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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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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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JONESVILLE – A 71-year-old Jonesville resident was arrested July 28, 2025, on 18 felony charges after an investigation led authorities to uncover nearly 60,000 files of child sexual abuse material at his home, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

The case originated on Nov. 9, 2024, when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTip reporting that an image depicting child sexual exploitation had been uploaded to a reverse image search tool. The image showed a young boy, estimated to be between 6 and 8 years old, in a sexually explicit context with an older girl.

A subpoena issued by the Gainesville Police Department to Cox Communications later linked the upload to an IP address registered to Gerald Roy Morris, who resides in the Jonesville area west of Gainesville. The case was subsequently transferred to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies executed a search warrant at Morris’s residence on June 11. According to the report, Morris acknowledged awareness of the image search platform but denied using it or possessing any illegal content. He also said he had no visitors on the day the image was uploaded and indicated that neighbors would not have had access to his internet connection.

Investigators reported that a forensic review of a computer used by Morris uncovered 50,510 files containing child sexual abuse material, including 384 videos. The files primarily featured prepubescent females, ranging from infants to children around 10 years old. Officials noted the materials included depictions of severe abuse, with some files showing graphic acts involving very young children.

In addition to the digital content found on the computer, 19 discs labeled as blank and located on Morris’s desk reportedly contained another 9,240 illegal files, bringing the total to 59,750.

Authorities said Morris had viewed some of the content as recently as the day before the warrant was executed.

An arrest warrant was issued on July 24 by Judge James Colaw. Morris surrendered to authorities at the Alachua County Jail on July 28.

He is charged with one count of transmission of child pornography and 17 counts of possession. Bail was set at $1.8 million, the amount specified in the warrant. Judge Meshon Rawls upheld that amount at the time of booking.

Morris’s attorney has filed a motion to reduce bail, citing his client's age, reported medical issues, and long-term residency in the Jonesville community. The motion states that Morris, a retired general contractor, intends to remain in the area and attend all scheduled court proceedings.

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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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MICANOPY – Alachua County will host a free agritourism workshop on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center, 210 S.E. 134^th Avenue, in Micanopy.

The half-day event is open to farmers, ranchers, landowners, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in exploring or expanding agritourism opportunities on their property or within the community.

Workshop sessions will focus on key topics including zoning, permitting, fire safety, marketing, and collaborative promotion. Presentations will be led by staff from Alachua County Growth Management, Fire Rescue, and Tourism and Economic Development, who will provide guidance on land use regulations, public safety considerations and tourism marketing strategies.

Participants will also hear from local agricultural operators during a panel discussion, which will highlight real-world experiences, lessons learned and approaches to launching or sustaining agritourism ventures.

“This event is an opportunity to bring operators together to talk through real challenges and successes,” said Bailey McClellan, the county’s agricultural economic development coordinator. “Whether someone is just getting started or looking to grow, this workshop will offer tools and connections that can support their next step.”

The agenda includes a session on Florida’s agritourism statutes and how they apply under Alachua County’s zoning and permitting framework. Attendees will also learn about marketing support available through Visit Gainesville, Alachua County.

To RSVP or request additional information, contact Bailey McClellan at 352-275-4297 or bmcclellan@alachuacounty.us.

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