[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6316289,"mediaKeyId","2377234-ed111494b133ec75e3bbca106a384270","parentId",2377234,"title","Newberry opens inclusive playground, adds fields and sees participation grow in parks and rec programs","audioSeconds",196,"startMs",2012195,"endMs",2209089,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377234-ed111494b133ec75e3bbca106a384270&start=2012&end=2209","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377234-ed111494b133ec75e3bbca106a384270/thumbnail_2012195.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6316289/Florida/Newberry-opens-inclusive-playground-adds-fields-and-sees-participation-grow-in-parks-and-rec-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316289-2986bf973218daf4e018b2444781e280/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204865&Signature=SQGhlPw-yWHRFBI9u~5CUZ0XbJveyy07ISr7EpJ1Zj8hjWptNlQ1f9yJ0VNW1zjycjIqIEEOQ5j-r~-97kaIB4STF8gORh-eEHtz1t6tnnqYDp5vDjLUy29najzZceUZHgyGCzyOASfCYBDSnjYwoFowlRvj53poXwWQLivD3Gm20~ogGiA3WHqtgmAcl3mr1ADjdGgLmpipeVk5UmdSdRZKaVH5TBrcy1TZhLZKUM1ltbE8AWx7w6E6kL3ZPj-0RCwEK3Nhc25woVF9O0Cq5G1ns066NEHDq5ys5nCbuvcwiInH~2fhclJ~bdWRg~xsEWSn3sF9LYnhGWMEsAv6aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Newberry, FL","date","2025-02-21T12:45:52Z","article","Commissioner Rick Coleman gave an update on parks and recreation projects and participation trends in Newberry, highlighting facilities completed this year and rising program enrollment.

“We also completed Newberry's First inclusive playground at our Easton Sports Complex so that every child in our community has access to recreational facility,” Coleman said. He added that the city completed a new baseball field at Jimmy Durden Park and finished the first of five new multipurpose fields at Easton, with lights added to one field.

Coleman described participation growth: “Our youth sports participation grew over 11% last year, and our adult sports participation grew over 41% last year.” He noted the department’s role in community events—from MLK observances to Westfest—and said Easton sheltered “a record 301 people and 35 critters” during hurricane response.

Officials framed parks and recreation as central to community well-being and cited continued investments in sidewalks, parking, landscaping and lighting as part of an overall effort to expand recreational access.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","State of the City Address 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioner Rick Coleman reported completion of an inclusive playground, the first of five multipurpose fields at Easton Sports Complex, a new baseball field and year-over-year growth in youth and adult sports participation.","taxTitle","City of Newberry , Alachua County, Florida","taxId",71804,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316293,"Newberry touts new fire apparatus and ALS capability; commissioners say sheriff contract runs through 2025",249,1683545,1932549,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377234-ed111494b133ec75e3bbca106a384270&start=1683&end=1932","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377234-ed111494b133ec75e3bbca106a384270/thumbnail_1683545.jpg","/articles/6316293/Florida/Newberry-touts-new-fire-apparatus-and-ALS-capability-commissioners-say-sheriff-contract-runs-through-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316293-13acadeb81995f49fbcb9dd6e15bbd34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204865&Signature=b7EEdm0pNAHPXah7POy-KRLCPUYvt6T5yWDY5Kby52ywQ6N4QL0xCs5pfPjhYSBILRfPZsxyAnhweokmHyD786yGiHs78DWM~20tT37k5I0BPVdMOUj3dK2A55iK0yIAnkkWJ9XXFZHlTuE75K6Z8cvYCUOOsJCh6HIaah86qQ8N-J6rNgCezK3KdgdG4QVORx4AkD7pbX285oYLZsA30057KgC~cehDJ8KEQ6tF2cTTtErWdlVPaJ3woFmarPwzRX7giHwYnkUJR1gYL7VuT~pKKpTiYNeE2sDzo8jNYn1JsTHxabNqCimdoDpDt-x2NR0goT8f1goddvKGVXuGjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials highlighted recent investments in public safety equipment and emergency services and discussed the city’s contract with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Commissioner Mark Clark said the city had “just signed a new contract with sheriff Chad Scott, and it's all implemented. That contract will be going through 2025. After that contract's up, we intend to seek a new contract with the county.” Clark framed the agreement as part of ongoing public-safety partnerships.

Fire department staff showcased new apparatus and explained operational upgrades. Paramedic-firefighter David Voigt described a change to Advanced Life Support: “Recently, we just went to what's called Advanced Life Support or ALS. What it means is we have a paramedic on every truck. Even if the ambulance is gone, there's still a paramedic coming to you.”

City presenters described a new Quint and a new brush truck for rural and rough-road response. Officials said the brush truck includes a ride-along compartment and equipment to attack brush fires while in transit. A staff presenter noted annual call volume and the department’s aim to continue increasing presence and community engagement.

No formal vote was recorded during the address; the commission described the sheriff contract as signed and implemented through 2025 and as subject to renegotiation or renewal with the county once that term ends.","Officials displayed a new Quint and brush truck, announced Advanced Life Support on engine crews and said a contract with Sheriff Chad Scott is in place through 2025; city leaders said they plan to seek a new county contract after that term.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316298,"City manager outlines F300 AgTech Park: 170-acre research park, incubator and accelerator aimed at agri-tech startups",0,2516785,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377234-ed111494b133ec75e3bbca106a384270&start=2516&end=2516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377234-ed111494b133ec75e3bbca106a384270/thumbnail_2516785.jpg","/articles/6316298/Florida/City-manager-outlines-F300-AgTech-Park-170-acre-research-park-incubator-and-accelerator-aimed-at-agri-tech-startups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316298-3dfa4e4a56e69581255a73ea2cf97fa5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204865&Signature=BQXE88v3iun1ijg-lyW5K40fqGLrIcmzVqDJs53cdf-akw1Fc~eWVVnJYv3pRhrMnJR4PKtIzqhhBi91q1nTNV0nIXow5gRZQKtn8XUiBmsLjWE8zZN7ibie74w7s03NzUn2VyoOdbd-awux9JQ0A0x9Dm3Hd-A2YxFfBl0iFW1Favi5hg3siESdW2bO7SXTmNwK2CpLWhSutP6FuQCen74TydLEvZQQ-EqSf7ZM-c1v7JI3ZUTc~CQg74K6~--Rx46668HoHRSTOF3Aw2qbqiRF1qv0keR57LzRsN1I7vUqUJPbkzsFWeHvY~5b2yQ-CM0LCyAjwtDWXiH9nhdw1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Mike New presented details about the F300 Agricultural and Food Technology Innovation Park, describing it as the city’s top economic development priority and a 170-acre site adjacent to Alachua County’s agriculture extension office.

“F300 will create high skill and high wage jobs for our residents by growing and attracting new businesses and supporting entrepreneurship,” New said. He said F300 is backed by a 14‑member consortium and will include a research park, business incubator and startup accelerator to help commercialize university research and support ag‑food‑tech startups.

New described the site as focused on precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, sensing, data analytics and advanced energy technologies, and said the program will collaborate with UF IFAS to position Florida as a research and commercialization hub for agricultural technology. “This project will help commercialize university research and support innovative businesses through a research park, business incubator, and startup accelerator,” he said.

Officials framed F300 as intended to promote economic growth while preserving local agricultural heritage and to benefit farmers, entrepreneurs, consumers and students in the region.","City Manager Mike New described F300, a 170‑acre agricultural and food technology park adjacent to the county extension office, with a 14‑member consortium and a startup accelerator to commercialize university research.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316304,"Newberry says new 11,000-square-foot city hall rising; officials expect occupancy next year",229,1188934,1418340,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377234-ed111494b133ec75e3bbca106a384270&start=1188&end=1418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377234-ed111494b133ec75e3bbca106a384270/thumbnail_1188934.jpg","/articles/6316304/Florida/Newberry-says-new-11000-square-foot-city-hall-rising-officials-expect-occupancy-next-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316304-cc995af260c13c33e222f298f9eecedd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204865&Signature=mVPVxImizaMkrDaCzP--z8GsPeb4MEVEvffPBujhBH41RaFaO7K-5iBim3YTPZnXTWB5V395JKIYnHnGDGje5kzcZHYOuFziyCuoFhRFtILmWKWJRWdm1VE19JjzWdBF6X2IPfqzsgkqgskX6K4rhidjmxSbcycOAjl0kFnmBUPizhtr3MStM3A0-fcAA~sGb~jX36atHWnTuzMk-6SL4gx4JDhZVh7pqPHAJp0mLVOABRp3tBIuB-0-MHzKxnPxOROpDHDbFRcR1oaWvNsDQ0FGhB6Ytjyqi7lD-uc3vcLpbyrVJ0EhwNxxsxOT1bdpUqXs2qe46C9FfCnl1YXnQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Tim Martin outlined the city’s consolidated city hall project, describing an 11,000-square-foot building designed to bring scattered departments under one roof. “We broke ground on the city hall last fall, and we are seeing progress finally rising vertically out of the ground. This character rich new building is 11,000 square feet,” Martin said.

Martin said the building’s design will echo existing municipal architecture with elements such as split-face rock, arches and wood accents, and that roughly half the structure will be two stories with the remainder prebuilt for future expansion. He added that “If all goes well, we will be in our new city hall and conducting business early next year.”

Planned site improvements around the campus include parking, open space, greenery and underground stormwater retention. Existing City Hall will remain in use and be updated later; portions may be converted to multiuse space or offices for visiting state and federal officials, Martin said. The commissioner thanked Scorpio Construction, Monarch Architecture and NV5 by name for their roles in the project.

City officials described the project as intended to streamline citizen access to services and to accommodate anticipated enhancements to Northwest First Avenue slated for 2027.","Commissioner Tim Martin described the new 11,000-square-foot city hall project, its design features, staged expansion capability and a target occupancy in early next year, with updates to surrounding campus areas planned.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316309,"Mayor Marlowe says ‘state of our city is strong’ as Newberry highlights business growth, storm response and community initiatives",2400,296575,2697005,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377234-ed111494b133ec75e3bbca106a384270&start=296&end=2697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377234-ed111494b133ec75e3bbca106a384270/thumbnail_296575.jpg","/articles/6316309/Florida/Mayor-Marlowe-says-state-of-our-city-is-strong-as-Newberry-highlights-business-growth-storm-response-and-community-initiatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316309-08b975478cd9a9a0b9c6462173f4ae66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204865&Signature=ZXfLy4pZaGkSnA08KmeZZ4MFqR184ZSgpC~Ncn7d~htC~GH~mdu2EF~fkywIGOzEJU7rn~R6c7eBolHEbrMYRSC9zqdg66TnTsHBFTdwPbxg15v3lTvgao5eMiGlBdoehuWKJaMPt8z5Iwh3OY4IRE3E8QVvXGsOPfZFrDupbE~9m9Qjwj77vOJGb4QaBglBZSYDmnYKSt6i1LltXeOTwi36jx~l3MMsrqtY~V-ObtEczF8vttbM7hQ5QIx9qKoEqkU0knX8rIM~3S5V4sAIVQF~noXM3VqTM08buXUgDBDVQwgAfHUgpVrgcADGa3OytOZzi0dpj0RL5KxvlKZZcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Jordan Marlowe delivered the City of Newberry’s annual State of the City address, saying “The state of our city is strong, and its future is ours to make.” The event combined an overview of economic growth, emergency-response awards, community projects and personnel recognition.

The address emphasized local business growth as a key indicator of economic health. Commissioner Tony Maison cited building and business-permitting figures, saying, “In the last 6 years, Newberry has permitted 8 17 new residential homes. That's it. 817 in 6 years. But in that same 6 years, we welcomed 163 new businesses.” The mayor and commissioners credited the new and expanding businesses with creating jobs and stabilizing city finances.

City leaders also highlighted the city’s emergency-response work after two recent hurricanes. Commissioner Monty Farnsworth said staff were “on high alert, either preparing for, responding to, or cleaning up for about 4 straight weeks,” and described recovery metrics including restoring power quickly for Newberry Electric customers and hauling “over 700 tons of debris.” Farnsworth noted the city received multiple recognitions, including a Mutual Aid Commendation and a safety award.

The address included several community achievements: the relocation of the Perkins home into Dudley Farm State Park as part of a truth-and-reconciliation effort, continued investment in youth programs and volunteer-led events, and the city’s recent honors from the Newberry Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Marlowe and commissioners also recognized long-serving city clerk Judy Rice, who is retiring after decades of service. The mayor presented Rice with a ceremonial key to the city and paid tribute to her as “a pillar of this community.”

The address closed with the mayor and commissioners pointing to ongoing priorities—affordable housing, maintaining Newberry’s small-town identity amid growth, and the city’s signature economic development effort, the F300 Agricultural and Food Technology Innovation Park—topics that city staff said would receive separate updates later in the program.","Mayor Jordan Marlowe and city commissioners used the State of the City address to highlight business recruitment, emergency response achievements, community projects and the upcoming AgTech park, and to honor longtime city clerk Judy Rice.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Newberry opens inclusive playground, adds fields and sees participation grow in parks and rec programs

Newberry touts new fire apparatus and ALS capability; commissioners say sheriff contract runs through 2025

City manager outlines F300 AgTech Park: 170-acre research park, incubator and accelerator aimed at agri-tech startups

Newberry says new 11,000-square-foot city hall rising; officials expect occupancy next year

Mayor Marlowe says ‘state of our city is strong’ as Newberry highlights business growth, storm response and community initiatives