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GAINESVILLE, Fla.,Jan. 13, 2023 - Scientists have discovered a way to alter the chemical properties of fentanyl, offering a safer alternative to the powerful pain reliever.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid similar to morphine but up to 100 times more potent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is among the most abused pain relievers in the U.S. and the leading cause of overdose deaths. More than 80,000 Americans died from an opioid overdose in 2021.

In a study published in the journal Nature, a team of scientists from the University of Florida, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Southern California and Stanford University, report how they modified fentanyl’s chemical structure to maintain its pain-relieving properties while reducing harmful side effects.

“Fentanyl is one of the world’s most powerful, yet dangerous pain-relieving medications,” said study co-author Jay McLaughlin, Ph.D., a professor of pharmacodynamics in the UF College of Pharmacy, part of UF Health, the University of Florida’s academic health center. “A team of multidisciplinary scientists from some of the nation’s leading universities came together to gain a new understanding of how the opioid receptor works, and from that research, we sought to generate a new medication that will be a safer pain reliever.”

Pain-killing drugs like fentanyl and morphine bind to the mu-opioid receptor on nerve cells. The interaction triggers a series of responses — from beneficial pain relief to serious side effects like respiratory distress, sedation, addiction and even death.

By applying new insights into the receptor structure, researchers designed a medication that binds to the established site of activity on the outside of the mu-opioid receptor, while also engaging a binding site for sodium ions that exists deep within the receptor. McLaughlin described these receptor sites as switches that turn on and off to control the drug’s effect on the body. Researchers found that when the new drug interacts with both sites on the mu-opioid receptor, it maintains its painkilling effects while reducing harmful side effects.

“The newly designed fentanyl medication is engineered to work as a partial agonist, which are drugs that bind to and activate a receptor but only have partial efficacy,” McLaughlin said. “When the drug binds to the mu-opioid receptor site, the interaction triggers pain relief, but the engagement with the sodium ion essentially turns the receptor off before the adverse effects can occur.”

Susruta Majumdar, Ph.D., led a team of scientists at Washington University to design the new fentanyl drug. Other researchers provided computer modeling support and studied it in cell assays before animal studies began at the University of Florida. McLaughlin tested the altered fentanyl drug in mice and found it provided pain relief without causing respiratory depression or other opioid side effects.

“The more we can learn about how opioid receptors work, the closer we get to developing safer pain medicines,” McLaughlin said. “We can expand this research to target other receptors and see if similar results may improve medications for substance abuse, mood disorders and other health conditions.”

Other scientists contributing to the study included Nobel Prize winner Brian Kobilka, M.D., Ph.D., and Georgios Skiniotis, Ph.D., from Stanford University; Vsevolod Katritch, Ph.D., from the University of Southern California; and Tao Che, Ph.D., from Washington University.

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The A. L. Mebane High School Alumni Association, Inc., awarded a group of first-term college students with academic scholarships.

The A. L. Mebane High School Alumni Association, Inc., awarded a group of first-term college students with academic scholarships.

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The A. L. Mebane High School Alumni Association, Inc., has awarded a group of students who are first-term college students with scholarships. The program was held Dec. 27, 2022, at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in High Springs. This is the 24th year the Alumni Association has awarded scholarships. In addition to scholarships, the A. L. Mebane High School Alumni Association also provides social services and cultural enrichment.

The students were challenged by Santa Fe High School Class of 2000 Valedictorian Dr. Yuvon Mobley, who is currently Senior Director Scientific and Medical Affairs Biosciences Annexon Biosciences, Atlanta, Ga. She expounded on the poem, “Within Me.” For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger-something better, pushing right back.

A poetry reading “Bring Dat College Home” was recited by Calvin Smith.

Students receiving scholarships were DaKiya Jenkins and Alaurie McClellon, who will be attending Santa Fe College; Nay’Ron Jenkins, Tahj A. Merriex and Isley Mitchell, who are headed to Florida A&M University; Twaneise Johnson, who will be attending Kansas State University; Tya Spearman, who will be attending North Carolina A&T University; and Randolph John, Jr., who is headed to the New Mexico Military Institute. Scholarships were also presented by graduating classes of the school 1966, 1967 and1969.

The A. L. Mebane High School Alumni Association offered its sincere gratitude to the many sponsors for continued support of their college students, adding “You Make It Happen!”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack announced the introduction of the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2023.

This bill would reassert Congress' legislative authority and prevent excessive overreach by the executive branch in the federal rulemaking process. It would require every new "major rule" proposed by federal agencies to be approved by both the House and Senate before going into effect. The bill would also preserve Congress' authority to disapprove of a "nonmajor rule" through a joint resolution.

The REINS Act would define a "major rule" as any federal rule or regulation that may result in: an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

"During the first year of this administration, the Biden White House added more than $200B in new regulatory costs," said Rep. Cammack. "These new regulations cost the American taxpayers over $2T per year in compliance costs and economic losses without the proper oversight from the legislative branch. The REINS Act is a core part of House Republicans' mission to reintroduce government accountability and to restore Congress' role to check the regulatory actions of federal agencies. I'm grateful to the overwhelming support of my colleagues on this bill and look forward to seeing it pass the House this Congress."

"For too long, Washington bureaucrats have been empowered to create rules that cost our nation hundreds of millions of dollars," said House Majority Whip Tom Emmer. "We are proud to join Representative Cammack in this effort to make these unelected regulators answer to Congress."

"For the last two years, President Biden and progressive Democrats have imposed harmful regulations on the American people," said Rep. Jim Jordan, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. "The REINS Act will place a much-needed check on unelected bureaucrats. It's time for Congress to reclaim its lawmaking authority, and this bill is an important first step toward ending the Biden Administration’s radical overreach."

"Unnecessary government regulations and excessive red tape impose crushing economic burdens on Kentuckians and Americans across this country," said Rep. James Comer, Chairman of the House Oversight & Accountability. "Since President Bide took office, his administration and unchecked bureaucrats are full steam ahead on enacting a radical, far-left agenda through executive action. I am proud to support Representative Cammack and her legislation to ensure federal rulemakers no longer bypass Congress. Americans deserve a voice in the federal rulemaking process and have suffered from significant and costly regulations for far too long."

Rep. Cammack first introduced this bill in March 2021 during the 117th Congress. You can read more about the bill in the exclusive Fox News article by Brianna Herlihy here.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ For the second time in his career as a High Springs police officer, Sergeant Jason Taylor saved a life. On Dec. 21, 2022, 74-year-old George Cain suffered a heart attack while working at the High Springs Mobile Food Pantry. Cain’s heart had stopped and he was not breathing. Sgt. Taylor quickly began CPR on Cain and also used a defibrillator to try and get his heart beating again until fire rescue crews arrived.

Anna James, who runs the food pantry and witnessed the incident, credited Taylor's calm focus with keeping Cain alive until he could be transported to the hospital. “What was so great about him is he was so calm, direct, directing us, and telling us we were doing good—and he was doing all the work,” said James.

While James and other at the food pantry saw Taylor’s actions as calm and methodical, underneath the surface, Taylor felt anything but calm. “I was worried,” said Taylor. “I really wanted to know how he was doing. When I did get that call that he came back, he was responding to questions, and they got his heart beat back to where it was supposed to be at, it was a good feeling.” But while being hailed as a hero, Taylor was humble, saying it was just another day doing his job.

But this was not the first time Taylor saved a life. On Nov. 19, 2019, Taylor was working at High Springs Middle School as the School Resource Officer (SRO).

During lunch at the school, a third-grade student experienced choking when food became lodged in his throat with complete blockage of his airway. Taylor was present when the student began choking, and he successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver and dislodged the blockage. Because of Taylor's life-saving actions in 2019, he was given a Commendation Award by the High Springs City Commission. Taylor's humility shown through at that time as he said, “I was just doing my job.”

Just days ago, High Springs Police Chief Antione Sheppard said that Taylor is slated to receive another Commendation for his actions on Dec. 21 that saved Cain’s life at the food pantry. Sheppard said that because of Taylor’s quick actions, a family will have a happy holiday rather than mourning the loss of a family member.

Taylor has been with High Springs Police Department (HSPD) since 2014. He oversees the School Resource Officer unit and is a certified K-9 handler with K-9 Justice, who is trained to detect weapons and ammunition. In addition to his regular duties, Taylor is also in charge of organizing Operation Holiday Cheer.

The annual Christmas time event brings together High Springs first responders who spend two months gathering donations of toys, clothes, gift cards and monetary donations to provide a merry Christmas to finically disadvantaged families. Each year, the week before Christmas police and fire crews lead a caravan of police cruisers and fire trucks to family homes, where in most cases, the children have no idea their Christmas is about to become much merrier than anticipated. In his usual humble manner, Taylor gives all credit to the rest of the team. But it was his initial effort that helped bring joy to 50 families this year.

While Taylor discounts all these happenings as just doing his job, George Cain, the elementary school student, their families and all the families whose lives are enriched during the holidays might disagree. To them, Taylor is doing much more than his job. He is a hero.

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Ocala, FL—Charlie Chappel, owner of Ocala Heating and Air Conditioning was recently honored with an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award. The award was presented for Chappel’s extraordinary support for his employees, Florida Army National Guard (FL ANG) Spec. Mike Atchley and Marine Corps Reserve Lance Cpl. Jeremy White.

“The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees who have answered their nations call to serve,” said ESGR Florida State Chair Rita Broadway. “Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units, Broadway continued.

“National Guard and Reserve members are bringing tremendous skills and capabilities to our workforce, and employer support for their military service is critical to maintaining the strength of our Guard and Reserve units,” said Tim Lambert, ESGR Florida Vice Chair. “By valuing the military service of their Guard and Reserve employees, employers are directly supporting the retention of our All-Volunteer Force, and our National Defense,” Lambert continued.

“Mr. Chappel has given me great support in meeting my military obligations. I was called on very short notice to report on State Active Duty because of Hurricane Ian. He continued to check on me and my family throughout my entire absence from work telling me not to worry about my job or family,” said Atchley. “When money got tight for bills, he made sure I received pay from the Company to get me through until I received my military pay. Without his support, I would never be able to continue my military obligation to our State and Nation without great financial and emotional suffering for my family,” Atchley continued.

“Running a business is challenging for a small business owner, I know that it must be tough to have two employees away from work because of military duty. Mr. Chappel certainly deserves the Patriot Award,” said White.

ESGR is a Department of Defense program that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also aids in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers.

For more information about ESGR outreach programs of volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/FL

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GAINESVILLE ‒ An Alachua traffic stop has resulted in jail time for one man. On Thursday, Dec. 15, 18-year-old Ronnie Ryan Padgett was sentenced to 90 days in the Alachua County Jail.

On Sunday, Sept. 4, by City of Alachua Police Sergeant B. Young was conducting traffic control on Northwest U.S. Highway 441 and saw a white passenger van traveling at 77 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone. He conducted a traffic stop at the 15000 block of Northwest U.S. Highway 441.

The vehicle pulled into a nearby gas station and struck a concrete barrier near the gas pump, which caused the vehicle to come to a complete stop.

Padgett admitted to not having a valid driver’s license and having marijuana inside his pocket. A search of the vehicle revealed a glass smoke pipe with a piece of Brillo pad and a smoked blunt.

Padgett claimed the pipe was not his and he did not know what it was used for. Young also located four gas cards that belonged to an Alachua business, which Padgett said he was given by a friend. He also said the vehicle belonged to his mother’s friend named “Brian,” and that he had dropped it off for him to use because Padgett’s personal vehicle had been disabled on the highway.

Alvin Crews, a 51-year-old passenger, was “sleeping” in the front seat during the officer’s encounter with Padgett. After being awakened by officers, Crews was asked if he had anything illegal inside the vehicle or on his person.

Crews said, “That’s a good question” and began to empty his pockets. Crews pulled out a glass smoke pipe stuffed with a Brillo pad and a small silver container. The container had a clear lid and officers were able to see a white powdery and solid substance consistent with cocaine. The substance tested positive for crack cocaine during a roadside field test. The total weight of the crack cocaine was 20.8 grams.

Officers contacted the registered owner of the passenger van and it was discovered that the van was stolen from their residence.

Officer C. Vargas responded to the business that was listed on the gas cards located on Padgett. He discovered a crow bar stuck between the passenger side window and the door frame of a vehicle belonging to the business and several of the business vehicles were unlocked.

Padgett was credited for 55 days served toward the jail sentence, but he must serve two years of drug offender probation, repayment for the cost of prosecution and fines, no alcohol or illegal drug use and random drug screens.

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