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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs City Commission met Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, to address several key issues, including the City’s millage rate, budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25, utility rate changes, and a state of emergency declaration ahead of a looming hurricane.

Millage and Budget

During the meeting, the Commission unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year 2024-25 millage rate of 6.7400 mills, a decrease of 0.25 mills from the previous year. Despite the lower rate, the city is projected to see an increase in revenue due to rising property values. Finance Director Diane Wilson noted that the “rolled back” rate, which would generate the same revenue as the previous year, is 6.3802 mills — an increase of 5.639 percent over last year’s rolled-back rate.

The Commission also approved the FY 2024-25 budget, which totals $27,228,237 across all funds, including a General Fund Budget of $7,435,632.

Utility Rate Changes

The Commission approved amendments to customer utility rates for the upcoming fiscal year. Water rates will increase by $3.99 per customer per month, while residential solid waste pickup will see a $3 increase per residential can. Sewer rates will remain unchanged. These changes were discussed in previous workshops and public hearings, with notices sent to customers through their utility bills.

Lot Size Regulations

During a brief discussion regarding setting a minimum lot size, Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth suggested that the minimum lot size should not be less than 0.25 an acre. Commissioner Tristan Grunder suggested the best way to set the lot size would probably be through the City’s Land Development Regulations.

The City attorney suggested that North Central Florida Regional Planning Council (NCFRPC ) might be able to assist the City since there will have to be changes made to several documents. She said she will contact NCFRPC to see if they are available to assist.

In other business, the Commission also updated the City's personnel policy to include formal guidelines for department head credit card use and a cell phone reimbursement policy for city employees.

High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard presented a new Police Benevolent Association (PBA) contract, which includes a five percent salary increase for police officers. The Commission ratified the contract unanimously.

With a hurricane expected to impact Florida in the coming days, the Commission declared a State of Emergency for High Springs, effective from Sept. 24, 2024, for seven days. This proactive measure ensures no additional meetings are required to respond to the impending storm.

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ALACHUA ‒ A standing room only crowd packed the Alachua Woman’s Club on Sept. 10, 2024, for the Alachua Chamber of Commerce’s monthly networking luncheon. Known for bringing together local professionals, entrepreneurs, and community members, the event is a hub for sharing ideas and fostering business connections.

The featured speaker was Freddie Wehbe, a well-known entrepreneur behind Wehbe Marketing and Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille. Wehbe delivered an engaging and often entertaining talk, detailing his inspiring journey from Ghana, his birth country, to his present-day success as a thriving businessman in the U.S. Wehbe is no stranger to the Alachua community, having previously owned the local Domino’s Pizza, among other entrepreneurial endeavors.

Wehbe captivated the audience with his insights on entrepreneurship, the power of data-driven decision-making, and strategies for success. Attendees eagerly jotted down notes as Wehbe shared lessons from influential leaders and recommended several books and figures that have shaped his professional growth.

“The diversity of our speakers reflects the dynamic and evolving landscape of our region’s business community,” said Alachua Chamber President Adam Boukari. “We are always excited to host these luncheons, which offer a venue for learning, connection, and community building.”

The Chamber’s monthly gatherings aim to inform and strengthen the Alachua business community, providing opportunities for networking and professional development. Upcoming community events include Scarecrow Row and Trick or Treat on Main Street.

For more information on additional future luncheons and events, visit the Alachua Chamber of Commerce website at alachuachamber.com or contact the Chamber office at 386-462-3333.

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ALACHUA ‒ A 46-year-old woman from Alachua, identified as Dawn Marie Burkhardt, was arrested on Wednesday following a high-speed chase with law enforcement and a series of charges, including driving under the influence (DUI) and battery on an officer.

Shortly after 4 p.m. on Sept. 18, 2024, a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper responded to a call about a vehicle stopped in the roadway at Peggy Road and Northwest 202^nd Street. The caller said the driver did not want help and refused to move the vehicle out of the roadway.

The trooper reported that when he approached the Lincoln SUV, the driver, later identified as Dawn Marie Burkhardt, seemed to be looking at her cell phone. In response to questions from the trooper, she reportedly told him the vehicle was not disabled and would not explain why she was stopped in the roadway.

The trooper reported that he explained that she needed to pull off the road as other vehicles were trying to navigate around her stopped vehicle. He reported that he smelled alcohol. When he asked the driver for her identification, she reportedly said she was the registered owner of the vehicle but made no attempt to produce a driver’s license. The trooper reported that she did not answer a question about whether there was alcohol in the vehicle.

The trooper said he asked the driver to step out of the vehicle. In response, she allegedly rolled the window up and drove away. The trooper reported that he pursued the vehicle along Peggy Road at speeds above the speed limit until the vehicle stopped on the shoulder of Northwest 234^th Street. The trooper reportedly got out of his vehicle, drew his firearm and initiated a felony stop on the vehicle. He reported that after he ordered her to get out of the vehicle for several minutes, she allegedly drove away. She again exceeded the speed limit along Northwest 234^th Street.

The trooper reportedly pursued the vehicle again, and the woman drove onto the shoulder, apparently intending to make a U-turn. The trooper placed his vehicle in front of the SUV and reported that the woman tried to put her vehicle in reverse, but was unsuccessful in moving it from the shoulder.

The trooper again drew his firearm and initiated a felony stop and reported that the woman refused to get out of her vehicle. He reportedly opened the driver’s side door and told her to get out. She allegedly punched him several times, then kicked him and continued to fight his attempts to get her out of the car. The trooper reported that he “conducted a takedown” and placed her on the ground, where she allegedly continued to resist by tensing up until a “good Samaritan” assisted the trooper in handcuffing her.

A search of her vehicle reportedly produced multiple cans of White Claw Hard Seltzer, a cold open container of White Claw Hard Seltzer within reach of the driver and multiple bottles of prescription narcotics.

When the trooper again asked the driver to identify herself, she reportedly told him to “go f*** [him]self.” The driver was later identified by the driver’s license found in her wallet.

The trooper requested an ambulance as a precaution, but Burkhardt reportedly refused treatment from paramedics. The paramedics, however, were reportedly concerned about her state of impairment and transported her to a hospital for medical clearance.

Post Miranda at the hospital, Burkhardt reportedly declined to answer questions and refused to consent to blood, breath or urine tests.

The deputy reported that Burkhardt continued to “violently scream” at him while he was interviewing her at the hospital.

Burkhardt has been charged with fleeing with lights and sirens active, battery on an officer, resisting an officer with violence, DUI with two previous DUI convictions, DUI with damage to property, refusal to submit to DUI testing and providing false identification information to an officer. She has two previous DUI convictions, in 2003 and 2008.

Bail was set by Judge Kristine Van Vorst at $130,000. In addition, when she is released, she must observe a curfew between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. and be fitted with a transdermal alcohol device. Burkhardt’s attorney has already requested a reduced bond, arguing that she is not a flight risk and has lived in the same home for over 30 years.

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NEWBERRY ‒ Two men were arrested early Thursday morning, Sept. 12, 2024, after an Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a vehicle connected to an attempted homicide in Gilchrist County. Jesse Wayne Richards, 48, the driver, and Scotty Jacob Davidson, 37, were taken into custody following a chase that ended with Richards ramming a gate on private property, causing approximately $3,500 in damage.

The chase began when an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputy stationed on West Newberry Road spotted a light blue Ford Escape matching the description of a vehicle involved in a shooting that took place in the Bell area of Gilchrist County on Sept. 11, 2024. The vehicle’s tag matched the alert tied to the crime, and the deputy followed it until backup arrived.

When deputies attempted to stop the vehicle with stop sticks near 170^th Street, Richards allegedly fled, turning north onto Northwest 180^th Street. The chase ended when Richards rammed a gate and was disabled by a sheriff’s vehicle on private property. Both Richards and Davidson were arrested at the scene.

Richards, who is described as homeless in the arrest report, has a lengthy criminal record, including four felony convictions and eight misdemeanor convictions. He has served two state prison sentences out of Marion and Citrus counties, with his most recent release in January 2024.

Additionally, Richards has a history of criminal activity in several states, including South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, and Oklahoma. He also has three active out-of-state warrants.

Richards has been charged with property damage and attempting to elude law enforcement. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set his bail at $350,000.

Davidson, who had an outstanding warrant for two counts of attempted homicide, one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, was also booked. His bail was set at $1.5 million, the amount specified in the warrant issued by Gilchrist County.

The events leading to the arrests stem from a shooting on Sept. 11, 2024, in the Gilchrist County Bell area, where a man was shot in the leg and transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Davidson, along with two unidentified men and a woman, is believed to have been involved in the shooting.

Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz praised the quick response and investigation conducted by Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators and thanked Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies for their work in apprehending Richards and Davidson.

The investigation is ongoing, with additional charges and arrests expected as the case unfolds. A video of Richards’ apprehension has been posted on social media and can be viewed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/reel/1352371422395223.

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By RICK BURKE/Special to Alachua County Today

PENSACOLA, Fla. ‒ Seaman Raul Colon, a native of Fort White, Florida, is serving aboard one of the nation’s newest, most-versatile warships, the future San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, USS Richard M. McCool, Jr. (LPD 29).

Colon is a 2012 Fort White High School graduate. According to Colon, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Fort White.

Richard M. McCool, Jr. was commissioned by the U.S. Navy on Sept. 7, 2024, in Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Ship commissioning is a naval tradition that places a ship in active service.

The naming of LPD 29 honors U.S. Navy Capt. (Ret.) Richard M. McCool, Jr., who received the Medal of Honor in 1945 for the heroism he displayed after his ship was attacked by kamikaze aircraft in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite suffering from shrapnel wounds and painful burns, he led efforts to battle a blazing fire on his ship and rescue injured sailors.

Today, Colon serves as a quartermaster responsible for the ship's navigation.

“I enjoy meeting new people from all over the world and finding out that you have a lot in common,” said Colon.

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction within their command, community and career, Colon is most proud of getting through boot camp.

“Going through Navy boot camp was a pretty rough eight weeks,” said Colon. "It was a challenging experience but I learned a lot, and I am better for the things we were taught and trained for."

Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Colon, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Colon is honored to carry on the family tradition.

“I joined the Navy because my grandfather served before me, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps and serve our country as well,” said Colon.

The Surface Force is focused on providing lethal, ready, well-trained, and logistically supported surface forces to fight today and in the future. “I am proud to be able to lead this impressive crew,” said Capt. Jeff Baker, Richard M. McCool, Jr.’s commanding officer.

“Richard M. McCool, Jr. has shown toughness in the face of adversity. As a crew, they have grown together, faced challenges and overcome them with each other, and have learned to trust in themselves, their shipmates, and their chain of command,” said Baker. “We will continue to live up to the high standards the Navy calls us to achieve by focusing on behaviors that lead to excellence and victory.”

As a member of the U.S. Navy, Colon, as well as other sailors, know they are part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs, and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.

“Serving in the Navy means a great deal,” said Colon. “I just want to make my family proud of me.”

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ALACHUA ‒ This past Saturday, creativity took center stage at Legacy Park in Alachua as the local Music and Arts Program (M.A.P.) held an open house that introduced the community to a unique initiative for children. The program, which seeks to foster self-expression and individuality among young people, welcomed families to the multipurpose center from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendees had the chance to meet Bill and Wilma Rogers, the enthusiastic local duo and founders of M.A.P., who have spent years bringing accessible creative programs to children of all ages. Their mission is to provide children, regardless of financial means, the opportunity to develop creative thinking skills and a sense of individuality. The program offers a wide range of activities, including music, creative writing, dance, playwriting, acting, literacy development, and even puppetry.

M.A.P. is committed to helping ensure that children grow into productive citizens who will one day pay it forward by creating a culture of creativity in the community.

For years, the Rogers have been deeply involved in the cultural and recreational life of Alachua, having served on the City of Alachua Parks & Recreation Board and performed at numerous community events, such as the City’s famed Fourth of July fireworks display and the annual MLK Jr. Day celebration as well as directors of the Annual Senior Fashion Show.

The longstanding partnership between M.A.P. and the City of Alachua’s Recreation & Culture Department has provided a meaningful alternative for families looking for more than just sports by offering kids a way to express themselves artistically.

M.A.P. will hold production and practice sessions at various City of Alachua facilities throughout the week, culminating in concert events at Legacy Park in March and April 2025.

For more information, contact the City of Alachua’s Recreation & Culture Department at recreation@cityofalachua.org or M.A.P. at emailmapnow@gmail.com. Further details are available on M.A.P.’s website at www.mapforyouth.com.

Creativity is alive and well in Alachua, and the future is looking brighter than ever for its youngest residents.

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