Local

ALACHUA ‒ When Acariyah Nelson was in first grade at Irby Elementary School in Alachua, she had a chance to come to school dressed for the job she wanted when she grew up. She came dressed as a teacher.

Now on the verge of graduating from Gainesville High School’s Academy of Future Teachers (AFT), Nelson is much closer to achieving her goal of becoming a teacher, with an $8000 scholarship to help pave the way.

Nelson is this year’s recipient of the Florida Prepaid Superintendent Scholarship, which was made possible by a partnership between Alachua County Public Schools and the Florida Prepaid Scholarship Foundation. She’ll be using the scholarship to attend the University of North Florida to pursue her education degree and earn her teaching certificate.

“I want to help the future generation and change people’s lives,” said Nelson. “I had incredible teachers who changed my life, and I appreciate them so much.”

The AFT is one of several career tech academies offered by Alachua County Public Schools. They provide students with a rigorous and relevant curriculum along with real-world experiences in their chosen professions. For Nelson, that meant serving internships in local schools, including Irby Elementary.

“I really love Irby, and I enjoyed working with the first-graders,” she said. “I would love to go back and teach there.”

“Acariyah exemplifies all the characteristics of a fantastic teacher,” said Katherine Martinez-Malo, director of the AFT. “She’s intelligent, compassionate, empathetic, selfless, genuine, and creative.”

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

TALLAHASSEE ‒ The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites Florida residents and visitors to go fishing during two license-free weekends: June 3-4 for saltwater and June 10-11 for freshwater.

License-free fishing weekends offer a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and experience the many fishing opportunities the Fishing Capital of the World has to offer. The FWC encourages everyone to take advantage of these weekends to spend time enjoying the beautiful Florida waters.

“Fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and experience Florida’s abundant fishing opportunities,” said Roger Young, FWC’s Executive Director. “License-free fishing weekends allow Floridians and visitors to get outdoors, connect with nature and create lasting memories with family and friends.”

During the license-free weekends, all bag limits, size limits and fishing regulations still apply. Anglers must also follow all other fishing rules, such as gear restrictions, seasons and closures. To help ensure a fun and safe fishing experience, the FWC encourages all anglers to review the regulations before heading out on the water. For current recreational fishing regulations, visit MyFWC.com/about and click on “Rules & Regulations” or download the Fish Rules App to stay up to date on saltwater and freshwater regulations in your area.  

Find a location to go fishing through the pier finder tool or visit a Fish Management Area. Launch your vessel at a local boat ramp or access point. View the quarterly FWC’s Freshwater Fishing Forecasts by region.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

Photo courtesy of the Governor's Office

~ Florida Officials Interact with More Than 5,800 Undocumented Migrants Including One MS-13 Gang Member on U.S. Terror Watch List ~

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida teams have made contact with more than 5,800 undocumented migrants and assisted the Texas Department of Public Safety with more than 190 arrests including felony charges for human smuggling, drug paraphernalia, unlawful carrying of weapons, and a suspect with a capital murder warrant. In addition, Florida officials have assisted with the apprehension of an MS-13 gang member currently on the U.S. Terror Watch List.

The following state resources remain deployed in Texas supporting the mass migration crisis at the U.S. southern border:

Florida National Guard (FLNG)

• Over 400 personnel continue to support the Texas Military Department with service members to assist with the mass migration on the southern border. Mission sets include assisting with static observation points, roving patrols, and engineer assistance with obstacle improvement.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)

• Thirty FDLE special agents and nine support team members remain deployed assisting Texas law enforcement agencies investigating criminal activity along the border associated with human trafficking and drug and weapon smuggling.  
• Florida law enforcement agencies continue to assist with more than 190 arrests on charges including human smuggling, drug paraphernalia charges, unlawful carrying of a weapon, money laundering, and a suspect with a capital murder warrant.
• FDLE agents have assisted the Texas Department of Public Safety with the arrests of violent felony suspects including gang members. Suspects were arrested on various Texas state charges including human smuggling, burglary, firearms, smuggling of persons, and possession of controlled substance. As part of the arrests, FDLE agents helped seize cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, firearms, and boxes of ammunition.

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) - Florida Highway Patrol (FHP)

• 101 FHP troopers are deployed in support of Operation Lone Star. 
• Troopers have been involved in nearly 700 traffic stops, eight commercial vehicle inspections, and seven pursuits. These efforts have resulted in nine narcotic-related charges along with 17 federal and/or state warrant arrest on fugitives as well as the seizure of two firearms. Throughout the course of their duties, troopers have identified gang members and recovered undocumented migrants concealed within vehicles.
• FHP has been involved with seven human smuggling/human trafficking arrests and nearly 100 overall arrests.
• Troopers responded to an area on the Unites States border due to reports of gunfire occurring in Mexico. Troopers provided perimeter security for a local school in the immediate area. Additionally, troopers have responded and assisted with an attempted suicide, aggravated battery with a firearm, and an incident that resulted in a battery on a law enforcement officer in the United States Border Patrol. 
• FHP has deployed unmanned aircraft on 215 occasions while facilitating multiple missions and assisted in identifying the location of 652 undocumented migrants.
• FHP has detained two suspects involved in smuggling people into the United States, both of which have been turned over to the United States Border Patrol. Troopers have had encounters with multiple undocumented migrants originating from China, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Columbia, El Salvador, and Middle Eastern countries. Through the weekend, FHP encountered African, Cuban, Bolivian, and Iranian undocumented migrants who were detained and turned over to U.S. Border Patrol.
• Troopers participated in a traffic stop which led to seizing an estimated $500,000 of currency. During a joint task force investigation with FDLE and Texas state and federal partners, cash, coins, one kilo of cocaine, and one pound of marijuana were seized (estimated total value of $263,675.00). One undocumented migrant contact was identified as an MS-13 gang member who was also on the Terrorist Watch List.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

• A third wave of 20 sworn FWC Officers and two mechanics deployed to Texas to assist federal, state, and local agencies with response efforts.
• FWC’s law enforcement assets will provide assistance to responding federal, state, county, and municipal agencies with border security, information gathering, humanitarian response, search and rescue efforts, officer safety and assistance, emergency medical services, and other similar duties.
• FWC officers are partnering with Texas law enforcement to conduct high-visibility water patrols along the border.
• FWC officers are conducting land-based border patrol activities in conjunction with Texas law enforcement.
• Ten shallow draft vessels and two airboats capable of navigating variable depth river environments are being used by FWC and Texas law enforcement to assist federal, state, and local efforts.
• Twenty four-wheel-drive patrol vehicles are in use by FWC officers.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

GAINESVILLE ‒ HSNCF, ACAR, and Puppy Hill Farm Animal Rescue team up to offer free pets June 10 and 11. Hundreds of pets from two local animal welfare organizations will be sterilized, vaccinated, microchipped and free to adopt the weekend of June 10 and 11. The 10th Annual North Florida Pet Adoption Days will take place across North Central Florida that weekend.

Founded in 2013 and formerly known as Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days, the two day adopt-a-thon seeks to find forever homes for hundreds of puppies, dogs, cats and kittens. The participating agencies include Humane Society of North Central Florida and Alachua County Animal Resources this year.

Over 200 adoptions were conducted during the 2022 event. “We are so pleased to be part of this life-saving effort and are proud to work alongside so many rescues and municipal shelters across North Central Florida to increase our life-saving abilities and create a region where no healthy or treatable pet is euthanized for lack of space,” said the Humane Society’s Executive Director, Chelsea Bower.

Adoptions will take place at Humane Society of North Central Florida on Northwest 6th Street, Alachua County Animal Resources on Northeast 53rd, Feline Good Cat Cafe on Southeast 2^nd Place, and PetSmart on Archer Road from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 10. Adoptions will continue at the Humane Society of North Central Florida from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 11.

Adoptable animals will be available free of charge with the exception of puppies and kittens under 5 months of age. There will also be free adoptions at Feeline Good Cat Cafe in downtown Gainesville. Check out all the available pets at NFPAD.org.

North Florida Pet Adoption Days Animal welfare organizations are aiming to find homes for hundreds of pets in North Central Florida in just one weekend.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

ALACHUA, Fla. - Mavis Tires & Brakes is now open at 16113 NW US Highway 441 bringing affordable vehicle services to the Alachua community at its newest Florida location.  

Local drivers are invited to stop by the new store for a free tire pressure and visual tire check.

“Underinflated tires decrease fuel efficiency,” said Brian Sisson, Senior Vice President of Retail Operations, “while overinflation can lead to irregular tread wear and reduced tread life. Tire pressure increases or decreases by 1 PSI per 10 degrees of temperature fluctuation. A simple tire pressure check can help drivers save money on fuel and extend the life of their tires.” 

Mavis now has 53 retail locations in the Sunshine State of Florida and more than 850 stores nationally.  

“It is a privilege to be part of the Alachua community and provide quality automotive service for our neighbors,” said Sisson. “Mavis offers tires and services at the prices customers want and we are excited to welcome more drivers to our growing family.” 

Alachua Mavis Tires & Brakes 

The new Mavis Tires & Brakes in Alachua offers the following services: 

• New Tires and Installation
• Flat Repair Services
• Brake Repair Services
• Oil Changes
• New Wiper Blades and Installation
• Wheel Alignment
• Suspension Repair
• New Shocks and Struts Installation
• New Battery Replacement
• Muffler and Exhaust Repair
• AC Repair 

To make an online reservation for tires or automotive service, visit mavis.com. 

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com