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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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Add a commentALACHUA – 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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Add a commentGAINESVILLE – 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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Add a commentNEWBERRY ‒ 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 lgriffin@newberryfl.gov.
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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Add a commentGAINESVILLE – 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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Add a commentALACHUA — A touch of New Orleans magic filled the Alachua Woman’s Club on Saturday, April 12, 2025, as the community came together for “A Night of Mystery & Elegance” — a Mardi Gras-inspired gala that blended celebration with purpose.
Guests enjoyed an evening of dinner, dancing, refreshments, and a silent auction, all in support of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The venue was transformed into a vibrant scene of color and intrigue, where masks were mandatory and creativity in attire was encouraged — from elegant gowns to casual outfits with a festive flair.
The event not only delivered on its promise of mystery and merriment, but also raised critical funds for cancer research, patient services, and educational programs through the American Cancer Society. Organizers called the evening a resounding success, celebrating both the spirit of Mardi Gras and the strength of a community united in the fight against cancer.
Relay for Life, the event’s beneficiary, has a rich history rooted in compassion and perseverance. Founded in 1985 by Dr. Gordy Klatt in Tacoma, Washington, the first Relay for Life began as a solo 24-hour walk around a track, during which Klatt raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society. Since then, the grassroots movement has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising over $6.5 billion to date.
Relay for Life events honor cancer survivors, remember those lost, and empower participants to take action. Funds raised support groundbreaking cancer research, advocacy, prevention efforts, and services like free rides to treatment and lodging for patients and their families.
With strong community participation and heartfelt support, A Night of Mystery & Elegance echoed the mission of Relay for Life — to celebrate lives, save lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer
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