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Clear Waters Promise A Refreshing Retreat

HIGH SPRINGS – Families in search of a splash this Labor Day holiday need look no further than North Central Florida’s springs, where bubbling waters, sandy riverbanks, and the laughter of swimmers promise a cool retreat from the late-summer sun.

Poe Springs Park, Alachua County’s largest natural spring, is expected to be a top destination this weekend. Pumping about 45 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily into the Santa Fe River, the park offers a mix of swimming, shaded picnic areas, volleyball courts, and trails that make it a reliable holiday favorite.

On holiday weekends, Poe Springs comes alive with families grilling under oak-shaded pavilions, children splashing in the spring basin, and kayakers pushing off from the boat ramp to explore the river. Picnic shelters, sports fields, and a lodge available for event rentals round out the offerings, making the park popular for gatherings large and small.

While Poe Springs will draw plenty of visitors, it is only one of many spring-fed escapes in the region. Just down the road, Ginnie Springs is famous for tubing, scuba diving, and camping along the Santa Fe. Ichetucknee Springs State Park in Columbia County offers a gentler pace, where the six-mile spring run remains one of Florida’s most iconic tubing and kayaking destinations.

Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, with its shaded hammocks and family-friendly swimming areas, is another local favorite. Further west, Fanning Springs and Manatee Springs State Park welcome campers and snorkelers with expansive boardwalks and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Together, these parks create a corridor of natural attractions that have long defined late-summer recreation in North Florida.

Poe Springs Park charges $6 per vehicle or $1 for walk-in and bicycle visitors, though admission is free from October through April and waived for individuals with disabilities. Other regional springs vary in price, with most state parks charging $6 per vehicle.

Located at 28800 N.W. 182^nd Avenue in High Springs, Poe Springs Park is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to sunset. County officials encourage visitors to arrive early on holiday weekends, as parking lots at the most popular springs often fill quickly.

For many families, a dip in the region’s cool, aquifer-fed springs is as much a Labor Day tradition as cookouts and backyard games. This year promises no exception, with North Central Florida’s network of springs once again beckoning as a refreshing and affordable way to celebrate summer’s final holiday.

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ALACHUA COUNTY – Early education programs in Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) have earned some of the highest marks in Florida, with schools in Alachua, Newberry, and Archer among those recognized for excellence, according to information released by Alachua County Public Schools.

The district reported that 78% of its Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) programs received an “Excellent” rating in new evaluations by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). That compares with just 33% of the nearly 6,100 VPK programs statewide. Ratings are based on both student performance and classroom observations.

“This is the first year the state has used a formal performance metric to evaluate VPK programs,” said district VPK coordinator Trisha Rodriguez in a statement provided by ACPS. “Something that really sets us apart is the quality of our staff, who are highly educated and trained in early childhood education. They are very dedicated to this field and are always looking for new ways to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.”

Seven district-based VPK programs earned the top rating of “Excellent,” including those at Newberry Elementary School, Archer Elementary School, and Irby Elementary School in Alachua, as well as Chiles, Talbot, Wiles, and the Duval Early Learning Academy.

The programs at Norton and Terwilliger Elementary Schools were rated “Above Expectations,” the second-highest ranking.

Four of the county’s top 10 VPK programs overall were based in district schools, including Chiles (#2), Talbot (#3), Wiles (#6), and Newberry (#8).

In the classroom observation category, Newberry Elementary ranked #1 in Alachua County, with Archer Elementary (#10) and Irby Elementary (#9) also making the top 10. Newberry’s program also ranked 11th out of all 6,095 providers statewide in that category, ACPS noted.

Across the county’s 68 public and private VPK providers, 31% earned an “Excellent” rating. Most providers in Alachua County are privately run. District programs, however, consistently scored among the best in the county, with schools in Alachua, Newberry, and Archer standing out.

Rodriguez said the results highlight the strength of school-based VPK programs. “The best way to prepare students for school is to place them in the school setting,” she said. “These results show that a high level of learning is happening in our school-based VPK programs.”

Providers that fail to meet the state’s standards risk losing VPK funding, making the new metrics especially significant. Alachua County’s results place its district programs well ahead of the statewide average, underscoring the role early education plays in preparing students for long-term success.

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The following is a press release provided by the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA). It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff.

GAINESVILLE - The Florida Chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) will host the Gainesville Team Hope Walk on Saturday, September 13th at Depot Park, 874 SE 4th Street, Gainesville, FL, 32601. Registration starts at 9:30 AM and the event starts at 10:00 AM. All proceeds support HDSA’s mission to improve the lives of people affected by Huntington’s disease (HD) and their families. 

Team Hope is HDSA’s largest national grassroots fundraising event, which takes place in over 100 cities across the U.S. and has raised more than $28 million for HD since its inception in 2007. Thousands of families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and communities walk together each year to support HDSA’s mission to improve the lives of people affected by HD and their families.  

For more information about the event, please contact Annelizabeth Atie (aatie@hdsa.org).

Online registration and donation information can be found HERE

HDSA's Team Hope Walk Program is nationally sponsored by Neurocrine Biosciences and Teva Pharmaceuticals.  

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Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure. Every child of a parent with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene. Today, there are approximately 41,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 at-risk of inheriting the disease. The symptoms of HD are described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s – simultaneously.

The Huntington’s Disease Society of America is the premier nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by HD. From community services and education to advocacy and research, HDSA is the world’s leader in providing help for today and hope for tomorrow for people with HD and their families. HDSA was founded in 1967 by Marjorie Guthrie, the wife of legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie. Woody died from HD complications when he was only 55 years old, but the Guthrie family legacy lives on at HDSA to this day.

To learn more about Huntington’s disease and the work of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, visit www.hdsa.org or call (800)345-HDSA. 

NEWBERRY ‒ A Newberry woman who also served as an assistant track coach has been charged with child abuse and other offenses after police say she instigated a fight among students during a high school track meet earlier this year.

Melissa Danielle Nattiel, 42, was charged with two counts of child abuse, three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and disorderly conduct following an incident on March 3 at Newberry High School, according to court records.

A police report states that Nattiel was present at the meet in her role as both a parent and assistant coach for Newberry’s track and field team. Officers said a fight had broken out involving her son, members of the Newberry team, and two students from another school. By the time Nattiel arrived, officers reported that tensions had subsided.

Instead of calming the situation, Nattiel “reignited the confrontation and escalated the situation by encouraging the two victims to fight her son,” an officer wrote.

She allegedly approached the two students aggressively, telling them, “You are going to fight my son,” and instructed her son to “go punch that kid,” according to the report. Witnesses told police that Nattiel shoved both victims, and one of them pushed her back in self-defense.

The confrontation quickly escalated, with students from Newberry, Gainesville and Eastside High schools reportedly joining the brawl.

After reviewing the incident, prosecutors filed formal charges against Nattiel on July 1. A warrant for her arrest was issued on July 11, and she was taken into custody on Aug. 2. She was later released on $40,000 bail.

Court records indicate that Nattiel has no prior criminal convictions. The case remains pending.

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With just a hint of autumn in the Florida air, farms across the state are preparing to welcome visitors for a season filled with pumpkins, crop mazes, fall festivals and more.

The Florida Agritourism Association (FATA) is highlighting dozens of its member farms that will be opening their gates this fall for family-friendly activities. In addition to traditional fall favorites, many farms also offer hands-on demonstrations and tastings of locally grown products, blending fun with education.

“Supporting a family farm that hosts agritourism events helps ensure that the next generation of Floridians has access to the rural traditions that have been a vital part of the state’s economy for more than 175 years,” the association noted in its seasonal announcement.

Agritourism has grown steadily in Florida, giving visitors a chance to experience life on a working farm while offering farmers an opportunity to diversify and sustain their operations. Events range from corn mazes and pumpkin patches to livestock encounters, cooking workshops and even medieval fairs.

Among this year’s lineup are:

• Braze Ranch, Waldo (Alachua County) – crop maze and fall attractions

• The Bryer Patch, Newberry (Alachua County) – fall family fun

• Thrift Lumber and The Old Mill, Macclenny (Baker County)

• Harris Establishment Farms U-Pick, Palm Bay (Brevard County)

• The Platt’s Patch, Melbourne (Brevard County)

• Amazing Grace Crop Maze, Green Cove Springs (Clay County)

• Padgett Family Fest, Arcadia (Desoto County)

• Diamond D Ranch, Jacksonville (Duval County)

• Eat Your Yard Jax, Jacksonville (Duval County)

• Geiger Pioneer Farm, Jacksonville (Duval County)

• Cow Creek Farm Tours, Plant City (Hillsborough County)

• Painted Sky Farms, Vero Beach (Indian River County)

• Aunt Louise’s Farm, Monticello (Jefferson County)

• Acres of Grace Family Farms, Howey in the Hills (Lake County)

• Amber Brooke Farms, Eustis (Lake County)

• Southern Hill Farms, Clermont (Lake County)

• Santa’s Farm Fall Festival, Eustis (Lake County)

• The Hub at Feather Oaks, Tallahassee (Leon County)

• Ananda Farm Florida, Terra Ceia (Manatee County)

• Sarasota Medieval Fair, Myakka City (Manatee County)

• Cannon Farms, Dunnellon (Marion County)

• Hobe Sound Farmers Market Pumpkin Patch, Hobe Sound (Martin County)

• Conner’s A-maize-ing Acres, Hilliard (Nassau County)

• Hastings Ranch & Farm, St. Cloud (Osceola County)

• Raprager Family Farms, Odessa (Pasco County)

• Bristol Oaks Farm, East Palatka (Putnam County)

• Fruitville Grove, Sarasota (Sarasota County)

• Wesley Wells Farms, St. Augustine (St. Johns County)

• Brown & Brown Farms, Oxford (Sumter County)

• Harvest Fields Corn Maze, DeLand (Volusia County)

A complete listing of farms and events can also be found through the Florida Agritourism Association at VisitFloridaFarms.com. Visitors may also follow the association on Facebook or download its free mobile app for Apple and Android devices.

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ALACHUA – The A.L. Mebane Alumni Association gathered at the Hathcock Community Center to plan a special event honoring the enduring legacy of the historic all-Black school and its former students.

The celebration, set for Friday, Sept. 5, at Santa Fe High School’s football field, will highlight the contributions of A.L. Mebane alumni while connecting their stories to today’s students and the wider community.

Organizers said the event will give a nod to the strong tradition of Friday night football in North Central Florida. It will also serve as a bridge between generations, ensuring the experiences of A.L. Mebane graduates are remembered and shared with current students.

The planning session drew alumni, many of whom still live and remain active in the community. Attendees said the effort reflects the bonds built during the era of segregation and the desire to weave that history into Santa Fe’s traditions.

Similar reunions have been held across the country, as graduates of historically Black schools gather to preserve their shared experiences and ensure they are passed on to future generations.

Organizers view the event as both a moment of remembrance and an opportunity for inspiration. By celebrating the resilience, achievements and impact of A.L. Mebane alumni, they hope to spark pride among Santa Fe students and the broader community.

The A.L. Mebane planning committee is working in partnership with the Santa Fe High School Boosters to create what they describe as a meaningful, memorable celebration. The program will highlight not only the alumni’s lasting mark on the community, but also their influence on high school athletics and education in the region.

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