Manager of High Springs, and his staff for their continued support of the citizens of High Springs during Hurricane Helene.  Public Works, in particular, was out in full force clearing roads and grinder pumps in addition to many other issues.  

Commissioners were out in force to provide assistance to High Springs residents.

Police Chief Shepherd and his officers and staff for their assistance.  We know that they were out in this storm protecting our community.  

Fire Chief Peters and his firefighters and staff for their efforts in keeping our community safe.

Friends and neighbors were out in force with their tractors and other equipment to clear roads for incoming power trucks.  Also checking on each other to see if assistance was needed.  

Everyone was too busy working to post their efforts on social media.  They did what they did because it was the right thing to do.  

We have had a rough time during the past few years and have come a long way in the past year to bring our City into a better place in leadership and financially.  I have personally talked to city staff about morale and it is at its highest.

There is a small group of people who are intent on bringing the City back into their control.  If you do not follow their lead, they will do whatever is necessary to remove you from office or position in city hall.

It is imperative that you vote!  Vote early or request a mail-in ballot! Vote to re-elect Katherine Weitz, our current mayor.  Vote to elect Julie Rawls Tapia-ruano.  Citizens of High Springs are at the forefront of their mission, which includes supporting the City of High Springs.  We need diversity on the five-member board.  Having two police officers on the board would compromise diversity.

Bob & Linda Jones

High Springs, Florida

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GAINESVILLE, FL - New evidence emerged Friday raising more questions about the legal residency of a Republican who won election this week to the state House in South Florida as his Democratic rival filed an official complaint with the Florida Ethics Commission.

A letter dated June 19 the Florida Division of Elections mailed to an apartment complex where Rep. Michael David Redondo said he had leased a unit in House District 118 in June was returned July 5 by the U.S. Postal Service and marked "Return to Sender. Attempted - Not known. Unable to forward."

A political newcomer who runs his own law firm, Redondo, 38, of Miami, won Tuesday with 52% of the vote in the low-turnout special election, beating Democrat Johnny Gonzalo Farias, 54, of Miami, who received 46% of votes. A non-affiliated candidate received just under 3% of votes. Redondo's winning margin was 541 votes.

Earlier reporting showed Redondo bought a two-bedroom luxury, waterfront condominium for $950,000 that is 20 miles away in House District 113, according to property records. He signed a 30-year mortgage May 30 for $727,000 that required him to live in the condo as his principal residence for at least one year, records showed.

Under Florida law and the Legislature’s own rules, lawmakers take office immediately upon election and must live in the district "at the time of election." Lawmakers are allowed to own multiple homes but can only have one principal, or legal, residence.

Farias on Friday urged the Republican-led House, the Florida Bar and the State Attorney's Office to investigate what he described as fraud in the election. "Every voter is entitled to cast their vote on the truth and facts of each individual candidate," Farias said.

A statement Friday from his campaign noted that Rendondo's actions are overseen by the Florida Bar, which regulates the conduct of attorneys. 

"To have someone whose entire profession relies on his ethics, morals, and truthfulness lie to not only the public but his voters shows a lack of character," the campaign statement said.

Redondo has stopped responding since late Tuesday to a reporter's repeated phone messages and texts asking about his residency issues.

Meanwhile, the deputy campaign manager for Farias said she was filing a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics accusing Redondo of misleading voters. She listed Redondo’s address on the complaint to the ethics commission as his condo in House District 113.

"It is clear that he does not reside in District 118 and has signed a merely ceremonial lease in order to qualify to serve if elected," according to the complaint from Vanessa Brito, 40, of Miami. She said Redondo was legally bound to live in the waterfront condo outside his district, which would disqualify him as a lawmaker. Farias paid her $6,742 for her work on the election, according to campaign finance records. 

The latest disclosure involves the letter from state election officials to Redondo that was returned to sender. 

The Division of Elections mailed the June 19 letter, which acknowledged Redondo had appointed a new campaign treasurer, to the address Redondo had specified in correspondence with election officials June 15. The address Redondo gave at the time was the leasing office of the apartment complex behind a shopping center where Redondo said he had rented a unit, not the address of the building where his apartment was. Those buildings are less than 100 feet apart, and the address numbers are a single digit different.

When he gave the address of the leasing office to state officials, Redondo included his apartment number, but there are other buildings in the same complex with units that share the same apartment number. That may explain why the postal carrier couldn't deliver the letter.

Candidates were competing for the House seat vacated when Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed the incumbent, a Republican, to become the county court clerk. Then-Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin, 40, of Miami, resigned June 16.

Redondo updated his voter's registration with the correct apartment address on June 22 and used that address in subsequent correspondence in August with the elections division.

Still, address confusion persisted: Redondo’s tax preparer submitted to the IRS his 2022 return on Aug. 7 – nearly two months after Redondo said he moved into the apartment in District 118 – and listed Redondo's home address as the same building in District 113 where Redondo had purchased the luxury condo in May, records showed.

Redondo said he had been renting a different condo in the same building on the 34th floor since September 2020. He said he moved in June to the apartment on Southwest 122nd Avenue near the Kendallgate Shopping Center, which includes a pet store, a cosmetics store, a sneaker outlet and a crafts store.

House District 118 is a narrow strip of suburban neighborhoods west of Miami that extends north from Homestead to Southwest 8th Street.

The Florida Commission on Ethics is made up of nine members, five appointed by the governor, two by the Senate president and two by the House speaker. The commission currently consists of five Republicans, three Democrats and one non-party affiliated commissioner. 

The commission’s chair, Republican Ashley Lukis, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, is the wife of DeSantis’ former chief of staff, Adrian Lukis.

The commission only has the power to recommend penalties for potential ethical violations and cannot enforce any of its recommendations. If it were to find that Redondo violated Florida ethics law, it can recommend penalties to the House. 

Including Redondo, Republicans hold 84 seats in the House. Democrats hold 35 seats.

The residency clause in the condo mortgage Redondo signed required that he live in the 21st-floor, corner unit – with two balconies with views of Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami, a private elevator, floor-to-ceiling windows and stainless steel kitchen – starting no later than July 2023, or within 60 days after he signed the mortgage. His leased apartment across town has a view of a parking lot and the back of the shopping mall.

The provisions in the mortgage from Miami-based City National Bank of Florida mean that Redondo was either violating the banking contract he signed by living in the leased apartment since June – or if he was living in the luxury condo, he would not have been a resident of the district where he was elected Tuesday night.

A spokesman for the bank, Aaron Gordon, said the bank does not discuss its clients as a matter of policy and privacy. 

Asked this week whether he was violating the mortgage clause by living in an apartment across town, he said, "Not that I'm aware of." The mortgage is a publicly accessible document filed with the county clerk of court – a government office that in this case is overseen by the former incumbent Republican lawmaker in District 118 who Redondo is replacing.

The mortgage provision permits Redondo to live elsewhere but only with written approval in advance from the bank. Redondo said he did not know whether he obtained that permission, in writing or otherwise. Such residency clauses are usually imposed by lenders offering a lower interest rate on a mortgage for a person's primary residence than would be available for an investment property.

The issues with Redondo’s addresses were discovered during routine election reporting on the race and its candidates by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. 

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