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ALACHUA – The Cleather Sr. Hathcock Community Center was filled with food, fellowship and holiday spirit recently as local seniors gathered for a Friendsgiving potluck that organizers say captured the essence of community togetherness.

The event drew a strong turnout, with attendees arriving carrying homemade dishes and favorite recipes to share. Tables were lined with a variety of holiday staples — pasta dishes, turkey, ham and an assortment of other specialties — creating a festive and abundant spread.

Organizers noted that the Friendsgiving potluck reflected the close-knit connections among area seniors and showcased the collaborative support of Crafty Gemini, the City of Alachua and local volunteers. They said the gathering demonstrated the value of shared meals and social engagement, both of which play an important role in “preventing social isolation and fostering strong community relationships.”

The potluck’s success has encouraged organizers to build on the momentum. They expressed appreciation for the enthusiastic participation and community support and said they are already planning to make Friendsgiving an annual tradition. The next event — a Christmas potluck — is scheduled for next month and is expected to draw an equally engaged crowd.

Residents interested in learning more about senior activities or volunteering can visit the City of Alachua website or call 386-462-0145.

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HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs City Commission closed out its 2024–25 agenda and ushered in a new governing year during a Nov. 13, 2025, meeting that included the swearing-in of a returning commissioner, board appointments, grant approvals and progress on several major city projects.

Unfinished Business Concludes FY 24–25

Commissioners began the evening by addressing remaining items from the previous fiscal year. The board voted unanimously to hire Fred Fox Enterprises, Inc. to provide administrative services for the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Neighborhood Revitalization project.

High Springs was awarded a $700,000 small cities CDBG grant through Florida Commerce. To support the initiative, commissioners also approved CPH Consulting, LLC in response to Requests for Qualifications for professional engineering services.

In addition, the Commission voted unanimously to approve three firms for continuing engineering contracts: CPH Consulting, Kimley-Horn and Woodard & Curran. CPH—previously known as Mittauer & Associates—has a long history with the city, including engineering work tied to major sewer system improvements.

With all unfinished business resolved, Commissioner Tristan Grunder, who had been re-elected, formally adjourned the final meeting of the 2024–25 fiscal year.

Commission Reorganized for FY 25–26

City Clerk Angela Stone administered the oath of office to Grunder as he began his second term on the City Commission. During the reorganization, Commissioner Andrew Miller was elected mayor and Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth Jr. was chosen as vice mayor. Commissioners then switched seats as Miller assumed leadership of the meeting.

The annual reorganization also included appointments to city advisory boards. Grunder was named chair of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Zachary Walter was appointed to the Plan Board, while Linda Hewlett and Joanne Trembly were reappointed to the Parks and Recreation Board.

Commissioners also authorized the standard list of check signers for the new fiscal year. The mayor, vice mayor, city manager and city clerk are empowered to sign city checks. Following approval, an updated resolution is submitted to the bank to formalize the authorization.

Public Safety and City Projects Move Forward

High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard informed the Commission that the city has been awarded a $65,000 grant to replace aging police radios. Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the funding.

The board also unanimously authorized a services agreement with Hoffman Construction, Inc. for structural roof repairs to the historic Priest Theatre. In September, the city awarded Hoffman a contract totaling $550,828 for roof replacement and structural upgrades, along with an additional $18,280 to replace the parapet wood apron on the building’s front elevation.

Budget Adjustments Reviewed

Finance Director Diane Wilson presented the Final Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2025, outlining significant adjustments and responding to commissioner questions. After discussion, the Commission approved the ordinance on first reading.

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A steady stream of visitors packs Main Street as local businesses, artisans and food vendors showcase their offerings at the 2025 Fall Festival. / Alachua County Today Staff Photographer

ALACHUA ‒ Downtown Alachua once again transformed into a lively corridor of music, food and color on Sunday as the Alachua Main Street Fall Festival returned to historic Main Street, drawing crowds that filled the heart of the city from end to end. The festival continued its tradition of showcasing local culture while supporting educational opportunities for area students.

Hosted by the Alachua Business League (ABL) with support from the City of Alachua and dozens of community partners, the event brought together families, visitors and longtime residents for an afternoon of celebration. As in past years, festival proceeds will help fund scholarships for local students planning to attend Santa Fe College — a mission that has become a hallmark of ABL’s community involvement.

Main Street was closed to traffic for the day, creating a pedestrian-friendly promenade lined with vendor tents, food trucks and demonstrations. Visitors moved at an easy pace between stalls offering handmade crafts, local art, boutique items and fall-themed goods. The aroma of barbecue and kettle corn mingled with the sound of live music drifting from the entertainment area, where local performers kept the energy high throughout the afternoon.

Children flocked to hands-on activity stations and family attractions, giving the event its signature mix of small-town charm and festival spirit. Adults browsed the wide selection of vendors or gathered near food stands for lunch and desserts, turning the street into a bustling outdoor marketplace.

Parking filled quickly as attendance grew through the day, with festival-goers using lots near downtown, City Hall and the area surrounding Skinner Park. Many chose to walk in from nearby neighborhoods, adding to the steady foot traffic that defined the event.

Vendor participation remained strong again this year, with booths sold out well in advance — a sign of continued support from local artisans, small businesses and regional makers. Organizers say the turnout reflects the festival’s important role in highlighting Alachua’s growing business community while keeping its small-town identity at the forefront.

Over the years, the Alachua Business League has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships through funds raised at the Fall Festival and other community events. That philanthropic purpose, blended with a festive atmosphere, is one of the reasons the event has endured as one of the city’s most anticipated annual traditions.

As photos from this year’s festival show, the 2025 event delivered the familiar warmth and hometown appeal that residents have come to expect. For those who missed it, organizers encourage planning ahead for next year — promising another day filled with entertainment, community spirit and opportunities to support Alachua’s next generation.

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NEWBERRY – The Nov. 10, 2025, Newberry City Commission meeting marked a moment of transition as officials prepared to convene in the old City Hall chambers for the final time. Beginning Nov. 24, future Commission meetings will take place in the new City Hall, a nearly complete facility set to open later this month.

Ahead of that change, Mayor Tim Marden reminded residents that he and City Manager Jordan Marlowe will be available to lead group tours of the new building from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 15, during the Newberry Fall Festival. The preview event offers the public an early look at the city’s consolidated government center before its official debut.

The Commission then addressed land use, planning and community health initiatives as commissioners worked through a broad agenda that included subdivision approvals, interim zoning considerations and a formal request from a local nonprofit.

Quarry Fields Subdivision Approved

Commissioners held a quasi-judicial public hearing before voting to approve a final plat petition from 3002 Surveying, LLC, on behalf of property owner Amanda Moore. The request subdivides a 40-acre tract at 3789 N.W. 202^nd Street into four lots. The property, known as Quarry Fields, sits outside the Urban Service Area and carries an Agriculture future land-use classification with Agricultural (A) zoning.

The petition also sought a waiver from preliminary plat and construction plan requirements normally required for a major subdivision under the City’s code. Principal Planner Jean-Paul Perez explained that because each of the four lots will connect directly to an existing public roadway and no new water or wastewater infrastructure is required, the typical preliminary planning steps do not apply in this case.

Following the hearing, the Commission approved the plat and associated waivers as requested.

Interim Zoning Ordinance Considered

Commissioners also advanced the first reading of an interim zoning ordinance designed to support the ongoing rewrite of the City’s land development regulations (LDRs). The initiative follows the City’s 2024 update to nine of the 11 elements in its Comprehensive Plan.

A Comprehensive Plan serves as a long-range blueprint for growth and development, guiding decisions about land use, transportation, housing, infrastructure, conservation and public facilities. Once adopted, the plan is implemented through the LDRs, which contain the specific rules developers and property owners must follow.

Newberry has already secured a consultant to lead the LDR rewrite. In the meantime, staff recommended temporary adjustments to certain subdivision standards to address immediate community needs and to avoid development conflicts while the full rewrite is underway.

During a legislative public hearing, commissioners voted to approve Ordinance 2025-72 on first reading. The measure proposes limited, short-term changes to portions of Appendix B, Article 5 of the City’s Code related to subdivision regulations and street standards.

With Commissioner Mark Clark absent, several commissioners noted that he may wish to offer additional input when the ordinance returns for a second reading. The second reading is scheduled for Nov. 24. If ultimately approved, the interim ordinance would take effect for 12 months and could be extended by a future vote.

Commission Appoints Liaison to THRIVE

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Janeice Smith, a joint founder of THRIVE — a community health and resource initiative — requested that Commissioner Donald Long be formally appointed as liaison between the organization and the City. The ordinance she proposed would authorize him to establish a Board of Directors to guide THRIVE’s efforts while ensuring its work aligns with City policies and regulations.

Smith said she believed the appointment would strengthen collaboration, increase accountability and support long-term community health goals.

After a brief discussion, Commissioner Ricky Coleman moved, and Commissioner Monty Farnsworth seconded, a motion to appoint Long as liaison and to establish an official committee focused on community health issues. The motion passed.

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Retired Alachua City Mayor Gib Coerper (Navy, Ret.), Jackson Gold Star Family, Horace Jenkins (Navy) and Major (Ret.) Charlie Jackson / Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – The Young Men of Manhood Youth Development Foundation, Inc., hosted its first All-American Veterans EXPO-2025 @ Alachua on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, bringing together veterans, Gold Star Families, mentors and young people for a day of storytelling, education and recognition at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex.

The event opened with a 9 a.m. brunch before shifting into a full day of intergenerational engagement. Local veterans, parents, mentors and mentees spent the morning sharing their experiences with attendees and with the young men of the foundation’s mentoring program.

Foundation members used the expo to launch a long-term oral history project aimed at preserving the stories of Alachua County veterans. According to the organization, the young men “seized this event as an opportunity to kick off their first in a series of interviews with a goal of producing a video of Alachua County veterans telling their stories.”

The initial round of interviews captured accounts from veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict, the Gulf War — including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm — Operation Dawn, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The foundation plans to continue conducting interviews throughout 2025, with the goal of completing the project by Veterans Day 2026.

Throughout the day, representatives from the Malcolm Randall Veterans Hospital and the Florida Veterans Office in Gainesville provided attendees with information on available military benefits. Their presentations covered housing, medical and health care services, education, suicide prevention, homelessness prevention and the process for filing disability claims.

The program also included recognition of the 3396th Reserve Reception Battalion for its military service. Major (Ret.) Charlie Jackson, former Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper (Navy, Ret.) and Mr. Jenkins (Navy) led the honors. Accepting on behalf of the battalion was First Sergeant Larry McDaniel.

The event concluded with a tribute to members of Gold Star Families, whose loved ones died in military service. Organizers extended “special thanks to our many sponsors who helped in making the first All-American Veterans EXPO-2025 @ Alachua a success.”

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HIGH SPRINGS – Fire crews from across western Alachua County rushed to a fast-moving brush fire Sunday afternoon after reports that flames were threatening homes, vehicles and other property near Northwest 94^th Avenue.

Firefighters from High Springs, Newberry, Alachua County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service responded at 2:09 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2025, along with deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. The fire was reported at 24715 N.W. 94^th Avenue in unincorporated Alachua County.

High Springs firefighters arrived at 2:18 p.m. to find an active grass fire with multiple structures at risk. Brush trucks immediately began knocking down the fast-moving flames while engine crews focused on protecting nearby homes.

“Fast, inter-departmental communication and coordination saved this fire from spreading to nearby structures and vehicles,” said Alachua County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Drew Dabney.

With a large number of response units committed to the scene, additional steps were taken to ensure emergency coverage throughout the region. Off-duty High Springs firefighters and units from LaCrosse were moved to cover the High Springs area, while Archer firefighters relocated to Newberry. Alachua County Fire Rescue also reassigned crews from its Fort Clarke Boulevard station to the Jonesville area to maintain adequate protection for residents across western Alachua County.

By 2:39 p.m., firefighters had contained the blaze to 3.7 acres, according to the Florida Forest Service. Responding crews saved 14 exposures, including five boats, five structures and four vehicles.

No injuries were reported. Fire officials believe the fire was sparked by an escaped pile burn from the previous night.

The High Springs Fire Department is reminding residents to use caution when burning outdoors. The department advises property owners to avoid burning on windy days and to ensure a fire is fully extinguished before walking away, noting: “If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.”

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