ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua and Elder Options hosted the city’s second annual Senior Expo last week at the Legacy Park Multipurpose Center, bringing together local agencies, health providers and businesses to connect older residents with services and activities.

City staff said the expo featured information booths, screenings and resource referrals, along with a free meal provided by the Mebane Alumni Association. City officials credited the Alachua Senior Advisory Board with helping plan the event and said the board continues to support programs aimed at older adults throughout the year.

According to the city, participation included “many local and professional businesses,” reflecting cooperation among civic groups, nonprofits and service providers. Attendance was described as strong, with residents circulating among exhibitors throughout the event. Organizers said the goal was to make it easier for seniors to learn about benefits, wellness opportunities and social programs available in the community.

The city also noted the Senior Advisory Board’s ongoing role in developing activities and outreach for older residents, citing volunteer hours devoted to the expo and other initiatives. Officials emphasized that community partnerships remain central to the city’s approach to senior services.

Looking ahead, the city highlighted several recurring programs offered by the Recreation & Culture Department and the Senior Program:

• Bingo — Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – noon, Hathcock Community Center.
• Senior Gold Zumba — First and third Thursdays, 9:45 a.m., Legacy Multipurpose Center.
• Coffee & Games — First and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. – noon, Hathcock Community Center.
• Crafting & Snacking — Fourth Thursday, noon – 2 p.m., Hathcock Community Center.
• Senior Potluck — Last Wednesday, noon – 2 p.m., Hathcock Community Center.

Residents seeking more information about senior programs can contact the city’s Recreation & Culture Department or visit the city’s online event listings.

City leaders said they intend to build on this year’s collaboration to plan the next Senior Expo. Organizers described the event as a coordinated effort among municipal departments, community groups and volunteers, with the shared objective of connecting older adults to services, social opportunities and wellness resources close to home.

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NEWBERRY ‒ After more than 35 years of dedicated public service, the City of Newberry has celebrated the retirement of City Clerk Judy Rice, honoring a career defined by professionalism, integrity and a deep devotion to the community she served for over three decades.

Rice began her tenure with the city in the late 1980s, advancing from deputy clerk to finance director and ultimately being appointed city clerk in 2012. Her long career reflected both expertise and a passion for continuous learning. She earned the prestigious Master Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 2019 and became a Certified Public Manager through Florida State University’s Florida Center for Public Management in 2023.

City Manager Jordan Marlowe praised Rice’s record-setting career, calling her “nothing short of amazing.”

“Thirty-five years of service to Newberry and a lifetime of love for her town,” Marlowe said. “It is a rare achievement, and on behalf of all of Newberry, thank you.”

Rice’s work earned her the Key to the City earlier this year during Newberry’s State of the City address, presented by then-Mayor Marlowe and the City Commission in recognition of her status as the longest-serving employee in city history.

Mayor Tim Marden said Rice’s legacy of dedication will remain a model for future generations.

“There are not many like Mrs. Rice,” Marden said. “She has set a high bar for dedication and professionalism to our community we can all admire.”

At the Sept. 8, 2025, City Commission meeting, Rice performed her final official act as city clerk — passing the City Seal to her successor, Randa Paul, who was formally sworn in during the meeting. The ceremonial handoff symbolized both continuity and renewal in City Hall leadership.

Throughout her career, Rice was known for her precise recordkeeping, her mentorship of city staff and her unwavering service to Newberry’s residents. City officials described her as a steady presence whose knowledge and commitment strengthened the city’s operations and its connection with the community.

As she begins retirement, city leaders expressed gratitude for Rice’s many contributions. Her institutional knowledge, mentorship and professionalism, they said, have helped shape the city’s success for decades to come.

“Her leadership and love for Newberry will remain a foundation for our future,” a city statement read. “The City of Newberry extends heartfelt gratitude to Judy Rice and wishes her joy and fulfillment in this next chapter of life.”

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HIGH SPRINGS – The City of High Springs began its Oct. 9, 2025, City Commission meeting by honoring a dozen city employees who have served in the U.S. armed forces, marking the launch of a new city initiative called “High Springs Hero.”

Commissioner Katherine Weitz introduced the program as a way to recognize employees and community members who have served their country and continue to serve their city. The first honorees included staff from the police, fire and administrative departments, along with City Manager Jeremy Marshall, who served in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.

Those recognized for their military service were:

High Springs Police Department — Officer Whiteman (U.S. Army), Officer Treese (U.S. Coast Guard), Sgt. Higginbotham (Florida Army National Guard), Officer Pekala (U.S. Army), Officer Wilson (U.S. Army), and Sgt. Hampton (U.S. Air Force).

High Springs Fire Department — Chief Peters (U.S. Army), Captain Burkhalter (U.S. Navy), Firefighter Skinner (U.S. Marine Corps), Volunteer Tatum (U.S. Army), Volunteer Langston (U.S. Army), and Firefighter Livingston (U.S. Army).

Weitz said the High Springs Hero program will continue throughout the year to celebrate local veterans. The city encouraged residents to nominate future honorees by emailing citycommission@highsprings.gov.

Following the recognitions, City Attorney Kiersten Ballou introduced an item concerning a property lien. The city was served with a summons regarding foreclosure proceedings on a property located at 17338 N.W. 242^nd Street in High Springs.

Ballou explained that the city holds a lien of about $2,000 for impact fees related to the installation of the city’s sewer system. To preserve its financial interest, the city must file its own complaint to foreclose on the lien. After a brief discussion, commissioners authorized Ballou to proceed with filing the action.

Mayor Tristan Grunder presented Resolution No. 2025-R, approving an agreement with Gapske Law Firm to provide Special Magistrate services. The city had previously contracted with another firm earlier in the year, but staff determined that Gapske’s proposal offered a more cost-effective option.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution, maintaining the same terms as the previous contract.

In another unanimous vote, commissioners approved an agreement to “piggyback” on an existing contract with GAI Consultants, a firm providing planning, engineering and environmental services. The city has worked with GAI in the past and opted to continue the relationship through the new agreement.

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ALACHUA – Southeastern Grocers, LLC (SEG), parent company of Winn-Dixie, announced Tuesday that it will rebrand as The Winn-Dixie Company in early 2026, uniting under one iconic name as it refocuses on its Florida roots and expands its North Florida footprint.

As part of its Florida-focused strategy, SEG has finalized an agreement to acquire Hitchcock’s Markets in Alachua, Keystone Heights, and Williston, a move that will strengthen the company’s presence across North Florida.

The new Williston Winn-Dixie, located at 434 E. Noble Ave., is scheduled to open in early December 2025, replacing the current store at 727 W. Noble Ave. Associates from the closing location will have the opportunity to continue serving customers at the new site.

Additional Hitchcock’s Markets in Alachua and Keystone Heights will be converted to Winn-Dixie locations and are expected to open by summer 2026, according to the company.

SEG said the new stores are part of a broader plan that includes dozens of remodels and upgrades statewide to create inviting, community-centered grocery environments designed around local needs.

The transition marks the start of a new chapter for the century-old grocery chain, aligning all operations under the Winn-Dixie banner while modernizing stores, growing its presence in key Florida markets, and investing in customer-centered innovation.

The company said it will move forward with dozens of remodels and new store projects, both planned and underway. These investments include expanding its liquor store portfolio, enhancing its Own Brand product line, and reintroducing the fan-favorite Lip Lickin’ Chicken in early 2026.

SEG is also testing new customer conveniences, such as third-party delivery services and in-store return kiosks, as part of its broader effort to modernize the shopping experience.

In addition to its Florida expansion, SEG announced plans to transition ownership of most of its locations outside the state, enabling the company to reinvest more heavily in its core Florida and southern Georgia markets.

Agreements have been reached or are underway with multiple grocery companies involving 32 Winn-Dixie stores and eight Harveys Supermarkets in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Store transitions and closures are expected to conclude by early 2026.

Afterward, the company will operate approximately 130 grocery stores and 140 liquor stores across Florida and southern Georgia, continuing service in Brunswick, Folkston, Lake Park, St. Simons Island, and Valdosta.

The Winn-Dixie Company plans to strengthen its operations through new store investments, modern technology, and community partnerships. Company leaders said the goal is to blend tradition with innovation while maintaining its neighborhood grocer identity.

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GAINESVILLE ‒ A 50-year-old Alachua man was taken into custody Wednesday night, Oct. 1, 2025, following a traffic stop that led to the discovery of firearms and a large quantity of methamphetamine, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say the arrest occurred around 10:30 p.m. in the 7400 block of Northwest 39^th Avenue after a Sheriff’s Deputy pulled over a vehicle with an expired license tag. The driver, identified as David Charles Stillwell, was found to have a suspended license and appeared visibly nervous during the encounter.

When questioned by the deputy, Stillwell reportedly acknowledged that there was a firearm inside the vehicle’s center console but declined to grant consent for a search. As a result, a Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit was called to the scene to conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle. The K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics, giving deputies probable cause to perform a search.

During the search, deputies reportedly discovered a .357 revolver in the center console and a backpack containing a 9mm handgun along with a digital scale on the rear floorboard—equipment often associated with drug distribution. A locked money bag found under the driver’s seat was opened using a key belonging to Stillwell, revealing approximately 18 grams of methamphetamine.

Deputies also found an additional 32 grams of a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine near a pipe with residue and a metal grinder, both of which also tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine residue. In total, the seized narcotics exceeded the statutory threshold for trafficking quantities of methamphetamine under Florida law.

Stillwell was subsequently arrested and transported to the Alachua County Jail. He faces multiple felony charges, including possession of trafficking quantities of methamphetamine, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, maintaining a drug vehicle, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Court records show that Stillwell has three prior misdemeanor convictions, one of which was classified as violent. He does not appear to have prior felony convictions on record in Alachua County.

Judge Jonathan Ramsey of the Eighth Judicial Circuit set Stillwell’s bail at $200,000, citing the severity of the charges and the volume of narcotics recovered.

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Snow White Theme Adds Fairy-Tale Flair to Annual Alachua Event

ALACHUA ‒ Downtown Alachua has once again come alive with a colorful cast of characters as Scarecrow Row returns to Main Street, marking two decades of fall fun, community spirit and small-town creativity.

For the past 20 years, the Alachua Chamber of Commerce has transformed the city’s historic Main Street into a festive corridor filled with handmade scarecrows that capture the whimsy and warmth of the season. From spooky to silly to storybook-themed, each creation reflects the imagination of local businesses, organizations and volunteers who decorate the light poles that line the heart of downtown.

This year’s theme — “Snow White” — brings a fairy-tale twist to the annual “Spooktacular Night.” Seven dwarfs, wicked queens, enchanted mirrors and apple-bearing scarecrows are among the sights greeting visitors and shoppers as they stroll through the downtown district. Each display is entered into a friendly competition, with three winners to be selected for creativity and presentation.

What began as a small local promotion has become one of Alachua’s most beloved seasonal traditions. Every October, community members gather along Main Street and in the Alachua Town Centre area to craft, decorate and admire the growing lineup of scarecrow displays. Early in the month, groups of families, employees and volunteers can often be seen assembling their creations, fastening hats, fluffing straw and fine-tuning costumes before the judging begins.

The event is part of a larger effort by the Chamber of Commerce to celebrate downtown businesses and strengthen community ties. Chamber officials say Scarecrow Row not only brings fun and foot traffic to the area, but also supports future events and programs through sponsorships.

Funds raised from Scarecrow Row help support community favorites such as Trick-or-Treat on Main Street and the annual Christmas Parade, both free public events that draw crowds from across the region. These efforts, Chamber representatives said, help promote local commerce while offering families accessible, hometown celebrations.

The scarecrows lining Main Street range from the eerie to the adorable, reflecting the diversity and humor of the Alachua community. Some display homespun charm with straw hats, denim overalls and flannel shirts, while others go all out with intricate costumes and haunting details. The only limit, organizers say, is the imagination of those who make them.

As Halloween approaches, the scarecrows remain on display throughout October, attracting visitors and photographers alike. Downtown businesses often use the occasion to decorate storefronts, host fall promotions and encourage visitors to linger and shop local.

Scarecrow Row also serves as a precursor to one of Alachua’s biggest family celebrations — the annual Trick-or-Treat on Main Street, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. The downtown streets will be closed to traffic as more than 1,000 costumed children fill the sidewalks, collecting candy from local businesses and community groups. The evening transforms Main Street into a lively, family-friendly festival of lights, laughter and Halloween spirit, bringing the community together for what has become one of the Chamber’s most anticipated events of the year.

For Alachua, Scarecrow Row has become more than a seasonal decoration contest. It’s a celebration of community, creativity and the welcoming spirit of a small town that loves its traditions and sets the stage for Trick-Or-Treat on Main Street. As the light poles of Main Street and Alachua Town Centre don their festive figures once again, the event continues to weave together local business, artistry and the magic of fall.

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Oct. 19, 2025 — “On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the University, we express our full support for Athletic Director Scott Stricklin and his decision to make a change in the leadership of our football program.

Today’s news underscores our collective, continuing, and uncompromising commitment to a Gators football program that inspires pride across the University community and competes annually for national championships.

We will continue to provide the athletic department with every resource necessary to deliver on that promise.”

~ The following is a press release provided by the University of Florida. It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff. ~

Statement from Athletic Director Scott Stricklin:

Today I met with Coach Napier and informed him that a change in leadership of our football program would best serve the interests of the University of Florida.

On behalf of Gator Nation, I want to sincerely thank Billy and his family for their tireless commitment to the Florida Gators. Billy built a tremendous culture of accountability and growth among the young men he led each day. His organized and detailed approach had a meaningful impact across all levels of our program.

As Coach Napier has often said, this is a results-driven business, and while his influence was positive, it ultimately did not translate into the level of success we expect on the field.

I have named Billy Gonzales as the interim head coach. Coach Gonzales has been a valued member of our program for many years, including being a part of multiple championship teams. He is a Gator through and through. His deep understanding of our culture, our student-athletes, and what it means to represent the University of Florida makes him well-suited to lead our team.

Making this decision during the open date provides our team valuable time to regroup, refocus, and prepare for the challenges ahead. The timing also allows us to conduct a thoughtful, thorough, and well-informed search for our next head coach. We remain fully committed to utilizing every resource available to identify the right leader to guide Gators Football into the future.

I will conduct the search with a high degree of confidentiality to protect the privacy of those involved. The search will focus on the hiring of an elite football coach who will embody the standard we have at the University of Florida, and we will continue to provide all of the necessary resources for that coach, his staff and the players to be successful.

Any time you conduct a head coaching search, especially for a high-profile sport like football or men's basketball, you learn something. The lessons from past experiences will guide us through the work ahead.

Across the University of Florida, there is an unwavering and uncompromising commitment to being the best in everything we do. This includes our athletic department, as evidenced by the fact UF is the only school in the country to win three national championships in both football and men's basketball.

The standards and expectations for Gators football are to win championships-not simply to compete. We exist to win, and will not settle for less.  UF has never been more invested in the success of this football program - elite facilities, robust NIL opportunities and comprehensive support for our student athletes and staff - than we are today.

The University of Florida is a destination - a place where people come to achieve excellence.  With our resources, passionate fan base, and unwavering commitment, we are determined to return Gators football to championship form.  I understand and accept the responsibility to deliver a football program that reflects the greatness of this university and I thank Gator Nation for their continued support as we begin this next chapter together.

Scott Burns
Director of Football Communications
University of Florida Athletic Association
C: (812) 322-5285
FloridaGators.com<http://www.floridagators.com/>

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida prosecutor’s office in Tampa is defending its controversial and unexpected decision to drop a felony criminal case against the man accused of tying his bull terrier dog to a fence in rising waters and abandoning it along Interstate 75 amid an evacuation ahead of a major hurricane.

The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office, led by Suzy Lopez, said it lacked witnesses and sufficient evidence to win a conviction on a felony aggravated animal cruelty charge in a trial. The case involved “Trooper,” the dog renamed after the Florida Highway Patrol officer who rescued him.

“While this case stirs many emotions and even ethical questions, we do not have a good-faith basis to continue this prosecution,” the state attorney’s office said. 

The prosecutor’s office filed paperwork Wednesday to drop its case against Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 24, of Ruskin, Florida. Aldama Garcia had told an investigator he had been trying for months to get rid of the dog, which he had named Jumbo, and left the dog on the side of I-75 as he and his mother evacuated Florida’s west coast ahead of Hurricane Milton, court records said. 

The case made national news. Gov. Ron DeSantis called the dog’s treatment “unacceptable” and said the state would hold the dog’s owner accountable. Lopez, the state prosecutor, chimed in, too, and said she couldn’t fathom tying a pet to a fence in such conditions.

In a new one-page memorandum circulated Friday, Lopez’s office said that during trial preparations it became clear there weren’t witnesses or evidence to prove that Aldama Garcia had tied the dog to the fence in rising waters.

The memo said video from the highway patrol showed the dog’s collar was stuck on the fence, and a witness earlier had seen the dog loose near the interstate. It said Aldama Garcia and his mother said the dog was becoming stressed and aggressive during their drive and the dog jumped from the car when they stopped to deal with the situation.

“The facts as depicted in the video and the statements do not support the theory that the dog was attached to the fence in an intentional manner,” the memo said. It added: “A failure to locate the dog during an emergency evacuation does not equate to a criminal failure to act.” 

A legal expert on animal cruelty laws and co-creator of Florida’s Animal Cruelty Taskforce, Adam Stern, said prosecutors would have needed to prove that Aldama Garcia caused the dog either death or injury – which include physical trauma or neglect.

He said in some cases, aggravated animal cruelty charges can be hard to prove without tangible, physical evidence. No case is ever as straightforward as it seems, he said. 

“There's always going to be a monkey wrench that something comes up, that there's a new piece of evidence or there is a small piece that's missing,” he said. “In some cases, there's evidence to exonerate somebody because they didn't do it and it was somebody else, or it was an accident.”

Stern has been involved as a legal expert in thousands of animal cruelty cases, including ones where animals have been tethered to dog houses with rising flood waters then drowned.

By law, that would be aggravated animal cruelty, he said. The case in Tampa was different, according to the new prosecutor’s memo, which said there was no evidence that Trooper was deliberately tied to a fence.

The highway patrol video of the dog’s rescue went viral. The officer wrote in his arrest warrant that he was responding to a 911 call that a dog had been abandoned and tied to a post. The dog can be seen in water levels up to his chest, trembling and shaking. Investigators later interviewed Aldama Garcia after he showed up at an animal shelter to recover the dog.

“The defendant stated he observed the dog in standing water in heavy rain during a hurricane evacuation and left him behind,” the trooper wrote in the arrest report.

A press release from the prosecutor’s office in October 2024 announcing the criminal case against Aldama Garcia also had described the dog as “tied up.” 

Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, asked Friday under Florida’s public records law for a copy of the trooper’s body cam video and any recorded interview between investigators and Aldama Garcia. The prosecutor’s office said it would cost $686 to review and turn over.

Trooper’s new owner, Frank Spina of Parkland in South Florida, said Lopez called him to personally deliver the news of the dropped case earlier this week. He said she cited a language barrier between Aldama Garcia and investigating officers along with a lack of evidence as reasoning.

He was fuming. 

Spina said that just two months ago, the state attorney’s office considered this their most important case, only to drop it at a whim. 

“You’re going to have a tough time when you've got to talk to Ron [DeSantis] and Casey [DeSantis] and say you're ditching this case,” he said in an interview Thursday night. 

“In my opinion, this was a high-profile case that everybody was watching,” he said. “They were afraid to lose it on TV.”

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The event marks the latest milestone in the university’s artificial intelligence initiative, which began in 2020 and serves as a national model for harnessing AI to build America’s future workforce and boost the country’s national competitiveness. 

Elias G. Eldayrie, senior vice president and chief information officer, welcomed more than 125 guests to the ceremony, including representatives from UF’s Board of Trustees and cabinet, NVIDIA and U.S. Representative Kat Cammack. 

Student groups showcased how they use AI at the university, providing a living demonstration of the system’s power. Attendees saw AI in action, from the Swamp Launch Rocket Team’s aircrafts to the Gator Motor Sports vehicle to the award-winning UF Steel Bridge and the research of iGEM, the world’s premier synthetic biology competition. 

“As Florida’s flagship university, UF has embraced a bold and audacious vision: to be the nation’s AI university. Our commitment to AI is not just promoting economic growth across the state and giving our students the tools they need to be America’s next generation of leaders,” said UF Board of Trustees Chair Mori Hosseini. “It’s also protecting lives, preserving resources, feeding the world, improving health outcomes, and making Florida stronger, safer and better prepared for tomorrow.”

HiPerGator representatives gave tours of the updated machine, including a replacement of the NVIDIA DGX A100 “Ampere” SuperPOD from 2020 with a DGX B200 “Blackwell” SuperPOD, which measures 30 times faster than the previous HiPerGator generation. 

The $33 million purchase is a highly anticipated step in a long-standing engagement between NVIDIA and UF that has resulted in a comprehensive push to integrate AI education and research across every academic discipline at UF. 

A team of about a dozen experts installed the 63 NVIDIA DGX B200 nodes, with each 8 NVIDIA Blackwell graphics processing units (GPUs), for a total of 504 GPUs.

HiPerGator recently ranked No. 3 in the world for speed (how quickly it responds to an AI question) and No. 4 for efficiency (how many AI questions it can handle at once), according to the standard MLCommons benchmark. 

“Every part of this university is a playground for AI,” said UF Interim President Donald W. Landry. “This land-grant institution has succeeded in what we want to see across the state… The combination of vision, partnership and dedication leads us to this moment.”

UF’s extraordinary computing infrastructure has played a key role in the university’s reputation, faculty recruitment and retention, and fast-rising research prowess. This upgrade of UF’s supercomputer continues the evolution from HiPerGator 1.0 (2013-2021) to HiPerGator 2.0 (2015) to HiPerGator 3.0 and HiPerGator AI (2021), each version faster and more powerful than the last.

More than 60% of UF’s $1.33 billion annual budget for research goes toward projects that rely on HiPerGator.

With more than 100 new AI faculty and 230 AI and data science courses, HiPerGator’s exceptional computational capabilities support a wide range of teaching and research advances in areas from engineering and medicine to history and astronomy. In the past year, the system supported nearly 7,000 users from across the Southeast. One service enabled by HiPerGator is NaviGator AI, which offers UF faculty, students and staff access to more than 40 large language models to experiment with generative AI. 

“What this group of folks and leadership has done represents a model that is going to transform the nation,” UF alumnus and NVIDIA cofounder Chris Malachowsky, a key partner and donor in UF’s sweeping initiative to lead the country in creating the next AI workforce. 

“This is a testament to the machine to be exploited and taken advantage of,” Malachowsky added. “Take it and run. It’s bold and powerful and impactful.”

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~ The following is a press release provided by the University of Florida. It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff. ~

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — UF Health Cancer Center researchers have found a surprising culprit behind common health problems like obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease: silent genetic glitches in the blood system that occur naturally as people age.

The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, mean that in the future, simple blood tests could be developed to identify people most at risk early on, helping prevent chronic illnesses and cancer through strategies like diet or lifestyle changes.

“Most people don’t think about the blood as causing obesity and related diseases, but our surprising findings highlight that there’s a causal relationship between mutations in blood stem cells and metabolic diseases,” said lead author Bowen Yan, Ph.D., a research assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in the UF College of Medicine.

As people age, stem cells in the bone marrow that produce blood cells gradually accumulate mutations in their DNA. Most mutations don’t cause any issues, but sometimes blood stem cells with a mutation can start crowding out their peers. Called clonal hematopoiesis, this condition affects about 10% of older people and is associated with an increased risk of blood cancers like leukemia.

Clonal hematopoiesis is linked to a higher risk of obesity and diabetes, studies using large databases of patient records like the UK Biobank and the National Institutes of Health’s All of US Research Program have shown. But the prevailing thinking was that obesity and related conditions promoted blood cell changes, not the other way around. The new study reverses that.

“We found that blood cell mutations don’t just show up because of poor health — they can cause it,” Yan said.

As part of their study, the researchers put a genetic mutation commonly involved in clonal hematopoiesis into the blood system of otherwise healthy mice. Mice with the mutation started to eat more and gained weight more rapidly than those without the mutation. They developed high blood sugar and were more prone to liver problems.

The effects were even stronger when mice were fed a high-fat, high-sugar “Western” diet — nutritionally similar to a Big Mac, French fries and milkshake diet: Their weight exploded.

“Mutations in the blood system are driving these conditions,” said senior author Olga Guryanova, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. “Clonal hematopoiesis is usually a silent condition, but if you know you have it, you’re better aware of the risks it’s associated with. Our hope is that knowing these risk factors would allow us to manage chronic conditions more efficiently, either with drugs or personalized lifestyle and diet interventions.”

The implications could be far-reaching, particularly as obesity has now overtaken smoking as the most significant and preventable risk factor for cancer.

“With the ability to predict the risk of obesity and metabolic disease and better manage it, we could also eventually mitigate the risk of developing cancer,” Guryanova said.

The team is studying how the mutations drive disease. Next, they plan to test how drugs like those commonly used to treat diabetes and new popular weight loss drugs might help reverse or prevent diseases caused by blood cell changes.

Researchers from Queen’s University in Canada contributed. The study received funding from the National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, Edward P. Evans Foundation, Oxnard Family Foundation, Ocala Royal Dames for Cancer Research and UF Health Cancer Center, where both Yan and Guryanova are members.

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~ The following is a press release provided by Florida Farm Bureau. It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff. ~

Gainesville, Fla.—Florida Farm Bureau has announced the top three finalists for its 2026 Florida Farmer of the Year award.  This award recognizes outstanding agriculturists who demonstrate excellence in agriculture, leadership, innovation and stewardship of the land.  

Florida Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agricultural organization, represents more than 132,000 member-families. We serve to enhance farm enterprise and improve rural communities.

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Everyone taking prescription medications should be aware of essential safety practices. Here are six tips to help ensure you are taking your medicine correctly and safely:

1. Maintain a Comprehensive Medication List

Keep an up-to-date list of everything you take, and share it with every healthcare provider you see (doctors, specialists, dentists, and pharmacists).

• Include: All prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, herbs, and dietary supplements.
• Detail: The name, dosage, how often you take it, and the reason it was prescribed.
• Why it matters: This is the most crucial step to prevent dangerous drug-to-drug interactions, to ensure you don't accidentally overdose on two products with the same active ingredient, and to help your doctor avoid prescribing medicine you shouldn't take.

2. Know the "Five W's" of Each New Drug

Before you leave the doctor's office or the pharmacy, make sure you know the following for every new prescription:

• What is the name of the drug and what is it for?
• When should I take it (e.g., morning, night, with food, on an empty stomach)?
• What are the most common side effects, and when should I call the doctor?
• What foods, drinks (like alcohol or grapefruit juice), or other medications should I avoid?
• Why am I taking this (What is the goal of the therapy)?

3. Take Your Medication Exactly as Prescribed

Consistency is key to the drug's effectiveness and your safety.

• Follow Directions: Take the exact dose at the exact time(s) specified. Do not skip doses, and never take a larger dose because you think it will work faster.
• Do Not Stop Early: Finish the full course of a prescription (especially antibiotics), even if you start to feel better. Never stop taking a maintenance drug on your own; always consult your doctor first.
• Ask Before Modifying: Do not crush, cut, or chew tablets unless your pharmacist or doctor specifically says it is safe, as this can affect how the drug is absorbed or release the medicine too quickly.

4. Use a Single Pharmacy

Whenever possible, fill all your prescriptions at the same pharmacy.

• Interaction Check: This allows your pharmacist—who is a medication expert—to have a complete and centralized record of your profile and automatically check for potential drug interactions or dosage conflicts.
• Ask Questions: Your pharmacist is your best resource for practical advice on when and how to take a medication and what common side effects to expect.

5. Store and Dispose of Medication Safely

Improper storage can ruin the drug's effectiveness, and improper disposal can lead to danger.

• Storage: Keep most medications in a cool, dry place, away from heat and direct sunlight. The bathroom medicine cabinet is often too humid for proper storage.
• Security: Always store medications, especially controlled substances and pain relievers, in a secure place out of reach and out of sight of children, pets, and visitors.
• Disposal: Never flush medicine down the toilet or throw it in the trash unless the label specifically instructs you to. Find a drug take-back program or a community disposal site (often at local police departments or pharmacies) for safe disposal of unused or expired drugs.

6. Never Share or Borrow Prescription Medication

Medications are prescribed based on an individual's specific medical condition, weight, allergies, and other concurrent medications.

• For You Only: Never take medicine prescribed to another person, even if you have the same symptoms. What is helpful for one person could be dangerous or deadly for another.
• Do Not Share: Never give your prescription to a family member or friend. If you have unused medication, dispose of it safely.

Prosper and be in health.

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William Garst is a consultant pharmacist who lives in Alachua, Florida. He is semi-retired and works part time at Lake Butler Hospital in Lake Butler, Florida. William received his pharmacy degree at Auburn University and a Doctor of Pharmacy from Colorado University. The Pharmacy Newsletter is a blog where you can find other informative columns. He may be contacted at garstcph@gmail.com.

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Sept 15 – Oct. 15 is the nationwide celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. This year’s theme is “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” reminding us that our nation’s strength comes from the diverse people who call it home and the shared commitment to build a better future together.

From the arts and education to business and public service, Hispanic Floridians continue to enrich every aspect of life in our state. Their leadership, creativity, and dedication exemplify the power of community and the enduring belief that opportunity should be within reach for all.

The Florida Commission on Human Relations’ (FCHR) mission is to promote equal opportunity and prevent discrimination by investigating allegations of discrimination in housing, public accommodations, employment, and state whistleblower retaliation as well as educating Floridians about their rights and opportunities. Through our diligent work, we continue to build a Florida where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. For more information or to file a complaint, contact the Florida Commission on Human Relations at (850) 488-7082 or visit www.FCHR.MyFlorida.com.

This month, and throughout the year, we honor the past while inspiring the future, by recognizing the collective heritage that connects us, celebrating the diversity that strengthens us, and reaffirming our commitment to fairness for every Floridian.

Cheyanne Costilla, Executive Director

Florida Commission on Human Relations

The history of vitamin K is a story of a single discovery that later expanded to include a family of related compounds, each with distinct roles in the body. The journey from initial observation to a detailed understanding of vitamin K1 and K2 spans several decades and involves multiple scientists.

The Initial Discovery of Vitamin K

The story begins in the late 1920s with Danish biochemist Henrik Dam.

• 1929: Dam was conducting experiments on chickens, feeding them a diet that was deficient in cholesterol and fat. After a few weeks, he noticed that the chickens developed a mysterious bleeding disorder, where their blood was slow to clot.
• 1935: Dam concluded that a new, fat-soluble vitamin was missing from the chickens' diet. He named this substance “Koagulations-Vitamin,” which is German and Danish for “coagulation vitamin.” This is where the letter “K” comes from.
• 1939: American biochemist Edward Doisy and his team at St. Louis University isolated and determined the chemical structure of the primary plant-based form of the vitamin, which they named phylloquinone. This substance would later be officially named Vitamin K1.

For their work on the discovery and chemical nature of vitamin K, Dam and Doisy were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1943.

Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone)

• Source: From the very beginning, it was clear that the "anti-hemorrhagic" factor came from plant sources, particularly green, leafy vegetables like spinach and kale.
• Function: Early research, and the Nobel Prize, focused on its essential role in blood coagulation. Vitamin K1 acts as a crucial cofactor for an enzyme that "activates" several clotting factors in the liver, including prothrombin (Factor II), Factor VII, Factor IX, and Factor X. Without this activation, these proteins cannot function properly, leading to uncontrolled bleeding.
• Modern Understanding: Vitamin K1's role in blood clotting remains its most well-known and clinically important function. It is used medically to treat bleeding disorders, and is routinely given to newborns to prevent a condition called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB).

Vitamin K2 (Menaquinones)

The story of vitamin K2 is more recent and has led to a re-evaluation of the entire vitamin K family.

• Discovery of a Second Form: Soon after the discovery of vitamin K1, scientists realized that there was another form of vitamin K. This second form, found in animal products and produced by bacteria, was chemically different. It was named menaquinone and collectively referred to as Vitamin K2. Unlike K1, which has a single chemical structure, K2 is a family of related compounds, designated as MK-4, MK-7, MK-9, etc., based on the length of their side chain.
• Japanese Fermented Foods: A major breakthrough in the understanding of K2 came from research into the traditional Japanese food natto, a dish of fermented soybeans. Scientists discovered that natto was an incredibly rich source of a long-chain menaquinone, specifically MK-7. This led to a boom in research on K2's health benefits.
• Beyond Blood Clotting: While K1 is primarily used by the liver for blood coagulation, researchers found that K2 has a different fate in the body. It is preferentially used by other tissues, especially bone and arterial tissues.
• The “Calcium Paradox”: A key aspect of modern K2 research is its role in “calcium trafficking.” Scientists have discovered that K2 activates proteins like osteocalcin in bones, which helps bind calcium and integrate it into the bone matrix. At the same time, K2 activates Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), a protein that prevents calcium from building up in soft tissues like arteries. This led to the theory that K2 may play a significant role in both bone health (preventing osteoporosis) and cardiovascular health (preventing arterial calcification).

Summary of Key Differences and Modern Research

The history of vitamin K is a testament to how scientific understanding evolves. What began as a single discovery of a “coagulation vitamin” has expanded to encompass a complex family of nutrients with far-reaching effects on human health.

Prosper and be in health.

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William Garst is a consultant pharmacist who lives in Alachua, Florida. He is semi-retired and works part time at Lake Butler Hospital in Lake Butler, Florida. William received his pharmacy degree at Auburn University and a Doctor of Pharmacy from Colorado University. The Pharmacy Newsletter is a blog where you can find other informative columns. He may be contacted at garstcph@gmail.com.

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~ The First Recorded Clinical Trial in 1747 ~

The history of Vitamin C is closely linked to the understanding and eventual conquest of scurvy, a debilitating and often fatal disease that plagued sailors on long voyages for centuries.

Early Observations

As early as the 15th century, it was noted that certain foods, particularly citrus fruits, had a curative effect on scurvy. Vasco da Gama's voyages, for instance, observed this link.

In 1747, James Lind, a British naval surgeon, conducted a controlled experiment demonstrating that citrus fruits effectively prevented scurvy. He compared various treatments among sailors with scurvy and found that only those receiving oranges and lemons recovered. This is perhaps, the first recorded clinical trial.

Despite Lind's groundbreaking work, it took several decades for the British Navy to mandate citrus fruit or juice as a regular provision for sailors, earning them the nickname “limeys.”

The Dawn of Vitamin Research:

In 1912, Casimir Funk introduced the concept of “vitamins” as essential dietary components. The anti-scorbutic factor was soon recognized as a water-soluble substance, initially called “water-soluble C.”

Isolation and Identification:

In 1928, Hungarian scientist Albert Szent-Györgyi isolated a substance from animal adrenal glands, naming it “hexuronic acid.” He suspected it might be the anti-scorbutic factor.

Around the same time, in 1932, American biochemist Charles Glen King also isolated vitamin C in his laboratory and concluded it was the same as Szent-Györgyi's hexuronic acid. There was some dispute over who made the definitive connection first, possibly due to communication delays.

Working independently, Szent-Györgyi and his colleague Joseph Svirbely conducted experiments on guinea pigs (which, like humans, cannot synthesize vitamin C) and proved that hexuronic acid was indeed the anti-scorbutic factor. They renamed it “ascorbic acid,” meaning “anti-scurvy.”

Structural Determination and Synthesis:

In 1933, British chemist Norman Haworth determined the chemical structure of vitamin C. Haworth and Szent-Györgyi jointly proposed the name “ascorbic acid”

Both Szent-Györgyi and Haworth were awarded Nobel Prizes in 1937 for their work on vitamin C. Szent-Györgyi received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries concerning biological combustion, with specific reference to vitamin C, and Haworth received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on the constitution of carbohydrates and vitamin C.

Further Discoveries and Applications:

Szent-Györgyi continued his research, famously identifying paprika as an exceptionally rich and easily accessible source of vitamin C, allowing for its production in larger quantities.

Since its discovery, vitamin C has been extensively studied for its various roles in human health, including its function as an antioxidant, its involvement in collagen synthesis, immune function, and iron absorption.

Today, vitamin C is recognized as an essential nutrient, and its deficiency is known to cause scurvy, characterized by symptoms like weakness, bleeding gums, and poor wound healing.

Research continues to explore the potential benefits of vitamin C in preventing and treating various diseases.

The history of vitamin C is a compelling story of scientific investigation driven by the need to combat a devastating disease. From empirical observations to isolation, structural determination, and synthesis, the journey to understanding and utilizing this essential nutrient has significantly impacted human health

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William Garst is a consultant pharmacist who lives in Alachua, Florida. He is semi-retired and works part time at Lake Butler Hospital in Lake Butler, Florida. William received his pharmacy degree at Auburn University and a Doctor of Pharmacy from Colorado University. The Pharmacy Newsletter is a blog where you can find other informative columns. He may be contacted at garstcph@gmail.com.

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As a concerned citizen of Florida, I am writing to express my deep alarm over the recent decision to eliminate all vaccine mandates in our state. Vaccines have long been one of the most effective and life-saving public health tools we have. Rolling back these protections threatens to reverse decades of progress against diseases like measles, mumps, and polio — illnesses that vaccines had nearly eliminated.

This decision will not affect all Floridians equally. Black and Brown communities, already facing disproportionate rates of chronic illness, limited access to care, and systemic health inequities, will bear the heaviest burden. Without the safeguard of mandates, these communities are at greater risk of disease outbreaks and preventable deaths.

I am also concerned about the issue of trust. Our nation’s history of medical neglect and mistreatment of Black and Brown populations has left a deep scar of mistrust in the healthcare system. Abrupt policy changes such as this risk eroding fragile progress in building confidence and could reinforce skepticism toward public health guidance.

Beyond the health risks, there are serious financial and economic consequences. Preventable outbreaks lead to increased healthcare costs, hospitalizations, and strain on already overburdened medical systems. Families who cannot afford time off work or unexpected medical bills will be disproportionately harmed. Local businesses and schools may also face disruptions if vaccine-preventable diseases reemerge, causing lost productivity and economic instability. In short, what may appear to be a rollback of regulation could instead create higher costs for families, communities, and the state as a whole.

While individuals should have the right to make informed decisions — including the ability to opt out under certain circumstances — public health policy must balance personal choice with the protection of children, immunocompromised individuals, and entire communities. Without mandates or robust equity-driven alternatives, our most vulnerable neighbors will be left unprotected.

Faith and cultural values are also central to many families’ health decisions. Public health efforts should engage and respect these perspectives. But removing mandates outright, without strong outreach, education, and access initiatives, will send us backward — leaving communities exposed to diseases that science has already taught us how to prevent.

I urge you to reconsider this decision. If mandates are to be removed, Florida must implement strong, equity-focused measures to ensure that every Floridian — regardless of race, income, or faith — is protected. Public health policy must be guided not only by science and fairness but also by a recognition of the enormous economic and financial strain that preventable outbreaks place on families and our state.

Roberta C. Lopez

Archer, Florida

The history of the B vitamins is a fascinating journey that spans several decades and involves the work of numerous scientists. Initially thought to be a single nutrient, it was later discovered to be a complex group of essential water-soluble vitamins with distinct functions. Here's a brief overview of their discovery:

The Beriberi Connection

The story begins in the late 19^th Century with the investigation of beriberi, a debilitating disease prevalent in regions where polished white rice was a dietary staple.

• 1889: Dutch physician Christiaan Eijkman, working in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), observed that chickens fed polished white rice developed beriberi-like symptoms, which were reversed when they were fed unpolished brown rice. This suggested a nutritional deficiency.
• 1906: English biochemist Frederick Gowland Hopkins proposed the existence of "accessory food factors" beyond fats, proteins, and carbohydrates that were essential for growth and health.

The “Vitamine” Concept

• 1911: Polish biochemist Casimir Funk, working in London, isolated a substance from rice polishings that could cure beriberi in pigeons. He proposed that this and other similar substances were vital amines, coining the term “vitamine.” Although not all vitamins are amines, the name stuck (later dropping the “e”).

Distinguishing Multiple Factors

• 1913: American biochemist Elmer McCollum distinguished between “fat-soluble factor A” and “water-soluble factor B,” recognizing that there was more than one essential nutrient in the water-soluble category.

Isolation and Identification of Individual B Vitamins:

The subsequent decades saw the isolation and characterization of the individual B vitamins:

• Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): Isolated in crystalline form in 1926 by Dutch chemists Barend Jansen and Willem Donath. It was the first B vitamin to be identified and was found to be the anti-beriberi factor.
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): First observed as a yellow-green fluorescent pigment in milk in 1872, it was characterized and named riboflavin in the early 1930s.
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Its deficiency was linked to pellagra in 1915 by Joseph Goldberger. The chemical structure was determined in 1937 by Conrad Elvehjem.
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Discovered in 1933 by Roger J. Williams while researching essential nutrients for yeast.
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Identified in 1934 by Paul Gyorgy.
• Vitamin B7 (Biotin): Research spanned the early 1900s, with contributions from Margaret Averil Boas (1927) and Paul Gyorgy (who named it Vitamin H in 1939), among others.
• Vitamin B9 (Folate/Folic Acid): Identified in 1933 by Lucy Wills for its role in preventing a type of anemia during pregnancy.
• Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): Its deficiency was linked to pernicious anemia. It was isolated in 1947 by Karl Folkers and his team.

The “B Complex”

As each water-soluble vitamin with a distinct function was discovered, they were grouped together as the “vitamin B complex.” This term reflects their shared water solubility and their common occurrence in many of the same foods, as well as their often-interconnected roles in metabolic processes.

Nobel Prizes

The importance of B vitamin research is highlighted by the Nobel Prizes awarded to scientists involved in their discovery and understanding:

• 1929: Christiaan Eijkman and Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work on the discovery of vitamins. Eijkman's work focused on the link between diet and beriberi (leading to the identification of Vitamin B1), while Hopkins was recognized for his broader contributions to the understanding of essential nutrients.
• 1934: George Whipple, George Minot, and William Murphy received the Nobel Prize for their work on the treatment of pernicious anemia using liver extracts, which eventually led to the isolation of Vitamin B12.
• 1964: Dorothy Hodgkin was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her work on determining the structures of important biochemical substances, including Vitamin B12.

Modern Understanding

Today, we have a detailed understanding of the chemical structures, functions, dietary sources, and deficiency symptoms of each of the B vitamins. They are known to play crucial roles as coenzymes in numerous metabolic pathways, affecting energy production, nerve function, red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and many other vital processes.

It's worth noting that several other substances were once considered part of the B complex and assigned B numbers (like B4, B8, B10, B11), but these were later found to be either synthesized by the body or not essential and were thus removed from the official list of B vitamins

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William Garst is a consultant pharmacist who lives in Alachua, Florida. He is semi-retired and works part time at Lake Butler Hospital in Lake Butler, Florida. William received his pharmacy degree at Auburn University and a Doctor of Pharmacy from Colorado University. The Pharmacy Newsletter is a blog where you can find other informative columns. He may be contacted at garstcph@gmail.com.

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