[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6788633,"mediaKeyId","5553677-bb0f128b94bda0f5affb376e5afde7a6","parentId",5553677,"title","Local advocates press county to finalize Boys & Girls Club site after $4M grant award","audioSeconds",4619,"startMs",1289790,"endMs",5909320,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5553677-bb0f128b94bda0f5affb376e5afde7a6&start=1289&end=5909","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5553677-bb0f128b94bda0f5affb376e5afde7a6/thumbnail_1289790.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6788633/Gadsden-County/Florida/Local-advocates-press-county-to-finalize-Boys-Girls-Club-site-after-4M-grant-award","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6788633-78a6d27cd91272dcb3fd502bd3a39cb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153627&Signature=Ze~qccv-tEsahjEO-wMrp2xVa5N33fBnQoYXfy1TLhOPzMIJnuxgy-Yj4fUql~NyvLtUFMKrS83bC5TgfcI5NrKvof7RKJ3sL8NnKOczT7819QTNuksnAHbAyt5CPSuf~ZlnUSEI~~NV0l0xLU9qH8bsDGPXstD4O6Hf3rOkO51nQy5zC89sWnjQBGrslZU2gOovGSkYuULDGPVMxzt-Xj4D54bFVLxDEaSD3AuscfbKVVZrF2oW8xSs9U3wtSWGhrkoXbcfPAYC9FGIamppx5iNwP~JwR-RDRgWd1DkMj0HvOHQ7aqeomzh0lw2etFe3zUDjclSEgyN2LD7sZH-8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gadsden County, Florida","date","2025-08-05T00:00:00Z","article","QUINCY, Fla. — A local advocate asked the Gadsden County Commission for clarity on plans to use a nearly $4 million grant to build a Boys & Girls Club, saying the county has to act quickly to meet construction timelines and avoid forfeiting the funds.

Derek Elias told the commission he had previously accompanied the county attorney to the Quincy City Commission, which voted to allow exploration of a site near the Joe Ferrelito Center. He asked whether the county intends to place the facility in Quincy or move to an alternate \"plan B,\" and urged the commission to put a final decision on the agenda so construction can start without jeopardizing the grant.

Commissioners acknowledged the city\u000027s vote was amenable and said staff would follow up. No final site decision or contract award occurred during the meeting; commissioners said they would contact Mr. Elias and update the public as the county completes the next administrative steps.

What\u000027s next: The commission did not vote on a site at this meeting. Staff and commissioners indicated they would return to the issue in a future meeting with specific recommendations and timelines so grant milestones can be met.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Gadsden County, Florida Regular Public Meeting August 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A community member warned the commission that construction must begin soon on a nearly $4 million Boys & Girls Club grant or the county risks losing the award; Quincy commissioners previously signaled support for a site near the Joe Ferrelito Center.","taxTitle","taxId",71715,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6788638,"Saint Hebron residents press Gadsden County on delayed Pine Grove Park completion",406,1477450,1883685,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5553677-bb0f128b94bda0f5affb376e5afde7a6&start=1477&end=1883","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5553677-bb0f128b94bda0f5affb376e5afde7a6/thumbnail_1477450.jpg","/articles/6788638/Gadsden-County/Florida/Saint-Hebron-residents-press-Gadsden-County-on-delayed-Pine-Grove-Park-completion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6788638-d04712dc159ec1d04f9118172bbbc31f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153627&Signature=XNZI9eoT1aQ8vscARvVBWc9vKqD3ud6hCOD~SnBhW7i0fYjJ03x9DBqdNEGP4Ov01zX~~PVtjO44MbuLZbshGQ2criyJeZBEzvoSV89iVIlM8mK8y555xq0OOt7vStYt5tK57KXmPr2rzf65fnF7t2sO7JML47iGEqZeRcwOEf51zSehNgB-Y86b9nKK6pKgO2LLGuG9LfCnVYV2inaC6oMwXvKkSN1uFEiX-mpOSomRH8Bm3mEjKgAlJ78fjIb6QRD1EqNF5xpNztFGRCNsDeueIRTsQX17lFVTua-NLH-WLnXnv9j1MK2oCefemhwUovkygcJK4dPX5nJOizS2gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","QUINCY, Fla. — Dozens of residents from the Saint Hebron / Saint Matthew area pressed the Gadsden County Commission at its meeting for clarity and a timetable on Pine Grove Park, which they say remains incomplete despite community plans and a lease agreement with the county.

Charles Flowers, president of the local community group, said the park \"has been over 15 years\" in planning and that the community expected a summer opening that did not occur. Multiple community members described muddy construction conditions, missing restrooms and play equipment they consider inadequate for older children and adults.

\"We would like to see the park completed in my lifetime,\" said Evelyn Cunningham, a longtime resident, asking specifically why a restroom and larger swings were not installed as previously expected. Vivian Grant and others urged commissioners to be fair about equipment distribution across the county, citing differences in scale and quality among parks.

Commissioners acknowledged the concerns and said the parks director could better answer technical and scheduling questions; however, several commissioners said the parks director was unexpectedly absent from the meeting. Commissioners Simpkins and others said they have been fighting for progress in the district and requested that staff return with a clear timeline and budget options. Chair noted the board had discussed a parks workshop and budget allocations and said administrators would be asked to place concrete follow‑up (timeline and budget amendment requests, if needed) on a future agenda.

What\u000027s next: Commissioners agreed to arrange a staff briefing (the parks director was invited to respond) and indicated they may put park funding or a timeline on a future agenda for board approval.","Residents and community leaders told commissioners the Pine Grove Park site has been under development for years with promised summer openings missed; they asked for a parks‑department update, a completion timeline, and equitable distribution of equipment across districts.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6788643,"Mother—27s plea: family urges Gadsden County to ban kratom after fatality",2483,309515,2792765,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5553677-bb0f128b94bda0f5affb376e5afde7a6&start=309&end=2792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5553677-bb0f128b94bda0f5affb376e5afde7a6/thumbnail_309515.jpg","/articles/6788643/Gadsden-County/Florida/Mother27s-plea-family-urges-Gadsden-County-to-ban-kratom-after-fatality","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6788643-73caca60eda142b8cc76610fda482e97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153627&Signature=KHkAZnsrgWwepONdw2pNRjv0HGxRLRUeaT93ovMCV9vysjgXXGrZ-s51-UBCX9IED4oa3c0YdG~Po0fIrirritxXpCq6ptA-AZyvKI57p9jpVsISpFdSFv5Tq~SQKY7UT4cJoFlv9ZXmeBas28IOQ5o-WJLEN4XnMDny5dhdCfxVT-sK6b18JVvEQa7KvmQzP8hfaV4m1ucW~Iea1wsWhiGJkv5rSEwo8cajFFgFQWCQebokYHuJ8jMsUas7dL6-pU0qi7kY3SWTYVFErZMgcMW-UI44mjPC4-Z4OEGWg536NH-0ehBt~gPJwCsWywKm81ZThkTcotL9pG6~hSdOZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","QUINCY, Fla. — A Gadsden County resident urged commissioners to ban kratom products during public comment, saying the substance and newer synthetic derivatives have caused deaths and that local action is needed while national debate continues.

Nurse practitioner Tiffany Northington read a statement from Susan Cave, whose son died in April 2024. \"Kratom is killing people,\" the statement said, and cited unnamed alkaloids and claims about synthetic derivatives described as \"more potent than morphine.\" Northington read that Cave wants Gadsden County to \"become a catalyst and set the standards and stage for other counties in Florida.\"

The statement emphasized scientific uncertainty — noting there are no long‑term human studies, an absence of a defined toxic dose, and unanswered questions about interactions with other drugs and underlying health conditions. It also argued kratom\u000027s marketing as a \"natural supplement\" masks harms and urged the county to restrict sales in gas stations and smoke shops.

Commissioners thanked the speaker and noted the comment will become part of the official record. No commissioner proposed immediate text for an ordinance during the public comment period; staff did not present a draft ban or timeline during this meeting.

What\u000027s next: The commission did not take formal action on a kratom ban at this meeting. Commissioners may ask staff to evaluate local regulatory authority, draft a proposed ordinance, or schedule the issue for a future agenda if they choose to pursue local restrictions.","A Quincy mother, represented by a nurse practitioner, urged the Gadsden County Commission to ban all kratom products after her adult son died in April 2024; she cited the lack of long‑term studies and alleged increasingly potent kratom derivatives and asked the county to act before federal debate delays local protections.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6788628,"Gadsden County commission approves budget transfer, road contract and series of grants and agreements",143,3416880,3560580,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5553677-bb0f128b94bda0f5affb376e5afde7a6&start=3416&end=3560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5553677-bb0f128b94bda0f5affb376e5afde7a6/thumbnail_3416880.jpg","/articles/6788628/Gadsden-County/Florida/Gadsden-County-commission-approves-budget-transfer-road-contract-and-series-of-grants-and-agreements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6788628-8c8deca0a2a3c2ff3e08248133e4bf3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153627&Signature=MKdsoEGkn0AiRY4ZJEfKO8aLlyloQiBwOCiFCGeRVe3yPlENtrUrGqBEbe8uYcaBQjTw7bvIRWDg-bTIJW9skiMtOt6bKIV-LBKQ5hPW7CNdYBQdoytpd59Wr9xRqCwfgCZgyDkPN78L3VWuYl9qcEx1lUtpQV8sdLPoKQqv0E~zkYMWt3zKH4dpx9G~CXsygJui5LJR-BVngBIoxyhQPwBSfq4Apqu-2VUHCZqGx8b8lANSNNx6x2LdlkeNWCiF6bG1e13fpG64oUK1iYHucY6GbHfg1ggtDxvcEspDsuQD22EUoFS~L6Ds5yDczPxa6ioX420KxjGWnnwj4J6jHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","QUINCY, Fla. — At its recent meeting the Gadsden County Commission approved multiple fiscal and contract actions, including a budget transfer, a road construction contract award, and several grant‑ and program‑related agreements.

Key votes and outcomes

- Budget amendment (Item 10A): The board approved Resolution 2025‑037, a budget transfer from the general fund toward municipal event grant funding intended to support six municipalities.

- Road contract award (Item 10B): Staff reported four bids for County Road 275 (Benfostick Road). The lowest responsive bidder, CWR Contracting, submitted the low bid and commissioners voted to award the contract and authorize staff to finalize the agreement.

- Opioid‑settlement implementation plan (Item 11C): Commissioners approved an implementation plan that authorizes county staff to negotiate agreements with local providers to deliver services funded by the county\u000027s opioid settlement proceeds.

- Grants and agreements (Items 11E, 11F, 11G, 11N): The board authorized a memorandum with the Department of Elder Affairs for vouchers to help seniors with bills, accepted a State Emergency Management Assistance Agreement (approx. $105,806 reimbursement), approved a notice of intent to negotiate with CRA for design of a public safety complex/EOC (RFQ 25‑02) and a related allocation modification to align grant and contract figures (using the DMS calculator practice).

- Donations and small appropriations (Item 11D): The commission authorized a $15,000 donation to Toys for Tots.

- Contract amendments and extensions (Items 11L, 11M): The board approved a contract amendment to DuPage Engineers for Stevens School (an increase officials said would be reimbursed under a CDBG grant) and extended a contract with Appalachian Regional Planning Council to align grant expiration dates.

Votes: Most items carried on motions and second with unanimous voice votes recorded as \"Aye.\" Several items were tabled (for example, GIDA appointees) pending additional information.

What\u000027s next: For items that require implementation (agreements, contract execution or procurement steps), staff will return with paperwork or contract documents. For a handful of items (notably GIDA appointments), commissioners asked for additional verification of credentials before returning to the board.","The commission approved a FY25 budget amendment shifting funds to municipal event grants, awarded a road construction contract to low bidder CWR Contracting, approved an opioid‑settlement implementation plan, accepted emergency‑management and elder‑services agreements, and authorized several contract amendments and donations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Local advocates press county to finalize Boys & Girls Club site after $4M grant award

Saint Hebron residents press Gadsden County on delayed Pine Grove Park completion

Mother—27s plea: family urges Gadsden County to ban kratom after fatality

Gadsden County commission approves budget transfer, road contract and series of grants and agreements