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NEWBERRY – Enrollment for the inaugural 2026 school year at Newberry Community School will officially open Feb. 1, as the new elementary school prepares to welcome its first group of students.

Families with elementary students currently enrolled at Newberry Elementary School are guaranteed a seat 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, Newberry Community School is assembling its instructional staff. Teaching positions are being filled by veteran educators and high-achieving education professionals focused on academic excellence, student growth and strong community values.

The school will be led by Lacy Roberts, who will serve as Newberry Community School’s principal. Roberts will oversee the launch of the school and its academic and community initiatives during its first year of operation.

In addition to student enrollment, the school is seeking volunteers and engaged parents interested in supporting classrooms, school events and community-building initiatives.

Families interested in enrolling a child may visit the school’s website, ncsedu.org, beginning Feb. 1 for enrollment information. Parents and community members interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Roberts or visit the Little Red Schoolhouse in Newberry for additional details.

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

Newberry Community School is scheduled to open for its inaugural academic year in 2026.

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Community members attend the City of Alachua’s 21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: I Pledge Community Event on Jan. 19 at the Legacy Park Multipurpose Center, featuring music, remarks and fellowship honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Alachua County Today Staff Photographer

ALACHUA – The City of Alachua marked Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19, 2026, with its 21^st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: I Pledge Community Event, drawing residents together for a morning of reflection, music and community fellowship. Held at the Legacy Park Multipurpose Center, the celebration began at 10 a.m. and featured a blend of inspirational speakers, musical performances and theatrical presentations honoring King’s enduring legacy of equality, service and unity.

More than six decades after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech on a sweltering August day in Washington, D.C., his legacy continues to inspire people across the nation and some 200 people attended the Alachua event to honor Dr. King's legacy.

Keynote speaker Deric C. Feacher, known as “The Messenger,” delivered guest remarks as part of a program that emphasized civic responsibility and collective commitment to King’s vision. The Bethune-Cookman University Inspirational Gospel Choir provided a featured choral presentation that served as a centerpiece of the morning program.

Several city officials attended the event, including Alachua Mayor Walter Welch, Vice Mayor Shirley Green Brown, and City Commissioners Dayna Williams and Jennifer Ringersen. City Manager Rodolfo Valladares also participated in the program offering remarks on behalf of the City of Alachua.

Musical selections throughout the program were performed by the 24/7 Music Ensemble, which opened the ceremony with a musical prelude and returned for interludes during the event. Carol Richardson served as master of ceremonies, welcoming attendees and guiding the program. An invocation was offered by Minister Greg Miller, followed by performances of the national anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Additional performances included a solo by Evangelist Carolyn Rushing and a theatrical presentation, The March, by I Am Productions led by Andrew Miller. George Bethea performed an interlude, and the Alachua Senior Cha-Chas drew applause with dance performances familiar to many in the community.

The program concluded with a blessing of the food by the Rev. John E. Brown of St. Paul AME Church before attendees gathered for a shared community meal, a tradition that has become a hallmark of Alachua’s annual MLK celebration. Closing remarks were delivered by Damon Messina.

Planning and coordination for the event were guided by the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Advisory Committee, which included Lynn Hayes, Carol Richardson, Damon Messina, Jack Hansen, Pam Philman, Linnelle Stewart, Daavid Wisener and Kenyata Curtis. Community sponsor Visit Gainesville, Alachua County supported the celebration.

Now in its 21^st year, the City of Alachua’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration continues to serve as a space for remembrance and renewal, bringing together residents of all ages to honor Dr. King’s message through shared experiences of music, reflection and fellowship.

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ALACHUA COUNTY – Residents seeking help filing their 2025 federal income taxes will once again have access to free assistance through the Alachua County Library District and its partner organizations, AARP Tax-Aide and United Way VITA.

The annual tax assistance program offers free tax preparation at select library branches across the county, providing help to individuals who may not otherwise have access to professional services. The program runs through the April 15 tax filing deadline.

AARP Tax-Aide will begin offering services on Feb. 2 at designated library locations, continuing through April 15. United Way VITA services will begin earlier, on Jan. 30, and will also continue through April 15.

Each participant is allowed assistance with one tax return per one-hour session. Appointments are required, though walk-ins may be accepted if time allows. Due to high demand, same-day appointments may not be available. Saturday walk-in sessions will be offered on select dates at select locations.

Appointments can be scheduled online through the individual organization pages or by visiting www.aclib.us/taxes and following the “Book an Appointment” links. Additional information about the program is also available at www.aclib.us/taxes.

AARP Tax-Aide schedule

AARP Tax-Aide services will be available at four library locations:

• Headquarters Library, 401 E. University Ave., beginning Feb. 2, every Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Library Partnership Branch, 912 NE 16th Ave., beginning Feb. 4, every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Millhopper Branch, 3145 NW 43rd St., beginning Feb. 2, every Monday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Tower Road Branch, 3020 SW 75th St., beginning Feb. 3, every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

United Way VITA schedule

United Way VITA services will be offered at three locations on select dates:

• Alachua Branch, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21 and 28, and March 7, 14, 21 and 28.
• Cone Park Branch, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 2, 5, 9, 13, 19 and 27, and March 13 and 27.
• Library Partnership Branch, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 30; Feb. 6, 12, 20 and 23; and March 6 and 20.

Library officials encourage residents to schedule appointments early due to the popularity of the service and limited availability.

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L-R: Larry Wilson and Newberry Mayor Tim Marden/Photo special to Alachua County Today

NEWBERRY – The Newberry City Commission formally recognized longtime volunteer and artist Larry Wilson during its Jan. 12, 2026, meeting, approving a proclamation declaring Jan. 24, 2026, as Larry Wilson Day in the city.

Mayor Tim Marden presented the proclamation, citing Wilson’s extensive volunteer service and artistic contributions to downtown Newberry and its cultural life. “Wilson generously volunteered his time and talents with the Newberry Main Street Organization, serving on its Board and as Curator of the Firehouse Art Gallery. Through the Art Gallery he helped provide local artists a place to show and sell their work while also encouraging residents and visitors to spend time and money in downtown Newberry,” Marden said.

Wilson’s work with the Newberry Main Street Organization includes serving on the board and curating exhibitions at the Firehouse Art Gallery. In 2025, the gallery generated $3,470 in sales, underscoring its role in supporting local artists while contributing to the downtown economy. In addition to coordinating gallery shows and opening receptions, Wilson’s own artwork has been featured in exhibitions and recognized by fellow artists, including being named the winning artist in the 125^th Anniversary of the Founding of Newberry Art Show.

Beyond the gallery, Wilson has donated his creative skills to the broader community. He redesigned the Newberry Main Street Organization logo to reflect the character of downtown and has painted numerous decorative elements displayed throughout the area. City officials noted that these visual enhancements help define Newberry’s identity and create a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors.

Marden also highlighted Wilson’s hands-on support of community events. “He supports the success of community festivals including the Fall and Spring Festivals, BBQ and Blues Festival and the Fabulous 50s Festival, often arriving before daylight to assist with vendor setup and event preparation,” the mayor said.

In declaring Larry Wilson Day, Marden encouraged residents to recognize Wilson’s service. The proclamation “encouraged all citizens to recognize and thank Larry Wilson for his service and contributions to the community.”

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ALACHUA COUNTY – A smartphone app that alerts nearby CPR-trained individuals to cardiac emergencies is significantly increasing the likelihood that bystanders step in to help before emergency crews arrive, according to a new study by UF Health researchers.

The study, recently published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, found that bystander CPR rates outside hospital settings rose substantially in Alachua County following the local activation of PulsePoint, a 911-connected app that notifies users when a nearby cardiac arrest occurs and requests immediate assistance.

Researchers compared bystander CPR rates shortly after PulsePoint was introduced locally in 2019 with rates from June 2020 through September 2023. In 2019, about 43 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases involved bystander CPR. During the later study period, 57 percent of PulsePoint-related cases involved CPR before emergency medical services arrived — a 33 percent increase.

“We have always known anecdotally that PulsePoint has made an impact on the community, but this is an important way of showing the causality between the app’s use, instances of bystander CPR, and scientifically reviewing the impact it’s had on patient outcomes,” said Dr. Torben Becker, the study’s senior author and an associate professor in the University of Florida College of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine.

UF Health partnered with Alachua County emergency services in 2018 to implement PulsePoint across North Central Florida, an area with nearly 300,000 residents. The app is now available in more than 5,500 communities nationwide.

Early CPR is critical, Becker said, because brain damage can begin within minutes of cardiac arrest. Prompt bystander intervention helps preserve organ function long enough for advanced treatments to be effective.

For select patients, UF Health uses extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or ECPR, which relies on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, to oxygenate blood outside the body before returning it to circulation. In 2023, UF Health saved its first heart attack patient using ECPR — a 63-year-old man whose adult daughter began CPR before emergency responders arrived.

“You need to have that first link in the chain of survival for top-notch methods and tools to work,” Becker said.

While many PulsePoint responders identified in the study were off-duty health care professionals, Becker said expanding CPR training among the general public could further improve outcomes.

“By training more people outside of health care in CPR, we can leverage tools like PulsePoint to their full potential,” he said.

For Becker, the data underscores more than just improved response rates.

“We’re helping the community at large, but each success means someone can spend another holiday with their family, can watch their grandchildren grow up,” he said.

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Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – Firefighters from multiple agencies responded Saturday afternoon to a working fire at a motel in Alachua, where crews encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from a ground-floor room.

Just after noon Jan. 17, units from Alachua County Fire Rescue, High Springs Fire Rescue, LaCrosse Fire Department and Newberry Fire Rescue were dispatched to a residential unit at the Best Value Inn, located at 16100 N.W. U.S. Highway 441. Law enforcement units from the Alachua Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol also responded.

First-arriving crews reported thick, black smoke and heavy flames rolling from a window of a downstairs unit. Firefighters initiated an aggressive interior attack while simultaneously conducting a primary search to ensure no occupants were inside the unit where the fire originated.

The fire was brought under control quickly, officials said. Additional crews assisted with checking for fire extension into other areas of the building and confirmed that the blaze had been fully extinguished.

No injuries were reported. However, the commercial structure sustained significant damage from the fire and from on-scene firefighting operations required to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the building.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.

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