GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Gainesville High School history teacher Lauren Watts has been placed on administrative leave while both district and state officials investigate serious allegations of student bullying.

A parent, Dr. Crystal Marull, reported that in May 2023, her son—active in ROTC and known for his conservative views—was labeled by classmates as a “Naziphile” due to his interest in World War II history. According to her account, Watts then had the student nominated for a mock superlative, “Most Likely to Become a Dictator,” and tried to compel him to accept the award—actions Dr. Marull says caused emotional harm to her son.

In response, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier urged the school district to dismiss Watts and press for revocation of her teaching license if the claims are validated.

Shortly thereafter, Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios (Stasi) Kamoutsas filed a formal administrative complaint seeking sanctions against Watts’s certification. The complaint lists multiple possible penalties, ranging from reprimand to permanent disqualification from teaching in the state.

Alachua County Public Schools confirmed that Watts remains on leave and emphasized that details of the case are protected under Florida confidentiality statutes.

These events unfold amidst broader controversy involving the school board’s leadership. Just weeks earlier, School Board Chair Sarah Rockwell faced a public relations crisis after making a social media post about the death of wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, remarking that his passing meant “one less MAGA.” Though the post was quickly deleted, it drew significant backlash and heightened scrutiny of board conduct.

The two matters have intensified community dialogue around accountability, ethics, and the district’s educational environment. No timetable has been announced for resolution of the investigation into Watts’s conduct.

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

ALACHUA COUNTY -  Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that allows you to give back to your community and participate in your county's decision-making process? Serving on an Alachua County advisory board offers you this chance. The County Commission relies on input from these boards to make informed decisions and set policies. 

 Over 250 citizens serve on the advisory boards advising county government and local agencies on many topics. They include affordable housing, economic development, environmental protection, human rights, county finances, and many other issues. The Alachua County Commission seeks citizen volunteers to serve on several advisory boards.

 For example, the Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center Advisory Council has a vacancy for a citizen at-large. The advisory council provides an opportunity for citizen involvement on ways to improve services for crime victims and raise awareness about abuse and crime to positively impact the community.

 Current Advisory Board openings include:

 Animal Welfare Advisory Committee – One vacancy for animal welfare professional

• Citizens Disability Advisory Committee – Two vacancies for citizen at-large
• Health Care Advisory Board – Five vacancies, including one Department of Health representative, one mental health professional, one non-profit healthcare provider representative, one pharmacist or pharmacy provider representative, and one representative of healthcare agency serving primarily low-income patients
• Health Facilities Authority – Two vacancies for citizens at-large
• Historic Commission – Two vacancies, including one citizen at-large and one alternate
• Land Conservation Board – Two vacancies, including one natural resource professional and one citizen at-large
• Public Safety Coordinating Council – One vacancy, representative of county, state jobs programs, community groups who work with offenders and victims
• Rural Concerns Advisory Committee – Two vacancies, including one actively involved in agriculture and/or silviculture, and one for UF IFAS
• Veteran Services Advisory Board – Three vacancies, including one citizen at-large (veteran), one alternate citizen at large (veteran), and one post-9/11 veteran
• Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center Advisory Council – One vacancy for a citizen at-large.

 Learn more about the duties and meeting logistics or apply online.

 For more information, contact Assistant County Manager and Chief of Staff Gina Peebles at 352-337-6279 or gpeebles@alachuacounty.us.

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

ALACHUA COUNTY - Alachua County Fire Rescue’s 9-1-1 Office, in partnership with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department, Gainesville Fire Rescue, and the Combined Communications 9-1-1 Center, is proud to introduce Smart911, a free and secure public safety tool available to all residents.

 Smart911 allows individuals and families to create a personalized safety profile at www.smart911.com. When someone calls 9-1-1 from a registered phone number, the profile automatically displays to operators, providing details about the caller, household members, medical needs and even pets or vehicles. Officials said the information helps first responders respond more quickly and effectively in emergencies.

 “This service allows residents to plan for an emergency,” said Alachua County 9-1-1 Section Chief A. Keith Godwin. “The more information first responders have before arriving, the quicker they can provide lifesaving help.”

 Who should consider signing up:

 Residents who live alone

• Families with members who have allergies, take prescription medication or use medical devices
• Households with individuals who have physical disabilities
• Anyone relying solely on cellular service (without a landline)
• Homes that may be difficult to locate at night

 Key things to know:

 A single household safety profile can include multiple family members.

• Each cell phone number can only be linked to one person in the nationwide system.
• Emergency contact numbers can be added to more than one profile.
• Medical history, medications and special needs can be included.

 In addition to Smart911, residents are reminded that Text-to-911 is also available. This service allows individuals to send a text message directly to 9-1-1 when calling is not possible or safe. Officials advise: Call if you can, text if you can’t.

 Watch the Good Morning America feature to learn more about Smart 911.

 No one plans to dial 9-1-1, but now you can plan ahead. 

 For more information, contact 9-1-1/Communications Section Chief Keith Godwin at 352-338-7361 or kgodwin@alachuacounty.us.

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

The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County (DOH-Alachua) advises residents that there has been an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of Alachua County. Several sentinel chickens have tested positive for West Nile virus infection. DOH-Alachua, Alachua County, and local municipal mosquito control departments are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts by continued monitoring, larviciding breeding sites, and adulticiding certain areas within the county.  

 DOH-Alachua reminds the community to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by taking these basic precautions.

 The Department continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya, and dengue. Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s site.

 For more information, visit the department’s website or call 352-334-7900.

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Familiar Scenes Blend with Fresh Faces

ALACHUA – As buses pulled up outside schools on Aug. 11, the first day of the 2025-26 school year in Alachua County felt both familiar and fresh — a blend of new beginnings and deeply rooted traditions.

NOW — August 2025:  Members of the Alachua Lions Club assist with traffic control at W.W. Irby Elementary School on Aug. 11, 2025, the first day of the 2025-26 school year. This year marks the club’s 33rd consecutive year providing safety support for the school’s youngest students.

In classrooms and hallways, students returned from summer break with new backpacks, sharpened pencils, and the familiar hum of first-day excitement. Teachers greeted children at doorways, parents lingered for quick hugs, and crossing guards in bright vests ushered families safely across busy intersections.

The rhythms of the day echoed a moment from 17 years ago, captured in a 2008 photograph at Mebane Middle School: students lining up at the bus loop in the warm afternoon sun, ready for the ride home after their first day back. Though fashions and technology have changed, the anticipation and energy remain timeless.

Educators say the first day of school is about more than finding classrooms and learning schedules — it’s about setting the tone for the year. In 2008, middle schoolers gathered in small clusters, chatting while waiting for the buses. In 2025, those clusters still form, but cell phones are in hand and buses come equipped with updated safety systems and air conditioning.

The first-day bustle is most visible in neighborhoods surrounding schools, where traffic patterns shift and sidewalks quickly fill before and after the bell. For students, the day marks the start of new academic challenges, sports seasons, and friendships. For parents and educators, it’s a reminder of the responsibility — and privilege — of shaping another year of learning.

The back-to-school season is also a coordinated community effort. Public works crews refresh crosswalk paint and prepare school-zone signals, local police increase patrols near campuses, and volunteers help stock classrooms with supplies.

A long-running first-day tradition is found at W.W. Irby Elementary School in Alachua. This year marked the 33rd consecutive year that the Alachua Lions Club provided traffic control during the first few days of school.

Since 1993, members have donned their gold and purple vests each August to guide parents through the drop-off and pick-up process at the school, which serves kindergarten through second grade. On Monday and Tuesday this year, club members once again lined the sidewalks, helping keep the city’s youngest learners safe and ensuring a smooth start to the year.

A current photo from this week shows Lions Club members on duty — a visual reminder of how civic groups, schools, and families work together to support children.

Whether remembered through a faded photograph from 2008 or experienced firsthand in 2025, the essence of the first day of school remains the same: anticipation, energy and the start of another year in the classroom.

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

 The following is a press release provided by the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff.

Aug. 14, 2025 — Consumers value Acerola, also called the Barbados cherry, for its health benefits, and it thrives in the Caribbean, Mexico, Brazil and other parts of Central and South America.

University of Florida researchers are working with a Brazilian colleague to see if they can advance the genetic understanding of this nutritious fruit and grow it in the Sunshine State.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that only 1 in 10 American adults meets the recommended fruit and vegetable intake, making the availability of more nutritious fruits helpful. Some people grow Barbados cherry trees in their yards in Florida – and eat the nutritious fruit.

The cherries are rich sources of vitamin C, carotenoids, anthocyanins and phenolic compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, they can provide over 1,800% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C in just one cup.

To help bring consumers all that nutrition, scientists with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are evaluating the genetic diversity of acerola and adapting cultivation practices to local conditions.

“These nutritional benefits have elevated acerola to superfood status, making it marketable for fresh consumption, desserts, supplements or juice” said Felipe Ferrao, who’s leading the project for UF/IFAS. “They can contain up to 100 times more vitamin C than oranges, making them a powerful candidate for enhancing and supplementing our diet.”

As part of this effort, scientists are trying to grow acerola in three major field trials around Florida: at the UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Center in Citra, at a farm in Pierson and at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) in Homestead.

Through these trials, researchers are trying to find out if different types of acerola perform well under varying climates, soil types and management systems. Their research will lay the groundwork for future production across the state.

"Our central goal is to determine the best regions and practices for growing acerola, while understanding how climate conditions influence fruit quality and nutritional value,” Ferrao said.

Beyond its nutritional benefits, acerola also has the potential to help mitigate the ongoing crisis in citrus production and become an alternative crop for local producers.

“As citrus and avocado growers struggle, it’s critical that UF/IFAS help farmers grow more emerging crops,” said Ferrao a UF/IFAS assistant research scientist in horticultural sciences. He used the juice industry as an example. “With approximately 90% of oranges grown in Florida used for making orange juice, growers could take advantage of the existing citrus juice infrastructure, make acerola juice that is delicious, refreshing and nutritious.”

Among others, Ferrao is working with Patricio Muñoz and Ali Sarkhosh -- associate professors of horticultural sciences at the main UF campus in Gainesville -- and Jonathan Crane, a professor and tropical fruit Extension specialist and Jugpreet Singh, an assistant professor of tropical fruit breeding and genetics – both at TREC.

This research also includes a partnership with Flavio França, a researcher and acerola specialist from the Embrapa Semiarido, in Brazil.

"While Brazil is the top producer of acerola, the University of Florida has an important role,” Franca said, citing the ‘Florida Sweet’ acerola, which was grown at TREC in the 1950s.

The research group believes that the integration of better management, genomic tools and breeding techniques can accelerate the identification of acerola plants that meet the current demand of fruits with unique flavor attributes, higher yield and high nutritional values.

“We envision acerola could as a viable crop for agricultural future, contributing to economic growth and food security,” Ferrao said.

 The following is a press release provided by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff.

Grants Part of More Than $3.5 Million Awarded to Youth Literacy Programs Across the Country

GOODLETTSVILLE, TENNESSEE  – Aug. 14, 2025 – Today, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) announced the award of more than $190,000 in youth literacy grants to Florida non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. The funds are part of more than $3.5 million recently awarded across the country for recipients to use the funds for professional development opportunities and/or to purchase books, technology, equipment or materials to help extend a brighter future for K-12 students.

“As the need for accessible educational materials and resources for our country’s youth continues, we are proud to provide vital support to local literacy programs,” shared Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “The Dollar General Literacy Foundation believes the investment in the education of a young student is an investment in a brighter future. We are grateful to the local schools, libraries and non-profit organizations that are serving students and helping them thrive.”

Florida recipients are below, and a comprehensive list of grant recipients may be found online at www.dgliteracy.org. The Florida grants are expected to positively impact the lives of more than 24,500 individuals in the state.

Applications for the 2026 Dollar General Literacy Foundation grant cycle supporting youth, family, summer and adult literacy programs will be available at www.dgliteracy.org in January 2026. These grants aim to support schools, libraries, and non-profit organizations within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center in implementing new literacy initiatives or expanding existing ones. Grant applications may be found online at http://www.dgliteracy.org.

To shine an additional light on literacy, the Foundation recently launched its sixth annual The Yellow Glasses Project. Now through International Literacy Day on September 8 (or while supplies last), DG customers can purchase yellow sunglasses for $2 each at participating DG stores across the country to benefit the DGLF.

Florida recipients include:

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Kristine Van Vorst of Gainesville to serve as a judge on the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Moseley.

The Eighth Judicial Circuit serves Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties. The court handles a wide range of cases, including major criminal trials, civil disputes exceeding $50,000, family law matters, probate, juvenile cases, and appeals from county courts.

Van Vorst has served as an Alachua County Court judge since 2017, presiding over misdemeanor criminal cases, county civil matters, traffic infractions, and small claims disputes. Prior to her election to the county bench, she worked as a general magistrate for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, where she handled cases referred by circuit judges, including family law and child support enforcement proceedings.

A double graduate of the University of Florida, Van Vorst earned both her bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from the school. Her legal career in Gainesville spans more than two decades, with experience in both the public and private sectors before joining the judiciary.

The governor’s office did not announce an official start date, but Van Vorst’s appointment will become effective upon completion of the judicial transition process. The Florida Constitution grants the governor authority to fill judicial vacancies through appointment, with appointees subject to standing for election in the next general cycle that occurs more than one year after their appointment.

Van Vorst’s elevation to the circuit bench will leave a vacancy in the Alachua County Court, which will be filled through the same appointment process.

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BRISTOL, Fla. – On Aug. 3, 2025, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) was alerted to a kidnapping suspect traveling along U.S. 319 in Wakulla County. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Maurtez Rashaad Edwards of Macon, Georgia, was wanted for the aggravated kidnapping of his 2-month-old child.

At 4:35 p.m., FHP Trooper Norris and deputies from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) responded to a new alert indicating that Edwards’ vehicle was heading westbound on State Roads 20 and 267 in Leon County, approaching Liberty County. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the suspect refused to pull over and accelerated, initiating a dangerous high-speed pursuit.

Trooper Norris led the chase and attempted a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver when conditions allowed. Edwards evaded the maneuver, reversed direction, and began traveling east on SR 20. Despite two additional PIT attempts, he continued driving erratically—brake-checking pursuing officers and varying his speed—posing an increasing risk to public safety.

As the pursuit entered Gadsden County, it became evident that Edwards was actively kidnapping the infant, showing reckless disregard for the child’s safety while reaching speeds of up to 92 miles per hour.

With coordinated efforts by FHP, LCSO, and the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), Trooper Myers joined the pursuit and successfully executed a final PIT maneuver. When Edwards exited the vehicle and attempted to flee, LCSO deputies moved in. He then retrieved an AR-15 rifle hidden inside the vehicle and placed the barrel under his chin. Deputies engaged and safely disarmed him after a brief struggle.

Edwards subsequently abandoned the infant and fled on foot into a wooded area. He was quickly apprehended by Trooper Sanders and LCSO deputies.

Trooper Norris located the abducted infant, safely secured in a car seat carrier, with no visible injuries. Family members were notified and met the child at a hospital in Gadsden County, where he was reunited with his mother and grandmother.

“Our mission is to serve and protect the people of Florida, and this successful operation highlights what’s possible when state and local agencies work together,” said Dave Kerner, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. “I commend everyone involved for their professionalism and commitment to public safety.”

“This incident highlights how important it is for the motoring public to stay alert to their surroundings and assist law enforcement,” said Colonel Gary Howze of the Florida Highway Patrol. “It demonstrates how Florida law enforcement agencies work together as force multipliers in our commitment to helping those in harm’s way, pursuing justice, and holding criminals accountable.”

“This was outstanding cooperation between multiple agencies,” said Liberty County Sheriff Dusty Arnold. “I can’t say enough about the Florida Highway Patrol and the deputies and dispatchers here at the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work.”

Maurtez Rashaad Edwards was booked into the Liberty County Jail and faces the following charges:

• Fleeing/Eluding with Disregard for Safety of Persons or Property (F.S. 316.1935.3a)
• Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (F.S. 784.07.2c)
• Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer (F.S. 784.07.2d)
• Cruelty Toward a Child Without Great Bodily Harm (F.S. 827.03.2c)
• Kidnapping of a Minor Confined Under Age 13 Without Parental Consent (F.S. 787.01.1b)
• Use or Display of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (F.S. 790.07.2)

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TALLAHASSEE — As part of a statewide initiative to increase oversight of local government spending, Governor Ron DeSantis has deployed two teams from the newly established Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to Gainesville and Broward County. The move is intended to fulfill the governor’s pledge to promote transparency and fiscal accountability across the state. The full press release from the Governor’s Office follows:

Florida DOGE Puts Boots on the Ground in Gainesville and Broward County 

 TALLAHASSEE — Today, two teams from the Florida Department of Government Efficiency arrived in to Broward County and the City of Gainesville to make good on Governor Ron DeSantis’ promise to ensure transparency and accountability in government. These teams will closely analyze local government spending, with team members from the Department of Financial Services, Department of Revenue, Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce, and Department of Education. 

“Florida is the model for fiscal responsibility at the state level, and we will utilize our authority to ensure local governments to follow suit,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida’s DOGE efforts are owed to the taxpayer and yet another way their state is pursuing fiscal responsibility.” 

Over the last five years, the taxpayers of Broward County have watched as the county government has increased burdens on property owners to the annual tune of over $450 million dollars in additional ad valorem tax collections. This has been part of a spending spree that has seen Broward County’s annual operating budget expand by over $1.2 billion, during a time when the county’s population has grown by less than 5%. 

This year—and for every year to come, unless it cuts spending—the City of Gainesville will spend at least $90 million more than it did four years ago. This increase in spending is now levied in part on Gainesville property owners, who are expected to pay 85% more in property taxes than what they paid in 2020. This is due to both a rate increase and to rising property values that should be, but have not been, offset by a corresponding cut in taxes. As a result, Gainesville’s taxpayers are carrying an additional $90 million burden each year. 

"We're ushering in a new era of transparency and accountability in Florida, said Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. For years, I've called out reckless local spending, often on things taxpayers would never support if they knew the full story. As local budgets grow, we must ask whether these increases are truly justified. Too often, we see spending far outpacing what Floridians can actually afford. I'm focused on making life more affordable—especially when it comes to housing, insurance, and taxes—and that starts with right-sizing government. Through the authority of my office and Governor DeSantis’ Florida DOGE initiative, we're opening the books, demanding answers, and bringing fiscal sanity back. Florida’s taxpayers should know that this CFO has their back!” 

Additionally, letters of intent to visit have been sent to Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Orange counties as well as the city of Jacksonville to prepare for on-site visits from DOGE teams.

Governor Ron DeSantis created the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) through Executive Order 25-44 in February 2025 to ensure government efficiency, transparency, and accountability at all levels of government, including state agencies, state colleges and universities, and local governments. 

Having entrusted their governments with the power to tax, the citizens of Florida have a right to expect that their elected officials will spend the collected funds responsibly. Throughout his tenure, Governor DeSantis has made clear his commitment to fiscal responsibility and efficiency. Florida has paid down nearly 50% of the State’s total historic tax-supported debt and has maxed-out the state’s rainy-day fund during his tenure. Additionally, the Governor’s signing of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget marks the second consecutive year of a year-over-year reduction in state spending.

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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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Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays many crucial roles in the body. Here are some of its key benefits:

Vision

• Essential for night vision: Vitamin A is a component of rhodopsin, a protein in the eyes that allows us to see in low-light conditions. Deficiency can lead to night blindness. Supports overall eye health: It helps maintain the cornea (the outer layer of the eye) and conjunctiva (the membrane covering the surface of the eye).
• May reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts: Some studies suggest that adequate vitamin A intake, often through carotenoids like beta-carotene, may lower the risk of these age-related eye conditions.
• Treats dry eyes and inflammation: Vitamin A can help moisten the eyes and reduce inflammation.

Immune Function

• Supports immune cell development: Vitamin A is crucial for the development and function of various immune cells, including neutrophils and macrophages, which fight off infections.
• Maintains the mucosal barrier: It helps maintain the health of the mucous membranes in the nose, sinuses, mouth, and gut, which act as a barrier against pathogens.
• May reduce the severity of certain infections: In deficient children, vitamin A supplementation can reduce the severity of measles and diarrhea.

Skin Health

• Promotes cell growth and turnover: Vitamin A is involved in the growth and repair of skin cells.
• May help treat acne: Topical retinoids (a form of vitamin A) are commonly used to treat acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing oil production
• .Reduces signs of aging: Topical retinoids can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation by stimulating collagen production and promoting skin cell turnover.
• Supports wound healing: Vitamin A plays a role in collagen production and reduces inflammation, which are important for wound healing.
• May help treat other skin conditions: Prescription retinoids are used to treat conditions like psoriasis and warts.

Growth and Development

• Essential for cell growth and differentiation: Vitamin A is needed for the proper development and specialization of cells throughout the body.
• Important for fetal development: It plays a critical role in the growth and development of the fetus during pregnancy.
• Supports bone health: Vitamin A contributes to bone growth and maintenance.

5. Reproduction:

• Essential for both male and female reproductive health: It is involved in sperm and egg development.
• Important for placental health: Vitamin A is crucial for the health and function of the placenta during pregnancy.

Antioxidant Activity

• Carotenoids act as antioxidants: Beta-carotene and other carotenoids, which can be converted to vitamin A in the body, are potent antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Important Considerations:

• Deficiency: Vitamin A deficiency can lead to various health problems, including night blindness, increased risk of infections, and skin issues.
• Toxicity: Excessive intake of vitamin A can be harmful, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and even liver damage. Pregnant women should be particularly careful not to exceed the recommended upper limit due to the risk of birth defects.
• Food Sources: It's generally best to obtain vitamin A through a balanced diet rich in sources like liver, fish, dairy products, eggs, and orange and yellow fruits and vegetables (which contain beta-carotene).

It's always best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate amount of vitamin A for your individual needs

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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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Medication reconciliation is a term used in healthcare that describes the process of comparing a patient’s medication orders in a healthcare institution (hospital or nursing home) to what the patient has been prescribed and taking at home.

The purpose of this short column is to point out that many times patients are admitted to an institution, sometimes in an emergency, and it is difficult to determine what medications have been taken at home. Often when asked about their medications the response is “I take a blood pressure drug, a blood thinner, something for cholesterol, and something occasionally for arthritis pain.”

Just those four categories of medications probably describe several dozen, if not more, potential medications. What is needed is an exact listing of the medications with their dose (strength), how often they are taken, and when they are taken.

The perfect list of medications would be an official one from the patient’s primary care physician or provider. However, often what is presented at the institution is a handwritten list with the barest of information.

I am suggesting in this short column that a person, each time they see their primary care physician, request a current list of their medications with doses and instructions, to be printed for them or even emailed to them for reference in case of an emergency.

This list would also be helpful to take to their pharmacist for comparison to what the pharmacy has on file in their computer profile. In this way, the pharmacist could request a prescription to be there at the pharmacy before it is needed, if there have been changes to the drug, dose, or how often the medication is taken. In addition, the pharmacist may want to notify the primary care physician of other medications that have been prescribed that are not on the primary care physician's record.

This brings up another important aspect: sometimes other physicians (specialists or emergency department physicians) have prescribed medication for a patient and the primary care physician is unaware and would need to know this addition, even if temporary, for a complete listing of medications.

It is vital that medication regimens be accurate as patients transition between healthcare environments as a matter of safety and proper medication administration. Keep the list handy or scan it into your computer for ready reference.

I hope this column was informative; 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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“I say to you today, my friends, though, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’” These words are as moving today as when first spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the passionate and influential civil rights leader who stood as a “pillar of hope and a model of grace” in his fight towards equality for all.

On January 17, we will reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. King, who, with his brave supporters, stood in strong opposition to racial discrimination, as well as the wrongful and unequal treatment of people who differed in national origin and religious beliefs.

The State of Florida continues to carry Dr. King’s legacy forward, committed to ending discrimination and ensuring all within our state have fair and equal access to employment and housing - because every person deserves to live the American Dream. The Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) was established in 1969 to enforce the Florida Civil Rights Act and address discrimination through education, outreach, and partnership. Annually, the FCHR recognizes and honors Floridians who advance civil rights throughout the state in the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.

As we take this time to honor Dr. King, let us consider how we can improve our own communities. Everyone should have the opportunity to live the American Dream. Dr. King paved the way for our society to embrace equality, and it is our job as Americans and Floridians to ensure the civil rights of all people.

Angela Primiano, Vice-Chair

Florida Commission on Human Relations

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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is on June 15. On this day, and throughout the month, communities, seniors, caregivers, governments, organizations, and the private sector unite to prevent the mistreatment of and violence against older people.

Social Security imposter scams are widespread across the United States. Scammers use sophisticated tactics to deceive you into providing sensitive information or money. They target everyone – even the elderly – and their tactics continue to evolve.

Most recently, Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has received reports of phone scammers creating fake versions of the identification badges most Federal employees use to gain access to Federal buildings. The scammers may text or email photos of the fake badges to convince potential victims of their legitimacy. These badges use government symbols, words, and even names and photos of real people, which are available on government websites or through internet searches.

If you receive a suspicious letter, text, email, or call, hang up or do not respond. You should know how to identify when it’s really Social Security. We will NEVER:

• Text or email images of an employee’s official government identification.
• Suspend your Social Security number.
• Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee.
• Require payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency, or cash by mail.
• Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
• Send official letters or reports containing your personal information via email.

We only send text messages if you have opted in to receive texts from us and only in limited situations, including the following:

• When you have subscribed to receive updates and notifications by text.
• As part of our enhanced security when accessing your personal my Social Security account.

If you owe money to us, we will mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights.

We encourage you to report suspected Social Security imposter scams — and other Social Security fraud — to the OIG website at oig.ssa.gov. You may read our previous Social Security fraud advisories at oig.ssa.gov/newsroom/news-release. Please share this information with your friends and family to help spread awareness about Social Security imposter scams.

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The first drug developed to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD), the modern term for alcoholism, was disulfiram (Antabuse). Today disulfiram is still used, but as a second line drug behind acamprosate (Campral) and naltrexone (Revia, Vivitrol). Disulfiram works by blocking the enzymatic breakdown of alcohol and allowing a metabolite to build up in the blood, producing very unpleasant effects. People taking disulfiram will be deterred from ingesting alcohol because they know they will become very ill. The drug is used as an aid to help alcoholics overcome their cravings and addiction.

Disulfiram (a compound that contains sulfur) was first synthesized in 1881 as an industrial chemical, and in the early 1900s was introduced in the manufacturing of rubber. Adding sulfur in rubber manufacturing produces varying degrees of hardness in the final rubber compound.

During the late 1930s sulfur compounds, including disulfiram, were being investigated because of the antimicrobial effects of drugs containing sulfur, and the search was intense. Two scientists at the Danish firm of Medicinalco, Erik Jacobson and Jens Hald, began investigating disulfiram for treatment of intestinal parasites. This company had a group of employees called the “Death Battalion” who would experiment on themselves.

During this phase of testing the drug on themselves, they discovered they became ill after ingesting alcohol. This discovery was made in 1945, but a few years later disulfiram was considered to be used in the treatment of alcoholism as an aversive-reaction drug therapy. Jacobson and Hald’s work was finally published in 1948 and disulfiram was approved by the FDA in 1951.

The discovery of disulfiram led to a renewed interest in the metabolism of alcohol in the body. It was known alcohol was metabolized in the liver and broken down to acetaldehyde then to acetic acid and carbon dioxide by unknown enzymes. In 1950 it was discovered that disulfiram blocked the action of the enzyme that converts acetaldehyde, thus causing an accumulation of acetaldehyde in the bloodstream, which is the cause of the unpleasant effects.

Effects that occur when disulfiram is taken with alcohol include flushing, sweating, nausea and vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. One should not take disulfiram within 12 hours of alcohol ingestion or 14 days from the last dose of the drug. In addition, products that contain alcohol such as aftershave, cologne, perfume, antiperspirant, and mouthwash can produce unpleasant reactions for people taking Antabuse. Other products to avoid are paint thinners, solvents, and stains, along with dyes, resins and waxes, because even small amounts of alcohol absorbed through the skin can produce the effects.

Other drugs can produce adverse reactions, commonly called the “antabuse-like reaction.” The most notable of these drugs are metronidazole (Flagyl, an antibiotic), griseofulvin (an antifungal), and some cephalosporin antibiotics. If a drug is known to have this side effect, it should be pointed out to the patient by the prescriber and the pharmacist. Always read the drug information given to you when starting a new medication that tells you about side effects that may occur and how to avoid them.

Substance abuse of any kind is not good, but alcohol abuse has been especially devastating to society, families, and individuals because of the convenient availability, relative inexpensiveness, and its association with festivities. In addition, the abuse of alcohol leads to lack of inhibitions and unpredictable behaviors, which are many times violent and destructive. When people take disulfiram, they are acknowledging their problem, and they know that very unpleasant reactions will occur if alcohol is consumed, thus it helps to deter the first drink.

The history of disulfiram is still being written. Currently, it is being studied to treat certain cancers, parasitic infections, HIV, and Covid-19.

Stay informed and stay healthy.

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William Garst is a consultant pharmacist who resides in Alachua, Florida. He received his B.S. in Pharmacy from Auburn University in 1975. He earned a master’s degree in Public Health in 1988 from the University of South Florida and a Master’s in Pharmacy from UF in 2001. In 2007, he received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Colorado. Dr. Garst is a member of many national, state, and local professional associations. He serves on the Alachua County Health Care Advisory Board and stays active as a relief pharmacist. In 2016, he retired from the VA. Dr. Garst enjoys golf, reading (especially history), and family. He writes a blog called The Pharmacy Newsletter (https://thepharmacynewsletter.com/). William Garst can be contacted at communitypharmac
ynewsletter@gmail.com.

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