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ARCHER – A 38-year-old Archer man was arrested Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, after authorities say he touched a woman inappropriately in January and later threatened to kill her and her immediate family with a gun if she reported the incident.

Earnest O. Daniels III is also facing a sworn complaint for driving under the influence from November 2025 and a separate allegation involving lewd and lascivious behavior with a victim under the age of 12, according to the release.

An Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy reported that the alleged incident occurred Jan. 24, when the victim was at Daniels’ residence with him and another person.

The victim told investigators that Daniels made comments that made her uncomfortable and touched her in inappropriate ways. She said she moved away from him, but he followed her, repeatedly saying he wanted her.

She said she told Daniels his behavior was wrong and warned that their mutual family members would find out. Daniels reportedly insisted no one would know.

According to the report, when the victim said others would find out, Daniels became angry and threatened violence.

The victim said Daniels told her that if she told anyone, he would shoot at her home in an attempt to harm her and her immediate family.

A witness reportedly told the deputy that Daniels has an old, rusted pump-action shotgun that is difficult to load. The witness said he did not believe Daniels intended to harm anyone but likely made the threat to intimidate the victim into silence.

Authorities said Daniels was warned by a family member that a deputy was speaking with the victim, and he left his residence at that time. He was not located until Feb. 8.

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

Daniels has been charged with battery with a previous battery conviction and threatening a witness in an attempt to get the witness to withhold testimony.

The release states that Daniels has five misdemeanor convictions, four of which were violent. He is also facing a DUI charge stemming from November 2025.

In addition, a sworn complaint filed in December alleges two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior involving a victim under the age of 12. Authorities said no further information is currently available about that case, and Daniels has not been booked or arrested on those allegations.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $150,000.

Charges are allegations, and the case remains pending in court.

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~Turkey Creek boundary shifts elementary students to Talbot~   

ALACHUA – Alachua County Public Schools is considering rezoning scenarios that would close Alachua Elementary School and reassign students to other campuses, a proposal that could significantly reshape school enrollment and grade structures for families in Alachua, High Springs and Newberry.

The potential closure appears in two of the district’s elementary boundary drafts, which also propose expanding Alachua’s Irby Elementary School to serve PreK through grade 5 and converting Mebane Middle School into a K-8 campus in the coming years.  Those changes are listed as part of Draft B and Draft C in the district’s “Our Schools – Future Ready” planning presentation.  The rezoning effort is part of a multi-phase initiative aimed at addressing enrollment trends, demographic shifts, aging facilities and long-term sustainability across the district.  “This project was spurred by data, input, and ongoing trends,” the district’s workshop materials state, citing long-term sustainability, facility optimization and fiscal stewardship as key drivers.

Alachua-area schools at the center of proposed restructuring

District planners have released multiple draft boundary scenarios for elementary, middle and high schools, emphasizing that the maps remain preliminary and are intended to guide public discussion.

The district’s guiding principles include maintaining feeder patterns, meeting student needs and shifting entire neighborhoods rather than moving individual students.

Among the stated goals are to “provide for student needs,” “recognize and align feeder patterns,” and “move entire neighborhoods, not individual students.”

Capacity and campus age highlighted in Alachua proposal

District officials pointed to available capacity in the Alachua area as one reason restructuring is under consideration.

According to the presentation, the Alachua area has 768 open seats, with Alachua Elementary operating at 61% capacity, Irby at 70% and Mebane at 49%.

The district also noted that Alachua Elementary’s campus is nearly three decades older than Irby’s.

Turkey Creek neighborhood would shift at elementary level

The rezoning proposals also include changes affecting neighborhoods near Alachua, including Turkey Creek.

In the district’s list of proposed common elementary adjustments, planners specifically note that the Turkey Creek neighborhood would be moved into the Talbot Elementary zone.

Middle school assignments for Turkey Creek may also change depending on the final draft adopted. The district notes that Turkey Creek is included among neighborhoods placed “in different zones” under the middle school scenarios.

High Springs and Newberry zones also included

While Alachua Elementary is a focal point of the draft scenarios, boundary shifts could also affect families in High Springs and Newberry as the district works to balance enrollment and reduce underused space.

District officials describe the right-sizing process as a way to “align school enrollment with building capacity” and “respond to demographic and community changes.”

Draft scenarios also reference Newberry Elementary as part of broader attendance-zone adjustments, including proposed changes involving the Terwilliger zone.

Community meeting set Feb. 17 at Mebane Middle School

District officials stressed that the draft maps are not final.  “No final decisions have been made,” the presentation states, emphasizing that continued community input is “vital to the plan’s future.”

A series of public meetings has been scheduled across the county, including one especially relevant to northern Alachua County families.

A community engagement meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 5:30 p.m. at Mebane Middle School, where residents can review the draft scenarios and provide feedback.

Feedback opportunities also include an online survey, an interactive map and in-person discussion sessions.

Santa Fe High remains regional high school anchor

At the high school level, Santa Fe High School continues to serve as a primary high school for much of northern Alachua County. High school scenarios focus on boundary shifts to level enrollment, including proposed changes elsewhere such as Eastside High’s boundary moving west.

For families across the Alachua area, the draft rezoning process could determine whether Alachua Elementary remains open and how students move through northern Alachua County schools in the years ahead.

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GAINESVILLE – UF/IFAS is asking Florida agricultural producers impacted by recent freeze events, including Winter Storm Gianna, to complete a new survey documenting crop, livestock and infrastructure losses across the state.

Florida experienced multiple low-temperature and freeze events between late December 2025 and early February 2026. Producers who suffered damage during any of those cold-weather episodes are encouraged to participate, even if their operations were affected more than once.

The survey is part of ongoing UF/IFAS research tracking how severe weather and other hazards affect Florida’s agricultural industry. Participants are asked to assess both production losses and asset damages linked to recent freeze events.

Researchers said they are looking for information about the cumulative impacts of all freeze events that affected operations during the late December through early February period. Responses will help improve estimates of statewide agricultural losses and support decision-making related to disaster declaration, response and relief efforts.

The request is especially relevant for growers and agricultural operations in North Central Florida, including Alachua County and surrounding rural communities, where winter cold snaps can damage crops, livestock systems and farm infrastructure.

UF/IFAS noted that while survey results can help inform officials, the data are not formally used to determine disaster designations or individual eligibility for assistance. Producers are still urged to report losses and damages directly to the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Agricultural producers can complete the survey online at go.ufl.edu/Winter26FreezeAgImpacts. They may also contact their local UF/IFAS Extension office to ask about in-person or phone assessments through the directory at directory.ifas.ufl.edu.

Survey participation is expected to take between 10 and 20 minutes, and responses will remain confidential.

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ALACHUA – The City of Alachua City Commission on Jan. 26, 2026, approved an employment contract formally appointing Rodolfo Valladares as the city’s permanent city manager, marking the conclusion of a transition that began when he stepped into the role on an interim basis last summer.

Commission Vote and Background

The commission approved the agreement on a 3–1 vote and authorized the mayor to sign it. Commissioner Dayna Williams was not present at the Jan. 26 meeting, though she had voted at the Jan. 12 meeting in favor of bringing the city manager’s contract back for consideration. Commissioner Jacob Fletcher voted against bringing the contract forward at the earlier meeting and again voted against approval on Jan. 26.

Contract Development and Legal Review

The contract stems from the Jan. 12 decision in which commissioners selected Valladares for the permanent position and directed the city attorney to prepare a formal agreement. City Attorney Kiersten N. Ballou explained the contract closely follows previous city manager agreements and Valladares’ interim contract, with updates reflecting the permanent appointment. She also noted corrections of scrivener’s errors, which would be taken care of before the final document is signed.

Term, Salary and Evaluations

The agreement establishes a three-year term beginning Jan. 26, 2026, with an annual salary of $171,000 plus benefits. It also requires annual performance evaluations each August, with potential merit increases tied to those reviews and subject to available budget funds.

Discussion at the meeting included review of contract structure and provisions governing termination. Fletcher asked several questions about how different sections reference one another, particularly language concerning severance, and said he would have preferred to delay the vote for further review. The majority of commissioners moved forward, however.

Under the contract, the city manager serves at the pleasure of the commission and may be removed without cause by majority vote, with severance terms defined in the agreement. Termination for cause would not include severance pay.

In addition to salary, the contract provides for a city vehicle, family health, dental and vision insurance through the city’s plan, reimbursement for professional dues and official travel, and up to $10,000 for continued education. A written waiver allows Valladares to reside outside city limits.

Statements from City Leadership

While the contract discussion was largely procedural, several commissioners and members of the public spoke more broadly about leadership and service.

Mayor Walter Welch expressed appreciation for the work being done on behalf of residents. Commissioner Jennifer Ringersen voiced support for Valladares, stating, “one-hundred percent, integrity and all.”

Vice Mayor Shirley Green Brown also spoke glowingly about Valladares, saying “I meet with Mr. Valladares on a weekly basis. He is an awesome communicator, and listens attentively. He fosters engagement. He collaborates in the workplace with his directors and staff. Mr. Valladares is a family man and is a positive example for his colleagues.

“He exhibits integrity and transparency, is highly professional, an exceptional leader and exhibits extraordinary ethics. He is truly, truly committed to his work schedule, which extends on weekends he is goal oriented, organized and embraces our city, values, our strategic plan and our city's roadmap to success…And I want to express my highest commendations to Mr. Valladares.”

Public Comment

During public comment near the end of the meeting, Pastor Natron Curtis thanked city leadership and acknowledged the difficulty of public service. He said, “We talk about delays and building and stuff, and then we want to delay and nitpick at someone who I have known to be a man of his word to get the job done, and can and will get the job done…but the good book I live by says, ‘Don't muzzle the ox that treads out the corn.’ This man got a lot of corn tread out. He has got a lot of work to do.

“We can do a search and look all around the world for people that come in this city we don't know, who don't know this city, who don't know this culture, who don't know really, what's going on, and start all over again and push things back even farther. We have somebody we know, somebody we trust, and everybody may not, but I believe he'll do what he said he's going to do, and we have a commission to keep that in check…This is a good man.”

Earlier in the meeting, Reverend John Brown included city leadership in his opening invocation, praying for guidance for officials, saying, “we ask Lord God that as we go through this meeting, Lord God, that you will again be in our midst…be in the hearts and the minds of our citizens, our commissioners and everybody that's a part of this meeting.”

Valladares’ Background and Response

Valladares has served as interim city manager since June 2025 and previously worked within city administration.

Valladares responded to the approval of his contract saying, “It is my great honor to introduce my mother and father.” He added, “I cannot begin to say how grateful I am for them to see me continue to do the work that I'm doing. Honor your father and mother, that your days may be prolonged. My mother was a Cuban refugee. She came over, and my father was from Mexico and came over, too. They showed great gratitude for the wonderful things that this country does. They always pointed to God, faith, family, and pushed education. I am living the American dream.” Valladares also thanked other members of his family, including his wife and children who were also present at the meeting.

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Representatives of Okito America accept the Small Business of the Year award at the 2026 Alachua Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala, which drew approximately 750 attendees to Legacy Park./Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – Laughter, live music and a packed house set the tone as the Alachua Chamber of Commerce celebrated both its annual awards night and a milestone anniversary during the 2026 Annual Gala at Legacy Park last Wednesday evening.

Approximately 750 guests filled the venue for one of the region’s largest business gatherings of the year, marking the Chamber’s 50^th anniversary with an evening that blended recognition, entertainment and reflection on the community’s growth. Business owners, civic leaders and community partners gathered under the Chamber’s long-standing theme of Alachua as the “Good Life Community.”

The formal program was paired with a plated surf-and-turf dinner featuring shrimp and steak, as attendees networked and celebrated local accomplishments. The milestone anniversary was reflected throughout the evening, from the scale of attendance to the entertainment lineup designed to honor five decades of Chamber service.

Michelle (Shelly) Vickers of Scherer Construction stepped into her role as Chamber president and addressed the crowd as she began her leadership tenure. Her remarks looked ahead to continued collaboration, engagement and growth within the Alachua-area business community.

A central focus of the gala remained the recognition of individuals and organizations whose work has shaped the local economy and civic life. Okito America was named Small Business of the Year, while Dollar General received Large Business of the Year honors. Neil Burk was recognized as Volunteer of the Year, and Detective T. Williams of the Alachua Police Department was honored as Officer of the Year.

Entertainment played a major role in the evening’s celebratory tone. Nationally touring comedian Jeff Allen headlined the gala, delivering a performance that drew sustained laughter from the large crowd. The dance floor remained active as Richie and the High Street Rockers, traveling from Philadelphia, brought 1950s-era rock and roll to the stage, a musical nod to the Chamber’s five decades of history.

The gala was presented with Scherer Construction serving as title sponsor, underscoring strong private-sector support for the Chamber’s mission and programming. That support extended to the event’s fundraising component, where excitement peaked during the 50/50 drawing, which awarded $4,000 to a single attendee.

Former Chamber president Mitch Glaeser served as emcee for the evening and captured the mood of the celebration, saying, “The community was very enthused by the event.”

With record-level attendance, high-profile entertainment and recognition spanning business, volunteerism and public safety, the 2026 Annual Gala highlighted the Chamber’s role as a central connector for the region’s business community while celebrating 50 years of shared progress.

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ALACHUA – The Alachua Police Department has named Detective T. Williams as its 2025 Officer of the Year, recognizing her more than 14 years of law enforcement experience and her work protecting some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.

Williams joined the department in 2023 and is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. In that role, she works alongside local law enforcement partners in the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, where the department said her “dedication, expertise, and persistence help protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”

According to the department, Williams has distinguished herself through professionalism, compassion and an unwavering commitment to justice. Her work with victims emphasizes dignity, respect and support, reflecting the department’s mission of service to the Alachua and its residents.

The department said Williams’ recognition as Officer of the Year is a testament to her hard work, leadership and the positive impact she continues to make each day. Her service, the department noted, exemplifies how officers strive to go above and beyond in serving Alachua’s “Good Life Community.”

The Officer of the Year honor is awarded annually to recognize exceptional performance and dedication within the department.

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