Local

NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry Board of Adjustment has approved an application by The Citadel Family Church, Inc., for a special exception to permit a church in a Residential, Single-Family (RSF-2) zoning district.  This item was also recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Board on March 6. 

The property is located at 145 N.W. 257^th Street, consists of 0.24 +/- acres and was originally used as a Methodist Church.  Most recently, it was used as a Masonic lodge meeting hall.  The 3,348-square-foot building was constructed in 1950 and is a contributing structure for the City’s Historic District. 

The property fronts the westbound segment of the Florida Department of Transportation project for the two-lane, one-way pair split for State Road 26/West Newberry Road. 

Items brought up in discussion included concerns about adequate parking and noise impacting neighboring residents.  Reverend Arraelieus Garrison explained that there are only four families in the congregation and, if attendance increases, he has already spoken with another neighboring church that could accommodate overflow parking.  

He explained that his sermons are not loud, but said he was planning to hold a barbecue on the grounds to introduce the church to the neighbors.  Otherwise, his sermons would be inside the building.  No tent revivals would be held outside, he said.

#     #     #

Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ On March 14 the High Springs Fire Department invited residents of the High Spring community to join them for a traditional “Push-In Ceremony” to celebrate the purchase of two new fire trucks at the High Springs Fire Department, 18586 N.W. 238^th Street, High Springs. The addition of a heavy rescue unit and a pumper unit represent a major investment protecting citizens in and around High Springs and provides advanced tools for firefighters for the next 20 years.

The Push-In Ceremony can be traced back to its roots in the 1800s, when a fire apparatus was horse-drawn, and firefighters would unhitch horses and push the apparatus back into the station after returning from a call. With the advent of motorized fire apparatus, the need to push apparatus into the station was no longer necessary, but the tradition lives on.

Some 100 people attended the High Springs Push-In Ceremony. High Springs Mayor Gloria James led the invocation and welcomed guests. Other speakers included City Manager Ashley Stathatos and Fire Chief Bruce Gillingham. Commissioner Byran Williams blessed the new trucks and firefighters following the ceremony.

The new equipment includes a Heavy Rescue 29 and a new Engine 29. The new Heavy Rescue 29, a 2023 E-One Cyclone custom chassis rescue, replaces Squad 29, a 2006 Kenworth commercial cab “light rescue” unit, and will respond to calls in and around High Springs, including technical rescues, vehicle accidents, fires, and medical emergencies. Heavy Rescue 29 greatly enhances the available resources as compared to Squad 29 in technical rescue capabilities, including rescues from sinkholes, roofs, trees, and major auto accidents involving large commercial vehicles or farm equipment.

The new Engine 29, a 2023 E-One Cyclone custom chassis pumper, replaces a 2012 Pierce/Kenworth commercial cab pumper. Engine 29 will respond to medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, and fires, as well as other types of emergencies.

While the tab for the two trucks totaled $1.4 million, both vehicles have a 15-to-20-year useful life and will enhance the ability of the fire department to cover a wide variety of emergencies. The replaced vehicles were reaching the end of their useful service life and had fewer of the advanced technical equipment developed in the last 20 years.

The two new fire trucks on display for the Push-In Ceremony offered a stark contrast to an apparatus situated in the back of the engine bay. As if standing vigil, a 1923 fire engine is a reminder of bygone days and is of historic interest as the first motorized vehicle purchased by the City of High Springs.

“Changing the addition from squad program, which is a light rescue technical style vehicle, to a heavy rescue style vehicle helps us enhance our capabilities to responding to semi accidents on the interstate to low- and high-angle calls in the county,” said Gillingham. “[It] allows us to broaden our level of service and helps our ALS [Advanced Live Saving] capability.”

#     #    #

Email rcarson@

alachuatoday.com

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Each year on the first weekend in March, the High Springs Lions Club opens its doors and helps make dreams come true for local teenage girls by offering free prom gowns, shoes and corsages. The motto at the event is “If it Fits, Its Yours.” The event is successful due to support and sponsorship from the local community. The dresses are donations from people who had their prom, formal affair or wedding party and no longer need the dress, and they offer it to a new generation for them to have their prom dreams come true. Many accessories and services are donated by businesses and individuals.

Serving an increasing number of girls each year, the dresses and accessories are collected throughout the year. Items and funds are donated by people throughout the community through the club’s “Donate a Dress - Support a Dream” team project. Local businesses provide additional services to make it a complete magical experience for the teenagers. Referred to as Fairy Godmothers and Godfathers, they offer such free services as boutonnieres and corsages from flower shops, tailors for alterations, limos and party buses, hair salons for nails, hair and makeup, photographers, DJ /bands, tux rentals and caterers.

The Lions Club also creates a book for the girls for use at special events throughout their lives. “We are trying to create a guide book so they can use it not just for prom but also for their next prom (senior) or wedding as well as a memory book of their event,” said Lions Club member Barb Kowats.

“We gave away 108 dresses over the weekend and still have 815, which will go back in storage for next year to help make the cost of a prom dress not an obstacle to a family being able to afford send their daughter to prom,” said Lions Club member Leslie Flage.

Cinderella’s Closet was founded in 2006 in Lakeside Park, Kentucky, after Erin Peterson overheard a teenager ask a consignment shop clerk if a gown on display could be put on hold while she figured out how to pay for it. The teenager asked her foster mother for the money, but a prom dress was an extra in life, and its price was out of their reach. Seeing her disappointment, Peterson stepped in bought the dress for her. As tears flooded her eyes, said she would look “just like Cinderella.”

In partnership with Immanuel United Methodist Church, Cinderella’s Closet was born. Through donations of new and gently used formal dresses and accessories, the organization was able to “Turn Dresses into Dreams” for juniors and seniors referred to the organization by their schools, community organizations or social care agencies. The program ensures that costs associated with attending prom are not a financial burden on a family by offering the gown shopping experience at no extra cost. But the benefit is more than just a dress, Cinderella's Closet provides an unforgettable experience for these girls to remember for the rest of their lives.

In High Springs, Kelly Dees, who owned All Creations Salon, heard about the idea and began working with the High Springs Lions Club to sponsor a local event in 2010. Dees ran the program and recruited sponsors while the Lions Club provided the location, additional sponsors and staff to hold the event.  

Now the Lion's Club is running the program under the direction of Lion member Shelly Smith Denton, and all the female members of the Lion's Club also participate

Denton says that seeing the girls’ faces shine when they see themselves in a three-way mirror makes it all worth it.

“It’s a great experience to see it—many of these girls couldn’t even go or get a dress if they didn’t come here,” said Denton. “The excitement and joy in their faces makes the event a success.”

#     #     #

Email rcarson@

alachuatoday.com

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - A storied group of Gators is set to be inducted into the 2023 UF Athletic Hall of Fame class, the University of Florida F Club and Gator Boosters announced on Wednesday.

UF Athletic Hall of Fame inductees are chosen by the F Club Committee based on three categories: Gator Greats, Distinguished Letterwinners, and Honorary Letterwinners.
The 2023 class is composed of eight Gator Greats and one Honorary Letterwinner.
The list of Gator Greats on this year's class includes Kelsey Bruder (Softball), Omar Craddock (Men's Track and Field), Lauren Embree (Women's Tennis), Jabar Gaffney (Football), Corey Hartung (Gymnastics), Kelly Murphy (Volleyball), Erika Tymrak (Soccer) and Marc Valdes (Baseball).
Additionally, former swimming coach and long-time UAA administrator Skip Foster will enter as an Honorary Letterwinner.

Gator Greats are Letterwinners who brought recognition and prominence to the University of Florida and themselves by their athletic accomplishments as a student-athlete.

An Honorary Letterwinner is a coach or athletic official (after retirement) who was not a letter winner or athlete at the University of Florida, yet rendered outstanding service to the program through personal time, effort, interest and through many years of continued service.
The Hall of Fame Banquet will occur Friday, October 6, 2023, prior to the Vanderbilt home game.

2022 UF Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
Gator Greats
Kelsey Bruder | Softball, 2008-11
Bruder is the fifth softball player to be inducted into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame as she joins Chelsey Sakizzie (2008), Jenny Gladding (2014), Stacey Nelson (2019) and Michelle Moultrie (2022) among the Gator Greats to come through the program.

In 2011, she became the program's first NCAA Top VIII Award winner, the first Collegiate Women Sports Award (CWSA) Honda Award softball winner and the third SEC Player of the Year. She also garnered a spot on the 2011 Women's College World Series All-Tournament Team along with being named a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American in 2009 and 2011, a two-time All-SEC First Team selection in 2009 and 2011, and finally a 2009 SEC All-Tournament Team member and 2009 SEC All-Defensive Team selection.

Academically, Bruder was a two-time Academic All-American in 2009 and 2011 and a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member.

Omar Craddock | Men's Track & Field, 2010-13
Omar Craddock competed for the Gators from 2010-2013, earning multiple national titles during his time at Florida. Craddock was a seven-time All-American, winning the 2012 Indoor NCAA Triple Jump Title and was the back-to-back Outdoor Triple Jump National Champion in 2012 and 2013. He holds the fifth best mark in school history in both the indoor and outdoor triple jump.

In 2010, Craddock helped the Gators men's team to their first ever Indoor National Championship and their first SEC Outdoor Championship since 1987. Two years later in 2012, he swept the SEC titles in men's indoor and outdoor triple jump. Craddock also earned the sixth and seventh consecutive NCAA triple jump titles for the Gators. The following year, Craddock won every outdoor competition he took part in and was named the 2013 USTFCCCA South Region Men's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year. The Killeen, Texas native also won the 2013 USA Outdoor Track and Field Triple Jump Title.

Lauren Embree | Women's Tennis, 2010-13
One of the most accomplished athletes in the prestigious Florida women's tennis program, Lauren Embree competed for the Gators from 2009-2013.

During her time with the Orange & Blue, Embree left her mark all over the history books, owning an .880 singles winning percentage and .935 winning percentage in dual match singles, the third and second-best marks in UF history, respectively. Between singles and doubles, Embree collected 236 total wins, putting her with the fifth-most in program history.

In addition to helping lead the Gators to the 2011 and 2012 NCAA titles, Embree was named the 2013 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Player of the Year while garnering five All-American honors, which included a singles and doubles honor during the 2012 campaign. A Honda Award finalist in 2011 and 2013, Embree was a three-time SEC Player of the Year and four-time First Team All-SEC selection. On the national stage, Embree was twice named the NCAA Championships Most Outstanding Player. Most recently, she served as an assistant coach for the Gators from 2019-2023 where she played a key role in the development of Gator-great, McCartney Kessler, who also claimed an SEC Player of the Year honor.

Jabar Gaffney | Football, 1999-2001
Jabar Gaffney was a wide receiver for the Gators football team from 1999-2001. He appeared in 24 games with 20 starts and finished with 138 catches for 2,274 yards (17.2 avg.) and 27 touchdown catches. He is the only player in school history to register back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons (2000-01) and is the last player to have a 1,000-yard receiving season. Gaffney ranks first in 100-yard games (15), consecutive 100-yard games (6), second all-time in receiving yards (2,274) and fourth in receiving touchdowns (27).

A two-time First Team All-SEC selection went on to set numerous freshmen receiving records that still hold today and was named The Sporting News and SEC Freshman of the Year. He set freshmen NCAA D1 records for touchdowns receptions in a season with 14 as well as most receiving yards in a season at 1,184 yards. Gaffney became the first UF freshman WR to be named an All-American. He would go onto play 10 years in the National Football League and was second round pick by the Houston Texans.

Corey Hartung | Gymnastics, 2006-09
Right from Meet One of her Gator career, it was evident that Corey Hartung was going to be special. That all-around win was the first by a Florida freshman in her collegiate debut in 20 seasons.

Hartung's 58 titles came in every event. The majority of wins came in balance beam and floor exercise as her beautiful lines and incredible flexibility dazzled collegiate gymnastics fans across the nation. Her 2008 Southeastern Conference balance beam win was the first for the Gators in nine seasons. Hartung earned All-America honors each of her four seasons, totaling 10 for her career.  She advanced to the NCAA floor exercise final each year, placing a career-high third as a senior. Hartung finished at No. 6 on Florida's Career All-Around Wins chart with 14 titles.

A four-time All-SEC selection, Hartung also earned Academic All-SEC and National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches Scholastic All-America honors. She received her degree in Sports Management in spring of 2010.

Kelly Murphy | Volleyball, 2008-11
Kelly Murphy was a dual-threat on the court for the Gators in both her setting and hitting abilities and because of that, the Wilmington, Ill., native was the first Florida volleyball player to earn four AVCA All-American honors during her career.

Murphy has a plethora of accolades to her name, including Bronze Medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. While at Florida, she was named SEC Player of the Year, AVCA National Freshman of the Year and was a finalist for the Lowe's Senior Class Award.

She was tabbed as the AVCA National Player of the Week three different times during her tenure at Florida, while also registering 30 career triple-doubles and 76 career double-doubles (all-time Florida leader).

Erika Tymrak | Soccer, 2009-12
It wasn't hard to envision Erika Tymrak as an ice skater as she glided around the pitch for Gator soccer. Florida benefited from Tymrak's decision to pursue soccer over performing lutz jumps, as she scored 32 goals during her Gator career that included three Southeastern Conference titles.

The 2012 SEC Offensive Player of the Year helped lead the Gators to a league title sweep that campaign, as the Gators won the regular-season and tournament titles.  Tymrak's ability to set up her teammates led to 40 assists, which still shares No. 3 all-time for the Gators. A two-time All-American, Tymrak continued her soccer career with the National Women's Soccer League and is currently playing for the Orlando Pride.

A three-time All-SEC first-team selection, Tymrak also earned Academic All-SEC honors. She received her degree in Criminology in December of 2012.

Marc Valdes | Baseball, 1991-93
The winningest pitcher in University of Florida baseball history is now officially a UF Athletics Hall of Famer.

As one of 23 first-round draft picks in the history of the program, Marc Valdes won a team-record 31 games for the Orange & Blue from 1991-93. Across his three-year career, Valdes pitched to a 31-13 record and appeared in 61 games. No Gator has made more starts than Valdes, who posted 55 times over the course of his Gainesville tenure.

In addition to holding the program record for wins, Valdes also ranks first all-time in innings pitched (394 2/3) and lowest opponent batting average (.200). Powered by 16 complete games (second all-time at UF), the right-hander fired more than 120 frames in all three of his collegiate campaigns. Valdes posted a stellar 3.13 career ERA and struck out 351 batters, which ranks second all-time at Florida.

At the conclusion of the 1993 season, Valdes was selected 27th overall in the first round of the MLB Draft by the Florida Marlins. The Tampa, Fla. native went on to make his MLB debut in August of 1995 and pitched six years in the big leagues with the Marlins, Montreal Expos, Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves.

Honorary Letterwinner
Skip Foster | Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving, 1981-1995
Skip Foster accumulated an 18-4 record overall in two years as the head men's swimming coach from 1990-92, winning two SEC Titles in that span. Foster was the 1991 SEC and NCAA Men's Coach of the Year, and earned the Bill Harlan Spirit Award in 2011, exemplifying a genuine commitment to the University of Florida swimming program.

Foster worked as assistant coach with both the men's and women's programs 1981-90 and spent three additional seasons as a men's assistant coach from 1992-95. He won two men's national championships (1983, 1984) and one women's national championship (1982) as an assistant coach. Over the course of his 14 seasons, Foster helped Gator swimmers achieve 818 All-American honors.

Florida's annual men's and women's Most Valuable Swimmer awards are named for Foster. Following his time as coach, Foster worked 21 years with the University Athletic Association until his retirement in 2016 and continues to stay involved with athletic events at UF in his retirement.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Steven Michael Braden, 33, was arrested on Monday, March 6, and charged with simple battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after pushing a woman down a flight of stairs and pointing an AR-15 at a man.

At about 7:35 p.m., Braden allegedly got into an argument with the victims at a residence in High Springs over Braden working on a generator. During the argument, Braden allegedly pushed a woman down some stairs and hit her in the face. After a second victim picked up a board, Braden allegedly went inside, picked up an AR-15 and pointed it at the male victim.

Braden has no local criminal history.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $95,000 and Braden has been released from jail.

#     #     #

Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com