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NEWBERRY – The Newberry Fire Department will soon breathe easier thanks to a major federal award aimed at improving firefighter safety and readiness. During the Oct. 13 City Commission meeting, Fire Chief Jason Lyman announced that the department has received a $139,699.28 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), requiring only a $6,984.97 local match from the City.

The funding will allow the department to replace aging Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units—critical equipment that enables firefighters to breathe clean, independent air in smoke-filled or hazardous environments. Many of the department’s current air packs are more than a decade old, and according to Lyman, have begun to show signs of unreliable performance.

The grant will fund the purchase of new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including a complete update of the department’s SCBA inventory. These systems provide the life-sustaining air supply firefighters depend on while battling structure fires, vehicle fires, and hazardous materials incidents.

The City Commission unanimously approved acceptance of the FEMA grant and the required 5% local match. Commissioners also voted to authorize city officials to execute all necessary agreements and documentation related to the grant to ensure timely compliance with federal requirements and efficient implementation.

Chief Lyman praised the teamwork behind the successful application, emphasizing that the project was handled entirely in-house by city staff. The application was written by Grant and Finance Manager Jane Sullivan, with support from Firefighter Paramedics Louis Derousie and David Voigt. Lyman noted that all three employees “went above and beyond their normal duties” to complete the detailed grant proposal, which resulted in securing nearly $140,000 in critical funding for the department.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, administered by FEMA, supports fire departments and emergency medical service organizations nationwide by providing funding for training, equipment, and facility improvements that enhance public safety and firefighter health. For smaller departments like Newberry’s, these competitive grants often serve as a lifeline for maintaining modern, compliant equipment.

With this new grant, the City of Newberry is better positioned to continue its ongoing investment in emergency services and public safety infrastructure.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission met Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, addressing a full agenda that included several topics of interest to local residents. While the two key items from the meeting are featured in separate articles in this week’s Alachua County Today, several additional remarks and announcements were made that may be of particular interest to Newberry citizens.

Among the updates shared during the meeting:

• Visitor numbers rising: City Manager Jordan Marlowe reported that more than 401,000 out-of-county visitors have come to Newberry within the past 12 months, reflecting the city’s continued growth as a regional destination for sports, tourism and community events.
• City Hall opening schedule: Mayor Tim Marden announced that the City will host a Pre-Open House for the new City Hall building on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon. The informal event will allow citizens and interested parties to tour the interior of the facility, with guided tours conducted by both the mayor and city manager. City officials anticipate a move-in date around the third week of November.
• Ribbon-cutting ceremony: A formal ribbon-cutting for the new City Hall is planned for Monday, Nov. 24, at 5 p.m. While some minor finishing work may still be underway, the ceremony will proceed as scheduled to celebrate the completion of the long-anticipated civic project.
• Fall festivities on Main Street: Newberry Main Street Organization President Chris Mack announced that the annual Scarecrow Road event will take place on Friday, Oct. 25, along Newberry Road. Festivities will include a jack-o’-lantern carving contest, a costume competition, and scarecrow judging with cash prizes of $100 for first place, $50 for second, and $25 for third. Businesses will line the street to greet trick-or-treaters and distribute candy beginning around 4 p.m., with the full event scheduled from 3 to 6 p.m.
• Holiday meeting schedule: Commissioners also noted that the regular Dec. 22 City Commission meeting may be postponed due to the Christmas holiday, unless urgent matters arise that require immediate discussion.

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ALACHUA – A fight between two students at Santa Fe High School during Tuesday’s lunch period ended in violence when one student stabbed another with a pocketknife, leaving the victim hospitalized and the suspect in custody, according to school and police officials.

The Alachua Police Department (APD) said officers and school resource officers responded at approximately 12:26 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2025, to reports of an altercation in the school courtyard. During the confrontation, 18-year-old Christopher David Teague allegedly pulled a five-inch pocketknife and stabbed another student three times in the back.

According to a police statement issued around 5 p.m., witnesses stepped in to separate the students, and school staff immediately escorted the injured student to the nurse’s office, where emergency medical crews responded. The victim was then transported to a nearby hospital under a trauma alert and was listed in critical but stable condition as of Tuesday afternoon.

Teague was taken into custody without incident by the school resource officer and relocated to a secure office on campus while additional officers arrived.

Police said that after Teague was read his Miranda rights, he reportedly admitted to retrieving the knife from his pocket and stabbing the other student.

He was later booked into the Alachua County Jail on three felony counts:

• Aggravated Battery (Person Uses a Deadly Weapon), a second-degree felony — §784.045(1)(a)2
• Possession of a Weapon on School Property, a third-degree felony — §790.115(2)(b)
• Disturbing the Peace / Interfering with School Administration Functions, a second-degree misdemeanor — §877.13(1)(a)

Out of an abundance of caution, Santa Fe High School was placed on a temporary lockdown immediately after the incident, which was lifted once the scene was secured and the suspect detained.

In a message to parents, Alachua County Public Schools spokesperson Jackie Johnson confirmed that the altercation occurred during lunch and resulted in one student stabbing another. She said the injured student was hospitalized and the suspect was arrested by Alachua police.

“The student will also be disciplined in keeping with state law and the district’s Code of Student Conduct, which requires a mandatory 10-day suspension and mandatory recommendation for expulsion,” Johnson said.

She added that a threat assessment and threat management process would begin immediately in coordination with law enforcement, describing it as standard operating procedure following such incidents.

Johnson also reminded families that weapons, including pocketknives, are strictly prohibited on campus, on school buses, and at any school-related activity.

While police have not released a motive, social media users have circulated unverified claims suggesting that Teague was the target of bullying by the other student and that prior altercations led up to the stabbing. Authorities have not confirmed those reports.

APD said no additional information will be released “to protect the victim’s privacy,” but emphasized that “the safety and security of our students and staff remain the highest priority.”

Law enforcement and school officials said the investigation remains active. A threat assessment team, including law enforcement, school administrators, and mental health professionals, will determine whether further safety measures or disciplinary actions are warranted.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact APD.

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Photo special to Alachua County Today

CEDAR KEY – After a year’s pause due to hurricane impacts, the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station (NCBS) will once again open its doors to the public for its annual Open House on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, offering a hands-on look at the science, conservation, and community partnerships that define Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Hosted by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at NCBS, 552 First Street in Cedar Key. Admission is free, and families, students, and visitors of all ages are welcome.

The Open House marks a celebrated return after last year’s cancellation caused by hurricane-related disruptions. This year’s event will highlight the ongoing research and outreach that take place year-round at the station — work that helps protect and restore coastal ecosystems across Florida’s Nature Coast.

Visitors will have opportunities to meet scientists and graduate researchers, explore interactive exhibits, and participate in a variety of educational and family-friendly activities. Touch tanks featuring live aquatic animals, scavenger hunts, and games designed to engage young learners will make marine science accessible and fun for all ages.

“The NCBS open house is a chance for us to interact with the public and our neighbors in Cedar Key, and show our year-round work to improve and protect our natural resources,” said NCBS Director Mike Allen.

Alongside NCBS exhibits, guest booths will feature representatives from several UF departments, the UF Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, the Florida State University Marine Lab, and multiple state agencies involved in environmental stewardship and marine research. Each will share insights into the state’s efforts to balance coastal protection with sustainable use of marine resources.

Located in the heart of historic Cedar Key, the Nature Coast Biological Station serves as a hub for research, education, and outreach focused on the Gulf Coast’s unique ecosystems — from oyster reefs and seagrass beds to fisheries and wildlife habitats. The open house is designed not only to showcase scientific advances but also to strengthen ties between the research community and local residents who depend on coastal environments for their livelihoods and recreation.

With its mix of science, education, and community spirit, this year’s open house offers a family-friendly way to reconnect with Florida’s natural coast and the people working to preserve it.

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GAINESVILLE – Alachua County Public Schools will spotlight its full range of academic and career-technical magnet programs later this month, inviting families to explore the specialized educational opportunities available to students across the district.

The annual Magnet Showcase will be held Saturday, Oct. 25,2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alachua County Sports and Event Center, 4870 Celebration Pointe Avenue in Gainesville. The free event is open to all families of school-aged children.

Representatives from the district’s elementary, middle, and high school magnet programs will be on hand to share information about curriculum options, program benefits, and application deadlines. Students and staff from each program will also be available to answer questions and describe what makes their learning experiences unique.

“This district offers students of all ages so many pathways to achieving their educational and career goals,” said Shannon Ritter, director of Alachua County Public Schools’ career tech programs. “Families attending the Showcase are always amazed at the wide variety of options available through Alachua County Public Schools.”

The district’s magnet programs include both academic and career-focused tracks, providing opportunities in fields such as engineering, health sciences, technology, performing arts, and more. Open houses for individual programs will begin Tuesday, Oct. 14, and continue through Nov. 13, allowing families to visit campuses, meet teachers, and experience the programs firsthand. Many schools will also offer shadowing opportunities for prospective students.

Families can find details about open house dates, program descriptions, and application procedures at www.alachuaschools.net/magnets.

The application window for the 2026–27 school year runs from Dec. 2 through Jan. 12. All students — including those not currently enrolled in Alachua County Public Schools —  are eligible to apply, regardless of where they live or which school they are zoned to attend. Transportation is available for students who live more than two miles from their assigned magnet site.

The Magnet Showcase continues to be one of the district’s most popular annual events, giving families an inside look at how Alachua County schools are preparing students for future success through innovative and specialized learning opportunities.

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BROOKSVILLE – A team from Cross City Correctional Institution has earned statewide recognition after capturing first place at the 2025 Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) Statewide K9 Tracking and Training Event, an elite annual competition and professional development program for the agency’s top-performing K9 tracking units.

The event, held in Brooksville, brought together the eight best-performing teams from FDC regional contests across Florida. Designed to enhance readiness, teamwork, and technical precision, the training combines timed field challenges with advanced skill demonstrations that reflect real-world law enforcement scenarios.

“Our K9 tracking teams are an integral part of public safety in Florida and we are greatly appreciative of the support we receive from Governor DeSantis and the incredible sheriffs we partner with to serve the local communities where our teams live and work,” said Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky D. Dixon. “These events are a testament to our dedication to continuous improvement. During every activation our K9 teams respond to, there are lives on the line that depend on us to be at our best.”

FDC Special Teams Coordinator Jonathan “Danny” Rummel said the competition represents not only excellence in performance but also a shared commitment to public safety and professional growth.

“This event brings together the top eight teams from regional competitions across the state, culminating in a showcase of the state's absolute best,” Rummel said. “Each year, these teams compete to see who has trained the hardest and perfected their skills. It's not just about winning; it's about public safety and ensuring that our facilities and communities remain secure. This event highlights the dedication and hard work of our teams, and we are incredibly proud of their accomplishments.”

Cross City’s Excellence Recognized

The Cross City Correctional Institution team, based in Dixie County, achieved top honors in the 2025 statewide event, marking another milestone for the facility’s K9 program. Their victory highlights both the handlers’ professionalism and the K9s’ exceptional capabilities in real-world operations.

FDC’s K9 tracking teams are primarily tasked with pursuing escaped inmates, though such cases have become increasingly rare thanks to improved technology and modern security measures. Today, these teams often serve a broader role in Florida’s law enforcement network — assisting sheriff’s offices and police departments in tracking dangerous fugitives, recovering evidence, and locating missing children or vulnerable adults.

The Cross City team’s performance in Brooksville reflected the results of rigorous preparation and field experience. During the competition, teams faced a combination of day and night tracking courses that simulated complex search operations through rough terrain and variable conditions. Events tested endurance, scent detection, and decision-making under pressure, with additional stations evaluating firearms proficiency and handler conditioning.

Commitment to Continuous Training

The annual FDC K9 event underscores the department’s emphasis on training and interagency collaboration. Teams from across the state benefit from shared best practices and scenario-based exercises that ensure readiness for emergencies.

“This event is about ensuring every team is at its best when called upon,” Dixon said. “Lives depend on it, and our teams take that responsibility seriously.”

In addition to Cross City’s first-place finish, the 2025 competition recognized:

• Second place: Mayo Correctional Institution (Mayo)
• Third place: DeSoto Correctional Institution (Arcadia)
• First place shooting team: Okeechobee Correctional Institution (Indiantown)

For the Cross City Correctional Institution, the recognition reinforces the skill, dedication, and teamwork of its K9 handlers — qualities that extend beyond the competition field and into their service to the public.

“These K9 units are a vital part of FDC’s mission,” Dixon said. “Their commitment to excellence and community safety is something every Floridian can be proud of.”

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