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GAINESVILLE – A 37-year-old Newberry man was arrested Saturday evening on a child abuse charge following an incident reported by multiple witnesses at a Gainesville park.

According to police, officers with the Gainesville Police Department were called at approximately 6:04 p.m. to Albert 'Ray' Massey Westside Park, located at 1001 N.W. 34^th Street, after witnesses reported seeing a man repeatedly kicking a child who was on the ground.

An officer arriving at the park reported that the man, identified as Prows, prevented the child from standing by “maliciously and aggressively” kicking him to keep him on the ground. Four witnesses told police that the behavior was not consistent with reasonable parental discipline. They reported that the man was standing over the child and yelling at him to stop calling him “bro.”

The officer further reported that after the kicking stopped, Prows directed the child to sit on a piece of playground equipment. Witnesses said they heard him tell the child that people were going to call the police and the Department of Children and Families because of the child.

Prows was taken into custody at approximately 8:06 p.m. and charged with child abuse.

After being advised of his Miranda rights, Prows reportedly denied hitting or kicking the child and told officers that he had not physically disciplined the victim in several years.

Court records indicate that Prows has two local felony convictions and one local misdemeanor conviction and previously served a state prison sentence. He was released from prison in 2009.

At his initial appearance, bail was set at $10,000 by Judge Donna Keim.

The incident remains under investigation.

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ALACHUA COUNTY – Alachua County officials are inviting residents to help shape the future of affordable housing by providing input on the county’s upcoming Local Housing Assistance Plan, a guiding document that will outline priorities and funding for the next four years.

The Alachua County Community Support Services, through its Housing and Strategic Development Division, is seeking public comments and recommendations on the Local Housing Assistance Plan, commonly known as the LHAP. Once finalized, the plan will cover the 2026–2029 period and will establish affordable housing priorities, planned activities and anticipated funding levels.

County officials said the LHAP will also govern activities under the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program, which provides state funding to local governments for housing assistance programs aimed at very low-, low- and moderate-income households.

To gather community input, the county will host three public meetings, including two in-person sessions and one virtual option. Residents are encouraged to attend any or all of the meetings to share their perspectives and help guide housing policy decisions.

The first meeting will be held Thursday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m., at the Alachua County Agricultural Extension Auditorium, located at 22712 W. Newberry Road in Newberry. This in-person session will allow participants to hear an overview of the draft plan and offer comments directly to county staff.

A second meeting will be conducted virtually on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 5:30 p.m. Residents may join the Microsoft Teams meeting by accessing the information posted at: https://alachuacounty.us/news/Article/Pages/County-Seeks-Public-Input-for-.aspx

Meeting ID: 248 087 964 666 49

Password: Cz7E6Rw3

Date: January 22nd, 2026, 5:30 p.m. The virtual format is intended to provide an additional opportunity for participation by those unable to attend in person.

The final meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m., at the Thomas Coward Auditorium, located at 224 S.E. 24^th Street in Gainesville.

County officials emphasized that public participation plays a key role in developing the LHAP, noting that the plan is designed to reflect community needs and priorities related to affordable housing. The public is encouraged to be part of the process by attending meetings, asking questions and submitting feedback.

For residents who are unable to attend any of the scheduled meetings, alternative options are available. Citizens may request a copy of the draft LHAP and submit written comments by contacting Alachua County Housing and Strategic Development via email at housing@alachuacounty.us or by calling 352-337-6240.

Input received through meetings and written comments will be considered as the county finalizes the plan, which will guide local housing assistance efforts and the use of SHIP funding over the next several years.

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~ The following is a press release provided by the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office. It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff. ~ 

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. (Jan. 15, 2026) Next week the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office will be participating in several voter outreach events across Alachua County.

On Monday, Jan. 19, the office will be staffing a table at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday Celebration taking place at the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center (1028 Northeast 14th Street, Gainesville). The event will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

On Wednesday, Jan. 21, the office will be assisting newly naturalized citizens with registering to vote at the Naturalization Ceremony taking place today in Gainesville.

The ceremony will be held at the United States District Court Northern Florida District Courthouse in Gainesville from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The courthouse is located at 401 SE 1st Avenue in Gainesville. In addition to registering to vote, newly naturalized citizens will be given an opportunity to learn about the voting and elections process in Florida and Alachua County.

Finally, on Sunday, Jan. 25, the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office will be presenting information about voting, upcoming elections, and serving as an election worker at services being held at the Unitarian Universality Fellowship Church (4225 NW 34th St, in Gainesville). Attendees will also be able register to vote or update their voter registration and request a vote-by-mail ballot after services.

For more information about the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office's outreach activities, please visit VoteAlachua.gov or call 352-374-5252 during our normal business hours of Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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ALACHUA – One of America’s most recognizable novelty vehicles is set to make a stop in Alachua this weekend, bringing smiles, souvenirs and a bit of pop-culture nostalgia to the city’s downtown farmers market.

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, a 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels, will appear at Market on Main in Alachua on Saturday, Jan. 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as part of a two-day visit to the Gainesville area. The Alachua stop will give residents and visitors a chance to see the iconic vehicle up close during the popular weekly farmers market.

Driven by Isaac — who goes by the nickname “At The Grill Isaac” — the Wienermobile will be “serving up smiles, Wiener Whistles, and a whole lot of fun,” according to the announcement. The appearance is expected to be a family-friendly attraction, drawing both longtime fans of the brand and curious onlookers eager for photos.

Market on Main is held in downtown Alachua and features local vendors, artisans and food sellers, making it a natural fit for the whimsical Oscar Mayer vehicle. The Wienermobile’s visit adds a nationally recognized attraction to the community event, offering a unique moment for shoppers and families attending the market.

The Alachua appearance follows a stop in Gainesville on Friday, Jan. 9, when the Wienermobile will be parked at the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention from noon to 2 p.m. That visit is part of the same regional outreach effort, which Isaac said is aimed at spreading cheer and engaging with local communities.

“My name is At The Grill Isaac, and I’m the driver of the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile,” the announcement states. “I’m thrilled to share that we’ll be rolling into the Gainesville’s area for some special events.”

The Saturday event in Alachua will take place at Market On Main, located at 15100 N.W. 142^nd Terrace. The market runs weekly and serves as a gathering place for the community, highlighting local agriculture, small businesses and family activities.

For Alachua residents, the Wienermobile’s visit offers a rare chance to experience a piece of Americana without leaving town — and to add a little extra flavor to a Saturday morning at the farmers market.

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Doug Dimmadome, one of the dogs featured during the Humane Society of North Central Florida’s four-day adoption event Jan. 14–17, waits to meet a potential new family. The event aims to find homes for dozens of rescued dogs and cats while creating space for future animals in need. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

GAINESVILLE – The Humane Society of North Central Florida is launching the new year with an expanded four-day adoption event aimed at creating space for animals rescued from euthanasia lists across the region.

The adoption event will run Wednesday through Saturday, Jan. 14–17, following the organization’s acceptance of more than 80 cats and dogs from euthanasia lists in Alachua County and surrounding areas at the end of 2025. As shelters throughout the region faced capacity challenges, HSNCFL stepped in to provide care for animals with limited alternatives.

While many of the animals are still undergoing medical treatment, approximately 80 cats and dogs are expected to be available for adoption during the event.

“Our goal is to continue being a resource for animals who need a second chance,” said Franziska Raeber, director of development. “In order to do that responsibly, we need to find loving homes or fosters for the animals currently in our care.”

HSNCFL officials said dogs continue to need additional support, as they typically take longer to be adopted than cats. While cats at the shelter are being placed quickly, slower dog adoptions have resulted in fuller kennels and reduced flexibility for future intakes.

To address that challenge, HSNCFL expanded the adoption event to four days, giving potential adopters more opportunities to visit, meet animals and make informed decisions. Dog kennels will be open daily from 1 to 3 p.m., a schedule designed to balance visitor access with the animals’ daily routines, including walks, enrichment and quiet time.

The timing of the event also reflects renewed interest following the holidays. During HSNCFL’s “Home for the Holidays” season, staff said many visitors expressed interest in adopting but postponed decisions due to travel and scheduling conflicts. With the holidays over, the organization is encouraging residents to revisit adoption as they begin the new year.

To help reduce barriers, HSNCFL is offering reduced adoption fees throughout the event. Adoption fees for adult cats five months and older will be $50, while adult dogs five months and older will be $100.

Among the dogs awaiting adoption is Doug Dimmadome, who arrived at HSNCFL from Alachua County Animal Resources. Staff describe him as a friendly, affectionate dog whose personality has made him a favorite among caregivers, and an example of the companions currently seeking permanent homes.

Kennel hours for both dogs and cats will be 1 to 3 p.m. daily. Cat and kitten rooms will be open from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Adoptable animals may also be viewed online through HSNCFL’s website.

Dogs: https://www.humanesocietyncfl.org/adopt/dogs-puppies/

Cats: https://www.humanesocietyncfl.org/adopt/cats-kittens/

Animals listed as “foster” are currently living in foster homes. Interested adopters are encouraged to complete an application and contact HSNCFL to arrange a meet-and-greet.

Shelter officials said each adoption not only provides an animal with a home but also opens space for future rescues. The four-day event reflects HSNCFL’s continued focus on sustainable rescue efforts and partnerships within the community.

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GAINESVILLE – The Alachua County Community Remembrance Project will mark the opening of a powerful new historical exhibition later this month with the debut of the Remembrance Quilt Exhibition at the Matheson History Museum.

The public is invited to attend the exhibition’s grand opening on Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the museum, located at 513 E. University Ave. Overflow parking will be available across University Avenue at the school district building.

The event invites community members and visitors to reflect, honor and remember the victims of lynchings in Alachua County. The exhibition features eight memorial quilts created to honor the lives of 47 individuals who were lynched in communities throughout the county.

Those communities include Waldo, Hawthorne, Campville, Rochelle, Archer, High Springs, Gainesville, Monteocha, Gordon, LaCrosse, Alachua, Micanopy and Newberry, among others. Organizers said the quilts are intended to ensure these individuals are remembered by name and place, rather than reduced to statistics or forgotten chapters of history.

In addition to serving as memorials, the quilts function as an educational component of the county’s ongoing Truth and Reconciliation project, which seeks to confront and acknowledge the legacy of racial violence and injustice in Alachua County. Following the opening event, the quilts will remain on display at the Matheson History Museum during regular museum hours — Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — through May 2026.

The quilts were created over several years through a collaborative effort led by Memorial Quilt Committee Chair Dawn Beachy. Community members from across Alachua County participated in researching, designing and assembling the quilts, with the goal of honoring those who were killed and fostering broader awareness and understanding.

County Commissioner Charles Chestnut IV, who also serves as chair of the Alachua County Community Remembrance Project, emphasized the broader significance of the exhibition.

“These quilts are not simply works of art, they provide our community with a way to acknowledge our history, honor those who were lost, and preserve these stories for generations to come,” Chestnut said.

Organizers said the exhibition represents both remembrance and responsibility, offering space for reflection while encouraging continued dialogue about history, justice and reconciliation. By placing the quilts in a public museum setting, the project aims to make this history accessible to residents, students and visitors alike.

Community members are encouraged to attend the opening and to visit the exhibition in the months ahead as part of an ongoing effort to remember the past and understand its lasting impact on the present.

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