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Brian Murphy, 3002 Surveying president, teaches Scouts how to replicate a boundary survey using the Total Station with a data collector./ Photo by SUZETTE COOK/SFFGS /Special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ Eleven-year-old James Hutchison of Levy County didn’t waste any time putting his math skills to work during a recent surveying workshop for Scouts, hosted by the University of Florida’s School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences (SFFGS). And Scout Leader Hope Hutchison was not surprised that her son, Scout James Hutchison, got an early start working on his Surveying Merit Badge.

“He loves math and angles,” she said. And on April 12, along with 17 other Scouts from throughout Florida, James got to use math during hands-on lessons in surveying and mapping from top experts in the field.

Even before the event hosted by SFFGS new Geomatics Extension program got started, James volunteered to help Noble Haile, owner of Noble Precision Technologies, set up data collecting orbs for a lesson in 3-D scanning.

Haile along with Brian Murphy, president of 3002 Surveying, Eric Orndorff, market leader for Geospatial WGI, Nicholas DiGruttolo, survey manager for Pickett and Associates, and Marco Krieger, licensed surveyor for TRC Companies spent their Saturday in the woods at UF/IFAS Austin Cary Forest Campus off Waldo Road.

Each mentor brought the latest equipment they use in the field and Scouts rotated between five stations where they learned mapping and drafting, surveying history and careers, leveling, creating boundaries, and 3-D laser scanning.

At the end of the day, the paperwork for the Surveying Merit Badge for all 18 Scouts was signed by Orndorff, an Eagle Scout himself who later went on to become a Scout Master with Troop 432 in Gainesville and then became a merit badge counselor.

“I do credit Scouting,” Orndorff said about his career choice. “It sparked an interest.”

SFFGS Assistant Director for Geomatics Extension Katie Britt said that’s exactly why the event was held. Britt coordinates the only geomatics extension program in Florida and in the U.S., a position that SFFGS launched to not only spark interest in geomatics for youth but to help adults obtain the required certification to enter the high-demand career in Florida and beyond.

“We were excited to have 18 youth participate in the event and complete the surveying merit badge,” said Britt. “This badge provides a great overview of surveying. There are so many career opportunities in a wide variety of surveying applications in Florida, and it’s a career that many people aren’t even aware of until later in life.”

The goal of hosting this event was to introduce more youth to surveying as a career and find some future surveyors, she added. “We hope to be able to expand this event next year to include relevant badges for younger ages and include the whole of SFFGS. There are a ton of badges that our faculty and staff are experts in, and we’d love to introduce youth to what the whole school has to offer.”

SFFGS Associate Professor and Extension Coordinator Michael Andreu, Ph.D. said that is what Britt’s new role is aiming to accomplish.

“We are excited that this new extension program will engage youth in learning about job opportunities that they can pursue to support Florida’s economy,” he said.

Each of the topics relayed in the workshop resonated with the Scouts. Paisley Adkins,13, is a North Marion County seventh grader and a Scout with Troop 9563 from Anthony. She said most enjoyed the boundaries workshop with Murphy.

Carson Orndorff, 14, from Gainesville said, “Drafting was really cool and running out the scale map was pretty fun.”

Roy Sanbury, 16, from Troop 563 out of Ocala said that tracking was his favorite lesson. “Learning how to get the precise motions in and how expensive having these measurements done is fascinating,” he said. His goal is to be a firefighter, but he said that surveying knowledge would help in that career. “It could have to do with surveying,” he said. “You have to know the places you go to.”

Britt gives credit for the successful workshop to the experts who volunteered to help.

And it was Murphy’s initial suggestion to hold the workshop to increase recipients of the Surveying Merit Badge. He is a geomatics graduate of SFFGS as are DiGruttolo, Orndorff, and Krieger.

Terrell T. “Red” Baker, director of SFFGS looks forward to organizing similar opportunities in the months and years to come.

“We are grateful to our alumni and staff that came out on a weekend to support this important opportunity for local scouts,” he said. “Scouts not only earned merit badges to demonstrate their competency in surveying, but they got the chance to learn about the newest technologies and career opportunities in the surveying and mapping profession.

Scout James Hutchison agrees that he has discovered his calling. At the end of the day, he summed up his experience, “My dream job would probably be a surveyor,” he said.

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NEWBERRY – The City of Newberry held a swearing-in ceremony Monday evening to officially install its newly elected mayor and commissioners following the 2025 municipal election.

City Clerk Judy Rice administered the oath of office to Mayor Tim Marden, Commissioner Group IV Donald Long, and Commissioner Group V Tony Mazon during a ceremony held at 6 p.m. on April 28, 2025, at City Hall.

Before the ceremony, the official results of the 2025 Newberry Municipal Election were announced. According to the City of Newberry, 1,676 voters participated out of 6,590 eligible voters, marking a turnout rate of 25.4 percent.

In the race for mayor, Tim Marden received 886 votes, defeating challenger Joy Glanzer, who garnered 788 votes. For the Group IV City Commission seat, Donald Lewis Long won with 1,019 votes over Steve Panaghi, who received 610 votes. In the Group V City Commission race, Tony Mazon secured a decisive victory with 1,145 votes, while Rosa Marie Campbell received 510 votes. Election results reflect votes cast on Election Day, by vote-by-mail ballot, and via hand count.

Following the swearing-in, the commission read Resolution 2025-15 into the record and conducted internal elections for leadership roles. Tony Mazon was elected Chairperson Pro-Tempore, and Rick Coleman was elected Alternate Chairperson Pro-Tempore.

The ceremony concluded ahead of the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting, which began at 7 p.m.

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ALACHUA – The City of Alachua will join thousands of communities nationwide on Saturday, May 3, 2025, for the 2025 Great American Cleanup, the country’s largest annual community improvement program.

The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon, with volunteers gathering to participate in a variety of cleanup and beautification projects across the city. Breakfast will be served beginning at 8 a.m., and lunch will be provided at the conclusion of the event.

This annual event stands as Alachua County's most extensive community volunteer improvement project of its kind, drawing residents from all walks of life to contribute to the betterment of their surroundings. The City is encouraging volunteers of all ages to take part, with projects designed to accommodate a range of ability and skill levels.

“We are proud to participate each year in the Great American Cleanup, the nation’s largest community improvement program,” said Rodolfo Valladares, assistant city manager and former public services director. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the Good Life Community to showcase one of our core values: neighbors helping neighbors.”

Participants will be provided with trash bags, safety vests, gloves, maps, instructions, and any necessary tools to complete their assigned projects.

The City of Alachua’s Great American Cleanup is part of the national effort by the same name that is the nation’s largest volunteer community improvement program that motivates individuals to take greater responsibility for the beautification of their community and the collection of litter. More than 20,000 communities across the United States participate in the Great American Cleanup each spring, working to improve neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces.

Volunteers should gather at 8 a.m. at Alachua City Hall, located at 15100 N.W. 142^nd Terrace, Alachua.

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HIGH SPRINGS – Tensions flared at a High Springs fast-food drive-thru Saturday when an argument escalated into a reported gun threat. A Jacksonville man was arrested Saturday evening after allegedly pulling a gun and threatening two people during an argument at a fast-food drive-thru in High Springs, according to police.

Christian Glenn Rogers, 26, was taken into custody at approximately 5:50 p.m. on April 26, 2025, after an incident at the Hardee’s restaurant located at 19143 N.W. U.S. Highway 441, the High Springs Police Department reported.

According to an arrest report, Rogers was in a vehicle at the drive-thru window when another individual approached to cancel an order. Witnesses said Rogers and his passenger exited their vehicle and began yelling at the individual.

Two other uninvolved customers reportedly got out of their vehicle and confronted Rogers about the altercation. At that point, Rogers allegedly spit in the face of one of the individuals, told them to “try me,” and threatened to kill them if they did, authorities said.

Rogers then allegedly reached into his vehicle, retrieved a firearm from under a seat, racked the slide, and pointed the gun at the two victims, according to police. Rogers and his passenger then fled the scene, traveling northbound on County Road 236.

High Springs officers initiated a traffic stop near the southbound Interstate 75 exit at mile marker 399. A search of the vehicle uncovered a 9mm handgun under the passenger seat, loaded with one round in the chamber and eight rounds in the magazine, according to the arrest report.

Police said the accounts provided by the two victims and an uninvolved witness were consistent.

After being read his Miranda rights, Rogers reportedly denied that a gun was involved and said the victims initiated the argument.

Rogers was charged with battery and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Court records show he has no local criminal history but has previous convictions in Duval County for driving under the influence and driving without a valid license.

Judge Gloria Walker set bail at $10,000.

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HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs City Commission convened Thursday, April 10, 2025, to recognize two standout student groups: the Santa Fe High School Winter Guard and members of the City of High Springs/City of Alachua High School Honor Band. Both teams were applauded for their achievements and dedication throughout the season.

In addition, alternate dates were set for the September, November and December City Commission meetings and budget workshops.  Temporary suspension of the alcohol consumption ordinance for the Hot Rodding for Heroes one-day event and a change was approved of City Attorney services from one attorney to another within the same firm.

Commissioners voted unanimously to temporarily suspend the alcohol consumption ordinance for the Hot Rodding for Heroes one-day event.  The event will donate all proceeds to the Veteran’s Foundation and Marine Corps League.  The event will feature live music, food trucks and awards for the best in show as well as the top 10 vehicles.  This event has been successfully managed in the past and staff has no issues with designated drinking areas as long as clearly defined boundaries are in place.

Commissioners also voted unanimously to change City Attorney services from Scott Walker to Danielle C. Adams, an Associate with the same firm, Folds Walker.  Adams attended American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. on an academic scholarship.  During her academic career at the Washington College of Law, Adams was the Managing Editor for the Journal of Gender, Social Policy, and the Law, the top cited legal periodical in the United States in the topic area of gender, social policy and the law.  She was also the Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee Chair for all the Journals at American University.

Other topics covered by City Manager Jeremy Marshall and the Commission included an update on the Priest Theater.  Marshall said the State needs to give final approval of a request to extend the grant for the project until the end of the calendar year.  Wall pressure tests have been performed and results were sent to the State for their review.  The City is waiting on the State approval prior to completing construction.

In other business, the City has received two magistrate bids and will place both items on the next meeting’s agenda.

Marshall will be meeting with the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD regarding the city-owned and operated Canoe Outpost.

The City is working with bond attorneys and Alachua County regarding a Wild Spaces Public Places matter.   As reported by Alachua County Today in its April 4, 2025, edition, Marshall said at the March 27, 2025 City Commission meeting that there is a possible repayment of $260,000 in Wild Spaces & Public Places funds used toward the purchase of Canoe Outpost. Marshall said Alachua County had notified the city earlier in the day about the issue.

Marshall noted the matter was still in early negotiations and expressed hope that, if repayment is necessary, the city would not have to return the full amount immediately. He added that he and the city’s finance director were reviewing options with the county and would provide updates as discussions continue.

The next Florida League of Cities will provide free tutoring on April 21 at the Douglass Center.  

Commissioner Katherine Weitz requested and received permission to send a letter asking that the City of High Springs be listed as an affected party regarding Tomoka Hills in Alachua.

Marshall reported that the Garden Club, whose building was damaged during the last hurricane, is still looking for a location for their meetings.  Marshall said he is looking at rooms at Canoe Outpost for Club members to meet. 

The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for April 24 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

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