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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Police Department brought the community together on the evening of Aug. 6, 2024, by hosting the annual National Night Out event at the High Springs Civic Center, located at 19107 N.W. 240^th Street. From 6 to 9 p.m., families and community members enjoyed an evening filled with fun, games, and camaraderie.

National Night Out is a nationwide initiative aimed at fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The High Springs Police Department made sure this year’s event was one to remember, offering a variety of activities for attendees of all ages. The event featured sports, interactive games, a dunk tank, and more, creating an atmosphere of excitement and community spirit.

The event was free to the public, and residents from across the area were invited to join in the festivities. The High Springs Civic Center buzzed with energy as friends, families, and neighbors came together to enjoy the offerings and spend time with local law enforcement officers in a relaxed, informal setting.

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NEWBERRY ‒ A 50-year-old Newberry man was arrested on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, on a warrant for allegedly using “movie prop” money to buy goods at several locations, including receiving cash as change.

On July 31, 2024, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the Circle K at the intersection of Newberry Road and Southwest 250^th Street in Newberry, where the manager said she had found a pack of four $20 bills imprinted with the words, “For Motion Picture Purposes.” The deputy reported that there are multiple indications on the bills that “it should be very evident that the items are prop currency and not to be used as legal tender.”

The investigation found that Avery Donnell Hopkins had purchased a beer and a pack of cigarettes and paid for them with one of the fake $20 bills. About five minutes later, he allegedly returned to the counter and asked the clerk if she had four $10 bills to make change. She explained that she does not keep $10 bills in the drawer, but gave him eight $5 bills in exchange for two more of the fake $20 bills. According to the deputy’s report regarding the store video, it can be seen that the clerk did not inspect any of the bills when she took them.

The manager reportedly recognized Hopkins as a regular customer and identified him when she saw the video. The deputy was also able to identify him from a January 2024 jail booking photo.

While investigating this case, the deputy also responded to the Subway at 24208 W. Newberry Road, where the manager said a man had come in on July 28, 2024, ordered six cookies, paid with a $50 movie prop bill and received $48.30 in change. He allegedly came back about an hour later, ordered a sandwich, paid for it with another $50 fake bill, and received $43.02 in change. While an employee made his sandwich, he allegedly took a $5 bill from the tip jar and put it in his pocket.

Hopkins has been charged with four counts of passing a counterfeit bill, four counts of engaging in fraud to obtain property under $20,000, and five counts of theft.

Hopkins has a criminal history that includes 10 felony convictions, one of which was violent, and six misdemeanor convictions, one of which was also violent. He previously served a three-year state prison sentence and was released in January 2022. In January 2024, Hopkins was charged with exploitation of an elderly person, grand theft, and fraudulent use of a debit card, although that case does not currently appear in the court system.

Bail was set at $115,000 by Judge Susan Miller-Jones.

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ALACHUA – A 37-year-old Alachua woman was arrested on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after allegedly pointing a rifle at another woman during a fight in Alachua.

At about 9:15 p.m., Alachua Police Department (APD) officers responded to report of a shooting in the 13200 block of Northwest 151^st Place. Upon arrival, officers reported finding several people crowded into an outside patio area and initial reports indicated that there had been a fight between Shantavia D’Shante Jenkins and multiple people.

Jenkins had reportedly been previously trespassed from the property where the incident occurred.

A woman reportedly told an officer that Jenkins had taken a rifle from another person during the fight and had pointed it at her, saying her name. She said she was in fear of being harmed and fled; she also told the officer that a gun was fired.

Post Miranda, Jenkins reportedly said there had been “an issue” at the location and she was asked to go there to “assist with the situation.” She said someone gave her a knife before she left to go to the incident location.

Jenkins reportedly said a fight started between several people at the location, and during the fight, “guns came out,” and she asked a relative to help her.

Jenkins said a man grabbed her by the throat, and she heard a gun go off. The officer reported that while Jenkins explained this, she motioned with her hands as if she were holding a rifle and fighting with someone for control of the firearm. However, she denied possessing a firearm at any time during the incident. She also said she never took the knife out, but the officer reported that the knife was found on the ground near blood spatter and concluded, “This would indicate [Jenkins] was in proximity of a firearm and the person shot.” The officer also noted that there was blood on Jenkins during the interview.

Jenkins has five felony convictions, two of which were violent, and five misdemeanor convictions, one of which was violent. She is on drug offender probation after entering a plea of nolo contendere to five charges related to drug possession, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and driving with a suspended license following a March 2024 arrest.

An affidavit of violation of probation was filed in July after Jenkins’ urine sample reportedly showed that she had been using methamphetamines and she signed a statement acknowledging this. She was issued a Notice to Appear for an August hearing.

Bail was set at $300,000 on the new charges by Judge Donna Keim.

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NEWBERRY – The Newberry City Commission on Aug. 12, 2024, in 3-1 vote, approved the first reading of an ordinance to include the entire city in a non-ad valorem assessment for the Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU). This MSBU, created by Alachua County, is designed to fund residential solid waste collection, disposal, and recycling services.

Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Dallas Lee introduced the proposal, assuring the Commission that fees for single-family and multi-family residential customers will remain steady at $25.27 annually. Non-universal residential customers will also maintain their current fee of $15.81 annually. The ordinance passed with a 3-1 roll call vote. Commissioner Tim Marden opposed the measure and Commissioner Rick Coleman was absent during the vote.

In other City business, the Commission also approved an agreement with the Florida Department of State Division Historical Resource for a matching grant for rehabilitation of the historical power plant structure. The City intends to match the of $350,000 grant with another $350,000 for a total of $700,000 to secure the structure. Lee indicated in his presentation that the roof has recently been replaced on the building. The $700,000 will be used to replace windows, construct a restroom and develop a parking lot.

The hope is that a business will want to use the building and will be willing to complete the repairs needed to the inside of the building. “It is expected to cost $1.5 – $2 million to finish the inside of the structure,” said Mayor Jordan Marlowe in discussion

Also on Aug. 12, the Commission unanimously approved a resolution declaring a local State of Emergency due to Hurricane Debby, a Category 1 Hurricane. This resolution gave the City Manager authority to discharge the duties and exercise the powers necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community, among other actions necessary in an emergency situation.

Final Comments

The Planning and Zoning Board meeting, originally scheduled for Aug. 5, has been rescheduled for 6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 27.

A Groundbreaking Ceremony for the construction of the new City Hall is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 4 p.m. The location is Under the Oaks behind City Hall.

The Commission reminded the public that they can purchase a brick for a veteran at Veterans Memorial Park located in the southwest corner of Lois Forte Park. A rendering of the memorial and access to make a donation or purchase a brick are available on the Newberry City Hall site.

Greta Moreau, the new Code Enforcement Officer for Newberry was introduced at the meeting. Moreau has been with the City since May 20, 2024.

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ALACHUA ‒ FEMA is warning Floridians that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after Hurricane Debby, and the agency is offering tips to help avoid being scammed. FEMA has stated that in some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from people affected by the disaster.

If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If this happens, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.

If you did not apply for assistance but receive a letter from FEMA, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline will submit a request to stop further processing of that application.

If you do want to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, the helpline will assist you in creating a new application.

Residents should be aware that FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews, housing inspectors and other officials will be working in areas impacted by Hurricane Debby. They carry official photo identification badges. FEMA representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.

Homeowners and renters in Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Manatee, Sarasota, Suwannee and Taylor counties can apply in several ways: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App, or call 800-621-3362 any day of the week. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance - YouTube. Their services are free.

Don't believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.

Don't give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff's department or contact Florida’s Office of the Attorney General by calling 866-9-NO-SCAM (866-966-7226) or visit myfloridalegal.com. To file a fraud complaint, go online to Scam Report (myfloridalegal.com).

If you have knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse, you can report these tips – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. You can also email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov to report a tip.

For the latest information about Florida’s Hurricane Debby recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4806. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

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WALDO ‒ The CSX railroad crossing on Northeast State Road 26, located near U.S. 301 in Waldo, will be closed for reconstruction during the week of Aug. 19, 2024. The closure is set to begin at 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 19, and is expected to last through the week, with the road scheduled to reopen at 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. However, the timeline is dependent on weather conditions and any unforeseen circumstances that may arise during construction.

During the closure, detours will be in place for drivers to ensure continued access to Northeast State Road 26. Westbound drivers on Northeast State Road 26 will be directed to take U.S. 301 south to State Road 26 west, and then rejoin Northeast State Road 26. Eastbound drivers on State Road 26 who need to access areas east of the railroad crossing can either continue on State Road 26 to U.S. 301 north or proceed straight on State Road 26.

Motorists are advised to plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes where possible. The reconstruction is part of ongoing efforts to maintain and improve transportation infrastructure in the area.

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