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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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Capital City Bannk has announced that Bill Bechtol has joined its team of bankers and brings local private banking services to the North Central Florida region, which includes Gainesville, High Springs, Alachua and Jonesville. Private banking is a streamlined, concierge-style approach to financial services especially geared toward the needs of high-net-worth individuals.

Private bankers are expertly equipped to help manage wealth and everyday banking needs, including developing a financial plan focused on supporting a client’s goals. As a private banker, Bechtol serves as the primary point of contact for his clients, supplying comprehensive financial guidance to address a full spectrum of needs. Bechtol is based at the Capital City Bank Millhopper Office at 4040 N.W. 16^th Blvd. in Gainesville.

A Gainesville native, Bechtol is an accomplished career banker with more than 22 years of financial services experience. He has an extensive background in commercial banking and previously held roles in banking office management and merchant services.

Bechtol earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Florida Warrington College of Business. He also is a graduate of Florida Banking School, a three-year specialized program run by the Florida Bankers Association at the University of Florida.

Bechtol is committed to serving his local community and is a member of the Builders Association of North Central Florida and Gainesville Quarterback Club. Previously, he was president of the Rotary Club of Greater Gainesville and a member of board of the Children’s Home Society.

Bechtol is an avid supporter of the University of Florida Gator Athletics and shares his enthusiasm for all sporting activities with his two children, who are active in swimming, gymnastics and cheerleading. In his spare time, Bechtol enjoys fishing, traveling and cooking.

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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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HAWTHORNE ‒ A 35-year-old Hawthorne woman was arrested on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 8:10 a.m., on a warrant for fraudulent use of a credit card. She allegedly resisted the deputies who were arresting her and was charged with resisting an officer without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The victim of the credit card fraud told an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy that on Feb. 3, 224, that Angela Denice Hollie, who he knew from living in the area, approached him while he was in his vehicle at a gas station. He said she had some new makeup, still in its package, and asked the victim if he wanted to buy it. He said he paid her $25 for the makeup and gave it to his daughter.

He said that while his attention was distracted and she was holding her phone, she took a picture of his debit card, which was in the overhead center console with the rear of the card facing the driver’s side window. The rear of the card showed the victim’s name, the card number, the expiration date, and the CVC number.

Two days later, he reportedly noticed 15 unauthorized charges to different retailers totaling $1,061.27, and there were more than 50 voided attempts to use his CashApp. One of the charges reportedly paid Hollie’s mother’s utility bill. A City employee reportedly told a deputy that the bill is usually paid in person or by mail and not online with another person’s credit card.

When deputies attempted to make contact with Hollie at her residence, she allegedly ran out the back door and could not be located.

Hollie was charged via sworn complaint with credit card fraud, scheme to defraud, grand theft, and use of a two-way communications device to commit a felony. Formal charges were filed on June 21, 2024, and a warrant for her arrest was issued on June 27, 2024.

Deputies made contact with her on July 31, 2024, in Hawthorne and she allegedly ignored over 20 commands to put her hands behind her back and stop resisting arrest. She was finally taken to the ground by multiple deputies and handcuffed. A search following her arrest reportedly produced a crack pipe. She was charged with resisting arrest without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Hollie has one felony conviction and two misdemeanor convictions. She was on pre-trial release after an April arrest for theft, escape and resisting an officer without violence.

Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail on the previous charges at $75,000, the amount set in the arrest warrant, and set bail on the new charges at $5,000. Hollie’s bond in the April case has been revoked which leaves her held without bond in the Alachua County Jail.

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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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High Springs, FLA. -- The High Springs Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Façade Improvement Grant Matching Program is now open to residential homeowners in the district.   

The CRA reports that after seeing overwhelming success with the CRA’s Business Façade Grant Program, they are announcing the addition of a residential grant program. The program is designed to help homeowners revitalize their houses. In an era of rising construction costs, the façade grant is offered to give residents a helping hand.   

The grant program provides 50/50 reimbursement for eligible improvements up to $5,000 to encourage and advance revitalization efforts.

The CRA Board will review applications and award grants.   

For full requirements and application, click the following link: https://www.highsprings.gov/.../facade-grant-application.   

Applications will be accepted until all grants are awarded. First come, first served.     

For more information, contact CRA Director Amy Bohannon at 386-454-6225 or CRA@highsprings.gov

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