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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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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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HIGH SPRINGS – Palms Medical Group will host a Safe Riders Safe Drivers event later this month at its High Springs location, offering free car seat inspections and vehicle safety checks aimed at improving safety for drivers and passengers of all ages.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at Palms Medical Group, 16916 N.W. U.S. Highway 441, in High Springs.

Presented by Safe Kids North Central Florida and UF Health Adult Trauma Injury Prevention and Outreach, the event will focus on proper car seat installation, child passenger safety and driver positioning to help reduce the risk of injury in crashes.

During the event, parents and caregivers may have their car seats inspected to ensure they are correctly installed and appropriate for their child’s age and size.

“Keeping children safe on the road starts with the right information and the right equipment,” said Jordyn Zyngier, Safe Kids North Central Florida coordinator. “Our goal is to remove barriers, provide education and support families in making the safest choice for their child.”

In addition to car seat checks, certified CarFit technicians will be available to assist drivers of all ages. The CarFit program evaluates how well a driver fits their vehicle, including adjustments to the seat, mirrors, steering wheel and other components that affect visibility and control.

“Small adjustments make a big difference on the road,” said Brian Dean, adult injury prevention and outreach coordinator for UF Health Trauma Services. “The CarFit program empowers drivers by ensuring their vehicle is properly fit to them. During a free, quick 12-point evaluation, trained CarFit technicians help drivers optimize vehicle safety features and review evolving in-vehicle technology.”

Palms Medical Group officials said hosting the event at the High Springs location allows safety resources to be easily accessible to local residents.

By offering these services in the community, Palms Medical Group continues its focus on promoting health and safety, supporting families and drivers through education and prevention efforts.

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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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NEWBERRY – Newberry City Commissioners moved forward on a wide range of growth, land-use and infrastructure matters on Jan. 12, 2026, finalizing voluntary annexations totaling approximately 227 acres, approving agreements to improve roadway connectivity and advancing zoning and policy changes aimed at accommodating future development.

Commissioners unanimously approved Voluntary Annexation #40 on second reading, which included 11 annexation requests from seven applicants. According to Community Development Director Stacey Hectus, the latest action brings the total number of acres voluntarily annexed into the city over the past year to 430 acres.

The annexations were approved through a series of ordinances involving multiple petitioners and parcel locations across the city’s growth areas.

In addition to annexations, commissioners finalized an agreement between the City of Newberry and CSX to extend the city’s easement along Seaboard Drive. The project is intended to improve roadway connectivity for residents by allowing the city to construct a future road connection to Southwest 15th Street.

Under the agreement, the city will pay CSX $100,000 immediately and an additional $100,000 during the next budget cycle to secure the easement. City officials described the project as a long-term priority aimed at improving transportation options and connectivity.

Land-use and zoning changes advance

Commissioners also approved, on first reading, a small-scale future land use map amendment requested by JBrown Professional Group Inc., doing business as JBPRO, acting as agent for PBR Financials Inc. The request would change the designation of a 0.72-acre property at the southeast corner of Northwest Third Avenue and Northwest 251st Street from Residential Low Density to Residential High Density.

“A companion rezoning application will also be heard during this meeting,” said Newberry Principal Planner Jean-Paul Perez during his presentation.

The request had previously been reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board, which recommended approval at its Dec. 1, 2025, meeting. A second reading is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2026.

During the same meeting, JBPRO Senior Planner Tara Howell indicated that the property owner plans to develop eight townhomes on the site.

A related rezoning request for the same property, changing the zoning district from Residential Single-Family (RSF-2) to Residential Multi-Family (RMF-2), was also approved following a quasi-judicial public hearing. That item will likewise return for second reading in January.

Accessory dwelling unit rules reviewed

Commissioners unanimously approved, on first reading, changes to the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations as part of Ordinance 2025-74. Hectus said the review was prompted following Annexation #39.

“After Annexation #39, staff was asked to review our ADU guidelines to see how they compare to Alachua County’s ADU guidelines,” Hectus said. “A few people had commented that we are more strict as it relates to ADUs and were not interested in annexing into the City for that reason.”

Proposed changes include increasing the maximum ADU size from 1,000 square feet to 1,700 square feet, updating state agency references and allowing ADUs to connect to a primary home’s septic system on properties of 10 acres or more. The Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended approval, and the ordinance will return for second reading Jan. 26.

Utilities and capital projects approved

Commissioners also approved entering into a contract with Woodard & Curran for $342,000 in engineering services related to the Tanglewood Water Tower project, authorizing the city manager to approve change orders not exceeding 15 percent of the contract amount.

The item was presented by Director of Public Works and Utilities Rance Green and includes services for a water main extension and elevated storage tank to address capacity, fire flow, redundancy and future demand. The project is part of the city’s capital improvement plan and is funded through State Revolving Fund loans and grants, contingent upon approval from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The project is expected to go out for bid in January 2026, with construction beginning in June 2026 and completion anticipated by May 2027.

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