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HAWTHORNE ‒ Kevin Harse Pitts, 55, was arrested on Friday, Dec. 10, at his home in Hawthorne. He is charged with seven counts of possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of firing a missile into a dwelling.

An Alachua County Sheriff responded to the 6600 block of S.E. 175^th Terrace, Hawthorne, following a report of a shots fired incident. The victim said he heard the sound of four or five shots being fired and some rounds had hit his home. At least one round entered the victim’s home and struck a filing cabinet. The victim said he was inside his home at the time. The victim said the rounds sounded like they came from his neighbor’s [Pitts] yard.

According to the arrest report, when deputies arrived, the defendant met them outside. Deputies observed a gun barrel through a large hole in the defendant’s grill. Post Miranda, Pitts said he was a convicted felon and attempted to hide a .38 revolver inside the grill as law enforcement officers arrived. He denied firing the weapon. Pitts consented to a search of the grill. A large Army surplus-type of bag was inside. A barrel of a shotgun, a .38 revolver, multiple large hunting knives and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were inside. The ammunition included several different calibers, including .38 caliber.

Due to the multiple types of ammunition, deputies believed additional firearms may be inside. The defendant granted written consent to search his home. Two additional types of ammunition were found, but no additional firearms. Ammunition located included 12-gauge shotgun, 3030, .44 calibers, .22 calibers, 270 and .38 calibers.

Crime scene investigators recovered an intact bullet from the victim’s home. The bullet was the same color as the .38 caliber rounds inside the bag from the grill. Using trajectory rods it was determined that the rounds entered from the direction of Pitts’ home.

Further investigation revealed that Pitts is a convicted felon. Due to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, Pitts is being charged with seven counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon and one count for the firearm and one count for each type of ammunition. In addition, he is also charged with one count of firing a deadly missile into a building.

He is currently in the Alachua County Jail. No bond has been set.

Pitts was found guilty on Nov. 2, 2021, in Putnam County on charges of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to 20 days in jail and three years of drug offender probation.

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ALACHUA ‒ Christmas in Alachua is in full swing this holiday season. For the past 37 years the Alachua Chamber of Commerce has hosted the annual Christmas Parade on downtown Main Street. Each year local businesses, the City of Alachua, civic groups and churches sponsor floats to entertain spectators and compete for prizes.

This past Saturday, children anxiously awaited the parade for a chance to see Santa Claus and collect sweet treats tossed from decorated floats or handed out by people walking alongside.

Due to COVID, last year many activities were canceled. High Springs opted to cancel their annual parade in 2020 but the City of Alachua moved forward with the community tradition. Last year’s event was smaller than previous years, both in crowd size and in number of floats and entries. Instead of the usual 35-40 floats, there were only 28. But the festivities, enthusiasm and spirit of Christmas celebration were still evident, despite the changes brought on by the virus.

This year, the tradition continued, and both the community and the Chamber were ready to bring back the event better than before. The weather was clear and mild with 40 floats participating to a packed crowd that lined all the way along Main Street, with many of the crowd wearing festive Christmas themed clothes and accessories. The City of Alachua and Chamber have been working hand in hand to celebrate the entire month, creating weekly Fa La La Fridays, in addition to the parade and tree lighting.

The parade always starts with a police escort. With lights flashing and sirens wailing motorcycle patrolmen lead the parade, followed by police cars from Alachua and High Springs. The parade's Grand Marshal, Emelie Matthews who is the building manager for the Alachua Woman's Club, along with Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper, greeted the crowd from a vintage convertible Mustang car. The State Champion Santa Fe High School Ladies Raiders Volleyball team was next in line, as the crowd applauded them and members of the team handed candy to the children lining the curb. Following them was a color guard of three Marine veterans. Other members of the Marine Corps League of veterans followed in a World War II army jeep.

The colorful procession of floats, sponsored by civic organizations, businesses, churches and the City of Alachua, slowly cruised Main Street while float participants tossed candy to the children lining the route. Participating floats included Lee's Pre School, City of Alachua, All Stars Twirling Academy, the 4-H Club, Momentum Dance Academy, Alachua Raiders, Santa Fe Babe Ruth baseball team, Santa Fe High School Marching Band, Mi Apa restaurant, Vystar and Kinetic Wireless.

The 4-H Club also had horses and riders decorated for Christmas. Decorated motorcycles weaved in and out on the street as did the ever-present Shriners Club riding a variety of vehicles. Another group that always enters the parade in a large and colorful float is the Hare Krishna who chant for peace as they walk down the street. Each float paused at the judging booth vying for awards.

In the Music/Dance category, first place went to Momentum Dance, second place went to Santa Fe Raider Marching Regiment and third place went to the All-Star Twirling Academy. In the general float competition, the City of Alachua took first place with their 12 Days of Christmas float, Lee's Pre-School and Tanner Construction took second and third place respectively.

While everyone enjoyed the floats and festive mood, the part of the parade the children had been waiting for finally arrived. At the tail end of the parade, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus waved to the children as they by rode by on top of a fire truck. Children responded, waving and calling out Santa's name to try and catch his attention. While the children were excited to see Santa at the parade, they all will be dreaming of another visit from Santa…on Christmas eve.

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ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ Two veteran educators have been chosen by their peers to represent Alachua County Public Schools in Florida’s Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year programs.

Dr. Beth LeClear, the current principal at Lake Forest Elementary School, was selected by her fellow principals as the district’s Principal of the Year. LeClear has been the principal at Lake Forest since the beginning of the 2021 school year. She has also served as principal at Terwilliger Elementary, Rawlings Elementary and Santa Fe High.

LeClear spent 12 years as an assistant principal at schools in Alachua County and another district in Florida. She began her career in education as a music teacher for students with disabilities, and also taught middle school math.

LeClear says being recognized by her fellow principals is very special.

“I’ve been in this county 26 years, and I’ve worked with some of them the entire time,” she said. “They’re all amazing and all focused on putting children first, so this is quite an honor.”

Kanapaha Middle School Assistant Principal for Curriculum Ginger Stanford has been chosen by her peers as ACPS’ Assistant Principal of the Year. Stanford has been an educator for nearly 30 years. She began her career as a science teacher. She has also worked as a teacher of gifted students, a district science coach and as the coordinator of a science partnership between the University of Florida and local middle schools. In addition to her tenure at Kanapaha, Stanford has also served as an assistant principal at Westwood Middle School and Shell Elementary School.

Stanford is also excited about the opportunity to represent her peers in the state program.

“There are so many wonderful administrators in this district and we rely so much on each other,” she said. “It’s an honor to be chosen to represent them and everything we all do to support teachers and students.”

In January, the 2022 finalists for both Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year honors will be identified by a state selection committee. The names of the statewide winners are scheduled to be announced in February or March.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ A chase that began in Columbia County at around 11:45 a.m., on Dec. 2, ended in Alachua County with the arrest of 21-year-old Marandoe Acell Lamar Young at approximately 4:15 p.m. the same day.

In an effort to stop the fleeing vehicle on Interstate 75, law enforcement officers used a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver and deployed stop sticks, which eventually rendered the vehicle immobile on I-75 at the 406-mile marker.

Young then fled from the stopped vehicle and deputies engaged in a foot pursuit, hearing what sounded like a gunshot during the pursuit. A perimeter was established to contain the suspect, with mutual aid resources from many agencies assisting in the search. Young was eventually apprehended by K-9 Officer Micco.

Investigation revealed that Young was in possession of a significant amount of cannabis and a firearm, which he discharged during the foot pursuit. Young will be charged with Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement, Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Distribute and three counts of Aggravated Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer.

Additional charges may be added as the investigation continues. The suspect was treated for injuries sustained during the K-9 apprehension and was booked into the Alachua County Jail.

A Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) press release indicated that all lanes of I-75 were closed at approximately 12:45 p.m. due to the pursuit.

Northbound traffic was diverted at High Springs/Alachua Exit #399 and southbound traffic was diverted off of I-75 at the Lake City/High Springs Exit #414. All I-75 traffic lanes were reopened by 4:55 p.m.

During the chase the High Springs Police Department (HSPD) provided a safety perimeter at the High Springs Community School and extended school resource officer coverage at the school for after school activities. They maintained enhanced security at the school until teachers, staff and students had vacated the school.

Students that usually walked home remained at the school for parental pickup. School buses that routed into the danger zone remained at the school.

In addition, HSPD provided traffic control on US Highway 441 and US Highway 27 due to the intense amount of traffic routed off of I-75 and through the cities.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the pursuit.

Young’s bond is set at $595,000.

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ALACHUA ‒ On Main Street in Alachua stands a magnificent Victorian Mansion known as the Williams-Leroy House. Registered in the National Historic Registry, it stands three stories tall, covering over 7,000 square feet with four bedrooms, five dining areas, six toilets and baths, a commercial kitchen, and a peaceful courtyard complete with a gazebo and a waterfall. Built in 1902, the house's history is entwined in the beginnings of Alachua and has seen a number of owners.

The original owner, Furman B. Williams, is credited with helping establish the town of Alachua with his brothers, Charles and Jack. In 1998 a wealthy business man from Philadelphia bought the house from the family. He was a member of the Hare Krishna religion and turned the house over to a local chapter to create both a vegetarian restaurant for the public and a meditation center for the local Krishna community. The Govinda's Vegetarian Restaurant opened in in 1999 and continued until 2007.

When it closed, Marjorie (Mimi) Hale and her daughters leased the place for the Ivy House Restaurant. The restaurant was a local favorite until it closed in 2012. In 2018, Mike Case and Kim Heniger bought the property with plans to open an event venue and restaurant. The house and kitchen needed major renovations and they put a significant amount of money into their dream, but ultimately, the COVID pandemic took its toll and their dream came to an end.

Today the Manor is coming back to life with a new owner, transforming the house to its former glory and creating a unique historic event venue and restaurant. Owner Salvie Andreola has come a long way. Orphaned at the age of six, Salvia and her siblings survived by receiving financial support for school and daily food from the local Baptist Church through a benevolent international sponsor. When she was old enough, she worked to support herself and siblings. Working first as a housemaid from a young age, Andreola continued her education learning new jobs and careers, first in the Philippines, then Singapore and eventually Hawaii.

In Maui, she began fresh as a bank teller and later transitioned into a billing encoder at a local hospital. After her husband passed away, Andreola assumed the family business. “It was a challenge being a single parent of a minor child. I was managing a high-volume revenue-clientele of a merchant credit card processing company,” Andreola said. “It was a very stressful time.” Given the high cost of living in paradise and raising a child by herself, Andreola moved to Gainesville, where she started a new ambitious venture as a real estate investor.

She currently owns and manages luxury properties both domestically and internationally. From homelessness to home building, and now, on to historic restoration, Andreola’s life story demonstrates her willingness to take risks, endure long hours of hard work, and triumph in life’s struggles.

Now, she is again heading in a new direction with her vision for the Manor on Main. “Now, I am booking for weddings, parties, corporate meetings, and cultural events currently operating as a venue rental,” said Andreola. Her long-term plan is to hand over the operational business management.

“The manor was once a well-known restaurant, which the people in the community profoundly enjoyed and greatly miss,” Andreola said. “My ultimate dream for the manor is to make this place a destination where people look forward to coming at the end of a hard-working day to listen to live music, sip a glass of wine, unwind, and enjoy the company of friends and family.”

The Manor on Main is located at 14603 Main Street and will have an official ribbon cutting on Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. That evening, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. there will be an open house with refreshments and live music to welcome the community to the revitalized mansion.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Police Department (HSPD) and the City of High Springs are currently accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys, pajamas and books to be given to children in need in the High Springs community this holiday season. Wrapping paper and supplies are also in need.

The HSPD can provide specific age/gender information for purchasing appropriate gifts. Please contact Angela Robertson at 386-454-7319 or via email at arobertson@highsprings.us for more information.

Donations, including monetary donations and gift cards, may be dropped off any time in the black mailbox to the left of the HSPD front door. Gifts can be dropped off at the HSPD during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. The location is 23720 NW 187 Avenue, High Springs.

The deadline for drop-off is Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. If writing a check, please make it payable to the High Springs Police Department.

The City departments will team up to wrap the gifts and make special deliveries to families in need that have already been identified.

The High Springs Police Department and the City of High Springs appreciate all the support they receive from the community, which makes Operation Holiday Cheer possible each year.

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