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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ A lighthearted approach is helping spread a serious message about pedestrian safety as High Springs prepares to take part in International Walk to School Day. Firefighter/Paramedic Doug Hope and High Springs Community School Principal Jenni Roberson teamed up to create a pun-filled video promoting the annual event and reminding students of safe walking habits.

The event will officially kick off at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at High Springs Community School, with additional celebrations scheduled at other local schools throughout the week. Organized by Safe Kids North Central Florida, in partnership with the High Springs Fire Department and other community partners, the campaign is designed to encourage students to walk safely while building healthy habits.

The video blends humor with safety lessons, offering students and families memorable tips:

• Always use crosswalks and look left, right and left again before crossing.
• Walk on sidewalks whenever possible, and if none are available, walk facing traffic.
• “Walk like you own the sidewalk” and “follow the rules like your mom is watching.”

Delivered with a series of puns and jokes, the presentation highlights how safety doesn’t have to be boring. For example, students are asked why a child might bring a flashlight to school — the answer: “because he wanted to be bright in class.” Another playful reminder tells kids to be “toe-tally prepared” and warns of a “roam-a-saurus” when a dinosaur walks to school.

While High Springs will launch the week, other Alachua County schools are also joining the effort:

• Oct. 7 (afternoon): Littlewood Elementary
• Oct. 8 (morning): Stephen Foster Elementary
• Oct. 8 (afternoon): Rawlings Elementary
• Oct. 10 (morning): Norton Elementary

Each celebration reinforces the importance of pedestrian safety, encouraging children and families to practice safe walking habits near schools and in their neighborhoods.

International Walk to School Day is observed worldwide each October, promoting health, safety and community. The initiative encourages students to walk or bike to school, reducing traffic congestion while teaching practical pedestrian skills.

High Springs Fire Department’s involvement reflects its ongoing commitment to community education and child safety as a proud coalition member of Safe Kids North Central Florida.

The full video featuring Hope and Roberson can be viewed at: youtube/Hr6loDf0fZw.

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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 Animal Resources (ACAR) is combining Halloween fun with pet adoptions at its upcoming “ACAR After Dark” event. The after-hours, Halloween-themed celebration will take place Saturday, Oct. 25, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the county shelter (3400 NE 53rd Ave., Gainesville).

 All adoption fees will be waived during the event, giving potential adopters the perfect opportunity to find their new companion.

 Even if you’re not looking to adopt, the shelter invites the community to join in the fun with trunk-or-treating, face painting, local vendors offering gifts for pets and humans, and an evening full of Halloween festivities.

 “This event is a great way for families to enjoy a fun night out while supporting local animals in need,” said ACAR Outreach Programs Supervisor Sarah Gilley. “We hope everyone will come out to celebrate with us.”

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The spirit of the 1950s came alive in downtown Newberry as the Newberry Main Street Organization (NMSO) hosted its Third Annual Fabulous 50’s Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

NEWBERRY ‒ The spirit of the 1950s came alive in downtown Newberry as the Newberry Main Street Organization (NMSO) hosted its Third Annual Fabulous 50’s Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. The event drew thousands to the city’s historic center at 25320 W. Newberry Road, celebrating an era known for its music, cars and community spirit.

NMSO President Chris Mack described the event as “a tribute to the 50s and a time when things just seemed easier.” That nostalgic theme carried throughout the free, family-friendly festival, where attendees were encouraged to don vintage attire and join in a lively costume contest.

This year’s festival was a collaborative effort between NMSO and Gainesville Street Rods, which helped raise money for charity. Nearly $2,000 was collected to support Homes 4 Heroes, while a clothing drive gathered donations for St. Francis House. Organizers said both causes benefitted significantly from the enthusiastic response of festivalgoers.

Entertainment was central to the event, with music from the 1950s and 1960s filling the streets courtesy of Newberry’s Twisted H Productions. A live DJ kept energy high throughout the day, while food trucks and local vendors offered refreshments and merchandise. The highlight for many was the classic car show, billed as “awesome” by organizers, which drew car enthusiasts eager to showcase vintage rides.

While the Fabulous 50’s Festival is one of NMSO’s smaller events, organizers said they were encouraged by the turnout. An estimated 3,000 visitors attended, enjoying not only the festival itself but also the restaurants and shops in historic downtown Newberry.

Mack said the strong community response reaffirmed the festival’s growing role in highlighting downtown as a hub for both residents and visitors. The event not only showcased local businesses but also fostered a sense of pride in Newberry’s historic core.

With live music, classic cars, nostalgic costumes and charitable giving, the Fabulous 50’s Festival once again blended entertainment with community spirit—leaving organizers optimistic about the festival’s future as a fixture on Newberry’s event calendar.

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

GAINESVILLE, FL (Oct. 10, 2025) -- The Department of Fine Arts and Entertainment Technology at Santa Fe College (SF) will present a concert called “Reflections” by the vocal ensemble “Voices of Santa Fe” Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyceum (E auditorium) located on the Northwest campus.

"Reflections” is a positive look at events that happen in our everyday lives — themes of joy, hope and happiness run through the songs — and how we can look at even ‘not-so-happy events with different eyes.

This free concert will feature an instrumental pop ensemble directed by Assistant Professor of Music Ed White. “Voices of Santa Fe” is a brand-new ensemble made up of students from SF musical theater, classical music and theater department classes who are available to perform for events at the College, the Gainesville community, or for anyone needing solos or ensembles.  Find more information about the concert, go to this link.

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The construction of Newberry’s new City Hall nears completion. Photo by Alachua County Today Staff Photographer

NEWBERRY ‒ The construction of Newberry’s new City Hall is nearing completion, marking a major step in the city’s efforts to centralize government services and improve accessibility for residents and business owners. Since the groundbreaking in September 2024, the two-story, 11,000-square-foot facility has steadily taken shape and is now expected to open later this fall.

For years, residents seeking city services have had to navigate multiple buildings around town. Departments such as Community Development and the Building Department operated out of the Little Red Schoolhouse, while other offices were located across the street in Annex 2 or inside the existing City Hall. The new building is designed to bring all services under one roof, creating a single point of access for residents, developers and business owners.

City officials say the consolidation will streamline services and improve efficiency. The ground floor will house customer-facing departments including Finance, Community Development, Customer Service and the Building Department. The second floor will feature 18 offices and three collaborative open work areas for city staff. Although the building includes an elevator, most customer needs can be met on the ground floor. There will not be private offices for the mayor or commissioners, but space will be available for citizens to meet with them or staff in private when needed.

One of the key features is a 1,246-square-foot Commission Chamber designed to seat more residents during public meetings. An accordion wall will allow the space to expand or contract, making it adaptable for gatherings of different sizes. Conference rooms and updated technology are also being added to improve service delivery.

City leaders stress that the new building has been designed to blend into its surroundings while offering state-of-the-art amenities. “The idea is to make City services easily accessible for our community as we grow,” said Assistant Director of Capital Projects and Facilities Ryan Young.

The $11,000-square-foot project is being managed by Scorpio Construction of Gainesville, with design by Monarch Design Group. City staff members have worked closely with the construction team throughout the process. Once the new facility is finished, the city plans to remodel the existing 3,300-square-foot City Hall building and connect the two structures. A loggia will link them, creating a covered outdoor area with pavers for festivals, farmers markets and other community activities.

The city museum, located in the Little Red Schoolhouse, is also slated for improvements, although those upgrades will follow later.

City Manager Jordan Marlowe emphasized that the project is long overdue. He noted the city waited until the need became pressing before committing taxpayer dollars. He also tentatively identified Nov. 15 as a possible ribbon-cutting date, though officials stressed the timeline remains subject to change.

“Once the building is completed, we will coordinate to get everybody moved in while minimizing any inconvenience to our community,” Young said. An official announcement of the ribbon-cutting is expected within the coming weeks.

With the project nearing completion, Newberry residents can expect a more centralized, efficient government hub—one designed not only to meet current needs but to grow alongside the city in the years ahead.

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