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DAYTONA BEACH ‒ A fifth-generation agriculturalist from Gilchrist County has earned one of Florida Farm Bureau’s top honors for young professionals making a difference in the state’s farming community.

Katie Quincey was awarded first place in the Florida Farm Bureau’s 2025 Excellence in Agriculture competition, announced during the organization’s 84^th Annual Meeting in Daytona Beach on Oct. 27.

The prestigious award recognizes agricultural leaders who are actively involved in the farming industry and their communities, highlighting innovation, leadership, and advocacy for Florida agriculture.

Quincey, a former middle and high school agriculture teacher, currently serves as a field technician for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). She played a key role helping develop Florida’s Small Farms Best Management Practices (BMPs) manual, an important tool for guiding environmentally responsible and economically sustainable farming practices across the state.

As the state winner, Quincey received several prizes, including a utility vehicle courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Company, $500 in cash, and an expense-paid trip to the 2026 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Anaheim, California, where she will represent Florida and compete for the national Excellence in Agriculture title.

“Winning the Excellence in Agriculture award is a major honor,” said Quincey. “It’s not just about the work I’ve done; it’s about how others have poured into me and how I can make a positive impact on agriculture in return. I can’t wait to represent Florida with American Farm Bureau Federation in January. We’re bringing some sunshine to the Golden State.”

Quincey’s roots in farming run deep in North Central Florida. As a fifth-generation agriculturalist, she has dedicated her career to advancing farm education, improving soil and water conservation, and mentoring the next generation of producers.

She is also an active member of the Gilchrist County Farm Bureau, serving as the women’s chair, on the county board, and as part of the Florida Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Team, a statewide network supporting leadership development and agricultural advocacy among young professionals.

The Excellence in Agriculture competition recognizes individuals who do not derive the majority of their income from farming but still make substantial contributions to Florida’s agricultural industry through their work, service, and leadership.

Contestants are judged on their professional growth, community involvement, and leadership achievements in Farm Bureau programs and other civic organizations.

Quincey and other finalists presented their accomplishments to a panel of judges during the annual meeting. Runners-up for the award were Kalan Royal of Hardee County and Erin Jones Dasher of Suwannee County.

The Florida Farm Bureau’s annual awards recognize outstanding farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals who demonstrate leadership in improving their industries and communities.

For Quincey, the recognition represents not only personal achievement but a chance to further advocate for Florida’s farmers and promote the importance of agricultural education and stewardship.

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation, the state’s largest general agricultural organization, represents more than 133,000 member-families. Its mission focuses on enhancing farm enterprise and improving rural life through advocacy, leadership, and grassroots engagement.

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NEWBERRY — Enrollment for the inaugural 2026 school year at Newberry Community School will open Feb. 1, school officials announced this week, marking a major milestone as the new elementary school prepares to welcome its first students.

Families with elementary students currently enrolled at Newberry Elementary School will be guaranteed a seat at Newberry Community School for the upcoming school year. However, parents must formally accept their child’s placement during the enrollment period to secure enrollment.

As preparations continue for the school’s first year, Principal Lacy Roberts said staffing efforts are already underway. Teaching positions are being filled by experienced educators and high-achieving education professionals focused on academic excellence, student growth and strong community values.

In addition to student enrollment, Newberry Community School is seeking volunteers and engaged parents to support its inaugural year. Opportunities are available for those interested in assisting in classrooms, helping with school events and participating in community-building initiatives.

Families interested in enrolling a child can visit the school’s website, ncsedu.org, beginning Feb. 1. Parents and community members who wish to volunteer are encouraged to contact Roberts or visit the Little Red Schoolhouse in Newberry for more information.

The Newberry Community School office is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Questions can be directed to the school office at 352-474-2040.

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HAWTHORNE – Two men were arrested early Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, after a violent home invasion south of Hawthorne led to the theft of cash and a pickup truck, followed by a multi-agency traffic stop that uncovered cocaine and additional charges.

According to law enforcement reports, the incident began around 2:15 a.m. when an Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a residence where the victim said Irving Enrique Vinales-Soto, 59, forced his way inside. The victim reported that Vinales-Soto banged on the door with a pistol and demanded to know the whereabouts of a woman he had previously been involved with. The woman reportedly works at the home and stays there several nights a week.

The victim told deputies that Vinales-Soto pointed a pistol at him, demanded money and took approximately $500 from his wallet before grabbing the keys to his pickup truck and fleeing the residence.

At approximately 3:55 a.m., a Florida Highway Patrol trooper, assisted by Alachua County deputies, located the stolen blue GMC pickup truck and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, identified as Aamir Jalil Sims, 30, of Gainesville, was detained. Sims’ driver’s license had been suspended since September, authorities said. A search of the truck reportedly revealed a baggie containing about 4.9 grams of crack cocaine near Sims’ feet.

Vinales-Soto was reportedly in the passenger seat during the stop and fled on foot before being apprehended a short time later. Deputies said a search incident to arrest produced approximately 2.8 grams of cocaine.

After being advised of his rights, Vinales-Soto reportedly admitted to forcing his way into the home, taking the victim’s vehicle keys, driving away in the vehicle and possessing “crack.”

Sims faces charges of cocaine possession and driving with a suspended license following a previous conviction for driving without a valid license. Records show he is on probation for dealing in stolen property and has two prior non-violent felony convictions. Judge Denise Ferrero set his bail at $7,500.

Vinales-Soto faces multiple felony charges, including armed home invasion, robbery, aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, grand theft of a motor vehicle and possession of cocaine. He has no known local criminal history and is currently being held without bond.

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Newberry’s city officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, officially opening its new City Hall, a two-story downtown facility that consolidates municipal services under one roof./ Photo special to Alachua County Today

NEWBERRY – Newberry officials marked a major milestone in the city’s growth Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the city’s new City Hall, a long-anticipated project designed to centralize municipal services and better serve residents.

The ribbon cutting was held Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, formally ushering in the opening of the two-story, 11,000-square-foot facility in downtown Newberry. The event followed a public open house held during the city’s Fall Festival in November, which gave residents an early opportunity to tour the building ahead of its official debut.

Construction on the new City Hall began in September 2024 and has progressed steadily, culminating in a modern municipal facility that brings multiple city departments together under one roof for the first time in decades.

Previously, residents seeking city services often had to visit multiple locations. Community Development and the Building Department operated out of the historic Little Red Schoolhouse, while other departments were housed in Annex 2 or the former City Hall building. City officials have said the new facility was designed to streamline operations, improve accessibility and provide a more efficient experience for residents, developers and business owners.

The building’s first floor is dedicated to high-traffic, customer-facing departments, including Finance, Community Development, Customer Service and the Building Department. The second floor contains 18 offices and three collaborative work areas for city staff. An elevator serves both levels, though most public-facing services are intentionally located on the ground floor for ease of access.

A key feature of the building is the 1,246-square-foot City Commission Chamber, designed to accommodate larger audiences for public meetings. The chamber includes an accordion wall that allows the space to expand for large gatherings or contract for smaller meetings, along with updated technology to support presentations and public engagement. While the building does not include private offices for the mayor or commissioners, meeting rooms are available for private discussions when needed.

City planners emphasized that the building’s architectural design complements the surrounding downtown area while offering modern functionality. Officials have described the project as a long-term investment that supports Newberry’s continued growth and evolving service needs.

The project team included Scorpio Construction of Gainesville and Monarch Design Group, with city staff closely involved throughout the planning and construction process. With the new City Hall now open, the city plans to renovate the former 3,300-square-foot City Hall building. Once completed, the two structures will be connected by a covered loggia, creating a paved outdoor space intended for community events, farmers markets and festivals.

Future improvements are also planned for the adjacent Little Red Schoolhouse Museum, which is expected to undergo upgrades during a later phase of the project.

With the ribbon cut and doors officially open, Newberry residents can now access a centralized City Hall designed to serve the community for generations to come.

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 GAINESVILLE, Fla. - City of Gainesville officials anticipate severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, during the evening hours of Monday, Jan. 26-Tuesday, Feb. 3. The anticipated temperatures will lead to the activation of the city's Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F. The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.

St. Francis House and GRACE Marketplace at the Empowerment Center will provide Cold Night Shelter services to people in need of shelter as long as overnight temperatures remain below 45 F. The CNS program providers serve additional persons in need of shelter so that families and individuals desiring shelter will have a warm place to stay. St. Francis House provides temporary shelter that is appropriate for families, women and children. GRACE Marketplace primarily serves individual adults.

 Please note, the dates have been extended through Saturday, Jan. 31.

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Visitors pose for photos with the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile during its stop at Alachua’s Market on Main on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. The iconic 27-foot-long vehicle drew crowds to the downtown farmers market as part of a two-day visit to the Gainesville area. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – One of America’s most recognizable novelty vehicles rolled into downtown Alachua on Saturday morning, drawing crowds, cameras and plenty of smiles as the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile made a stop at Market on Main.

The 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels appeared at the weekly farmers market on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, as part of a two-day visit to the Gainesville area. Shoppers and visitors gathered around the bright orange-and-yellow vehicle throughout the morning, posing for photos, chatting with the crew and picking up the iconic Wiener Whistles that have become a hallmark of Wienermobile appearances.

Parked along the edge of the bustling market, the Wienermobile added a national pop-culture attraction to the community event, which regularly features local farmers, artisans and food vendors. Families paused their shopping to take in the sight, while longtime fans of the brand shared stories and memories connected to the traveling vehicle.

Driven by Isaac — known by the nickname “At The Grill Isaac” — the Wienermobile’s appearance aligned with its mission of spreading cheer and engaging with communities during regional stops. “My name is At The Grill Isaac, and I’m the driver of the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile,” the announcement stated ahead of the visit. “I’m thrilled to share that we’ll be rolling into the Gainesville’s area for some special events.”

The Alachua stop followed a Friday appearance in Gainesville, where the Wienermobile was displayed at the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention. Together, the two stops brought the long-running Oscar Mayer promotion to North Central Florida, offering residents a rare opportunity to see the vehicle up close without leaving the area.

Market on Main, held weekly in downtown Alachua, proved to be a fitting backdrop for the visit, blending small-town atmosphere with a nationally recognized symbol of Americana. For many attendees, the unexpected arrival of the Wienermobile added an extra layer of fun and nostalgia to an already lively Saturday morning.

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