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Alachua Police Department officers pose with a safely restrained alligator after assisting a licensed trapper with its removal from a storm drain on July 22, 2025. The unusual call came just before officers apprehended a burglary suspect nearby / Photo Special to Alachua County Today

Staff Report

ALACHUA – Officers with the Alachua Police Department (APD) responded to two dramatically different calls for service on the evening of July 22, 2025 — assisting with the removal of an alligator from a storm drain and later arresting a burglary suspect hiding near a pond behind a local car dealership.

The evening began when APD was called to assist a licensed trapper with the safe capture of an alligator discovered in a storm drain.

While still on scene of the alligator call, at approximately 8:51 p.m., officers were dispatched to a reported vehicle burglary in progress at the Highway 700 Car Dealership, located along Northwest U.S. Highway 441.

Upon arrival, officers quickly located a man matching the suspect description hiding behind the business near a pond. With the assistance of APD Canine Officer Joker, the suspect was detained without incident.

An investigation revealed that the suspect had unlawfully entered a vehicle on the lot and attempted to start it. Additional surveillance video from a nearby business also captured the same individual tampering with equipment on that property.

The suspect, identified as DJeff Chery, age 42, was arrested and charged with burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, unarmed, and loitering or prowling. He was issued trespass warnings for both properties and transported to the Alachua County Jail. His bond was set at $25,000.

The Alachua Police Department emphasized the unpredictable nature of law enforcement work and praised its officers’ flexibility and professionalism.

“Whether it’s removing an unexpected reptile or tracking down a suspect, our officers are always ready,” the department stated.

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A kayaker dips a paddle into the crystal-clear waters of Ichetucknee Springs, where the river winds through lush, shaded forests in North Central Florida. The spring-fed water stays a refreshing 72 degrees year-round, offering a scenic escape from summer heat / Today Staff Photographer

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ With heat indices soaring past 100 degrees and the first day of school in Alachua County just weeks away, North Central Florida finds itself squarely in the dog days of summer.

As the humidity lingers and summer camps fade into memory, many families are looking for one last seasonal adventure before the return to classrooms on Aug. 11. One perennial favorite offers not just fun but also a cool escape: Ichetucknee Springs State Park.

Nestled between Fort White and High Springs, the 2,669-acre park is a local treasure that continues to draw visitors seeking natural beauty and relief from the heat. The Ichetucknee River, fed by a series of pristine springs, winds six miles through cedar and maple forests, offering one of Florida’s most iconic tubing experiences.

Floating along the crystal-clear water for one to three hours provides a tranquil way to beat the heat. The constant 72-degree spring water and dappled sunlight create a relaxing scene that feels far removed from the summer swelter.

The park’s springs were designated a National Natural Landmark in 1972 by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Visitors often marvel at the pale blues and deep blacks of the spring-fed pools, which pour millions of gallons of fresh water into the river daily.

First-time visitors often describe the experience as magical. Locals, though familiar, are frequently reminded of just how special this natural resource is.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, visitors can also enjoy food, drinks and supplies from a full-service concession stand located within the park.

The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sundown, with a $6 per-vehicle admission fee. However, park officials recommend early arrival on weekends. As of May 16, 2025, when the park reaches maximum capacity, it closes to all new entries — even to those with tube or vessel reservations. Once closed, it may reopen later in the day if enough space becomes available. Parking along nearby roads or at the entrance is prohibited.

Transportation services, including a tram shuttle and van/bus options, are available for tubers and paddlers. Wristbands can be purchased at the general store near the south entrance, located just off U.S. Highway 27, approximately six miles from the park’s north entrance.

So instead of spending another day fanning yourself on the porch, consider soaking in the refreshingly cool waters of the Ichetucknee. There’s no better remedy for Florida’s summer heat — and no better place to celebrate the last stretch of summer.

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ALACHUA – Alachua’s Swick House came alive Sunday evening as Color Me Culture hosted its latest community gathering, the “Color Me Cookout,” offering grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, a live DJ and emcee, a spades tournament, and a lively round of hip-hop and R&B bingo.

The event drew a diverse crowd of local adults and seniors eager to enjoy an evening of food, games, and shared connection. It is part of Color Me Culture’s quarterly initiative to bring residents together through creative programming designed to enrich the city’s social fabric.

Each quarter, the organization will provide an event for local adults that can hold space through arts, games, and laughter.

Founded on the belief that strong communities are built through engagement and shared experiences, Color Me Culture focuses on fostering connection through accessible, inclusive events. The organization places particular emphasis on creating welcoming spaces for older adults who may otherwise feel socially isolated.

The evening's events blended friendly competition and cultural appreciation, with spades games drawing spirited groups and bingo rounds set to hip-hop and R&B hits sparking nostalgic energy. Guests also enjoyed relaxed conversation and time to socialize over food and music.

All funds raised at Color Me Culture events are reinvested into the Alachua community to support future programming and outreach.

The next gathering is scheduled for the fall. For more information, please connect with Tabitha at colormeculture386@gmail.com.

In the meantime, residents can also mark their calendars for the annual Alachua Police Department Back 2 School Giveaway, taking place this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Legacy Multipurpose Center during the Just Between Friends event.

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ALACHUA – More than a year after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) began investigating allegations of inappropriate conduct by Santa Fe High School (SFHS) baseball coach Travis Yeckring, sworn complaints have finally surfaced — but not against the coach himself.

Instead, three school administrators — retired SFHS Principal Timothy Wright, former SFHS Assistant Principal David “Mac” Rendek, and SFHS Athletic Director and Title IX officer Michele Faulk — face third–degree felony charges for allegedly failing to report suspected abuse under §§ 39.205(1) and 827.03(2)(d), Florida Statutes.

Alachua County Today obtained all three redacted sworn complaints through a public records request. The reports summarize the selected interviews of six alleged victims and nine witnesses.

The majority of the alleged victims say that Yeckring made them feel uncomfortable, with one alleging that he “grabbed” her hands. In the sworn complaints, FDLE claims that Wright, Rendek, and Faulk failed to report these allegations to the Florida Department of Children and Families. Wright, Rendek, and Faulk deny that they were ever told of any abuse. Several other witnesses support Wright’s, Rendek’s, and Faulk’s positions.

A Case Without a Primary Defendant

Though Yeckring’s name dominates all three sworn complaints, he is not a defendant in any of them. The entire theory behind FDLE’s complaints is that school officials failed to report alleged misconduct by Yeckring. To date, the State has not filed any criminal complaint against Yeckring, and the FDLE complaints do not allege that he committed a crime under Florida law.

More troubling is the internal inconsistency between the FDLE’s criminal theory and the now–dismissed civil lawsuit filed by parent Anneke Acree, whose civil complaint aligns with the statements provided by “Victim 1” in the FDLE documents.

In the civil suit, initially filed on Oct. 30, 2024, and amended on Jan. 8, 2025, against both the Alachua County School Board and the City of Alachua, Acree alleged that her daughter, a student at SFHS, suffered severe and lasting trauma, including hair loss, nausea, irregular menstruation, weight loss, and persistent anxiety. The complaint describes “physical manifestations of psychological harm” and insists the student experienced profound emotional and bodily harm.

However, in the criminal complaints, the FDLE charges are brought under § 827.03(2)(d), which applies only when no great bodily harm or permanent injury is alleged. The civil case insists the child was greatly harmed. The criminal complaints assume she was not.

Timeline Raises Questions About Urgency and Evidence

The investigation into Yeckring began in early 2024. FDLE did not submit sworn complaints until June 2025 — more than 16 months later. Despite the passage of time, the sworn complaints offer no mention of corroborating physical evidence and rely almost entirely on secondhand and thirdhand statements by students and parents.

In fact, FDLE appears to rely on evolving recollections, some of which have morphed over time. For example, Acree’s daughter originally claimed Yeckring showed her a picture of a dog, followed by a second image she later described as a “semi–nude” selfie. According to the sworn criminal complaints, the image showed Yeckring in bed unclothed and a blanket or sheet pulled low on his waste with a dog in his lap. However, a teacher’s recollection of what Acree’s daughter told her was that Yeckring showed her a shirtless selfie. This shirtless selfie is described by several students as Yeckring shirtless, but with a dog covering his chest.

In her civil lawsuit, which was based on the events alleged to have occurred in October 2022, Acree claims that her daughter contacted her from class after Yeckring appeared as a substitute teacher. Acree states she immediately told her daughter to go to the front office. However, in the FDLE criminal complaint, there is no mention at all of this mother-daughter exchange. Acree’s alleged real-time awareness of the situation — which would have been critical to both timing and credibility — is entirely absent from the law enforcement record.

If the civil complaint is accurate, it raises a glaring new issue: Why didn’t Acree herself report the alleged abuse?

Under Florida Statute § 39.201, any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is being abused must immediately report it to the Department of Children and Families’ Central Abuse Hotline. There is no exception for parents. In fact, the law imposes criminal penalties for failure to report suspected abuse — the very charge now leveled against the three administrators.

These circumstances beg the question of why didn’t FDLE charge Acree? She claimed direct knowledge of her daughter’s distress. She had reason to believe her child was being harmed by an authority figure. And she had a legal obligation to act. She did not.

Nor does the record indicate that Acree followed up with the school to confirm that her daughter’s claims had been investigated or addressed. She did not report to law enforcement. She did not contact DCF. She did not file a public complaint until two years later — via civil litigation seeking monetary damages.

Another former student reported that Yeckring made her uncomfortable by engaging in conversations and contacting her on Instagram after she turned 18. No physical contact or threat is described. A parent of a baseball player claimed to have seen messages between Yeckring and a former student, but admitted he never showed the alleged communications to SFHS administrators.

Also notable is that nowhere in the three sworn complaints do FDLE investigators indicate that they obtained any photographs, messages, or other evidence to support the allegations against Yeckring and the three administrators.

Despite this, FDLE concluded that administrators were guilty of criminal neglect for failing to investigate and report the incidents — even as the State has thus far taken no legal action against Yeckring for the underlying alleged behavior.

Civil Case Already Collapsed

Acree’s lawsuit, filed in late 2024 and amended in January 2025, was summarily dismantled by Circuit Judge Donna Keim earlier this year. The judge dismissed all three counts — two with prejudice — finding that:

• Florida law does not authorize private lawsuits for violations of mandatory reporting statutes;
• In the count against the City of Alachua’s police department, the plaintiff failed to identify any specific employee who had actual knowledge of abuse; and
• The claimed emotional harm did not meet Florida’s “impact rule”, which requires a direct physical injury or symptoms caused by the emotional trauma.

Judge Keim gave the plaintiff 10 days to amend the negligent supervision claim but made clear that amendment was likely futile. No follow-up complaint was filed, and the case is now closed.

Prosecutorial Review Still Pending

Although FDLE’s sworn criminal complaints have been filed, the State Attorney’s Office has not yet charged Wright, Faulk, or Rendek. The cases remain in preliminary review, and no formal information has been filed. Both Faulk and Rendek are still employed by the Alachua County School Board. Wright is retired.

FDLE’s decision to pursue felony charges against administrators raises a fundamental inconsistency — namely, how they can allege a failure to report criminal activity when the underlying alleged conduct in question has not been formally determined to be criminal at all. If no underlying crime has been charged, it’s unclear how the failure to report that conduct could itself constitute a felony.

The State Attorney’s Office is the final authority in deciding whether to elevate the FDLE complaints into formal felony charges, which must meet the higher legal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt — a significantly stricter threshold than the one used by the FDLE.

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NEWBERRY – The Newberry City Commission unanimously approved a new two-year law enforcement services agreement with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) during its July 28, 2025, regular meeting, extending contracted police services through Sept. 30, 2027.

The current agreement, which began in January 2025 following the election of Sheriff Chad Scott, is set to expire at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30. The updated contract continues the existing structure but introduces several adjustments.

The agreement also maintains the current 3.75 percent annual price escalator. For fiscal year 2025, the total contract cost is set at $1,005,396. All other major terms from the existing contract remain unchanged, including patrol coverage, response services, and investigations within city limits.

Key among the contract is inclusion of a school traffic deputy assigned to the intersection of Southwest 15^th Street and U.S. Highway 27/State Road 41. The deputy will serve during school mornings from 7 to 9 a.m. on all student attendance days. The annual cost for this added service is approximately $32,000.

City officials indicated that the school traffic coverage addresses long-standing concerns related to morning congestion near Newberry schools.

The commission’s approval was unanimous, and no public comment was raised in opposition during the meeting.

The agreement with ACSO was one of several items on the city’s agenda, which included setting the preliminary millage rate and holding hearings on annexation ordinances and community updates.

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ALACHUA ‒ Nine individuals who may have illegally voted in the City of Alachua’s April 8, 2025, municipal election are now the subjects of an expanding investigation involving state and federal law enforcement.

The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections referred the cases to the Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office on May 20 after determining that the individuals — each with felony convictions and outstanding court fines or fees — may have registered and cast ballots while ineligible. Florida law prohibits individuals with unresolved felony sentences or financial obligations from voting.

Supervisor of Elections Kim A. Barton stated in a letter to State Attorney Brian Kramer that her office had found “evidence that nine of the eleven individuals have registered to vote and/or voted in an election when they were ineligible to do so.” The remaining two were confirmed to be eligible voters and will not face further action.

According to information obtained by Alachua County Today, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is actively investigating the matter. The FBI has also been notified, as some individuals cast ballots in federal elections in 2020 and 2024.

“Our prosecution team met with the Department of State and FDLE today,” wrote Darry Lloyd, Chief of Investigations for the State Attorney’s Office, in a July 16 email. “FDLE will complete their investigation and forward their findings to our office for prosecution.”

The investigation stems from complaints initially submitted to the Florida Office of Election Crimes and Security (OECS). OECS Director Jillian Pratt confirmed in June that the agency had referred the matter to both FDLE and the State Attorney’s Office.

Under Florida law:

• S. 104.15 makes it a third-degree felony to knowingly vote without being legally qualified.
• S. 104.42(1) authorizes supervisors of elections to investigate and report unlawful registrations or voting.

Voters Flagged for Potential Violations

As of mid-July, eight of the nine individuals identified have been purged from the voter rolls. A ninth is pending removal, having received a notice of potential ineligibility on July 3.

The following individuals were flagged by the Supervisor’s Office:

• John W. Richard Jr. (VID: 126586271) – Registered in 2019; voted in four elections; owes fines from four felony cases (2005–2015).
• Jimmy Smith (VID: 127843422) – Registered in 2020; owes fines from three felony cases (2009–2020).
• Latasha A. Steward (VID: 127343924) – Registered in 2019; voted in multiple elections; owes fines from two felony cases.
• Bianca C. Webb (VID: 126641114) – Registered in 2019; voted in 2022 primary; owes fines from four felony cases.
• Antonio J. Hall (VID: 126616387) – Registered in 2019; voted in three elections; owes fines from a 2001 case.
• Jamie R. McGhee Sr. (VID: 126660044) – Registered in 2019; voted in 2020 and 2024; owes fines from a 1990 conviction.
• Jeffery Robinson (VID: 126686510) – Registered in 2019; voted in 2024 general; owes fines from three felony cases.
• B. Banks (VID: 127888289) – Registered in 2020; voted in six elections; owes fines from a 1998 case.
• Vince B. Dixon Jr. (VID: 132113016) – Registered in 2024; voted in federal elections; involved in a 2006 federal case and owes $100 in court fines.

As of press time, no criminal charges have been announced. The State Attorney’s Office will determine whether to prosecute once FDLE completes its investigation.

This case marks one of the most expansive local voter eligibility investigations in recent years and follows increased scrutiny of election integrity by state and federal authorities. Local officials emphasized the importance of due process as the investigation proceeds.

“We take all credible allegations seriously,” Barton stated, “and we are committed to upholding the integrity of the electoral process in Alachua County.”

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