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GAINESVILLE ‒ Large trucks will be prohibited from using many of the smaller roadways in Alachua County. In a press release, the Alachua County Public Works Department announced that it installed more than 240 “No Trucks” signs across 44 road segments within the county. The release states that the initiative is designed to redirect large commercial trucks onto wider, “more suitable” state and county roads, reducing the risks posed by heavy vehicles on narrow roadways.

The new prohibitions are dispersed throughout all of Alachua County, and near Alachua and High Springs, include large sections of Northwest County Roads 236, 235A, 237, and 239 north of U.S. Highway 441. All of Old Bellamy Road and a portion of Northwest/Northeast 56^th Avenue are also restricted.

Additional restrictions are in place along all of County Road 337 south of Newberry and significant portions of Southwest County Roads 346 and 346A.

Trucks are prohibited from using all of Millhopper Road west of Northwest 43^rd Street in Gainesville and most of Wacahoota Road near Micanopy. Near Hawthorne, Southeast County Roads 234 and 2082 as well as South County Road 325 and County Roads 219A and 1474 have similar new restrictions.

According to the press release from Alachua County, the move comes in response to numerous citizen concerns about the dangers of large trucks traveling at high speeds on roads with limited width. In light of these concerns, the Alachua County Commission directed the Public Works Department to implement “No Trucks” restrictions on collector roads with travel lanes measuring 11 feet or narrower. These roads constitute approximately 14 percent of the county's collector road system.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol’s Bureau of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement in the Ocala District, the “No Trucks” designation is more straightforward and effective to enforce compared to weight-based restrictions. Consequently, some roads previously governed by weight limits are now marked with “No Trucks” signage, making enforcement by law enforcement agencies more efficient.

Importantly, these restrictions apply exclusively to commercial trucks passing through the area and do not affect local deliveries. Trucks making deliveries to addresses on these roads, including those during the busy holiday season, are exempt from the new regulations.

For more information, residents can contact Alachua County Civil Engineer Tony Flegert at 352-548-1218.

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HIGH SPRINGS – An investigation was launched at 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, after an adult female shopper at Bealls Outlet in High Springs located at 20201 N. U.S. Highway 441, Unit 10, reported an alarming incident. While using a fitting room, the victim observed a recording device being extended above the partition by an individual in the neighboring stall, who began filming her as she undressed.

The victim immediately yelled at the offender and attempted to confront him, but he fled the store on foot. Witnesses later observed the suspect leaving the area.

Officers from the High Springs Police Department (HSPD) acted promptly, employing advanced investigative techniques to identify and locate the suspect. Within hours, they apprehended 42-year-old John David Mills of Gainesville without further incident.

This was not the first allegation of video voyeurism against Mills. A similar incident occurred on Oct. 14, 2024, at approximately 3:20 p.m. at Ross Dress for Less at 2643 N.W. 13^th Street, Gainesville. In that case, a female victim noticed a cellphone camera protruding from a hole in the cardboard separator above the metal dividing wall in the fitting rooms.

The victim immediately left the fitting room and reported the incident to her mother, who alerted store employees. Mills reportedly walked toward the front of the store as the victim’s mother took several photos of him, as well as of the silver Infiniti he drove away in.

Gainesville Police Department (GPD) detectives identified Mills as the suspect. Both the victim and her mother positively identified him in a photo lineup. Investigators also confirmed that the silver Infiniti seen at the Ross location was registered in Mills’ name.

Mills, a registered sex offender, has a prior conviction for recording video of an undressed minor in Virginia in 2018. He is classified as a Sexual Offender in Florida and has a documented history of similar offenses.

In the High Springs case, Mills has been charged with video voyeurism of a victim over 19 years old, a second or subsequent offense under Florida law. Following his arrest, Judge Kristine Van Vorst added $150,000 bail to his existing bail, bringing the total to $300,000.

“This arrest highlights the swift action and dedication of our officers in protecting the community and holding offenders accountable,” said High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard. “We commend the victim for their quick thinking and bravery in reporting the incident, which enabled us to respond promptly.”

The High Springs Police Department continues to investigate this case and encourages anyone with additional information to contact Detective T. Taylor or their local law enforcement agency.

Mills’ actions have raised concerns about the recurrence of similar offenses, and additional charges may be filed as investigations unfold.

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ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) has announced significant advancements in its firefighting equipment, introducing state-of-the-art Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and new Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) bags. These additions mark a milestone in enhancing both firefighter safety and operational efficiency.

The newly acquired SCBAs, funded through a combination of Alachua County tax dollars and grant funding, replace older equipment that had served the department for over a decade. Designed with cutting-edge technology, the SCBAs boast improved communication systems and lightweight materials to help reduce fatigue during demanding emergency operations.

Adding to the upgraded gear are new RIT bags, which are specifically designed to expedite rescue operations for downed firefighters. Equipped with a dedicated air supply, quick-connect fittings, and essential rescue tools, the RIT bags enable rapid deployment in high-stakes situations.

To ensure seamless integration of the new gear, ACFR has implemented extensive training programs. All personnel are undergoing hands-on instruction to become proficient in using the advanced SCBAs and RIT bags, further enhancing their readiness for the most challenging scenarios.

The investments reflect ACFR’s commitment to protecting both the first responders and the citizens of Alachua County. “These investments demonstrate the ongoing dedication to protecting both our first responders and the citizens of Alachua County,” said an ACFR representative

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HIGH SPRINGS – At the Dec. 12, 2024, City Commission Meeting, City Manager Jeremy Marshall presented a plan for allocating the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, outlining a list of prioritized projects aimed at improving city infrastructure, public services, and safety. After reviewing the proposed expenditures and holding discussions, Commissioners approved adjustments to the priority list.

ARPA was signed into law in March 2021 as part of the federal government’s response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. ARPA allocated $1.9 trillion in relief funding nationwide, with $350 billion specifically designated for state, local, and tribal governments to address revenue shortfalls, infrastructure needs, and community recovery projects.

Cities like High Springs received ARPA funds to invest in essential services, public health initiatives, and infrastructure improvements that promote long-term community resilience. High Springs was awarded $3,094,274 under the program.

As of Sept. 30, 2024, the City of High Springs had spent $1,956,980 of its ARPA allocation. A portion of the funds—$250,000—has been reserved for mold remediation at the fire station, and another $150,000 has been set aside for the City Manager’s Contingency Fund to address unforeseen needs. This leaves a remaining balance of $737,294 for allocation.

Marshall, working with City department heads, presented a list of 16 prioritized projects for Commission review and approval. The top five priorities included a fire truck purchase, land development code updates, lift station refurbishment, safety measures at the police department and a lift station remote communications system.

Fire truck purchase – $125,000 to pay for the fire truck outright, avoiding financing costs and reducing the city’s debt burden.

Land Development Code update – $180,000 for a necessary update to ensure zoning and development regulations reflect current city growth and infrastructure needs.

Refurbishment of two lift stations – $70,000 to improve wastewater management and infrastructure reliability.

Bulletproof glass at police department front desk – $8,000 to enhance safety and allow the front desk to remain open for public access.

SCADA Communication System for lift stations – $40,000 for implementation of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to monitor and manage lift stations remotely.

Following approximately 30 minutes of discussion, Commissioners made several changes to the proposed list.

Requested replacement vehicle funds for Parks & Recreation was reduced from $30,000 to $20,000, new chairs was reduced from $5,000 to $4,000, and a city parking study was reduced from $47,294 to $10,000, with the remainder likely to be funded by the City of High Springs Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

Added from the alternative projects list for $48,294 was a Vacuum Excavator Trailer, with the balance of its funding to come from another source. The vacuum excavator trailer, a piece of equipment used for digging and maintenance work, received strong support from Marshall, who emphasized its importance for City operations.

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CROSS CREEK ‒ Early Monday morning, Dec. 23, 2024, emergency crews from the Cross Creek Fire Department and Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) responded to a single-vehicle accident on County Road 325.

When crews arrived, they discovered a pickup truck overturned, resting on its roof after rolling multiple times. One individual was trapped inside the wreckage, prompting a coordinated rescue effort. Using hydraulic rescue tools, also known as the “Jaws of Life,” firefighters from ACFR and Cross Creek worked together to safely extricate the occupant.

Photos taken at the scene demonstrate the severity of the incident, showing firefighters and first responders working diligently under nighttime conditions. The overturned vehicle is surrounded by debris, emphasizing the violent nature of the crash. Emergency personnel can be seen stabilizing the truck and carefully preparing to extract the trapped individual.

Once freed, the occupant was transported to a local hospital by ACFR for medical treatment. Their condition has not yet been released.

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is currently investigating the cause of the crash.

In response to the incident, ACFR issued a seasonal safety reminder to the public: “Drive with care during this holiday season and please remember to move over for emergency vehicles in the roadway.

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NEWBERRY ‒ At its Dec. 9, 2024, the Newberry City Commission heard updates about a road maintenance program. Peter Napoli of Stantec presented an overview of a proposed Road Maintenance Assessment Program in response to the Commission’s request during the FY 2025 budget process. Napoli outlined how non-ad valorem special assessments could generate revenue to maintain and improve roads and other infrastructure.

Napoli detailed the two-pronged legal test required to impose such assessments. There must be a special benefit and fair apportionment. The special benefit is applicable if the property derives a tangible benefit from the improvements. The fair apportionment benefit requires that the assessment be distributed equitably among the properties receiving the benefit.

Using Newberry’s residential and non-residential property data, Napoli proposed a calculation model. He provided examples of ways in which the properties might benefit from the assessment and subsequent improvement. One assessment calculation listed a benefit of 4,754 assessment units with the total revenue needed for road improvements at $1.325 million. Residential properties were assessed per parcel while non-residential properties were assessed per 1,000 square feet of space. He calculated the amount per parcel and per 1,000 sq. ft. at $278 per year.

Napoli outlined collection methods of direct billing or inclusion on the property tax rolls via the Alachua County Tax Collector. The City will host a workshop on Dec. 16, 2024 to discuss the proposal further. No vote was taken at this meeting.

In other business, the Commission unanimously approved a preliminary plat for Country Way South Phase 2. A Quasi-Judicial public hearing addressed the application by CHW, acting on behalf of Norfleet Properties LLP, to approve construction plans for Phase 2 of the Country Way South subdivision. The 10.22-acre project will feature 35 single-family homes and a common area west of U.S. 27/State Road 45. Advisory comments accompanying the plat approval included provision of lift station details and compliance with FDOT lighting standards for site and street lighting. Additional comments included resolution of electric design at construction plan approval and inclusion of a perimeter buffer in the construction plan.

After the regular commission meeting, the Commission transitioned into a CRA meeting. CRA Coordinator Uma Sarmistha introduced Chelsea Bakaitis as the new CRA Specialist, highlighting her previous experience.

Sarmistha presented a market analysis by Downtown Strategies, a consultant who was hired to help develop an action plan for Newberry downtown/CRA. Mayor Jordan Marlowe expressed disappointment in the analysis, citing a lack of implementation strategies.

In final business of the evening and by unanimous vote, the Commission authorized the City Manager to offer $101,000 for land along Seaboard Drive. This property is expected to play a key role in future redevelopment initiatives.

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