Newberry

The Alachua County Commission plans to vote Tuesday on a final budget to fund a new community park on the former West End Golf Course property.

Newberry residents are passionate about many community issues. But no topic has been quite as contentious as the ongoing conversion of Newberry Elementary School into a charter school.

The owner of a local tree service is trying to calm concerns from a neighbor over what he plans to do with 85 acres in western Alachua County.

A spokesperson for Newberry Education First was arrested on Thursday on charges related to inappropriate communication with a 15-year-old boy.

There’s a movement to turn its public schools into charter schools and in April, an election for three of the five city commissioner positions were canceled when only the incumbents ran for office.

Though the state has ruled the teachers’ vote to convert Newberry Elementary School into a charter school successful, confusion has risen with some disputing that verdict.

After seven hours of counting ballots, the initiative that would turn Newberry Elementary School, Oak View Middle School, and Newberry High School into community-based, public charter schools failed to pass on Wednesday.

The state owns Archer Road, so completing this plan will require working with the Florida Department of Transportation to eventually accommodate the traffic increase.

The Florida 4-H State Archery match was held this Saturday and Sunday at the Easton Newberry Sports Complex.