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GAINESVILLE, FL (Oct. 1, 2025) – Fine Arts and Entertainment Technology at Santa Fe College (SF) announces their presenta on of “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment: The Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told By Himself).”  Directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Ma Lindsay, “Shipwrecked!” brings to life the fantas c true story of five characters — and a dog — lost at sea, flying wombats and buried treasure, as told by the man who lived through it. The performance will be held Oct. 10-11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sasser Fine Arts Hall on the main SF campus at 3000 Northwest 83rd Street, Gainesville. Tickets may be purchased online by going to h ps://www.showpass.com/ and entering the presenta on name in the search.

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NEWBERRY – Newberry City Commissioners moved swiftly through a lengthy Sept. 22, 2025, meeting, finalizing the city’s tax rate and budget for the coming fiscal year, approving adjustments to utility rates, and advancing a series of land use and rezoning changes.

Final Millage Rate

On second and final hearing, the Commission adopted a millage rate of 5.8800 mills for Fiscal Year 2025-26. The rate applies to each dollar of taxable property value within the city and was approved without debate.

Final FY 2025-26 Budget

By unanimous vote, commissioners adopted Resolution 2025-45, which establishes the city’s budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ending Sept. 30, 2026. The spending plan supports personnel services, operations and maintenance, capital projects and debt service.

The budget process included three public workshops earlier this year, where commissioners provided direction to staff. The final plan totals $75,124,284, including $66,709,940 in revenue and financing sources and $8,414,344 in reserves carried forward. Appropriations include $32,436,050 in expenditures and $42,688,234 reserved for future use. Roughly $34 million of the budget is tied to grants supporting upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Electric Utility Services

Commissioners gave final approval to Ordinance 2025-69, adjusting electric utility rates. Residential customers will see a 4.5 percent increase in the customer charge, averaging $5.31 more per month. Nonresidential rates will rise in a similar manner. Despite the increases, city officials said Newberry’s rates remain competitive with other regional providers.

Water Rates

In a legislative public hearing, commissioners advanced Ordinance 2025-70 on first reading. The ordinance increases both the consumption charge and the base customer charge for water service by 7.5 percent, along with adjustments to higher-tier rates.

The city conducts annual reviews of water and wastewater rates during the budget process and considers the Florida Public Service Commission’s annual price index as a benchmark. For 2025, that index was set at 2.23 percent. Staff presented proposed increases at earlier workshops, and the Commission directed that the changes be included in the budget. Even with the adjustments, city officials say that Newberry’s water rates are expected to remain competitive compared with surrounding municipalities.

Wastewater Rates

The Commission also approved on second reading an ordinance updating wastewater service charges. Residential customers will pay a $12.01 monthly base charge and $7.83 per 1,000 gallons of usage, capped at 15,000 gallons. Nonresidential users will pay an $18.02 base charge and $9.43 per 1,000 gallons.

Like water service, wastewater rates are evaluated annually during the budget process and tied in part to the Florida Public Service Commission’s price index.

Land Use Amendments and Rezonings

Commissioners approved a series of land use and zoning measures affecting nearly 200 acres.

• Industrial Rezoning: On second reading, commissioners approved a small-scale Future Land Use Map (FLUM) amendment and rezoning for 9.6 acres at 710 N.W. County Road 235, owned by Laura J. Pries. The land shifted from Alachua County Rural/Agriculture to Newberry’s Industrial classification following annexation in August.
• Small-Scale FLUM Amendments: Eleven ordinances were approved on second reading, changing the future land use classification of 38 annexed properties from Alachua County Rural/Agriculture to City of Newberry Agriculture.
• Rezoning to Agriculture: Commissioners also approved rezonings on second reading for the same 38 properties, shifting them from Alachua County Agricultural to City of Newberry Agricultural zoning.
• AgTech Food Park: In a city-initiated action, commissioners approved Ordinance 2025-68/LDR 25-29 to rezone approximately 165.88 acres, known as the AgTech Food Park, from Agricultural to Agriculture Technology (AT).

Looking Ahead, the Newberry City Commission is scheduled to meet again on Oct. 13, 2025.

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High Springs Commissioner Robert Chad Howell, center, was honored as the 2025 High Springs Hero during the Sept. 22 City Commission meeting. Joining him for the recognition are, from left, Vice Mayor Andrew Miller, Mayor Tristan Grunder, Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth Jr. and Commissioner Katherine Weitz. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ A local leader known for his military service, law enforcement career, and community involvement was honored during the Sept. 22 High Springs City Commission meeting. Commissioner Robert Chad Howell was recognized as this year’s High Springs Hero, an award highlighting an individual who exemplifies service, dedication, and commitment to the community.

Commissioner Katherine Weitz presented the recognition, reading aloud a proclamation that recounted Howell’s career and community service. The words detailed a life of public commitment that began more than two decades ago and has continued through military, professional, and civic roles.

Military Service and Law Enforcement Career

The proclamation began by noting Howell’s enlistment in the United States Marine Corps in 2001. His five years of service included a deployment to Okinawa, Japan, and two tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. According to the proclamation, those years instilled in him a lasting sense of duty and a determination to serve.

After leaving the Marines in 2006, Howell moved to Alachua County in 2010. In 2013, he joined the Alachua Police Department, where he has spent the past 15 years. His career has spanned multiple roles, from patrol officer and school resource officer to detective and field training officer. He currently serves as detective sergeant overseeing the Criminal Investigations Division. The proclamation emphasized that he has approached each role with professionalism and dedication.

In addition to his police work, Howell pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a management focus from Saint Leo University in 2016 while balancing career and family responsibilities.

Community Contributions

The recognition extended beyond Howell’s professional work. Since relocating with his family to High Springs in 2018, he has become active in civic life, serving on the Parks and Recreation Board and participating in the Law Enforcement Family Memorial Crisis Fund. He has also organized charitable fundraisers, including cornhole tournaments, to support local causes.

In 2022, Howell received the Alachua Chamber of Commerce’s Officer of the Year Award, underscoring his impact within the broader community.

Family and Personal Life

The proclamation also highlighted Howell’s personal side, describing him as a devoted husband of 23 years and father of two daughters who attended High Springs Community School and Santa Fe High School. Friends and family members described him as passionate, patient, supportive, and charismatic, while his wife characterized him as selfless and compassionate.

Recognition as High Springs Hero

The proclamation concluded by recognizing Howell’s wide-ranging service and steady commitment to others. Audience members responded with a standing ovation, applauding his years of service to country, community, and family.

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ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua Commission on Sept. 22, 2025, voted unanimously to adopt a 6.2500 mill property tax rate and a total final budget of $67,078,940 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Commissioners also approved a new five-year Capital Improvement Program that organizes major projects through 2030.

City leaders noted that the final property tax rate is 8.86 percent higher than the rolled-back rate of 5.7413 mills. The rolled-back rate is the level that would generate the same property-tax revenue as the prior year without counting new construction. Staff said the adopted rate will support growth management, maintenance of existing infrastructure and the Commission’s strategic priorities while sustaining service levels for residents.

Finance and Administrative Services Director Rob Bonetti explained that the final budget is $6,038,847 higher than the tentative plan. The increase reflects routine reconciliations of fund balances, carry-forward of ongoing projects and reappropriation of funds for services that will continue into the new fiscal year. The General Fund totals $21,145,886 after adjustments to general government, public safety and transportation.

Beyond the General Fund, the Special Revenue Funds total $6,456,544. Capital Projects Funds total $1,494,326 and reflect the Community Development Block Grant for Economic Development that was recently appropriated. Enterprise Funds for the electric, water and wastewater utilities total $32,503,309. Internal Service Funds total $4,685,011, and the Debt Service Fund stands at $793,864.

A change sheet highlighted several visible projects and contractual items. These include educational panels for Mill Creek Wetland Park, contractual services for the Snake Pond Basin, and landscaping work in the Town Center area. The city is also carrying forward a purchase order connected to the City of Alachua versus Alachua County and Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton litigation.

During discussion, staff answered questions about Theater Park improvements and a separate legal engagement related to the bankruptcy of Resilience, formerly known as Nanotherapeutics. Bonetti said the company’s bankruptcy case is in Delaware and that the city hired specialized counsel to protect Alachua’s interests and to maximize recovery of money owed to the city. He added that the affected facility is expected to be sold in mid-October and that the city will secure a deposit from the new owner to safeguard future utility payments.

The five-year Capital Improvement Program totals $36.39 million across departments. Public Works plans include $850,000 this year for resurfacing city streets and $750,000 in the 2026-2027 fiscal year for neighborhood resurfacing assisted by Community Development Block Grant funding.

Neighborhood sidewalk construction is programmed at $40,000 across the five-year plan. Technology investments total $930,000 across the plan, including $155,000 this year for network upgrades. Staff said the technology schedule aligns with a full overhaul of the city website and the rollout of meeting livestreaming after the new site launches.

Parks and downtown work continue as well, including Theater Park upgrades and wayfinding signage through the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency.

Public comment urged the Commission to watch spending closely, questioned several legal and consulting outlays, and pressed for more emphasis on neighborhood sidewalks and street resurfacing relative to growth-related projects. Staff responded that cycles for Community Development Block Grants limit how quickly neighborhood projects can move, and that the city keeps a recurring infrastructure allocation that can be used for roads, sidewalks and grant matches.

After hearing from residents, the Commission unanimously adopted three items by roll-call vote: the final millage rate, the final budget and the five-year Capital Improvement Program.

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Photo special to Alachua County Today

First Sweet Potato Festival Draws a Crowd

The Waldo Area Historical Society welcomed the community to Waldo City Square on Sept. 13, 2025, for the first-ever Sweet Potato Festival and Car Display. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., families enjoyed sweet potato dishes, admired classic cars, and connected with neighbors in a celebration of local heritage. Along with other numerous groups and vendors, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Motor Unit and Community Services Division joined the festivities, spending time with youth and engaging with residents during a day filled with sunshine, conversation, and hometown pride.

JONESVILLE ‒ A Jonesville man was arrested Tuesday after deputies said he confronted a crew of internet contractors outside his home while holding a handgun and shouting at them to leave.

According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, 43-year-old Drew Thomas Worthmann returned to his residence around 11:50 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2025, and found two workers with IQ Fiber installing fiber-optic cable.

The report stated that Worthmann became hostile during the encounter, arguing with the workers and other crew members on scene. After briefly going inside his home, he allegedly returned outside with a gun in his hand and continued yelling at the men to leave the front of his property. Deputies wrote that the workers retreated in fear of being shot and called law enforcement once they left the immediate area.

Witnesses at the scene confirmed the workers’ account, according to the arrest report.

According to the arrest report, the company was hired by the Town of Tioga Director of Development to install fiber-optic cable in the neighborhood.

However, Director of Development Luis Diaz said the arrest report is incorrect: “IQ Fiber has been installing internet fiber all over Alachua County as a utility company, and they have access to all Utility Easements and Rights-of-Way in Alachua County. They did proactively consult with us prior to coming as to how to minimize the impact of their work in our community.”

Deputies arrested Worthmann on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. After being advised of his rights, Worthmann declined to make a statement without an attorney present. He was booked into the Alachua County Jail without incident.

Worthmann has no prior criminal history. Judge David Kreider initially ordered him held without bail while the State Attorney’s Office sought continued detention until trial. On Sept. 19, his attorney, Caleb Kenyon, filed a motion seeking bond, noting that prosecutors had agreed to conditions of pre-trial release.

Under the agreement, bond was set at $20,000, or $10,000 per charge. Worthmann is prohibited from possessing firearms or weapons and must have no contact with the workers involved or any other IQ Fiber employees. He may remain on his property during future utility work but cannot directly or indirectly interact with company personnel.

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