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HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs City Commission addressed several significant agenda items during their meeting on June 13, 2024, with Ordinance 2024-03 taking center stage. The ordinance, which concerns alcohol sales, has been a topic of extensive discussion in prior meetings and was passed on second reading with a vote of 3-1. Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth cast the sole vote against the measure. Bloodsworth also opposed the measure at an earlier City Commission meeting.

Ordinance 2024-03 allows businesses that derive less than 51 percent of their revenue from the sale of food and non-alcoholic beverages to apply for special permits to operate outside the hours established in the City’s original alcohol ordinance. The Special Permit Process enables business owners to petition the City Commission to operate outside the hours described in Paragraph (d) of the original ordinance, which prohibits businesses from operating on Sundays to sell alcohol unless they also sell food.

The ordinance change was largely driven by local support for the High Springs Brewing Company and Prohibition Pizza, both family-friendly establishments. At the May 9, 2024, City Commission meeting, approximately 15 people spoke in favor of allowing the Brewing Company to open on Sundays, while four audience members opposed the approval. However, the new ordinance will apply to any business meeting its specifications, allowing them to petition for permits as well.

Under the new ordinance, businesses must adhere to specific requirements and restrictions to obtain a Special Permit. They must provide proof of food service or have food trucks on premises during the scheduled event. Special Permits must be applied for in connection with a special event, such as a City-sponsored event or Federal Holiday, and are subject to administrative approval. If a Special Permit is not connected to a special event, it requires City Commission approval and cannot be issued for a period exceeding 48 hours.

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WALDO ‒ On Sunday, June 9, 2024, a 21-year-old man from Waldo was arrested and charged with fleeing, resisting an officer without violence, and drug possession following a high-speed chase on Waldo Road. The suspect, identified as Mitchell Craig Griffin, Jr., allegedly drove at speeds of 130 mph and cut through residential yards while attempting to evade a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper.

The trooper reportedly saw a Toyota traveling southbound on State Road 24 just after 8 p.m. and estimated it was traveling at about 90 mph in a 65-mph zone.

The incident began just after 8 p.m. when an FHP trooper spotted a Toyota traveling southbound on State Road 24 at approximately 90 mph in a 65-mph zone. As the trooper moved behind the Toyota and activated lights and sirens, the driver made a U-turn and began heading northbound toward Waldo, accelerating to over 130 mph.

The Toyota reportedly entered the city limits of Waldo and drove into a residential neighborhood to the northeast of County Road 1475 and Northeast 148^th Avenue. The trooper reported that the Toyota ran stop signs and almost crashed into several vehicles and then cut through multiple residential yards. The trooper tried to conduct a PIT maneuver twice, but both attempts were unsuccessful.

The Toyota reportedly stopped at the intersection of Northeast 150^th Avenue and Northeast 139^th Terrace. The driver got out of the vehicle and lay down on the ground, where he was taken into custody. The driver was Mitchell Craig Griffin, Jr. A search of Griffin reportedly produced a small bag of marijuana. A search of the vehicle reportedly produced an open bottle of liquor and two digital scales.

Griffin has four non-violent felony convictions and is currently on probation in Marion County for grand theft of a motor vehicle. He was arrested in Gainesville in 2021 and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and illegally carrying a concealed firearm. The charges were later dropped.

Bail was set at $75,000 by Judge Kristine Van Vorst, who also set a curfew of between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

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NEWBERRY – On May 2, 2024, David and Gail Hodge of Hodge Farms received the Florida Farm Bureau “County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship” (CARES) award, presented at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in Live Oak. The CARES award was granted to 12 farm families in the Suwannee River Basin. The Hodge Farm received this statewide award for their outstanding achievements in preserving land and water resources.

During the May 28 Newberry City Commission meeting, Commissioners honored Hodge Farms recognizing exemplary stewardship of their land with Best Management Practices (BMPs).

This is the second CARES award received by Hodge Farm, the first being in 2006. The award adds to the distinguished list of Newberry farms receiving the award over the last 20 years, including Tropic Traditions, McGehee and Sons Farm, Kennard Farm, Herb Marlowe, James Boyd, Trevor Bass and Don Green.

The CARES program was established by Florida Farm Bureau and the Suwannee River Partnership in 2001 to promote public recognition of outstanding agricultural conservation achievements by farm families. The program honors farmers and ranchers who have voluntarily implemented science-based and field-tested BMPs that conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources on their properties.

“Florida’s farmers and ranchers answer the call to protect our environment while also producing a safe, affordable and abundant food supply,” said Florida Farm Bureau President Jeb S. Smith. “Demonstrating outstanding efforts to implement conservation practices that reduce water and nutrient use and also improve water quality is the basis for a producer being awarded a, ‘This Farm CARES,’ designation and sign. The customized CARES sign is a farmer or rancher’s tool to demonstrate to the general public they are committed to protecting local natural resources.”

Hodge Farms has a rich history dating back to the 1800s. Growing tobacco, blueberries and raising cattle, David Hodge knows the importance of being a dedicated steward of the land. He has implemented technology like drip irrigation since 1989. Along with drip irrigation, Hodge also places an emphasis on enhancing soil health and reducing erosion through soil testing, cover crops and conservation tillage.

Hodge places an emphasis on best management practices on his farm because he wants to pass it on to his sons, and protecting the land is how he can ensure they will be able to farm the land for years to come.

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GAINESVILLE ‒ A 37-year-old woman from Newberry and a 36-year-old man from Gainesville have been arrested on charges of grand theft and fraud. The pair, Katheryn Ann Blevins and Jason Edward Sauls, allegedly used another person's identity to file for unemployment compensation, resulting in over $10,000 being deposited into Sauls' bank account.

The victim reportedly learned about the scheme in January 2023 when she received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service stating that she owed $2,515 in taxes as a result of receiving $18,250 in unemployment payments in 2021. The victim told a Gainesville Police Department (GPD) Officer that she worked two full-time jobs in 2021 and never filed for unemployment. She told the officer that she suspected Katheryn Ann Blevins and Jason Edward Sauls had fraudulently used her information because of “past issues” with the couple.

The victim told the officer that Sauls had been her friend before he met Blevins through a dating app, but then he “changed.” She said the pair told her she could receive a stimulus check in April 2020, and they helped her fill out an online application for the check. She said she believed that Blevins or Sauls obtained her identity information at that time.

The past issues reportedly included a GoFundMe that the pair set up for the victim when she became ill with COVID, against her wishes; although $1,050 was raised, the victim said she never received the funds.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) reportedly provided information showing that the email address on the unemployment account was changed to Blevins’ email in June 2020, and the phone number was changed multiple times. The address was also reportedly updated from the victim’s mailing address to Blevins’ address in Newberry.

DEO also reportedly provided information showing that the funds were sent to a bank account owned by Sauls, with Sauls’ phone number and Blevins’ Newberry address on the account. DEO records report $275 per week was sent to the account under the victim’s identity. Deposits were reportedly made under the names of both Sauls and the victim, and bank records show that the minimum loss to DEO was $10,225.

An investigator contacted Blevins in March 2023. At that time she reportedly said she knew the victim and Sauls was her boyfriend. She also said she had helped the victim create an unemployment account, but that was the extent of her involvement. She said she didn’t know why the email address had been changed to her email address. Blevins said Sauls “didn’t have anything to do with unemployment” and she didn’t know why his bank account was used, but she knew he wasn’t involved. She reportedly promised to contact the investigator later and also promised to have Sauls contact the investigator. However, the investigator reportedly was unable to make contact with Sauls.

In February 2024, formal charges of grand theft and engaging in an organized scheme to defraud were filed against both Blevins and Sauls, and they were arrested on May 17, 2024.

Blevins was also booked on a warrant from a January 2022 incident in which she allegedly paid for a service with a forged $200 check. Blevins has no criminal history. Bail was set by Judge James Colaw at $52,500.

Sauls, also without a criminal history, had his bail set at $50,000. His attorney filed a motion for release on his own recognizance, arguing his inability to afford the bail and asserting Blevins' statement that Sauls was uninvolved in the scheme. The motion noted that Sauls immediately hired an attorney and turned himself in upon learning of the warrant for his arrest following Blevins' arrest.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Just before 5 a.m. on Friday, June 7, the High Springs Fire Department experienced a heartwarming and extraordinary event. Firefighters sprang into action to deliver a baby girl in the station parking lot, turning an ordinary morning into a memorable occasion.

The journey of this miraculous delivery began when mom, dad and their soon-to-be daughter were en route to UF Health Shands from the Live Oak area. Realizing that they wouldn't make it in time, they swiftly dialed 911, informing operators that they were moments away from the High Springs Fire Department.

Under the command of Captain Andy Burkhalter, the crew recognized the urgency of the situation and prepared for the imminent arrival. Firefighter (FF)/Paramedic Jon Friend, alongside FF/Paramedic Jake Rhoden, skillfully assisted in safely delivering the baby, who was born at approximately 33 weeks, into the world. FF/EMT Clinton Drake expertly applied cord clamps, while FF/Paramedic Doug Hope aided the new father in cutting the cord. The joy and relief on the faces of the parents were palpable as they welcomed their newborn daughter.

Following the delivery, mother and baby were transported to the hospital by Alachua County Fire Rescue to ensure they received further medical care.

“After the baby was born, I was speechless,” FF/Paramedic Jon Friend expressed while reflecting on the extraordinary event. “It was an emotion you rarely feel with the job,” said Friend. “It's not every day you get to deliver a baby.” Friend's sentiment echoed that of the entire crew, who found immense fulfillment in making a positive impact on the lives of others.

The High Springs Fire Department has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the new parents and wishes them a lifetime of joy and happiness with their newest family member.

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WALDO ‒ Waldo Mayor Louie Davis has been recognized with the Florida League of City’s “Mayor John Land Years of Service Award” for his 40 years of service to the City of Waldo as a council member and mayor.

This award recognizes elected officials' years of service, and according to the Florida League of Cities (FLC), America’s municipal governments have long relied upon the unselfish leadership of their citizens for local self-government, and Florida’s municipal governments share the time-honored role as the level of government closest to the people, this reliance places extraordinary responsibilities upon elected officials – who make significant sacrifices of their time and energies on behalf of their citizenry, making this commitment a true labor of love.

The FLC honors municipal leaders who strive for excellence in the governance of their city and commit themselves to providing quality services, governing effectively and working to improve the quality of life. The award is in honor of John Land, the Mayor of Apopka for 65 years between 1949 and 2014 and who, according to the FLC, was a leader whose dedication was unsurpassed at the national and state levels and who modeled the way for decades of municipal leaders.

In addition to recognition by the Florida League of Cities, Davis was also recognized by the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council (NCFRPC) at their meeting on May 23, 2024, in Gainesville. Davis has served many terms on the NCFRPC Board, serving as chair and vice-chair over the years.

Davis’ is recognized for his service that extends beyond the City of Waldo. His active participation on various boards, including serving as Chair, and his efforts to represent Waldo from Tallahassee to Washington, DC, and beyond, have been invaluable. His efforts have not only saved the City of Waldo significant costs but also fostered strong relationships with state legislators, which have had a positive impact on Waldo and Alachua County.

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