Local

NEWBERRY ‒ A 28-year-old Kentucky man was arrested for driving while intoxicated on Wednesday, May 8, at 11:50 p.m. after he crashed his semi-truck into a parked car and the front of Main Street Sweets and Eats, a bakery/café in Newberry.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), driver Scott Mitchell Renslen was found with heavy damage to the front end of his truck, which was resting partially on a sidewalk. There was extensive damage to a fence railing, street lamp posts and two newspaper stands. ACSO deputies were on the scene assisting with traffic and gathering information to help with the investigation.

ACSO deputies had the truck driver standing in front of their patrol vehicle at the rear of his truck and asked what happened. Renslen said he had fallen asleep.

When ACSO deputies first approached the driver’s door they observed the driver passed out in the front seat. The officer made several attempts to wake the driver and was finally able to do so. When the driver opened the door he told the deputy he wanted an attorney.

One witness said she went out to check on the driver after the crash and asked him if he was okay. ACSO records report, “She said Mr. Renslen was sitting in the driver’s seat and would only stare at her and not speak.”

The driver said he would be willing to perform a series of field sobriety exercises, which were conducted on a relatively flat asphalt surface. Based on the totality of the investigation, the driver was placed under arrest for DUI.

His Miranda rights were read to him.

At first appearance, Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $20,000 and mandated that within 72 hours of release, Renslen will be fitted with an electronic monitoring device with service to Alachua County.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The City of Newberry Commission held a Swearing in Ceremony at 6 p.m. on April 22, to formally seat the three incumbent City Commissioners who ran unopposed for the scheduled April 9, 2024, election.

Newberry formally canceled its 2024 municipal election after seeing no challengers during its qualifying period, which ended on Thursday, Feb. 15. Newberry City Clerk Judy Rice announced that the election scheduled for April 9 would not take place.

On Monday night, all three candidates were sworn in by City Clerk Rice. Rick Coleman was sworn in as the Commissioner for Group I. Mark Clark was sworn in as Commissioner for Group II and Monty Farnsworth was sworn in as Commissioner for Group III. Each commissioner will serve two-year terms.

Once the new commission was seated, nominations for Chairperson Pro-Tempore and Alternate Chairperson Pro-Tempore were opened.

Commissioner Clark was nominated for Chairperson Pro-Tempore by Commissioner Coleman and seconded by Commissioner Tim Marden. He was unanimously elected.

Commissioner Marden was nominated for Alternate Chairperson Pro-Tempore by Commissioner Coleman and seconded by Commissioner Farnsworth. Marden also was unanimously elected.

The Chairperson Pro-Tempore serves in place of the mayor if the mayor is not available to chair a meeting and the Alternate Chairperson Pro-Tempore serves in place of the mayor and Chairperson Pro-Tempore if neither one is present to chair a meeting.

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HIGH SPRINGS – On Monday, May 13, members of the High Springs Fire Department teamed up with crews from Alachua County Fire Rescue to hold a brief vehicle rescue course.

In this exercise, firefighters deployed several pieces of specialized equipment and simulated stabilizing and lifting a school bus.

“For our more senior guys, today's evolution was an opportunity to brush up on their skills and mentor several new firefighters who joined the session,” said a spokesperson.

Continuing inter-agency training among area partners ensures a cohesive operation during an emergency situation.

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On Saturday, May 4, members of the High Springs Fire and Police Departments joined in with the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe to help earn money for a good cause. At the annual Kids and Family Mini-Golf Tournament at Pink Flamingo, both departments got to show off their putt-putt skills in full force. It was a beautiful day to get outside and play while also supporting the kids of today and the future.

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On Wednesday, May 8, High Springs Firefighters joined forces with members of the High Springs Police Department, FDOT Northeast Florida and UF Health Shands Children's Hospital, at High Springs Community School for Bike & Roll to School Day.

Students who walked, or rode their bikes or blades, received free giveaways!

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ALACHUA ‒ To the casual passerby, Alachua was transformed into a sea of vibrant pink tee-shirts on Saturday morning, May 4, 2024. In a dedicated effort to sustain the natural beauty of the area, the City of Alachua hosted the 2024 Great American Cleanup from 8:30 a.m. to noon. 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.

Months prior to the event, Alachua rallied its residents, calling for volunteers of all ages to participate in the cleanup. The emphasis was on fostering a shared responsibility toward community pride and environmental stewardship. With cleanup and beautification projects of varying difficulty levels, the event provided ample opportunities for individuals, both young and old, to make a tangible impact in just a few hours.

Prior to the event, Rodolfo Valladares, Assistant City Manager and former Public Services Director for the City of Alachua, expressed pride in the city's consistent engagement with the Great American Cleanup. “We are proud to participate each year in the Great American Cleanup, the nation's largest community improvement program,” said Valladares. “It’s a wonderful time for The Good Life Community to showcase one of our core values: neighbors helping neighbors.”  

Projects were designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of key locations within Alachua. Volunteers descended upon the Alachua Police Department to undertake flower bed cleanup and plant new foliage, while in the Towne Center Area, the focus was on landscaping beautification. In the downtown Community Development District, volunteers rolled up their sleeves to tackle moss removal and Bradford Pear tree trimming, aiming to breathe new life into public spaces and cultivate a renewed sense of pride in the community.

Trash cleanup activities were equally integral to the day's efforts, with volunteers working at Criswell Park and the Mill Creek Wetland Park (Mill Creek Sink), reflecting the City's commitment to environmental sustainability and the preservation of green spaces and community gathering spots.

In total, over 60 volunteers joined forces planting over 200 plants, removing moss from 12 Bradford Pear trees and filling 14 bags of trash.

To ensure the comfort and safety of all participants, the City provided breakfast starting at 8 a.m., with lunch available at the conclusion of the event. Essential tools such as trash bags, safety vests, gloves, maps, and instructions were furnished to facilitate the cleanup efforts.

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.

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HAWTHORNE ‒ A 62-year-old Hawthorne man was killed at about 5:45 a.m. on Friday, April 12, in a three-vehicle crash on U.S. Hwy 301.

The crash, which resulted in one death of one, occurred near Southeast 165^th Avenue, and left another individual injured, according to reports from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). While details from the ongoing investigation are still forthcoming, initial information indicates that a 26-year-old man from Melrose, Florida, who was driving a pickup truck sustained minor injuries in the crash.

Occupants of an SUV, a 38-year-old man and his 74-year-old male passenger, both from Charlotte, NC, were uninjured.

The 62-year-old Hawthorne man was driving a pickup truck and was pronounced deceased at the scene. According to the FHP, while the two pickup truck drivers were not wearing seatbelts, the uninjured occupants of the SUV were wearing seatbelts.

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ALACHUA ‒ It was a hot yet productive week and weekend for the City of Alachua’s Recreation & Culture Department. After a week of practices on the outside fields, 399 Recreation & Sports Youth Volleyball and High Springs Youth Volleyball hosted games at Legacy Multipurpose Building and the Hal Brady Gym.

On Friday the A.L. Mebane Alumni hosted a fish fry for local seniors at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex. Locals provided amazing grub and the City’s Human Resource Department contributed an assortment of desserts. The event was popular with the hundreds of local residents who attended and shared memorable conversations with each other.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday the Raiders of Santa Fe Babe Ruth Softball hosted a 50 team mid-season classic fundraiser for the Jeremy Payne Foundation. Payne Strong works directly with “Head for Cure,” a non-profit that provides support to families dealing with brain cancer. Jeremy Payne was an outstanding individual who coached and impacted many girls in the Raiders organization.

Teams from Alachua/High Springs, Newberry, Wrigley, Melrose, Keystone, Bradford, Dixie and Bronson all participated from ages 4 to 17. Producing a top-notch tournament is no easy task, and the success of this tournament was due to Gene Findley Jr., Chuck McCray and the Raider volunteer staff for producing.

Coming up this weekend the Parks & R.E.C. Department and A.C.T.F.O.R. will host youth soccer games at the High Springs Sports Complex and Civic Center Park. Teams from across the county will participate. Everyone is invited to come out and support area youth.

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