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JONESVILLE – Crews from the Newberry and Gainesville Fire Departments, as well as Alachua County Fire Rescue responded to the Jonesville area for a residential building fire in a two-story single family home. It was determined that lightning struck the roof causing fire to spread into the attic area. A passerby called the Combined Communications Center on Thursday, May 11, at 5:45 a.m. and stated that they just drove by the house and said, “The roof is on fire.”

The first fire engine arrived in about seven minutes and relayed that there was smoke and flames coming from the roof of the house and that they had a “working fire.”

All three departments worked to contain and extinguish the fire. There were no injuries reported. The power had to be disconnected, and Red Cross was contacted to assist the family.

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• Friday, June 9: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Monday, June 12: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Friday, June 23: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Monday, June 26: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Wednesday, July 5: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, July 18: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Tuesday, July 25: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, August 2: 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m

• Tuesday, August 8: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, August 15: 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Wednesday, August 16: 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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ARCHER ‒ Quindell Devon Thompson, 43, of Archer, was arrested late Monday night, May 15, and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and resisting arrest after allegedly cornering a convenience store clerk while holding a knife.

An Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the Circle K, 12711 S.W. State Road 45, Archer, at about 11:40 p.m. after a caller said Thompson had pulled a knife on him.

The clerk told the deputy that Thompson came into the store looking for a 4-pack of Natural Ice. When Thompson learned the store was out of that product, he began yelling at the clerk. The clerk said Thompson got upset when he said he was not allowed to go into the cooler to look for the product he wanted. Thompson then tried to walk into the cooler while the clerk yelled at him.

The clerk said that Thompson came behind the front counter, continuing to argue with him, and then took out a pocket knife from his pants pocket and pointed it at him. The victim said he was trapped behind the counter and that Thompson was yelling at him, but he couldn’t understand what Thompson was saying because he was intoxicated. The clerk said Thompson grabbed four individual Natural Ice cans, paid for them and left the store. The clerk said he thought Thompson was going to stab him and was in fear for his life.

When deputies arrived, they reportedly saw Thompson riding a bicycle south on SR 45. Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but Thompson allegedly refused to stop until his bicycle was blocked in by another patrol vehicle.

Thompson has served two state prison sentences for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, both from Alachua County. His last release was in 2011.

As a condition of his release on bail, Thompson is not allowed to go to the convenience store or have contact with the store clerk. Bail was set at $105,000 by Judge D. Tatum Davis.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Every year, hordes of riders from around the world descend on a winding dirt track near Newberry for one of the biggest events of the motocross season. Adults, children and adolescents race for points and fame. While some children end up on the winners’ stand, others land in the hospital.

Now, a group of UF Health researchers has documented a decade of traumatic injuries from the annual international motocross championship. Their goal: To better understand how child health is affected by participation in competitive motocross racing. The findings were presented recently at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2023 conference.

The study offers a bigger-picture perspective for parents and pediatricians, said Erin B. Bruney, M.D., a senior pediatric resident and co-author of the study. Repetitive head trauma or repeatedly breaking the same bone or bones carries a risk of lifelong health complications. Likewise, the findings could help pediatricians advocate for optimal safety practices in motocross.

In motocross, motorcycle riders race on a course with varying terrain that can include obstacles such as mud or water, steep drop-offs and hairpin turns. In late November, riders gird themselves for the Thor Winter Olympics, also known as the mini-Os, at Gatorback Cycle Park. Emergency room workers at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital make preparations of their own. Without fail, there’s a flood of patients with injuries including broken bones, separated shoulders and upper-body trauma.

“Every year, there’s a massive influx of patients with those kinds of injuries who come in, all within the same week. We know what’s coming so the whole pediatric hospital braces itself. You know you’re going to have really busy shifts that week,” Bruney said.

Bruney has seen her share of fallout from the motocross event: fractured wrists, broken and shoulders, hand trauma and the procedural sedation that’s needed when orthopaedic physicians set broken bones.

Between 2011 and 2021, 246 children — one-fifth of whom were under 12 years old — were treated for injuries suffered at the mini-Os, the researchers found. Almost all of the children underwent X-ray or CT imaging. Nearly 20% of them needed a broken bone set without requiring surgery. About 10% of patients needed surgery to treat their broken bones. Thirty percent required hospital admission, including seven children who were admitted to the intensive care unit.

The less fortunate patients arrive with multiple injuries. Thirty-five percent of them arrived with “multi-system involvement” — typically a broken bone with additional trauma to the head, abdomen or skin, Bruney said.

During the 10-year study period, one adolescent rider from out of state died due to an injury sustained at the mini-Os.

Although the study didn’t fully document riders’ use of safety equipment, Bruney said it was apparent from paramedics’ notes and medical records that most patients were wearing a helmet and full protective gear when they got injured.

While the weeklong event has averaged about 25 emergency room patients a year, Bruney said that figure didn’t count injured riders who went to non-UF Health emergency rooms in the area. One particularly unfortunate rider ended up as a patient twice in the same week, she noted.

“From any perspective — the number of X-rays that are being done, the amount of emergency medical service use and the trauma alerts that are coming through — the use of resources is considerable,” Bruney said.

In addition to a lot of morbidity for patients, she noted there’s also a huge stress on the hospital system.

“I don’t think we’ll be ending motocross competitions. There’s a lot of culture and a lot of history there. Kids are very passionate about it but I definitely think there is room for improvement in safety standards — and that’s something that needs to be looked at,” she said.

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ALACHUA ‒ In May 2023, two local residents, Nancy Baumann and Sherrilene Classen, travelled to the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania, an experience that would test not only their physical limits, but their emotional resilience as well.

Located just over 200 miles south of the Equator, these intrepid explorers experienced sub-zero temperatures, powerful winds, and braved the toughest conditions nature can muster in their quest to reach the summit. “This is not your beach vacation,” said Classen. “There are risks involved.”

Over eight days, trekking through five climate zones to the artic zone at the top, climbing Kilimanjaro is a challenging adventure that requires physical fitness and mental strength.

Sitting down with Ben Boukari, Jr., of “I Know a Guy” podcasts, the two recount their epic journey to conquer the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano and the highest mountain in Africa, spiraling 19,341 ft. above sea level.

Amidst the physical challenges, Classen and Baumann also share a deeply moving spiritual moment that forever transformed their lives. In the midst of the mountain’s majestic solitude, they found themselves immersed in a transcendental moment of self-reflection and profound connection to the world around them.

Listen to their captivating journey in entirety by visiting https://youtu.be/gP7cDXMEdr8 in an internet browser, going to YouTube.com and searching for “I Know a Guy Podcast 0005” or scanning the following with a smartphone:

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TRENTON, Fla. – Farm Share, Florida’s leading food nonprofit and the state’s largest food bank, is distributing food to food-insecure Floridians in the Trenton, Fla., area. Recipients will receive fresh produce and non-perishable canned goods. Distributions are drive-thru only to minimize contact and to help ensure the safety of all parties. Attendees must arrive in a vehicle with a trunk or cargo bed.

With more than 3.9 million families suffering from food insecurity throughout Florida, Farm Share meets the everyday hunger needs of Floridians by working hand-in-hand with local farmers to recover and redistribute produce that would otherwise be thrown away due to aesthetic imperfections. 

Farm Share also distributes food to the community through its network of soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters, churches, and senior centers across Florida free of charge. To find a food pantry near you, please visit www.farmshare.org/food-pantries.

Trenton information is below.

Event: Gilchrist Prevention Coalition Free Food Distribution

Date: Saturday, June 10, 2023

Time: 9:00 a.m. until supplies last

Location: Trenton Elementary School, 1350 FL-26, Trenton, FL 32693

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