GILCHRIST COUNTY ‒ Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz announced on May 28, 2024, the arrest in one of the shootings that occurred at Ginnie Springs over the Memorial holiday weekend.   The second shooting is still under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and assisted by the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO).

One shooting occurred during the overnight hours of Friday, May 24,2024, and another during the overnight hours of Saturday, May 25. Massive Memorial Day weekend crowds at the popular privately owned springs and campground were estimated by GCSO at 20,000 to 30,000 people.   The park was temporarily closed to the public while investigators were on scene of the shootings.

GCSO reported that at approximately 11:30 p.m., the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office responded to an attempted murder that occurred in the roadway inside Ginnie Springs between the Devil’s Spring and the tube launch. Law enforcement found a white male later identified as Koty Stewart of Jacksonville deceased on the ground. At that time both GCSO and FDLE were on the scene and were asking for witnesses and an “outstanding subject that was involved” to come forward.

Authorities were initially searching for a dark skinned, African American female, in her early 20s, approximately 5’10” to 6’0”, fit and muscular with long braids and light tinted contacts. She was described as wearing circular hoop earrings and multiple rings. She was also wearing a green bikini top or a dark and multi-colored patterned top and bikini bottoms or short shorts. She had been staying in this area all day and was last seen walking towards the exit of the park. GCSO later in a statement announced that it was no longer seeking the identity of the female individual.

The next evening, it was reported that a large fight erupted between two groups. FDLE agents reported that someone pulled out a gun and fired into the crowd striking three bystanders. Two of the injured were treated and released. One bystander remains hospitalized with serious injuries. FDLE is asking for assistance from the public into the investigation and requests that anyone with information to contact them.

On May 28, GCSO announced the arrests of two suspects in the first shooting. Fisher Dalton Watts was charged with first degree premeditated murder while Dallas Jordan Watts was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Authorities say Fisher Watts and Koty Stewart, 34, had an argument on Friday night in the bathhouse at Beaver Landing. Investigators say that following the argument, Fisher Watts shot and killed Stewart. Fisher Watts fled to St. Mary’s, Georgia and was later arrested in Camden County, Georgia. As of May 28, he awaits extradition back to Gilchrist County.

Numerous agencies have been involved in the investigation including the GCSO, FDLE, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Florida Highway Patrol, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Dixie County Sheriff’s Office, Gilchrist County Fire Rescue, Gilchrist County Emergency Management, and the 8th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. Authorities say that as the investigations progress, additional information will be released.

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ALACHUA – The City of Alachua is proud to announce their Youth Advisory Council (YAC) was named a 2024 Municipal Youth Council Community Service Contest winner. This annual competition hosted by the Florida League of Cities (FLC) showcases community service projects performed by municipal youth councils that successfully address specific needs in their local communities.

The YAC’s most recent service project, “Restoring Dignity,” aimed to provide for the essential needs of school-age children whose families do not have the ability or resources to provide for such needs. YAC members reached out to several businesses of various sizes in the area, as well as some community members, for donations toward the mission. The Alachua community answered the call without hesitation, donating dental supplies, soap, shampoo, socks, first aid supplies and more.

“The volunteer work done by these youth councils to serve their communities is truly inspiring,” said FLC President Greg Ross. “These future leaders identified powerful ways to help their cities, and they are setting an example for all of us who are working to improve our communities.”
“Working with the [Alachua] Youth Advisory Council has been really rewarding; I’ve never done a project of this size,” said Selina Liu, a graduating senior on the YAC. “Restoring Dignity was definitely my favorite part of my time with the Council.”

Liu has many reasons to celebrate alongside her fellow councilmembers, as she was also accepted into Harvard University. She plans to begin her studies there this fall.

The FLC will present a trophy in recognition of the YAC and their contest-winning project during a regular Commission meeting in the near future.

“We are just so proud of our Youth Advisory Council,” said City of Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper. “Year after year, these young people really challenge themselves to go bigger and bigger in their service to the community.”

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Auxiliary President of VFW Post 2811 in Gainesville, Ronna Jackson

ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ On a holiday associated with many as the unofficial start of summer, the auxiliary president of Alachua County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2811 knows differently. Since her son Staff Sgt. John A. Reiners was killed on duty in Afghanistan more than 14 years ago, she has honored his sacrifice each Memorial Day by serving veterans and their families.

And her efforts have helped hundreds. Because Ronna Jackson not only keeps Memorial Day in honor of her son, but each and every day in tribute.

“I’m a mom just trying to keep a promise made to my son — to take care of his troops and his men,” she said of a vow made when the young staff sergeant was sent on his second deployment.

She reminded herself of that promise while at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, during the transfer ceremony of her son’s remains. It was Valentine’s Day, 2010.

“For years, I couldn’t think of Valentine’s Day as I did before,” she said. “It kept reminding me of one of the saddest times in my life.”

On Feb. 13, 2010, Reiners and two other soldiers of the 4^th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colorado, were killed after an insurgent on a motorcycle detonated an improvised explosive device near them. Several others were wounded. The action also widowed Reiners’ wife, Casey, and orphaned his son, Lex.

In recognition of his bravery, Reiners was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He had earned a previous Purple Heart while serving in Iraq.

Reiners’ other awards and decorations include three awards of the Army Commendation Medal, two awards of the Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Air Assault Badge and the Army Ranger Tab. His grandfather — Ronna Jackson’s father-in-law Jay Jackson of Haines City, Florida, – earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart while serving two tours in Vietnam.

“The military and service were always part of our family,” said Jackson.

As a VFW post auxiliary president, Jackson continues this tradition. Around the combat veterans in VFW Post 2811, she experiences the camaraderie shared by those who’ve fought to help preserve the freedom of others.

Jackson’s responsibilities as post auxiliary president include organizing and managing dozens of fundraisers, dinners, breakfasts and outreach activities. By her own admission, she devotes approximately 20 hours each week above her full-time job.

This past month, she helped with the Young Marines recruit graduation ceremony, a cookout for veterans living at Gainesville’s Sunshine Inn, a post steak night, several canteen dinners, a post clean-up, an outreach with Grow Gainesville, and the Florida4Warriors, Inc. Nick Tilliman Silkies Memorial Walk.

She is quick to point out that none of this could be accomplished without her fellow auxiliary members.

“From the first day that I joined, I was welcomed with open arms of love and support from the entire VFW auxiliary and all of Post 2811,” she said. “They were also very supportive of me as a Gold Star parent. Any events or service projects that we do, they are all there to help and support for the good of the cause.”

In addition to her work with the VFW, the auxiliary president has volunteered with several other veterans service organizations, such as the American Legion, the American Gold Star Mothers, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. She has also organized fundraisers and assembled gift packages for veterans and troops deployed overseas.

Her efforts and that of the entire post, said Jackson, help fulfill the VFW’s motto — ‘to honor the dead by helping the living.’

“I feel that my service to our heroes here in the Gainesville community help keep my son’s legacy alive,” she said. “I would be honored to keep working with our auxiliary to help those veterans in the post and in our community.”

Jackson said that her work with the VFW auxiliary is also helping heal her heart. During a Valentine’s Day outreach event for those living at the VFW Veterans Village in nearby Fort McCoy, she was struck by the happiness she brought to the former soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.

“Many of the residents there haven’t any family,” the auxiliary president said. “But they’ve all served in the military, and that bond they share brings them together. A kind word, a handshake or a small gift goes a long way. For the first time in many years, I was able to enjoy Valentine’s Day again.”

Other Gold Star parents, Jackson said, could also benefit from meeting and working with veterans.

“It helps you take one day at a time, because every day is an emotional roller coaster,” she said. “You will have good days and not so good days. But you can take comfort in knowing that the community is here to support you, and to get you through this difficult time.”

Those interested in VFW Post 2811 and its Auxiliary can call 352-376-7660.

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Editor’s Note: Michael P. Mauer is a life member of VFW Post 2811. He served as an Army photojournalist during Operation Desert Storm, and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal by Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf for his actions during the war. This year, Mauer won the Grand Award for top feature article in the VFW National Publications Contest.

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Gainesville, Fla. – Farm Share, Florida’s leading food nonprofit and the state’s largest food bank, is distributing food to food-insecure Floridians in the Gainesville area. Recipients will receive fresh produce and non-perishable canned goods. Distributions are drive-thru only to minimize contact and to help ensure the safety of all parties. Attendees must arrive in a vehicle with a trunk or cargo bed.

With more than 3.9 million families suffering from food insecurity throughout Florida, Farm Share meets the everyday hunger needs of Floridians by working hand-in-hand with local farmers to recover and redistribute produce that would otherwise be thrown away due to aesthetic imperfections. 

Farm Share also distributes food to the community through its network of soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters, churches, and senior centers across Florida free of charge. To find a food pantry near you, please visit www.farmshare.org/food-pantries.

Event: Lake Butler Free Food Distribution

Location: 155 NW 3rd St, Lake Butler, FL 32054

Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024

Time: 8:00 a.m. while supplies last

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ALACHUA ‒ A little-known spring located near U.S. Highway 441 and Turkey Creek in the city of Alachua was the center of a presentation May 20 during a joint City of Alachua, Alachua County commission meeting.

Seeking a partnership with the County, City Manager Mike DaRoza said the City embarked on the Pinkoson Spring project after completing the Mill Creek Wetland Park project behind Sonny’s near I-75.

Assistant City Manager Rodolfo Valladares and Economic Development Manager David Wisener presented the joint commissions with the findings of a report by Water & Air Research, Inc. commissioned by the City of Alachua.

Analysts reviewed several metrics in concluding that the site known as Pinkoson Spring is indeed a spring and not just stream from overland flows. The report contains an analysis of water temperature, depth of stream, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen and pH and compares those values to five other Florida spring runs.

Analysts found the Pinkoson Spring measurements to be consistent with ranges of others. Water & Air Research, Inc. also measured several other downstream components of Pinkoson Spring’s water chemistry, including alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, sodium, and sulfates.

While flowing an average of just 140 gallons per minute in recent months, analysts stated that the flow rate would fluctuate seasonally and was similar to those flow rates of Boulware Springs and Glen Springs, in Gainesville. The report states that both Boulware Springs and Glen Springs have experienced reductions in discharge rates.

These discharge rates would classify Pinkoson Spring as a 4th magnitude spring in 2024 and 5th magnitude in Spring 2023,” the report states.

Pinkoson Spring also shares with Boulware Springs and Glen Springs a history of being a swimming area. Pinkoson Spring was not always so obscure.

In the 1920s, it appeared to be a popular picnic location. Historic photographs dated for Sept. 5, 1927, Labor Day, show hundreds of people gathered around a large swimming area for a “Trades-Union Picnic.”

By the 1940s, the name of the site had been changed to Milwaukee Springs and was marketed as a “colored only” swimming area. According to Wisner, who is also a local history buff, in the 1940s, it had been hoped that the site would garner attention and be a rest and relaxation destination for African-American soldiers stationed at Camp Blanding. That endeavor did not seem to have gained momentum, although at least one picture shows what appears to be a building with a ticket booth and possibly a restaurant. Historic newspaper advertisements also refer to a restaurant at the site and at times, called it “Mineral Springs Park,” and featured swimming, dancing, and roller skating.

Historical knowledge of the spring together with the few photographs known to exist depict a large pool with concrete fortified walls creating a substantial swimming area, which was built by Charles Pinkoson, Sr. Feirmon E. Welch, now deceased, said in an oral history interview in 1999 that Pinkoson Spring was popular and there was even a bus running from High Springs through Alachua to take people to the park.

Wisener said it was not known when the site ceased operations, but he speculated that a redesign of U.S. Highway 441 might have been the cause of the spring’s decline. Wisener based this on aerial photographs between 1949 and 1955, which depict a new layout for the highway, bringing it significantly closer to the spring. Wisner also alluded to the site’s archaeological significance, referencing 1962 and 1977 limited surveys in which the site was recorded as a prehistoric one where a projectile point and a projectile point base had been recovered.

Valladares said the City hopes to establish partnerships with Alachua County, Suwannee River Water Management District, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Among the City’s objectives are to restore and protect habitat, community engagement and education, and water quality monitoring and management, among others.

Valladares envisions tying the Pinkoson Spring site to the Mill Creek Sink site for an educational demonstration of aquifer outflow and inflow.

Commissioners from both boards received the presentation with great anticipation, with several commissioners expressing excitement about this largely unknown site. City of Alachua Commissioner Shirley Green Brown described the news as “extraordinary,” adding, “It is an incredible opportunity for the City of Alachua and the County.”

Commissioners expressed their unanimous support for moving forward in partnership to explore possibilities for the site.

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