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L-R: Dayna Williams, Michael Gamble, Jody Huey, Tom Hewlett and Linda Hewlett as Mebane Middle School Principal Michael Gamble accepts a $1,000 Sports Fest grant donation from the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe to support the school’s Mustang Rewards program. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – Mebane Middle School has received a $1,000 donation from the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe to support its student incentive program, marking the second consecutive year the civic organization has secured grant funding for the school.

Principal Michael Gamble recently accepted the donation on behalf of the school after the Kiwanis Club successfully applied for a Sports Fest grant through the Alachua Chamber of Commerce.

The funds will be used to stock the school’s Mustang Rewards store, a program designed to reinforce positive behavior among students. Teachers award students points or prizes as part of the initiative, encouraging good conduct and academic engagement.

School officials said the additional funding will help ensure the reward store remains well supplied throughout the year, providing meaningful incentives that motivate students.

The Sports Fest grant is part of the Alachua Chamber of Commerce’s community support efforts, which channel proceeds from local events back into area organizations and schools. The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe has now secured the grant for Mebane Middle two years in a row, continuing its support of youth-focused initiatives.

The donation was formally presented during a recent visit to the school, where a photo commemorated the occasion with Principal Gamble receiving the check.

Community partnerships such as the one between Mebane Middle School, the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe and the Alachua Chamber of Commerce play a role in supplementing school programs and recognizing student achievement beyond the classroom.

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MICANOPY – Adventure, exploration and outdoor learning will return to Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center this summer as registration opens March 1 for its annual youth day camp program.

Sign-ups begin at 8 a.m. March 1, 2026, for this year’s camp, themed “Nature Navigators,” which will offer seven weeks of programming from June 8 through July 24.

The day camps will run Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and are open to children ages 7 to 11. Families may register campers for individual weeks or for the full summer schedule.

Weekly activities will include archery, swimming lessons, kayaking, outdoor skills, arts and crafts, as well as field trips throughout Alachua County, according to camp organizers.

In addition to the traditional day camp sessions, Cuscowilla will offer specialty camps for older youth ages 10 to 14, including Fish Camp and Teen Adventure Camp.

Fish Camp will be held June 9-13 and July 6-10 and will feature a curriculum developed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The program will focus on catch-and-release techniques at George’s Pond.

Teen Adventure Camp will be offered for four weeks and will include high ropes courses, bouldering, kayaking and two field trips per week.

Camp Manager Jamie Bass said the program is designed to help children grow through hands-on outdoor experiences while also building partnerships with local educational organizations.

“This summer, we’re partnering with outstanding educational organizations, including UF/IFAS Extension, the Micanopy library and the Harn Museum of Art, and hosting a special week with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office focused on the radKIDS personal safety curriculum,” Bass said. “Camp gives children an increasingly rare opportunity to unplug, build confidence and immerse themselves in the natural world right here in Alachua County.”

Cuscowilla was voted Best Summer Camp in last year’s Community Choice Awards.

The weekly rate is $175 for day camps and $225 for specialty camps. Breakfast, lunch and a snack are included in the cost.

Daily bus transportation will be available from Lincoln Middle School and Squirrel Ridge Park. Campers may also be dropped off and picked up directly at the retreat center in Micanopy.

Scholarships are available through the Friends of Cuscowilla for qualifying families, with applications due April 15.

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Players from opposing teams sprint downcourt during tournament action at the Legacy Multipurpose Center as families and supporters look on from the stands. Photo by RILEY APPLEBEE special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – After an eight-week grind of regular-season play, local youth basketball teams closed out the season in dramatic fashion at the Alachua County Taskforce on Recreation (ACTFOR) Youth Basketball Tournament.

The end-of-season tournament brought together teams from across age divisions for more than 25 games at the City of Alachua’s Legacy Multipurpose Center. Over the course of the event, players, coaches and families packed the facility as teams competed for championship hardware and bragging rights.

“What a way to close out the season after an eight-week grind of regular season games,” organizers said in a statement following the tournament.

The event highlighted not only competitive play but also the community support that makes youth athletics possible. City staff credited volunteers, coaches and staff members for the tournament’s success.

“Huge shout-out to the incredible 399 Sports & Recreation volunteers, coaches and Recreation & Culture Staff who made this happen – it wouldn’t be possible without them.”

Throughout the weekend, the competition remained intense, with several games decided in the final minutes. Spectators filled the stands to watch fast breaks, defensive battles and clutch baskets as teams pushed through the final stretch of the season.

“The competition was fierce, with so many nail-biting games,” organizers noted. “Congratulations to all the teams who walked away with hardware.”

The tournament served as a culminating event for players who have spent the past few months building skills, learning teamwork and representing their communities on the court. For many families, the season-ending event also offered a chance to celebrate growth and sportsmanship across all divisions.

Youth sports programs such as ACTFOR’s basketball league continue to draw strong participation, with volunteer-driven organizations playing a key role in maintaining opportunities for young athletes.

The local sports calendar remains full heading into the weekend.

“This Friday and Saturday marks the 32nd Annual Santa Fe Lady Raiders ‘Classic’ Fast Pitch Softball Tournament,” organizers said. “All games played at the Hal Brady Complex Softball Fields. Come out and support local youth. Go Raiders!”

The annual softball tournament is expected to draw teams and spectators from across the region, continuing a busy stretch of youth athletics in the area.

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GAINESVILLE – A 33-year-old High Springs man was arrested Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, after deputies said he entered a former girlfriend’s apartment without permission and later destroyed and stole security cameras from the residence.

According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office report, Kaheem Naquaun Smith entered the victim’s apartment at Harbor Cove, 6815 W. University Ave., at about 1:20 a.m. through an unlocked door, without the victim’s knowledge.

Deputies said Smith walked upstairs into the victim’s living room, where she told him to leave. He refused, the report stated.

The deputy noted Smith remained inside the apartment for approximately two hours before leaving.

Authorities said that as he exited, Smith removed security cameras from the front door area, destroyed them and walked away with the devices.

The report states Smith later returned to the apartment and attempted to go inside again, but the victim called 911. Deputies responded and Smith was taken into custody.

Smith, whose address is listed as High Springs, has been charged with burglary of an occupied structure, petit theft and misdemeanor property damage.

He is also facing a sworn complaint for battery and property damage stemming from a separate incident in High Springs on Jan. 29, 2026. Deputies said Smith allegedly struck the same victim and broke a headlight on her vehicle.

Court records show Smith has two prior misdemeanor convictions.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $90,000.

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HIGH SPRINGS – Alachua County Public Works has installed new Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at the primary crosswalk serving High Springs Community School in an effort to improve pedestrian safety for students, families and staff.

County crews completed the installation last week at the school’s main pedestrian crossing. The push-button-activated devices are designed to increase driver awareness by emitting high-visibility flashing lights when pedestrians are present in the crosswalk.

The project is part of Alachua County’s broader initiative to enhance traffic safety in school zones and reduce risks for pedestrians.

Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete said the upgrade underscores the county’s focus on protecting children traveling to and from school.

“This upgrade reinforces our commitment to keeping children safe as they travel to and from school,” Gavarrete said. “The RRFB units provide an additional layer of visibility and driver awareness that benefits students and the entire community.”

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, commonly referred to as RRFBs, are often installed at marked crosswalks where additional visibility measures are needed. The devices are activated by pedestrians using a push button and alert approaching drivers through rapidly flashing LED lights positioned near crosswalk signage.

County officials said the installation was completed with minimal disruption to school operations and nearby traffic flow.

Motorists are reminded to obey posted speed limits in school zones and to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks, particularly during peak arrival and dismissal times.

The High Springs project marks one step in a series of planned improvements across the county. Public Works officials announced that the next school zone safety enhancements are scheduled for Feb. 25 at Irby Elementary School in Alachua.

County leaders have emphasized that such upgrades are intended to support safer routes for students while reinforcing driver awareness in areas with frequent pedestrian activity.

As school traffic volumes continue during the academic year, officials encourage drivers to remain vigilant in school zones and follow all traffic control devices designed to protect young pedestrians.

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HAWTHORNE – A 48-year-old homeless man was arrested Feb. 5, 2026, after deputies say he broke into a woman’s home in the Campville area while she had been away for several weeks.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to the residence after a neighbor who had been checking on the home reported signs of forced entry. The neighbor told deputies the house was secure Feb. 3, but at about 11:30 a.m. Feb. 5 she discovered a rear window had been broken.

She reportedly began to enter the home but went back outside after finding the back door unlocked, seeing broken glass on the floor and noticing the odor of cigarettes. She then called 911.

Deputies said they located Zackary Terrell Harnage near the home, standing along the side of the roadway. Investigators reported that he appeared very nervous and said he was in pain, providing only his first name.

Meanwhile, other deputies reviewed security camera footage and said Harnage was clearly captured on video both inside the home and on the property.

Authorities allege Harnage entered the residence by breaking a window, then rummaged through the homeowner’s belongings and removed security cameras.

When deputies attempted to take him into custody, Harnage reportedly resisted but was eventually placed in handcuffs.

After being advised of his Miranda rights, Harnage declined to speak with a deputy, according to the report.

Harnage has been charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, property damage and resisting an officer without violence. He was also booked on an outstanding warrant for violating probation related to a traffic offense.

The release states that his probation officer reported in October 2025 that Harnage had failed to check in for two months, had not paid supervision costs or fines, and had not provided proof of completing required community service hours or attending Advanced DUI School.

Authorities said Harnage has five misdemeanor convictions, including one violent offense, and was already on probation at the time of his arrest.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail until the probation violation is resolved and set bail at $105,000 on the new charges.

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