Local

GAINESVILLE – A Newberry man has been sentenced to jail and probation after entering a plea in connection with an incident in which he pointed a handgun at two teenagers on Interstate 75, according to court records.

Robert Charles Reno III, 35, entered a plea of nolo contendere on March 5 to two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a September 2025 encounter on I-75.

The charges relate to an incident on Sept. 7, 2025, when an Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy responded to the 388-mile marker on southbound Interstate 75, about two miles south of the Northwest 39^th Avenue exit. Two victims, ages 17 and 18 and both from High Springs, reported that a man driving alongside them pointed a handgun in their direction.

According to the investigation, both vehicles were traveling southbound in the left lane when the driver of the victims’ vehicle braked, prompting Reno to brake to avoid a collision. Reno then moved into the center lane, pulled alongside the victims’ vehicle and pointed a handgun at them. The driver of the victims’ vehicle accelerated away, telling deputies he feared Reno would shoot.

Under the plea agreement, each count carried a maximum possible sentence of up to 10 years in state prison.

Circuit Judge James Colaw sentenced Reno on March 5 to 30 days in the Alachua County Jail, with credit for six days already served, followed by three years of probation.

As part of the sentence, Reno must forfeit the firearm involved in the incident and complete an anger management course. While on probation, he is prohibited from excessive alcohol use and illegal drug use and must submit to random urine testing.

Reno turned himself in on March 10 to begin serving his sentence.

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HIGH SPRINGS – Mr. and Mrs. Michael Muldoon stand in front of their High Springs home after being recognized by the High Springs Garden Club as the recipients of the club’s Winter “Yard of the Season” award. Their home at 19019 Main Street was selected for its well-maintained landscaping and overall presentation.

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HIGH SPRINGS – High Springs city commissioners addressed a range of administrative, policy and community-related items during their March 12, 2026, meeting, including adopting a state-required ordinance, declining to advance proposed charter amendments and approving several agreements tied to recreation and neighborhood improvements.

One of the key actions taken by the commission was approval of Ordinance 2026-01, which establishes a process for reviewing and approving certified recovery residences within the city. The ordinance is required under Senate Bill 954, a state law that mandates local governments adopt procedures for regulating such housing.

Certified recovery residences are structured living environments designed to support individuals recovering from substance use disorders. The ordinance sets a framework for how those facilities will be evaluated and approved locally. Commissioners said they wanted to adopt a measure quickly to comply with state requirements, with plans to revisit the issue in more detail as part of a broader update to the city’s Land Development Regulations, or LDRs, the rules that govern zoning, land use and development standards.

City staff is currently working with the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council on that comprehensive LDR update. The ordinance passed unanimously.

In a separate matter, commissioners declined to move forward with two proposed amendments to the City Charter, the document that outlines how the local government is structured and operates. Although staff had been directed to draft the amendments, Vice Mayor Wayne Bloodsworth made a motion to deny them, citing concerns about unknown costs. Commissioner Katherine Weitz seconded the motion, and the commission voted unanimously in favor of denial.

The proposed changes were not discussed in detail during the meeting. According to agenda materials, one amendment would have established a method for resolving tie votes by using a plurality voting system, while the second would have updated residency requirements for city commissioners. The city attorney advised that the commission could revisit the proposals in a future year if desired.

Commissioners also approved the surplus and disposal of several pieces of city-owned equipment. A 2018 Gravely Pro-Turn mower used by the Parks and Recreation Department will be listed for sale through an online government auction platform. In addition, two police vehicles, a 2013 and a 2014 Dodge Charger, were declared surplus after being deemed no longer suitable for law enforcement use. The vehicles will be disposed of in accordance with city guidelines.

The commission filled a vacancy on the Mayor’s Youth Council, appointing Noah A. Walden as an alternate member. The term for the position will run through May 2028 or until graduation, whichever occurs first.

Commissioner Katherine Weitz was also appointed to serve as the city’s liaison to the Youth Council, replacing Mayor Andrew Miller. Commissioners approved the change unanimously, and Weitz agreed to take on the role.

In recreation-related business, commissioners approved an interlocal agreement, a formal partnership between government entities, with Alachua County Public Schools to allow use of the High Springs Community School gym for recreational volleyball programming.

The commission also voted to temporarily suspend the city’s alcohol consumption ordinance for a one-day event, Hot Rodding for Heroes, allowing alcohol to be consumed in designated areas during the event.

Several actions focused on neighborhood improvements tied to federal funding. Commissioners approved agreements with Fred Fox Enterprises Inc. for grant administration services and with CPH Consulting LLC for engineering services related to a Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, in the Neighborhood Revitalization category. The CDBG program provides federal funding to local governments for projects aimed at improving housing, infrastructure and quality of life in eligible areas.

Looking ahead, the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency, which focuses on revitalization efforts in designated areas, is scheduled to meet March 26 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., immediately before the next City Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m.

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GAINESVILLE – A Newberry man has been sentenced to jail and probation after entering a plea in connection with an incident in which he pointed a handgun at two teenagers on Interstate 75, according to court records.

Robert Charles Reno III, 35, entered a plea of nolo contendere on March 5 to two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a September 2025 encounter on I-75.

The charges relate to an incident on Sept. 7, 2025, when an Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy responded to the 388-mile marker on southbound Interstate 75, about two miles south of the Northwest 39^th Avenue exit. Two victims, ages 17 and 18 and both from High Springs, reported that a man driving alongside them pointed a handgun in their direction.

According to the investigation, both vehicles were traveling southbound in the left lane when the driver of the victims’ vehicle braked, prompting Reno to brake to avoid a collision. Reno then moved into the center lane, pulled alongside the victims’ vehicle and pointed a handgun at them. The driver of the victims’ vehicle accelerated away, telling deputies he feared Reno would shoot.

Under the plea agreement, each count carried a maximum possible sentence of up to 10 years in state prison.

Circuit Judge James Colaw sentenced Reno on March 5 to 30 days in the Alachua County Jail, with credit for six days already served, followed by three years of probation.

As part of the sentence, Reno must forfeit the firearm involved in the incident and complete an anger management course. While on probation, he is prohibited from excessive alcohol use and illegal drug use and must submit to random urine testing.

Reno turned himself in on March 10 to begin serving his sentence.

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ALACHUA COUNTY – Local election officials are warning residents to be aware of upcoming election-related mailings from a nonprofit organization that is not affiliated with the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections.

According to the Supervisor of Elections office, the Voter Participation Center plans to send mailers to Alachua County voters and residents, with delivery expected around March 30. The organization, which operates nationally, is not connected to the county’s elections office.

Officials said the group has previously sent thousands of similar mailings in Alachua County. While the materials are generally intended for individuals who are not registered to vote, past mailings have led to confusion among some recipients, particularly when notices were sent based on outdated or incorrect information.

The Supervisor of Elections office emphasized that it does not provide address data for these mailings and is not involved in their distribution.

Residents who receive the mailers and have questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Voter Participation Center directly. The organization can be reached at 866-209-9755 or online at voterparticipation.org.

Local officials also reminded residents that the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections remains the official source for voter registration and election information. Voters can check or update their registration status through the county’s website or by contacting the office directly at 352-374-5252.

Officials said verifying voter information through official channels can help prevent confusion as the mailings are distributed later this month.

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ALACHUA – An Alachua man was arrested March 6, 2026, after authorities say he made threats to kill two people in a video posted on social media, including a statement about “shooting up” a home located near Alachua Elementary School.

Bernard Cartrell Williams II, 28, has been charged with two counts of making a written or electronic threat to kill or cause bodily harm, according to a sworn complaint filed in the case.

The investigation bewC2gan on Dec. 3, 2025, when an officer with the Alachua Police Department responded to a residence where two victims reported receiving threats. According to the complaint, the victims showed the responding officer a Facebook Live video in which Williams allegedly threatened to “shoot up” their home.

Authorities said the video also included references to the proximity of the victims’ residence to Alachua Elementary School.

Police documented the video as part of the investigation, and the case was later reviewed by the court.

An arrest warrant for Williams was signed Feb. 18 by Alachua County Judge Robert Groeb. The warrant ordered that Williams be held without bail pending trial.

Williams was taken into custody Friday, March 6.

Court records indicate Williams has three prior misdemeanor convictions. No additional details about those convictions were immediately available.

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