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GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA (April 24, 2025) – Santa Fe College is one of only two Florida public colleges to earn a new designation for “Opportunity Colleges and Universities,” by the prestigious Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The other is Chipola College in Marianna. The designation recognizes the college’s accessibility and the higher earnings of graduates and former students.
 
The classifications were released today.
 
The Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education recently revised their designations, in what they refer to as “the year of significant updates.” This year they applied new core classifications based on an institution’s size and the degrees they most commonly award. The classifications also considered undergraduate student race/ethnicity data, Pell Grant recipient data, and how much students who attended make in the workforce compared to peers.
 
The new designations create multi-dimensional groupings of institutions that go beyond a single label. Those colleges whose data made them “higher access” and “higher earnings” received Carnegie’s designation for “Opportunity Colleges and Universities.”
 
“Santa Fe College is proud to receive our 2025 Carnegie Classification,” said President Paul Broadie II. “This reflects the result of our unwavering commitment to student success, access and economic mobility. Our very foundation is grounded on academic excellence, providing a culture of care for all students, and our focus on fulfilling our mission as a higher education institution. This prepares our students for success in the classroom, at their transfer institutions, and in the workplace.”
 
Broadie said student success in the workforce also is attributable to the close work the college does with advisory committees comprised of educators and industry professionals “who assist our academic programs in providing the state-of-the-art training that leads to higher wage careers that produce economic mobility for individuals and their families.
 
I applaud the work of all our employees that has resulted in this recognition and continues to transform lives.”
 
The Carnegie Classifications are the nation’s leading framework for categories describing colleges and universities in the United States and are frequently used for benchmarking by policymakers, funders and researchers. The Classifications are run by the American Council on Education (ACE), along with Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
 
Timothy Knowles, president of Carnegie Foundation, called the previous designations “incomplete measures.” The new designations “create a more robust picture of higher education across the U.S. and make visible those institutions that demonstrably accelerate educational and career opportunities for students.”
 
Ted Mitchell, president of ACE, told the Chronicle of Higher Education that in the old Carnegie Classifications, “you didn’t see the students. … We want to put students at the center of how institutions describe themselves and how others look at them.”
 
Designations had been largely unchanged since their creation in 1973 and focused on research and policy analysis, which Carnegie Classifications said may no longer reflect how colleges and universities operate today nor how they are used by policymakers. For details about the changes, read “Why 2025 is the Year of Significant Updates to the Carnegie Classifications.”
 
This fact sheet outlines the changes, data sources and methodology for the new designations.

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ALACHUA – The University of Florida College of Health & Human Performance has once again recognized a former local leader for his dedication to community service and innovation. On Friday, the college honored Robert “Goose” Basford, a former employee of the City of Alachua and City of High Springs recreation departments, as an Outstanding Young Alumnus.

Basford began his career in parks and recreation while earning a master’s degree in sport management at UF. During that time, he interned with the City of Gainesville and worked for the City of Alachua. He later served five years as recreation director for the City of High Springs while earning a second master’s degree in recreation, parks and tourism at UF.

While in Alachua and High Springs, Basford made significant contributions to youth programs and community recreation. He volunteered as a mentor with the Alachua County School Board’s Take Stock in Children program and served as the Task Force Executive for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 National Babe Ruth World Series events. He also enhanced programming within the High Springs Parks and Recreation Division and played a key role in transitioning it into a formal city department.

Basford led several community improvement initiatives, including a playground development project aimed at expanding and upgrading recreational spaces in High Springs.

Today, Basford serves as the assistant city manager for Jersey Village, Texas, where he oversees parks and recreation, public works, infrastructure and utilities. His leadership has supported major infrastructure upgrades, including an $8 million flood mitigation project on a city golf course. He has also directed improvements in water and wastewater systems, street rehabilitation, and municipal facilities.

His efforts earned him national recognition as a Top 30 Under 30 honoree by the National Recreation and Park Association. Known for his passion for community-driven development, Basford continues to lead projects that enhance public infrastructure and quality of life in his Texas community.

Locally, spring sports were in full swing over the weekend. Santa Fe Soccer Alliance hosted matches at the Legacy Multipurpose Fields, while Santa Fe Babe Ruth Baseball held games at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex’s World Series and Pavilion fields. The 13-15 Boys division played a doubleheader at Progress Copeland Park. In addition, Santa Fe Babe Ruth Softball hosted its second annual Jeremy Payne Invitational at the Gene Curls Softball Complex, with teams from Dixie, Keystone, Bronson, Newberry and Gilchrist County participating.

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GAINESVILLE – The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office is formally appealing a jury’s $15 million verdict awarded to one of its own employees in a workplace reverse discrimination case — but the appeal has been placed on hold while the trial court considers a series of post-trial motions that could upend the entire outcome.

On March 28, 2025, new attorneys, Sniffen & Spellman, P.A., for Sheriff Chad D. Scott filed a Notice of Appeal to Florida’s First District Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn a February verdict that awarded $15,115,724 to Sgt. Kevin Davis, who claimed he was the victim of racial discrimination and retaliation despite being a white employee.

But just days later, on April 2, the appellate court issued an order holding the appeal in abeyance, citing pending motions still under review in the lower court. The court instructed the Sheriff’s legal team to provide updates every 30 days or risk dismissal of the appeal.

$15 Million Verdict Draws Scrutiny

The jury’s verdict, delivered on February 7, 2025, included $115,724 for lost wages and a striking $15 million for emotional distress. Davis, who remains employed by the Sheriff’s Office, argued that he faced years of retaliation and career stagnation due to his support of Black colleagues and internal complaints. The case drew widespread attention, in part because it involved a white plaintiff alleging racial bias within a law enforcement agency.

The award was finalized in a Feb. 28 judgment signed by Circuit Judge Gloria R. Walker.

However, attorneys for the Sheriff’s Office argue that the verdict was legally flawed, factually unsupported, and improperly influenced by emotion. In motions filed shortly after the verdict, the defense called the damages “grossly excessive” and asked the court to either set aside the verdict, order a new trial, or reduce the award to more appropriate figures.

Motion Hearing Scheduled for July

A July 15, 2025 hearing has been scheduled to address the pending motions. According to a court notice filed March 20, attorneys will argue for a directed verdict in favor of the Sheriff, or in the alternative, a new trial and a remittitur to reduce damages. The hearing is set for 3:00 p.m. at the Alachua County Courthouse in Gainesville, before Judge Walker.

The defense contends that Davis’s claims of emotional distress were never corroborated by medical records or expert testimony and included only generalized statements about stress, sleep issues, and blood pressure concerns.

“The evidence presented provides little detail of the duration, severity or consequences of the condition,” the motion states.

The Sheriff's legal team argues that if any damages are to be awarded, they should not exceed $30,000 for emotional distress and $16,457 for lost wages, referencing their interpretation of the plaintiff’s own expert analysis.

Statutory Limits and Legal Challenges

The Sheriff’s Office argues that damage caps under Title VII and Florida’s Civil Rights Act — $300,000 and $200,000 respectively — should apply. While Section 1981 claims are uncapped, they say the evidence justifies only a nominal award.

Attorneys also point to several trial errors, including hearsay, irrelevant testimony about unrelated employee behavior, and improper jury instructions. They claim the jury was misled, particularly regarding the legal standard under Section 1983 and the requirement to prove an official discriminatory policy under the Monell doctrine.

What Next?

The July 15 hearing may determine whether the verdict is overturned, reduced, or sent back for a new trial. If the motions fail, the paused appeal may resume. The Sheriff’s Office has stated it will continue challenging the verdict.

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GAINESVILLE – A Newberry man with a lengthy criminal record was arrested after allegedly pointing a gun at his girlfriend and threatening to engage in a shootout with law enforcement.

Rafael Ramirez Robinson, 39, was taken into custody on two warrants following a March 22 incident at Gardenia Gardens Apartments in the 1700 block of Northeast 8th Avenue in Gainesville.

According to the Gainesville Police Department, officers responded to the apartment around 11:50 p.m., where the victim reported that Robinson had been yelling at her and throwing objects while she sat on the couch. She asked another person to call police, prompting Robinson to allegedly retrieve a handgun from his waistband, aim it at her chest, and say, “I’ll shoot it out with the police.” The woman told officers the weapon had a green laser that was trained directly on her.

Robinson then allegedly slapped the victim’s glasses off her face, took them, and left the residence.

One witness, who had been in another room attempting to contact police, said she did not see the gun but heard yelling and confirmed Robinson was present. A second witness, reportedly in the same room as the victim, corroborated her account and said she saw Robinson brandish the weapon.

Police noted that Robinson had previously been trespassed indefinitely from the residence in February. He was not located the night of the incident, and a sworn complaint was filed. He was later arrested in Newberry on two outstanding warrants.

Robinson faces charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery with a prior conviction, grand theft, and armed trespassing. His criminal history includes six felony convictions—two involving violence—and 14 misdemeanor convictions, including three violent offenses. He served a state prison sentence and was released in 2022.

In January 2024, Robinson pleaded no contest to charges of battery, trespassing, property damage, and interfering with a 911 call. He was sentenced to nine months in prison followed by three years of probation.

Following the March incident, his probation officer requested a warrant for violation of probation, which was also served during his arrest.

Judge Meshon Rawls ordered Robinson held without bail on the probation violation and a pending motion from the State Attorney’s Office seeking pretrial detention on the new charges. Bail was set at $250,000 on the remaining counts.

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ALACHUA – Voters in the City of Alachua elected a new mayor and a new city commissioner on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, shaking up the leadership in both contested races.

Walter Welch defeated incumbent Mayor Gib Coerper for Seat 1, receiving 639 votes (50.8%) to Coerper’s 618 votes (49.2%). Coerper, retired, had served as mayor since 2005, when he first assumed the commission seat later designated as the mayoral post in 2010. He ran unopposed in 2022, but this cycle faced a challenge from Welch, a newcomer to elected office who had previously served on a local advisory task force board.

In the Seat 2 City Commission race, Jacob Fletcher beat incumbent Edward Potts by a significant margin. Fletcher secured 785 votes (60.4%) to Potts’ 513 votes (39.6%). Potts, also retired and formerly a member of the Alachua Planning & Zoning Board, had first been elected to the commission in 2022. Fletcher is employed by the University of Florida and entered the race as a first-time candidate.

Both Welch and Fletcher will be sworn into office during the regular City Commission meeting on April 21, 2025, at 6 p.m.

Polls were open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Legacy Park Multipurpose Center, Cleather Hathcock, Sr. Community Center, and the Clubhouse at Turkey Creek.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission met Monday, April 14, to address several planning and development matters, including a utility element update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, a 30-year electrical franchise agreement, and neighborhood revitalization efforts.

Commissioners unanimously approved the first reading and transmittal of updates to the Wastewater, Solid Waste, Stormwater, Potable Water, and Capital Improvement elements of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. These updates are part of ongoing efforts to align utility and infrastructure planning with Newberry’s long-term growth strategy.

On second reading, the Commission also unanimously approved Ordinance 2025-03, granting Central Florida Electric Cooperative (CFEC) a franchise agreement to operate within city limits for up to 30 years.

A public hearing was held for the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Neighborhood Revitalization application. The application was also approved unanimously.

A request from NVS, acting as agent for NC Ranch #1, to extend the deadline for adoption of a final development plan for the NC Ranch Planned Development was granted by unanimous vote. The property is located at the southwest corner of U.S. Highway 27/41 and Northwest 46th Avenue. Originally listed on the consent agenda, the item was moved to be considered after public hearings and ordinances.

A separate agenda item regarding construction plans for Residential Phases 1–3 of the Highland Park Planned Development was deferred and will be heard at the April 28 City Commission meeting.

Municipal Election Results

Results from the April 8 municipal election were also announced. Commissioner Tim Marden won the mayoral race with 886 votes, defeating former Commissioner Joy Glanzer, who received 788 votes. Outgoing Mayor Jordan Marlowe is stepping down to assume the role of former city manager Mike New.

In the Group IV Commission race, Donald Lewis Long won with 1,019 votes over Steve Panaghi’s 610. In Group V, incumbent Commissioner Tony Mazon retained his seat with 1,145 votes, defeating Rosa Marie Campbell, who garnered 510 votes.

Elected officials will participate in orientation on April 21 at 6 p.m., followed by a swearing-in ceremony on April 28 at 6 p.m., prior to the next City Commission meeting at 7 p.m.

Upcoming Events

WestFest, a free, family-friendly event, will be held April 26 from 3:30 to 9 p.m. at Lois Forte Park, 120 N.W. 260th St., Newberry. The event features live performances by T.J. Brown, Harber Wynn, Emma Forgette, and Andrea Kay, with a “Kids Corner” sponsored by Greenfield Preschool.

An Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for April 19 at the MLK Community Center, 25515 N.W. 6th Ave., beginning at noon. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The annual Senior Citizen Prom will be held July 5 at 25420 W. Newberry Road. Tickets, priced at $30, go on sale April 26. Hosted by the Newberry Parks and Recreation Department, this year’s theme is “Garden Party.” For details, call 352-474-6078.

Elected Officials Orientation will take place on April 21 at 6 p.m.  Swearing in of elected officials will take place on April 28 at 6 p.m.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Technology companies are identifying the first popular social media platforms covered under Florida's new law banning such services for young teens: Snapchat and YouTube. The acknowledgement came in the latest federal court filings as part of a renewed legal fight challenging whether the restrictions are constitutional. 

The court records said Facebook and Instagram might also be covered because they “appear to satisfy each of the criteria” under the new law. The companies cited references to Instagram and Facebook by Republican lawmakers who identified which social media companies they were targeting with the bill during its passage last year.

The new filings, submitted late Friday in U.S. District Court in Tallahassee, relaunched the landmark legal case seeking to overturn the state law, which bans some social media accounts for teens younger than 16, or for 14 and 15 year olds without a parent’s permission.

U.S. Judge Mark Walker weeks ago threw out an earlier version of a lawsuit by the technology industry because he said it failed to specify which social media companies might be affected under the law. He gave two trade groups leading the court fight until midnight Monday to refile a new lawsuit.

The law affects only social media companies with 10% or more of daily active users who are younger than 16 and who spend on average two hours or more on the app, and have what lawmakers describe as addictive features like push notifications or serving up new videos endlessly. If all conditions aren’t met, the platform wouldn’t be affected.

The new court filings included representatives of SnapChat and YouTube saying their platforms would or likely would be impacted by Florida’s law, which went into effect in January but hasn’t been enforced yet by the state’s attorney general. 

The senior director of Snapchat, David Boyle, said the app was covered under Florida’s new law but already has protections in place for young teens. Neither Snapchat or YouTube requires users who are 14 or 15 to obtain a parent’s permission before opening an account, the court records said.

“Minors can only view direct messages from users with whom they are already friends on the platform or already have in their phone’s contacts,” he said. “The teen will receive an in-app warning that this person is outside the teen’s network.” 

Boyle said Snapchat also offers resources from mental health experts for users. 

When the bill was introduced in last year’s legislative session, sponsors said that the mental health of minors who excessively use social media was a main concern. They said the platforms increased depression and loneliness among young teens.

Alexandra Veitch, director of public policy for the Americas at YouTube, said the company would be affected under Florida’s law because its use of algorithms curates content for users and allows users to enable push notifications. 

Veitch could not gather data on whether 10% or more of daily active users who are younger than 16 and who spend on average two hours or more on the app, because demographics are constantly changing – but she said that based on historical data YouTube could be affected.

Attorneys for the trade groups that are plaintiffs in the case said parents in Florida can already employ restrictions for their children's usage.

“In a nation that values the First Amendment, the preferred response is to let parents decide what speech and mediums their minor children may access – including by utilizing the many available tools to monitor their activities on the Internet,” the new lawsuit said..

The companies renewed their request for a preliminary injunction to temporarily block the law. It wasn’t clear when the judge would decide whether to grant that request. The judge said he would schedule the next steps in the case on Thursday morning.

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This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. The reporter can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can donate to support our students here.

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OCALA - Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida has awarded more than 7,800 recruitment bonuses to new law enforcement officers through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program. The latest round of bonuses went to officers serving in Marion County, while an additional 660 bonuses have recently been distributed to recruits across the state.

Launched in 2022, this first-of-its-kind initiative underscores Florida’s nation-leading commitment to supporting law enforcement. The program provides a one-time $5,000 bonus—after taxes—to newly employed officers as a show of appreciation and incentive for choosing to serve in Florida.

“When other states were defunding their police, demonizing law enforcement, and kneecapping their criminal justice system, we rewarded our law enforcement for their service,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I was proud to be in Marion County to award recruitment bonus checks to Florida’s newest law enforcement officers and thank them for their commitment to protecting our communities.”

To date, more than 1,700 law enforcement officers from 49 other states and two territories have relocated to Florida, with more than 500 coming from anti-police states like California, Illinois, and New York. Each of the 7,800 newly recruited officers has received a $5,000 bonus after taxes, with the program distributing more than $53 million to date.

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has led the nation in recruiting law enforcement officials and implementing strong immigration policies,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “We remain committed to strengthening the resources available to law enforcement and helping in their mission to set the standard for combating illegal immigration.”

In addition to a $5,000 recruitment bonus, benefits of becoming a Florida law enforcement officer include financial stability, upward mobility, excellent health and retirement benefits, student loan forgiveness programs, home loan programs, and more.

For more information about the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment, visit FloridaJobs.org/Recognition-and-Recruitment.

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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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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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