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ALACHUA COUNTY – As the new school year gets underway, local and state officials are reminding drivers, parents and students to make safety a top priority when traveling to and from school. From bicycle safety to hands-free driving laws, agencies are working to reduce crashes and keep children safe.

Bicycles Are Vehicles Under Florida Law

The Alachua County Public Works Department is urging families to remember that bicycles are considered vehicles under Florida law, and cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Riders should always travel on the right side of the road, follow traffic signs and signals, and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks when entering a street from a driveway, sidewalk or bike path.

Cyclists are encouraged to remain alert for hazards such as potholes, wet leaves, storm grates and parked vehicles. Personal electronics that can distract attention should be avoided.

Gear, Helmets and Visibility

Public Works stresses the importance of helmets—required by law for riders under 16—and recommends bright or fluorescent clothing to improve visibility, especially in low light. Reflective gear and lights are strongly advised for dawn, dusk, night or bad weather conditions.

Before riding, cyclists should check that bicycles are in good working condition and that helmets fit properly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers a free “Fitting Your Bike Helmet” guide for reference.

Communication on the Road

The department also reminds riders to use verbal and non-verbal communication, including turn signals, pointing out road hazards to other cyclists, and announcing “on your left” when passing pedestrians or other riders.

Hands-Free Zones in School Areas

In addition to bicycle safety, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and Florida Highway Patrol are reinforcing the “Put It Down: Focus on Driving” campaign, which prohibits the use of handheld wireless devices in active school zones and school crossings. The hands-free law, in effect since 2019, requires drivers to put away phones and other handheld devices while traveling through these areas. Violations can result in fines and points on a driver’s license.

Enforcement and Education Efforts

State and local officials say the law is meant to reduce distracted driving, which is a leading cause of crashes near schools. Enforcement is already underway across Alachua County, with Gainesville Police and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office conducting school-zone patrols during morning and afternoon drop-off and pickup times.

The combination of distracted driving enforcement and bicycle safety education is designed to create safer travel routes for all students — whether they walk, bike or ride in a car or bus. Officials urge drivers to slow down, be alert for children crossing the street, and respect the reduced speed limits in school zones.

For more information on bicycle safety, contact Alachua County Public Works Senior Engineering Technician Clark Collins at 352-548-1271 or email cccollins@alachuacounty.us. Details on Florida’s hands-free driving law are available at www.flhsmv.gov.

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ALACHUA COUNTY – As the 2025–26 academic year gets underway, Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) is rolling out a suite of new communication tools aimed at streamlining connections between families, schools, and the broader community.

The district introduced a redesigned website earlier this summer at alachuaschools.net, along with a new mass notification system called Alerts. The changes followed the expiration of contracts with the previous vendors for the website and messaging service on June 30.

On Aug. 13, two additional platforms were launched to expand school-to-home communication.

The first is the Alachua County Public Schools mobile app, available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The app offers one-stop access to school messages, calendars, lunch menus, and other resources. Users can choose to follow specific schools and enable notifications to receive timely updates.

The second is Rooms, a secure, two-way messaging feature built into both the mobile app and district website. Rooms allows families to communicate directly with teachers, principals, coaches, and club sponsors. It supports class announcements, team updates, and private conversations in one platform, reducing the need for multiple apps or logins.

Notifications from Rooms are sent automatically by text message, even to families who have not downloaded the app. The system includes safety and moderation features designed to meet district standards for security and accessibility.

“By bringing everything into one clear and consistent system, we are making it easier for families to stay engaged with their child’s education,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kamela Patton said. “We are excited to offer a more connected and user-friendly experience this school year.”

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L-R: Newberry Assistant City Manager/Director of Utilities and Public Works, Jamie Jones, Mrs. Barlow, representing the Hooie Property and City Manager Jordan Marlowe commemorate the Commission’s approval to purchase land for the stormwater basin. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

NEWBERRY – The Newberry City Commission on Aug. 11, 2025, approved the purchase of about 1.34 acres in southwestern Newberry for $160,000 to build a stormwater basin needed for upcoming roadway improvements.

Assistant City Manager/Director of Utilities and Public Works Jamie Jones asked the Commission to authorize the City Manager to execute a Vacant Land Contract to acquire the property. The parcel, identified as part of Tax Parcel No. 02022-000-000 — commonly referred to as the Hooie Property — was determined to be the most suitable site under the city’s Stormwater Facility Plan. The basin will support the planned resurfacing of Northwest 266^th Street and paving of portions of Northwest 265^th Street and Northwest 1^st Avenue, identified in the city’s Capital Improvement Plan as critical projects for 2024.

When engineers began design work for the road projects, they determined that stormwater capacity was necessary before construction could move forward. Without the basin, the roadway projects could not proceed.

City staff contacted the property owners, who expressed interest in selling a portion of the land. Independent appraisals valued the property at $160,000 and $180,000. After negotiations, both sides agreed to the $160,000 price, and a vacant land contract was prepared.

The commission authorized the city manager Jordan Marlowe to execute the contract, complete the real estate closing, and carry out all related documents. The vote was unanimous.

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ALACHUA – Dayna Williams, City of Alachua Commissioner and North Florida Regional Director of Government Relations for Waste Pro, has been elected vice chair of the Board of Directors for Recycle Florida Today, Inc. (RFT), the state’s leading recycling and environmental management association.

Williams’ election reflects her commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. RFT represents professionals from across Florida's public, private, nonprofit, and institutional sectors, serving as a central hub for recycling advocacy, education, and policy development.

“This appointment is a testament to Dayna's dedication and expertise in the field of recycling and environmental management,” Waste Pro said in a statement.

Heather Armstrong, executive director of Recycle Florida Today, praised Williams’ appointment to the leadership team.

“I’m excited to have Dayna on our Board of Directors. Dayna brings extensive industry expertise to our leadership team,” Armstrong said. “Coupled with her passion for service, dedication to community, and drive, her unique skills help guide our association and strengthen the focus on our public-private partnerships.”

In addition to her work with Waste Pro, Williams serves as the City Commissioner for Seat 3 in the City of Alachua and is actively involved in several civic organizations. Her public service and volunteerism have earned her multiple honors, including recognition as a Melvin Jones Fellow by the Lions Club International Foundation in 2023 and the Distinguished Citizenship Award from the Gainesville Elks Lodge in 2022.

She was also named a 2025 Fierce Award honoree by HOME Magazine of Gainesville. The annual Fierce Awards spotlight influential and inspiring women leaders throughout the Greater Gainesville region.

RFT advocates for stronger recycling practices and legislative support at both the local and state levels. With Williams in a key leadership role, the organization expects to expand its reach and impact through strengthened public-private collaboration.

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Coach Michael Hernandez, fourth from left, stands with members of the Oak View Middle School girls softball team during their recognition at the June 9 Newberry City Commission meeting. Chairperson Pro Tempore Tony Mazon is pictured at far left / Special to Alachua County Today

NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission during its June 9, 2025, meeting recognized Oak View Middle School athletes for their championship seasons this year.

Girls softball team members were honored first, with Coach Michael Hernandez thanking them for their dedication and effort. “Thank you for working so hard during the year,” Hernandez said. He is pictured fourth from the left in the accompanying photo, alongside Chairperson Pro Tempore Tony Mazon, who stands to the left.

The Oak View Middle School Girls Soccer team was also honored for its championship season. Coach Ashley Arnold noted the team’s strong record, finishing with 12 wins, one loss, and two ties. Mazon is pictured in the center rear of the soccer team photo.

The Varsity Boys Baseball Team was mentioned although they were unable to attend the meeting.

The teams received standing ovations from commissioners and audience members in recognition of their achievements and commitment to representing their school.

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Coach Michael Hernandez, fourth from left, stands with members of the Oak View Middle School girls softball team during their recognition at the June 9 Newberry City Commission meeting. Chairperson Pro Tempore Tony Mazon is pictured at far left.

TALLAHASSEE – Florida families preparing for the new school year will get a financial break throughout August thanks to the state’s extended Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, which runs from Friday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. The tax holiday was expanded under Florida’s sweeping tax relief package signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year, which also includes exemptions for disaster preparedness, summer recreation, and energy-efficient appliances.

The monthlong tax holiday applies to a wide range of school-related purchases, including clothing, footwear, backpacks, school supplies, personal computers, and accessories. No state sales tax will be charged on eligible items that fall within specific price limits, allowing Floridians to stretch their back-to-school budgets.

The Florida Department of Revenue provides detailed guidelines on tax-exempt items. Examples include:

• Clothing, footwear, and backpacks costing $100 or less per item.
• School supplies priced at $50 or less per item.
• Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles priced at $30 or less.
• Personal computers and accessories for non-commercial use, priced at $1,500 or less.

Local business owners across Florida are preparing for the increased traffic and are hopeful the extended window will give families more flexibility to shop small.

While big-box retailers typically see a surge during this period, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is urging consumers to make a deliberate effort to support locally owned businesses during the sales tax break.

“This year’s annual Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is extended for the entire month of August and is a great opportunity to support Florida’s small businesses,” said Bill Herrle, NFIB Florida Executive Director. “Small businesses are the engine of the state’s economy, and when you shop locally, you’re keeping your hard-earned money in the community and strengthening the local economy.”

For many families, the tax holiday is not only about saving money, but also about investing in their communities. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 99.8% of Florida’s businesses are small businesses, employing millions of workers statewide.

By shopping at neighborhood stores, consumers contribute to job growth, community development, and a resilient local economy.

“Back-to-school shopping is a major annual event,” Herrle said. “It can also be a reminder that our dollars have power — power to support neighbors, strengthen schools, and grow our towns.”

Consumers can find more details about eligible items and exemptions by visiting the Florida Department of Revenue’s website.

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