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HIGH SPRINGS – Residents of Plantation Oaks Assisted Living and Memory Care recently enjoyed a special community gardening event aimed at creating a butterfly garden at their facility.

Volunteers from the High Springs Garden Club and the GFWC Woman’s Club gathered at the assisted living center at 23301 NW 186th Ave. on May 14 to plant flowers and create an inviting space designed specifically to attract butterflies.

The initiative was made possible by a donation from the Thrivent Financial Organization of Gainesville, a Lutheran-based group dedicated to supporting community service projects. The grant provided funds to purchase a large raised garden bed, plants, soil, and fertilizer.

Fifteen members from both local clubs collaborated with residents in planting various flowers. Club members also brought additional plants from their own gardens to enhance the project's beauty and appeal.

"It was a delightful afternoon made possible by Thrivent’s generous support," said Ginger O’Loughlin, who serves as secretary for both participating clubs. “This project provided an enjoyable experience for residents and volunteers alike.”

Participants concluded the afternoon with refreshments, also funded by Thrivent. Residents received gift bags and decorative diamond-art butterfly sticks to add colorful finishing touches to the garden beds.

One resident, known for his dedication to caring for the facility’s plants, expressed particular enthusiasm about the new garden. He regularly waters and maintains the plants throughout the growing season.

O’Loughlin said the gardening event allowed both the High Springs Garden Club and the Woman’s Club to fulfill their ongoing commitments to community service projects.

The project was coordinated by Plantation Oaks Activities Director Lori Higgins, Thrivent Financial member Linda Lawson, club volunteers, and O’Loughlin, who also coordinates the weekly bingo activities at the facility.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission and the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners convened for a joint special meeting on Monday at the IFAS building located at 22712 West Newberry Road, to discuss four key items of mutual interest: updates on the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the possible use of City buildings by the County, road improvements for Southwest 15^th Avenue, and the presentation of the Phoenix Award for Life-Saving Excellence.

Newberry Senior Planner and CRA Coordinator Uma Sarmistha presented a progress report on the city’s CRA, which launched in 2021. She outlined ongoing and future projects from the Downtown 5-Year Plan, which include the Façade Grant Program, Barry Park beautification, Hitchcock’s Pond landscaping, Seaboard Drive land acquisition, implementation of a Downtown Strategy Plan, a mural/community art project, annual Christmas downtown decorations, the Northwest 260^th Street construction project, Southwest 254^th reconstruction, and community festivals.

Sarmistha reported that the total budget for the fiscal year 2024–25 is $1.7 million, with the base year taxable value in 2020 at $36.1 million, which has since grown to $86.2 million. “The current year tax increment value is $50.2 million,” she said.

Interim City Manager Dallas Lee informed commissioners that smaller City buildings would become available in September or October when the new City Hall is completed. City commissioners suggested that the spaces could be used for a tag renewal office or driver’s license renewal office to save residents a trip to Gainesville.

County Commissioner Anna Prizzia proposed that kiosks at locations like Publix could serve the community for these services just as effectively. City officials expressed openness to the idea.

Utility Director and Assistant City Manager Jamie Jones led a discussion on potential road improvements for Southwest 15^th Avenue, which is jointly owned by the City and the County. He suggested a partnership agreement to bring the road up to standard and then transfer maintenance responsibilities to the City.

County Vice Chair Ken Cornell, who led the County’s portion of the meeting until Chair Charles Chestnut IV arrived, voiced concerns about the project. He emphasized that the trees lining the road contributed to its scenic character and expressed reservations about the cost of acquiring rights-of-way. Cornell also noted that the County already has a road improvement plan in place and was reluctant to divert funds from established projects.

Newberry Mayor Tim Marden requested clear direction on what types of projects the County would be willing to partner with the City on. Commissioner Jordan Marlowe proposed a cost-sharing approach, with the County covering one-third and the City handling the remaining two-thirds through developer fees and City funds. The proposal, however, did not gain traction with the County.

County commissioners ultimately voted to authorize staff to continue working with City officials to explore potential joint projects and provide more information to the commission.

The meeting also included the presentation of the Phoenix Award for Life-Saving Excellence, directed by Newberry Fire Chief Jason Lyman. The award was given to city and county personnel involved in the April 13, 2025, rescue of a Newberry man who suffered a heart attack. The award recognizes coordinated efforts across multiple agencies that resulted in a successful recovery.

In other business, one resident suggested using one of the City’s soon-to-be-available buildings for a health and wellness initiative. Commissioner Prizzia expressed interest in learning more about what such a program would entail.

Newberry City Commissioner Mark Clark announced that the Veterans’ Memorial ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Memorial Day at 9:30 a.m.

The next Newberry City Commission meeting is scheduled for May 27 at 7 p.m., followed by a Board of Adjustment Meeting and a CRA Meeting.

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GAINESVILLE — The Alachua County Library District is inviting families to jump-start their summer at Reader Palooza, a free community celebration on Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tower Road Branch Library, 3020 SW 75th St.

The event marks the official kickoff of the district’s annual Summer at the Library program, encouraging readers of all ages to explore books, participate in activities, and take on the Summer Reading Challenge. More than 30 local organizations will be on-site offering games, crafts, educational resources and interactive exhibits for children and families.

Highlights of the event include a scavenger hunt, roaming performers, games and hands-on activities designed to promote literacy and learning. Attendees can also register for the Summer Reading Challenge and receive a free tote bag while supplies last.

“Reader Palooza is a wonderful way to connect families with their local library and with dozens of community partners who support learning and creativity,” said library officials. “It’s a fun, festive way to get excited about reading all summer long.”

The event is free and open to the public. For more information about Reader Palooza and the Summer at the Library program, visit www.aclib.us or contact the Tower Road Branch at (352) 333-2840.

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NEWBERRY – The life of a Newberry man who suffered a heart attack was saved through the coordinated efforts of multiple emergency agencies, leading to the inaugural presentation of the Phoenix Award for Life-Saving Excellence during a joint Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) and City of Newberry meeting on May 12, 2025.

Newberry Fire Chief Jason Lyman led the ceremony, highlighting the extraordinary teamwork that brought the man back from cardiac arrest.

“Although this exceptional outcome has occurred in Alachua County in the past, the City and County have chosen to recognize this achievement in a new way with the Phoenix Award,” Lyman said.

Lyman explained that the Phoenix Award honors those who “played a direct and critical role in saving a person who was in cardiac arrest — whose heart had stopped — and who, because of the incredible teamwork, determination and skill of those involved, not only survived, but walked out of the hospital just a few days later with a full, neurologically intact recovery.”

The life-saving event unfolded on Sunday, April 13, just after 10 a.m. when a 911 call was made reporting a man unresponsive outside his home. Telecommunicator Cherie Muse at the Alachua County Combined Communications Center took the call, collected vital information, and began delivering CPR instructions to the man’s wife.

“She continued to coach, reassure and encourage the man’s wife until the first Sheriff’s Deputies, Adam Gargulak and Christopher Drake, arrived at the scene and took over CPR,” Lyman recounted.

Communications Supervisor Jennifer Frohberg simultaneously directed first responders to the scene, providing continuous updates to ensure they were prepared upon arrival.

When units arrived, the patient was found unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse. Responders immediately began advanced life support procedures, including connecting a heart monitor, establishing an intravenous line, and securing his airway. Crews administered medications, delivered electric shocks to the heart, and performed manual breathing. These efforts restored the man’s pulse on-site.

The patient was then transported by Alachua County Fire Rescue's Rescue 28 to UF Health Shands Hospital with Rescue Lieutenant Michael Reddig, Firefighter/EMT Nicholas Alfieri, and Newberry Firefighter/Paramedic Kristi Langston onboard.

He underwent emergency surgery to repair a blockage, followed by a second procedure the next day. On April 17, just four days after the cardiac event, the man walked out of the hospital with a full recovery.

“The co-location of ACFR Rescue 28 in Newberry’s fire house played a central role in transporting this gentleman in a timely manner and in his outcome,” Lyman said. “This is what partnership looks like. This is what serving a community together truly means.”

During the ceremony, Newberry Mayor Tim Marden presented each award recipient with a metallic ribbon pin to wear on their uniform, symbolizing their role in the life-saving effort. Each honoree also received a plaque commemorating their achievement.

“Tonight, we recognize that it takes a team of this size—working as one—to create the best possible outcome. This is what our residents deserve and this is what they received that day,” Lyman added.

The Phoenix Award for Life-Saving Excellence was presented to the dedicated individuals who played critical roles in the rescue effort. Among those honored were Telecommunicator Cherie Muse, who provided CPR instructions and reassurance during the emergency, and Communications Supervisor Jennifer Frohberg, who coordinated the response with real-time updates.

Deputies Adam Gargulak and Christopher Drake were recognized for their immediate on-scene efforts to perform CPR, while Firefighter/EMT Nicholas Alfieri, Lieutenant Michael Reddig, and Firefighter/Paramedics Kristi Langston and Louis Derousie were acknowledged for their advanced life support measures. Additionally, Driver/Operator Amby Cason and Lieutenant Justin Asbell were commended for their critical roles in transporting the patient to the hospital.

The Alachua County Combined Communications Center, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Alachua County Fire Rescue, and the Newberry Fire Department were also recognized for their seamless coordination and life-saving teamwork during the incident.

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Photo by MICHAEL P. MAUER special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA COUNTY – Veterans of Foreign Wars Alachua County Post 2811 got some good news recently. On May 8, the post and its auxiliary were met by officials from the economic development office of the City of Gainesville, and told that the veteran organization’s home is marked safe for a planned development at Citizens Field.

“It was certainly good to hear directly from the city what the plans are,” said VFW Post 2811 Quartermaster Avery Owen, a retired master sergeant with the 3rd Bn, 20th Special Forces Group of the Florida Army National Guard. “We were concerned about how much input we were going to have and what consequences this project would have on the post.”

A few weeks ago, the post was told by the City that all or some of its property might be required for a proposed 36-acre Citizens Field revitalization project. Concerns were compounded when the City sent a state-certified general real estate appraiser to the post home in March. The value noted for the post’s nearly five acres and building was $950,000.

“The City was just preparing to give us some options,” Owen said. “The choice our members and auxiliary prefer is for the post to stay put – and for our mission to help veterans in Alachua County to continue.”

“No money is worth the price of more than 90 years of valor by our local service members and community service to our veterans,” the quartermaster added.

Officials did emphasize that the City may need temporary use of some post property as part of the construction process. The main building and parking lot, however, would remain unscathed.

“We’re looking forward to this partnership,” said Owen. “It’ll be a win for everybody in the community.”

So for now, it seems VFW Post 2811 is out of the crosshairs. The May 8 meeting gave some insight to how the history of the VFW here will look in the near future.

And that history here has been a long one. World War II was still going on when the landmark property on Northeast Waldo Road was secured by a group of veterans in Gainesville, Fla. Guaranteed by then Mayor-Commissioner Fred M. Cone — the namesake of Gainesville’s park on East University Avenue — a deed was filed and recorded in Alachua County for VFW Post 2811on May 22, 1945.

Post trustees Mervin McGilvray, Roy L. Holder and Louis Pennisi paid $10 to the City of Gainesville for a five-acre property that was used 80 years ago as a municipal dump. The expansion was sorely needed. During and after World War II, the post underwent tremendous growth as Alachua County veterans from this conflict joined the VFW. Likely inspired by the proud tradition founded a few years earlier when the unit was mustered in May 21, 1933, the new members swelled the ranks so quickly that the post was forced to find larger quarters.

Soon after the land was purchased, the trustees and post leadership improved the property with a building. As membership grew, a larger post home was needed, and the VFW on Northeast Waldo Road was expanded, renovated, and expanded and renovated again.

Through the years, many of the older veterans from World War II passed, and the size of the United States military shrank from more than 16 million uniformed personnel who served in that conflict to fewer than one-and-one-half million today. From this smaller pool of combat veterans to draw from, VFW Post 2811 currently has about 200 members on its roster. These veterans range in age from their early 30s who served in Iraq and Afghanistan to centenarians who deployed in World War II. Scores of other members served in Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Kosovo, in the Caribbean and Central America, as well as the Middle East.

Despite these changes, VFW Post 2811’s good work of honoring those who served by helping the living continues to be recognized. Several times over its long history, Alachua County VFW Post 2811 has been selected as an All-State Post. It earned this honor largely on the strength of its community service.

To be selected as an All State Post, VFW Post 2811 members had to accomplish a long list of service-oriented goals outlined by the VFW Department of Florida.

Such good works include supporting student scholarship programs, helping hospitalized veterans, and participating in fund raising to assist the VFW’s network of service officers. It is through this world-wide network of service officers that the VFW directly assists veterans in filing benefit claims, and promotes awareness for veterans’ preference in government employment and educational opportunities.

Also, magazines, periodicals, podcasts and social media messages produced by the VFW on the state and national levels regularly inform members about the myriad of services and benefits available to eligible veterans. Former service members in the VFW receive steady, up-to-date information not only about current benefits, but legislative efforts by veterans service organizations to help those in its ranks.

All of these services are provided free of cost — regardless if veterans can qualify for full VFW membership or not.

For the moment, VFW Post 2811’s building, two armored fighting vehicles, flag poles, monuments and military memorabilia stretching from World War II to the present day are safe. With its future more certain, Quartermaster Owen expressed relief about the unit’s ongoing mission to help local veterans.

“As long as a veteran is in need, we want to be here to help,” he said.

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

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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 past year, Mauer won the Silver Award for top feature article in the VFW National Publications Contest.

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ALACHUA – A 29-year-old Alachua man was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly trespassing onto a neighbor's property, firing gunshots, and damaging items on their porch, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to reports of an armed disturbance at 9719 N.W. County Road 235, north of Northwest 94th Avenue, at approximately 4:43 a.m. on May 11. The victims, who were inside the home at the time, told deputies the suspect, identified as Max Jacob Barreto, lived at a neighboring property.

According to the victims, they were awakened by gunshots near their front porch, followed by loud banging on their front door. They said they immediately recognized the voice of Barreto, who was reportedly shouting at them to "come out and fight." All four occupants of the home said they feared for their lives during the incident.

One of the victims reported looking out the window and seeing Barreto standing at the front door, wearing a headlamp and yelling. The victim noted that he is familiar with Barreto because Barreto regularly cleans their pool. The victims also said they could hear Barreto smashing decorations and plants on their front porch. When they told him to leave, Barreto allegedly continued yelling. He reportedly fired another shot while walking away after the victims said they were calling the police.

Deputies who arrived on the scene reported finding several plants and pots smashed on the front porch, with damages estimated at $200. The front gate of the property, which was closed and marked with a "No Trespassing" sign, appeared to have been accessed by Barreto. Deputies also recovered a spent .380 shell casing on the victims' driveway.

When deputies surrounded Barreto's residence and ordered him to come out with empty hands, he allegedly refused for nearly three hours. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Barreto finally exited his property but continued to ignore commands, leading to his apprehension by a K-9 team.

Barreto has been charged with armed burglary, four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, resisting an officer without violence, and property damage. He has no prior criminal convictions but was previously arrested in 2022 for possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana. That charge was later dropped.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered a mental health evaluation for Barreto and ruled that he be held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to keep him in custody until trial.

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