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ALACHUA ‒ Alachua Police Chief Jesse Sandusky was officially sworn in to his new position in a standing room only Commission Chamber at the Alachua City Commission meeting on Feb. 28. Members of the Alachua Police Department were present to show their support of the new chief. Also in attendance were current and former chiefs of the Alachua Sheriff’s Office (ASO), City of Alachua Police Department (APD) and the High Springs Police Department (HSPD).

Sandusky was promoted to the Chief of Police position on Tuesday, Feb. 1 after then Chief Chad Scott accepted a position with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Sandusky began his career with the Alachua Police Department (APD) in 2003. He worked his way up through the ranks as a patrol officer, then to special teams traffic unit, then detective, sergeant, and lieutenant where he was the public information officer for the department.

At the request of Sandusky, his mother pinned the Chief's badge on him and Judge Susanne Wilson-Bullard officiated his swearing-in and administered the oath of office. Former APD Chief Chad Scott held the Bible Sandusky swore on.

In other business, the City Commission recognized the Santa Fe High School Lady Raider Volleyball program, which won the State Championship in Class 4A on Nov. 17. They finished the season 29-3, and at the end of the season were ranked second in the nation and first in Florida. This is not only the first Volleyball State Championship for Santa Fe High School, also the first-ever State Championship in any women’s sport at Santa Fe High School. Head Coach Eric Marshall, Assistant Coach Nicole Stout, Assistant Coach Kayla Hess, and most members of the team were in attendance for the presentation and to take a photograph with the Commission.

The Commission appointed four new members to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The Board serves in an advisory role to the City Commission concerning recreation services and potential long-range capital improvements. They also evaluate existing programs, recommend changes and enhancements and promote and review citizen participation in utilizing city services and facilities. Carol Richardson was re-appointed to a three-year term and Travis White was appointed to a three-year term. Malcolm Dixon and Jovante Hayes were appointed to the one-year terms.

In other business, the City of Alachua will be waiting a while longer for its latest purchase of transformers. City staff solicited pricing and availability on 12 types of transformers from four different vendors for a total of 39 transformers at a cost of $617,234. Due to continuing supply chain issues, delivery of these transformers is anticipated to be between 12 and 39 weeks.

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alachuatoday.com

ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ The person allegedly responsible for a three-vehicle crash on Thanksgiving morning that resulted in the deaths of two High Springs residents and serious injury to a third person has been charged in the Interstate 75 crash that occurred just south of the Alachua exit at mile marker 397.

Demiko Montrell White, Jr. 24, has been charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter – negligent, two counts of DUI vehicular manslaughter – negligent driving with a suspended driver’s license – habitual offender and marijuana possession, on top of the existing charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the crash occurred at about 10:40 a.m. at which time a 23-year-old (at the time) St. Petersburg man with a 21-year-old male passenger, also of St. Petersburg, was driving a black sedan south in the center lane on I-75. The driver of the sedan attempted to change lanes into the right lane and struck the left side of a semi truck driven by a 38-year-old Clermont man.

At the same time, an SUV, driven by a 55-year-old man was traveling south in the left lane with a 50-year-old woman, a 13-year-old girl and an 83-year-old woman as passengers. The driver and passengers were all from High Springs.

When the sedan struck the semi truck, it swerved toward the left lane and struck the right rear of the SUV, which caused the SUV to swerve onto the shoulder and overturn several times, resulting in the fatalities. The driver of the SUV sustained minor injuries, but the 50-year-old woman sustained serious injuries.

Despite having an outstanding warrant out of Orange County, White was released on $15,000 bond four days after the crash. Following FHP’s investigation, an arrest warrant was issued on Dec. 15, 2021. On Jan. 6, 2022, White had contact with members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, who arrested him on the warrant and added two counts of resisting arrest without violence.

According to the arrest report from Pinellas County, White refused to get on the ground when ordered by detectives. The report states that White refused to follow clear commands from deputies wearing clearly marked clothing and turned away, walking toward an elevator. Several deputies took him to the ground, where he continued to resist by tensing and bracing, refusing to comply with orders to give deputies his hands. Following a brief struggle, White was taken into custody.

Because the arrest violated his pretrial custody agreement, his bond on the previous Alachua County charge was revoked and bond was then set at $1,021,000 on the new charges. White was transferred to the Orange County Jail on Jan. 25, where he remains. He is scheduled to be in court in Alachua County on April 4.

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alachuatoday.com

PALATKA ― The St. Johns River Water Management District has long been dedicated to protecting Florida’s springs. Demonstrating that commitment, the District’s Governing Board approved a proclamation designating April as Springs Protection Awareness Month for the ninth consecutive year. The annual designation, which was adopted at Tuesday’s Governing Board meeting, helps increase awareness about the importance of Florida’s springs and encourages residents and stakeholders to participate in the protection of springs.

“The support provided by Gov. DeSantis and our partners at Florida Department of Environmental Protection and funding provided by the Legislature for springs restoration is vital to the success of our work at the District,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Mike Register. “Over the past eight years, the District has co-funded 154 projects, which has saved more than 100 million of gallons of water a day to help protect Outstanding Florida Springs—springs we hope offer places our children, grandchildren and future generations can continue to enjoy.”

Steps to reduce pollution and groundwater usage and minimize other impacts on the springs are at the heart of many projects and initiatives now underway. The District continues to build on partnerships with many entities, pursuing protection and restoration of springs through scientific research, restoration projects, water use regulation, water supply planning and stakeholder outreach.

Rep. Charles “Chuck” Clemons of Newberry recently introduced resolution (HR 8029) recognizing April 2022 as Springs Protection Awareness Month in Florida. Since 2013, water management districts across the state and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have joined the Legislature in recognizing the importance of springs and encouraging behaviors that will enhance springs protection.

Visit www.sjrwmd.com/springs for more information about the District’s work to protect springs.

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HAWTHORNE –  As part of the of widening improvements on State Road 20 from the Putnam County line to SW 56^th Avenue, eastbound and westbound travel lanes on State Road 20 from Southeast 65^th Lane to Gordon Chapel Road (map below) will be shifted to the north side of the roadway onto new pavement and the newly constructed bridge just west of Gordon Chapel Road Wednesday, March 9.

Anderson Columbia Co. Inc. is estimated to complete the $49 million widening improvements by early 2023. Construction schedule and completion estimates are fluid and subject to change, weather and schedule permitting. 

March is bicycle safety month. When cycling always wear a helmet and ride in the same direction of traffic on the street. Obey all traffic signs, signals, and markings.

Stay informed about lane closures and roadwork in your area by following FDOT District 2 at @MyFDOT_NEFL on Twitter or at MyFDOTNEFL on Facebook.

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ALACHUA COUNTY - The Alachua County Clerk of the Court J.K. "Jess" Irby, Esq., along with Clerk's offices statewide, is participating in Operation Green Light. Operation Green Light runs from April 4, through April 8, 2022, and gives those with suspended driver's licenses an opportunity to pay overdue court obligations, including traffic tickets, while saving up to 35 percent in additional fees. Customers may also be able to have suspended driver licenses reinstated.