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ALACHUA ‒ A verbal dispute escalated into a shooting on March 4, 2025, prompting a multi-agency law enforcement response and a high-risk traffic stop in High Springs.

At approximately 4:41 p.m., Alachua Police Department (APD) officers responded to reports of a gunshot victim in the 13800 block of Northwest 148^th Place. Due to the severity of the call, assistance was requested from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO) and the High Springs Police Department (HSPD).

Upon arrival, officers found a male victim with a gunshot wound to his leg. First responders provided immediate first aid, securing the scene for Alachua County Fire Rescue personnel to administer medical care. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where an APD detective continued the investigation.

While attending to the victim, officers determined that the suspect had already fled the scene. However, because the suspect and victim were known to each other, law enforcement was quickly able to obtain the suspect’s name, physical description, and vehicle details.

As ASO and HSPD units assisted in the response, officers located the suspect’s vehicle traveling north on U.S. Highway 441 toward High Springs. A “high-risk” traffic stop was conducted near Northwest 218^th Terrace, where the suspect complied with law enforcement and was taken into custody without incident. The individual was then transported to APD headquarters for questioning.

Preliminary findings indicate that the shooting stemmed from a verbal dispute between the suspect and victim. However, at this stage of the active investigation, no arrests have been made. The suspect, after being questioned, was released pending further investigation.

Due to the ongoing nature of the case, APD has not released additional details, including the identities of those involved.

The Alachua Police Department expressed gratitude to ASO, HSPD, and Alachua County Fire Rescue for their assistance in ensuring a swift and safe response to the incident.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs City Commission formally recognized two police officers and two school crossing guards during its meeting on Feb. 27, 2025, highlighting their ongoing dedication to protecting the community.

Officers Drew Wilson and Nicholas Whiteman were officially sworn in during the meeting, despite having already served the city for more than a year. High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard commended both officers for their commitment to public safety and the positive impact they continue to make within the city.

Wilson and Whiteman have worked in various capacities to support law enforcement operations in High Springs. Their official swearing-in ceremony marked a public acknowledgment of their service.

In addition to honoring the officers, Sheppard also recognized two school crossing guards for their service at High Springs Community School.

“We also want to shine a light on two of our hidden heroes — crossing guards Miss Margaret May and Mr. David Gardner,” Sheppard said. “Every day, they ensure the safety of our most precious treasures — our children. Their dedication does not go unnoticed, and we deeply appreciate their service to our community.”

Crossing guards play a critical role in student safety, helping children navigate busy roads before and after school. City officials and residents expressed appreciation for May and Gardner’s ongoing commitment to protecting local students.

The city commission closed the recognition by thanking all public safety personnel who serve the High Springs community.

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NEWBERRY ‒ During the Feb. 24, 2025, meeting of the Newberry City Commission, Director of Community Development Stacey Hectus introduced the City’s Building Division Team and provided updates on parking expansion in downtown Newberry. Commissioners also celebrated the City’s recent recognition by the Florida Municipal Electric Association’s (FMEA) Restoring Communities Award and announced an upcoming joint City/County meeting in May.

Hectus introduced the Building Division Team, which was reported fully staffed as of Jan. 27, 2025. The team includes Ashley Monk, Building Permit Tech I, Michael Booth, Building Permit Tech II, Tony Carpenter, Building Inspector and David Meyer, Building Official. Commissioners and audience members welcomed the team, acknowledging their role in ensuring the City’s continued growth and development.

In other business, Assistant Director of Utilities and Public Works Rance Green shared that Newberry was one of 28 Florida public power utilities recognized with the Restoring Communities Award from the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA). This award honors utilities for their exceptional power restoration efforts following severe weather events and for providing mutual aid assistance to neighboring communities.

In 2024, Florida endured one of its most destructive hurricane seasons in recent years, including Hurricane Debby – a Category 1 storm that caused widespread power outages and Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton – two back-to-back major hurricanes that left extensive damage across Florida.

Newberry’s public power crews worked tirelessly to restore power quickly and safely. In addition to aiding local communities, Newberry’s electric utility workers provided mutual aid assistance to Louisiana following Hurricane Francine, and South Carolina and Florida electric cooperatives after Hurricane Helene.

Green emphasized that the dedication and quick response of Newberry’s electric utility teams played a crucial role in helping the community and neighboring areas recover from severe storm damage.

The meeting also included two official proclamations recognizing the contributions of City Clerk Judy Rice. Resolution 25-79, from the Florida Association of City Clerks, highlighted Rice’s years of service to the City of Newberry. And a City resolution, read by Mayor Jordan Marlowe, honored Rice’s dedication and impact on the community. Commissioners expressed gratitude for Rice’s commitment to the City and her role in ensuring efficient local government operations.

In still other business, commissioners reviewed a presentation on ways to increase parking in downtown Newberry. Current parking availability (FDOT Data) is 109 on-street parking spaces and 83 off-street parking lot spaces for a total 192 total existing parking spaces.

The proposed future parking expansion includes 134 on-street parking spaces and 22 off-street parking spaces for a total of 156 projected parking spaces.

City staff presented a map of proposed parking expansions, highlighting potential areas for additional parking spaces. No formal vote was required at this time, as the presentation was for informational purposes only.

A joint meeting between the Newberry City Commission and the Alachua County Commission is scheduled for Monday, May 12, at 7 p.m.

One of the key topics expected to be discussed is the Southwest 15^th Street project, which both commissions have expressed interest in. Mayor Jordan Marlowe encouraged commissioners from both City and County levels to suggest additional agenda items.

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Photo special to Alachua County Today

Alachua Spring Concert, March 30, 2025 at 3 p.m., Legacy Park, Alachua

Admission at the door the afternoon of the show, Adults: $8 / Youth: No charge

ALACHUA — The City of Alachua is joining forces with Dance Alive National Ballet (DANB) to present a special collaborative program featuring young dancers from DANB’s Next Generation and danceAbout outreach initiatives. The event will showcase students who have been training under DANB outreach instructors Alison Tucker and Marilyn Deiorio since February, thanks to support from the City of Alachua and danceAbout sponsors.

Next Generation, DANB’s youth performance group, will take the stage alongside danceAbout participants to present a dynamic lineup of performances, including Le Corsaire Suite, Night Sky, Appalachian Spring, Boogie Shoes, Playground and Boogie Wonderland.

The program aims to introduce young dancers to a range of classical and contemporary styles. Le Corsaire Suite was chosen to expose students to classical ballet and character dance, while Night Sky, choreographed by DANB Resident Choreographer Tales Ribeiro, is designed for older dancers. Younger members of Next Generation will perform Appalachian Spring, a piece choreographed by DANB Principal Rachel Ridley.

Other featured works include Boogie Shoes, created by DANB’s Judy Skinner, and Playground, choreographed by guest artist Michelle Zada. The performance will conclude with Boogie Wonderland, which will feature danceAbout students before transitioning through ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap, with guest artist Victor Mancuso leading the tap segment. The finale will bring together both danceAbout and Next Generation dancers in a celebratory performance.

The event not only highlights young talent but also supports DANB’s outreach programs. Proceeds will benefit these initiatives, which aim to enrich the lives of youth by providing them with choreography, instruction, and performance opportunities.

Founded in 1966 in Gainesville, Florida, Dance Alive National Ballet is a premier touring company in the southern United States, known for its diverse repertoire ranging from classical ballets like The Nutcracker to innovative contemporary works. Under the leadership of Executive Artistic Director Kim Tuttle and Company Choreographer Judy Skinner, the company has toured extensively in the United States, Brazil, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Russia.

Dance Alive National Ballet receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Florida Department of State’s Division of Arts and Culture, the City of Gainesville’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs department, and Visit Gainesville, Alachua County. The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with additional financial details available upon request by calling (800) 435-7352.

With a mission to foster artistic expression and provide young dancers with performance experience, DANB’s Next Generation continues to serve as a vital part of the region’s arts community. The upcoming showcase in Alachua promises to be an inspiring evening of dance, creativity, and collaboration.

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GAINESVILLE ‒ A 45-year-old Archer man was arrested Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, following a traffic stop in northwest Gainesville and charged with selling marijuana, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Larry Donnell Porter was stopped around 8:23 p.m. in the 7600 block of West Newberry Road after reportedly failing to stop at a marked stop bar before making a right turn. After turning, the black Dodge Charger Porter was driving allegedly crossed over the center line and back, and deputies noted that the vehicle’s window tint appeared to be illegal, which was later confirmed.

According to the arrest report, Porter declined a deputy’s request to search his vehicle. A K-9 unit was called to the scene and alerted deputies to the presence of drugs, leading to a probable cause search.

Deputies reported finding a grey, locked, scent-proof backpack in the vehicle. After initially stating he did not know the combination, Porter eventually provided the code. During the stop, deputies said Porter called his wife to tell her where to find money at their house and instructed her to contact a lawyer and his employer, actions deputies said indicated he expected to be arrested.

Inside the backpack, deputies said they found two additional locked, odor-proof bags containing multiple packages of marijuana, a digital scale, an empty heat-seal bag and other materials commonly associated with drug distribution. The total weight of marijuana recovered was approximately 141 grams, according to the report.

Porter, who reportedly holds a medical marijuana card, was noted in the arrest report as being “well aware of the requirements” for legally possessing marijuana. However, deputies said the marijuana found was not in dispensary containers and was packaged for street-level sales.

After being read his Miranda rights, Porter reportedly denied knowledge of the marijuana but said his fingerprints would likely be on at least one of the bags. While being transported to jail, he reportedly remarked, “It’s just marijuana.”

In a social media post following the arrest, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office warned of the risks associated with street-purchased marijuana.

“While most in our community may find no harm in Marijuana, we want to remind you of the many stops we have conducted where we continue to find that what seems to be ‘just weed’ is often laced with deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine,” the post read. “There is a mission here and it’s simple. No street level narcotic is safe. We must do everything possible to prevent having to tell a family member that their loved one overdosed because they thought they were ‘just smoking weed.’”

Porter is charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, selling or distributing marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Court records show Porter has a criminal history including juvenile convictions from 1994 to 1997, six adult felony convictions—two of them violent—and four misdemeanor convictions. He has previously served two state prison sentences and was last released in 2010.

Judge Meshon Rawls set Porter’s bail at $55,000. Porter was released on bail on Feb. 28, 2025.

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~ Families Invited To A Fun-Filled Day Of Nature, History, And Art ~

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Gather the family and head outdoors for a day of fresh air, local history, and hands-on activities at O’Leno State Park’s Spring Frolic on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 410 S.E. O’Leno Park Road. For just $5 per vehicle (up to eight people) or $4 for a single occupant, families can spend the day exploring one of Florida’s oldest and most beloved state parks while enjoying a lineup of activities designed to entertain visitors of all ages.

This year’s celebration invites guests to experience all that makes O’Leno special. Guided hikes will take participants deep into the park’s natural landscapes, from towering hardwood forests to the winding paths that reveal hidden sinkholes and diverse wildlife. Along the way, historical re-enactors and nature exhibitors will share stories of the area’s past, offering families a chance to learn about the people and ecosystems that shaped the region.

For those looking to take home something unique, local arts and crafts vendors will be on-site with handmade goods and artwork available for purchase. When it’s time for lunch, Charlie’s Chuckwagon food truck will serve up fresh, hot meals to fuel the afternoon adventures.

While the park's iconic suspension bridge remains closed for safety renovations, its rich history still towers over the event. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the wooden suspension bridge has long been a symbol of O’Leno’s past, stretching across the Santa Fe River and once connecting visitors to trails and scenic overlooks. Although visitors can no longer walk across it, the bridge remains a popular photo backdrop and a lasting reminder of the park’s historic roots.

The Friends of O’Leno and River Rise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the park, will also be available to answer questions about volunteer opportunities, fundraising efforts, and future projects, including the upcoming renovation of the park's Dining Hall, which will temporarily close beginning April 1, 2025, and is expected to reopen in late summer.

Beyond the day’s festivities, families are encouraged to explore O’Leno’s everyday amenities, including shaded picnic areas, open playgrounds, and miles of tranquil hiking trails. Whether visiting for the first time or returning to a favorite spot, this event offers the perfect opportunity to unplug and reconnect with nature while celebrating a park that has been a part of Florida’s story for nearly a century.

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