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GAINESVILLE – Amanda Reann Messer, 21, was sentenced on Thursday, Dec. 8, to two years in state prison, followed by four years of probation, after entering a plea of nolo contendere to charges of armed burglary and armed robbery. A charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor was dropped.

Messer was arrested on July 26 and accused of driving two juveniles to a residence in Archer and waiting in the car while one of them robbed the victim of cash and the keys to his vehicle by holding him at gunpoint. The juvenile, Anthony Ricchiuti, 16, of Old Town, then allegedly took the victim’s wallet from his truck, got back into Messer’s car, and fled the area.

The vehicle and tag were seen on a surveillance video at the robbery site and the vehicle was later located in Newberry. A search of the vehicle reportedly found a ski mask, the victim’s wallet, a handgun and cash in several denominations.

Messer reportedly said that one of the juveniles had come up with the idea to rob the victim. She was released on her own recognizance with a curfew until her recent court date.

Judge James Colaw accepted Messer’s plea agreement, which included a stipulation that she be sentenced as a youthful offender. She was also ordered to pay $235 restitution to the victim.

Ricchiuti is being charged as an adult and has been formally charged with armed burglary and armed robbery as he was in actual possession of a firearm. He is awaiting trial and is currently in the Alachua County Jail on $500,000 bail.

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NEWBERRY ‒ A 26-year-old Newberry man was killed on Sunday, Nov. 20, at approximately 9:32 p.m. The incident involved a red passenger car driven by a 19-year-old Gainesville man. At just east of the intersection of State Road 26 and Southwest 260^th Street the passenger car hit the pedestrian who was pronounced deceased on the scene by emergency services.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol Official Report, no injuries were sustained by the driver or his 15-year-old passenger in the red car. The names of the persons involved in this crash were not released.

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NEWBERRY ‒ Shantiel Brushea Head, 38, was arrested Friday night, Nov. 25, after allegedly stabbing a man at The Duck in Newberry.

At about 6:30 p.m., Head and the victim were at The Duck, 455 N.W. 252^nd Street, when Head reportedly became angry at a third person and started arguing with her.

Head allegedly “shoulder-checked” that woman at one point by intentionally bumping into her because the woman was talking to Head’s boyfriend. Head reportedly continued to behave aggressively toward the woman until she allegedly tried to attack her.

At that point, the boyfriend tried to get between Head and the woman and Head allegedly stabbed the victim in the back. The victim was trauma-alerted to UF Health Shands. Head reportedly fled the area after the attack.

Head reportedly returned a short time later and told Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies that the victim had been choking her and that she stabbed him in self-defense. However, the deputies reported that her version of events was not consistent with the statements of several witnesses who had seen the altercation.

Head has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. She has one felony conviction from 2012 for dealing in stolen property. This is a second-degree felony.

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ALACHUA COUNTY – The City of High Springs will be making improvements to a local park thanks to funding from the Duke Energy Foundation.

The Foundation recently announced $160,000 in grants to support eight local community projects in Alachua County.

A first for Duke Energy Florida, the company worked alongside the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce Foundation to identify local projects that have meaningful impacts in North-Central Florida communities.

The targeted $20,000 grants support initiatives ranging from park revitalization to signage projects, as well as equipment and plan upgrades.

In High Springs, the grant will assist the Parks and Recreation, Education and Culture Department (Parks & REC) in upgrading a popular basketball court at Walter Howard Park.

“With this grant, we plan to resurface the outdoor basketball court and upgrade the baskets at Walter Howard Park, High Springs' crown jewel pocket park,” said Damon J. Messina, Parks & R.E.C. director. “This park has been a favorite among children in our community for several years. These upgrades will ensure it will be available for many years to come.”

To help guide the economic growth and development of the community, the City of Waldo received a grant to update and enhance the city’s Comprehensive and Economic Development Plan.

“The City of Waldo’s Comprehensive and Economic Development Plan is outdated and is actually an impediment for new growth,” said City of Waldo Mayor Louie Davis. “The cost of these updates is beyond our budget at this time and this grant has made it possible for the updates to happen.”

“With the growth expected in Florida’s future, Waldo needs to be ready with a strong plan to handle the growth and development in our city,” said Davis. “Thank you, Duke Energy, for awarding grants like these for the small towns. Your dollars make a difference.”

In addition to Waldo and High Springs, revitalization grants were also awarded to additional cities and towns.

In the city of Alachua, funds will support the City’s efforts to provide educational exhibits and signage at Mill Creek Preserve to inform residents and visitors about the Mill Creek Sink Water Quality Improvement Project.

Funds will be used to add a kitchen at the Holly Hills Community Center in Archer, while in Hawthorne, funds will support the City’s Hawthorne Historical Park with educational signage, benches and grills, among other items.

The Town of LaCrosse fire department will use the funds to replace equipment used by the town's fire department and the Town of Micanopy will use the funds to support the town’s Micanopy Entry Sign Project.

In Newberry, funds will support the City’s business incubator feasibility study at Newberry AgTech Innovation Park.

The Duke Energy Foundation grants are designed to aid revitalization and local economic development efforts and to help strengthen and uplift communities.

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NEWBERRY ‒ Ernesto Angel Morales Alejo, 19, was arrested Friday night, Nov. 25, and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after allegedly intentionally hitting a man with his car.

At about 8 p.m. Friday night, Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call from an address in Newberry about an armed disturbance. The deputies interviewed the victim and witnesses and determined that following a brief physical fight, Morales Alejo had gotten into his car and started revving the engine in the front yard of the victim’s home. He then allegedly began driving across the yard, leaving tire tracks several inches deep that went across the yard and all the way to the front door.

The victim, who was trauma-alerted to UF Health Shands, reportedly told deputies that Morales Alejo intentionally drove toward him and hit him with the front of his car. Morales Alejo’s vehicle reportedly had a broken headlight on one side and a large dent in the fender. A witness also reportedly told a deputy that Morales Alejo had intentionally hit the victim with his car at high speed.

Another witness told a deputy that he had seen Morales Alejo “driving crazy” in the front yard and then heard yelling and screaming as if someone were in pain.

Morales Alejo, who gave a Gainesville address, was later arrested at Hitchcock’s Grocery in Newberry and has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He has no local criminal history and has been charged with a second-degree felony.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Chamber of Commerce hosted the community’s 25^th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Farmers Market Pavilion last Friday evening. The event has been held continuously for many years, even though the COVID-19 Pandemic, although on a reduced level. On Dec. 3 this year, the event was back to its former size both in volunteers and audience size.

While the event is hosted and staffed by the High Springs Chamber of Commerce members, the participation of various organizations and volunteers make it a community sponsored event. The Chamber along with local churches and organizations provided booths distributing candy, popcorn, cookies and other treats to the children.

Under the roof of the Farmers Market on Railroad Avenue, The Florida Creamery provided free ice cream to the crowd, while Witness of Christ Church offered free cookies. Another group provided hot chocolate and candy cane treats. The New Century Women's Club and the Girls Scouts combined efforts at another table to help children make Christmas ornaments.

John Decker and the High Springs Historical Society set up two running model train displays while the High Springs Lions Club offered actual train rides in their “Polar Express” train, pulled by a riding tractor.

“All these people help make this event a success,” said Chamber President Sharon Decker. “We also want to acknowledge the efforts of the City by providing the tree decorations, power, PA set up and traffic control.

“Due to some illnesses, we were short staffed from the Chamber but High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard and his staff volunteered to fill in as well as traffic control and that was a great help,” said Decker. “Pastor Sammy Nelson of the Witness of Christ Church volunteered to be the emcee for the event, which was also a great help.”

People dressed as Christmas characters roamed the crowd interacting with the children and posing for photos while the crowd waited for the arrival of Santa Claus and the tree lighting ceremony. As the clock ticked closer to 6:15, the crowd gradually converged around the Christmas tree. Nelson introduced High Springs Mayor Gloria James who was joined by Commissioners Byran Williams and Katherine Weitz. Musical entertainment was provided by Dani MacKinzie and her brother, Bandon Luke, who sang Christmas songs.

At the appointed time of 6:30, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived on a fire truck with lights flashing and sirens blaring. Santa and Mrs. Claus were immediately surrounded by excited children, wanting a chance to touch, hug or speak to Santa.

After a few minutes with the crowd, the Claus's were brought closer to the tree by Nelson and initiated the countdown as the tree lit up to the cheers of the crowd.

After the tree was lit, Santa and Mrs. Claus went to the Gazebo by the Farmers Market to listen to the long line of excited children and their wishes for Christmas.

“We were really glad how it all worked out,” said Decker. “I think we were able to make it a great event and bring back the traditional community celebration that was limited in the past due to COVID.

Decker added, “There were a lot of people who helped and made it work. We are looking forward to making it bigger each year and keep the tradition going.”

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