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ALACHUA – Two individuals have been arrested following an investigation by the Alachua Police Department into alleged criminal conduct involving juvenile victims.

Chiarel Davis, 38, of Chiefland, faces multiple charges, including sexual assault by a person 24 or older on a victim aged 16 or 17, traveling to meet a minor, interference with the custody of a minor, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

According to police, Davis is accused of engaging in sexual activity with a juvenile, providing marijuana to the minor, and sending sexually explicit messages and images. Investigators say she also arranged unsupervised meetings with the victim without parental consent.

Nicholas Scott, 35, of Gainesville, is charged with using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony and distributing obscene material to a minor. Authorities allege that Scott sent explicit images to one of the victims and communicated with the minor in violation of Florida law.

The investigation began after a report was made by a concerned parent. Police said both suspects were known to the victims and had previously interacted with the families under the pretense of friendship.

“Due to the sensitive nature of the crimes and to protect the identities of the victims, no further information will be released,” said Alachua Police Chief Jesse Sandusky.

The Alachua Police Department expressed gratitude to the assisting agencies that contributed to the investigation. Anyone with additional information or who may be a victim is encouraged to contact Detective Jacob Eady at 386-588-3328 or jeady@alachuapd.org.

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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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ALACHUA – A period of major growth and expansion is giving way to a new chapter for 399 Sports & Recreation, the Alachua-based nonprofit dedicated to youth athletics and community programming.

The organization announced that founding president Brandon Wilson will step down effective June 1, 2025, after completing a two-year term marked by significant accomplishments.

During Wilson’s leadership, 399 Sports & Recreation increased participation by 233 percent, launched scholarship initiatives, supported local travel ball teams, and formed partnerships with both local and regional groups. The group also generated new revenue through a steady concession stand operation and hosted ceremonial events for its youth basketball and volleyball leagues.

Looking ahead, Wilson plans to remain involved in a consulting role, while he and his family will continue their commitment to youth development through their Crafty Gemini Youth Development initiative. The program offers hands-on learning in the arts, agriculture, and athletics, aiming to help young people discover their passions and create paths to long-term success.

Wilson’s contributions to youth recreation and community programming have earned praise throughout Alachua County, and the organization he founded shows no signs of slowing down.

As the summer season kicks off, 399 is accepting participants for its Summer Basketball League. Registration also remains open for the City of Alachua’s Legacy Summer Camp. In addition, the Alachua Raiders Football & Cheer program has begun sign-ups for its fall tackle football and cheerleading teams.

A Music & Arts Program Film Festival will be held Aug. 30 at the Legacy Park Multipurpose Center. The event, hosted by the City of Alachua, begins at 3 p.m. and is open to the public.

For more information on any of these programs, visit the City of Alachua’s official website or follow 399 Sports & Recreation on social media.

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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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Alachua ‒ Siemens, a global leader in technology and innovation, has opened a new office and warehouse facility in San Felasco Tech City, bolstering its presence in Alachua County and adding to the growing technology hub.

The new integrated facility represents a significant investment by Siemens and reflects the company's ongoing commitment to innovation, energy efficiency, and community partnerships. Siemens joins more than 65 other companies at the rapidly expanding San Felasco Tech City. The facility will benefit from San Felasco Tech City's advanced infrastructure and collaborative business environment, supporting Siemens in delivering forward-thinking solutions for a more connected future.

Mitch Glaeser, co-developer and CEO of the Emory Group Company, expressed enthusiasm about Siemens joining the tech hub. “We are thrilled to have Siemens join other exceptional companies at San Felasco Tech City,” Glaeser said. “This facility strengthens Siemens' operational capabilities and demonstrates its commitment to fostering innovation and building strong community partnerships.”

San Felasco Tech City is recognized for its sustainability and emphasis on digital innovation, making it a natural fit for Siemens’ expansion, company officials said. The facility is expected to leverage the site's advanced infrastructure to promote collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence.

Siemens' decision to expand operations in Alachua County highlights its dedication to advancing regional technology development and economic growth.

San Felasco Tech City, located in Alachua, is noted as one of Florida’s fastest-growing technology communities, known internationally for sustainable development and innovative practices

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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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