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ALACHUA COUNTY – The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office has begun its annual high school voter education program, continuing a long-running effort to educate students about the voting process and encourage civic participation.

The outreach initiative kicked off Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, with a visit to Hawthorne High School. Staff members from the elections office are visiting the county’s public high schools to explain how elections work and provide students with an opportunity to pre-register or register to vote.

The Supervisor of Elections Office has conducted the school outreach program annually since 1993, making it a cornerstone of its voter education efforts.

Florida law allows residents to pre-register to vote beginning at age 16. Once a pre-registered voter turns 18, the registration is automatically activated, allowing the individual to participate in elections without further action.

As part of the 2026 outreach schedule, the elections office plans to visit the following schools:

• Jan. 26: Hawthorne High School
• Jan. 28: Santa Fe High School
• Jan. 29: Buchholz High School
• Jan. 30: Loften High School
• Feb. 6: Newberry High School
• Feb.11: Eastside High School

A date and time for a visit to Gainesville High School have not yet been finalized.

Students attending the presentations receive information about voter eligibility, registration requirements and the importance of participating in local, state and federal elections.

Residents with questions about the school visits or the Supervisor of Elections Office’s outreach efforts may contact Director of Communications and Outreach Aaron Klein by email at aklein@alachuacounty.us or by phone at 352-275-9404.

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HIGH SPRINGS – A 71-year-old High Springs man was critically injured Saturday night after being attacked by a dog, prompting a responding deputy to fatally shoot the animal to stop the assault, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:07 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, when sheriff’s office deputies and Alachua County Fire Rescue responded to a report of an active dog attack. The first deputy arrived within minutes and observed the dog actively attacking the victim.

Authorities said the dog had already bitten its owner — the adult daughter of the victim — when she attempted to intervene. As the deputy worked to physically separate the dog from the victim, the animal turned and began biting the deputy. The deputy then discharged his service weapon to incapacitate the dog and stop the ongoing attack. The dog later died as a result of the gunshot wound.

Once the attack was stopped, deputies immediately began rendering aid to the victim, who was suffering from significant blood loss. Multiple tourniquets were applied at the scene in an effort to control the bleeding until paramedics arrived.

Fire rescue personnel assumed medical care upon arrival, and law enforcement officers from the High Springs Police Department, Alachua Police Department and Gainesville Police Department assisted sheriff’s deputies by blocking roadways and intersections to expedite the victim’s transport to UF Health Shands Trauma Center.

The victim survived the attack and was last reported to be in stable condition. Medical staff later confirmed that the prompt application of tourniquets by responding deputies played a critical role in saving the victim’s life.

The injured deputy was treated at a local hospital and later released. The dog owner sustained minor injuries during the incident.

Detectives and forensic investigators with the sheriff’s office responded to the scene to conduct an investigation. Alachua County Animal Control also responded and took possession of the dog.

Alachua County Sheriff Chad Scott thanked the deputies who worked to save the victim’s life and the multiple law enforcement agencies that assisted to ensure paramedics were able to provide lifesaving care as quickly as possible.

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NEWBERRY – The steady rhythm of blues music, the glow of smokers and the unmistakable aroma of slow-cooked barbecue will take over downtown Newberry on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, when the Newberry Main Street Blues & BBQ Festival returns for a full day of food, music and friendly competition.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., North and South Seaboard Drive — also known as Larry Keene Drive — will be transformed into a lively festival corridor just off Newberry Road (State Road 26). Pitmasters, music lovers, classic car enthusiasts and families are expected to fill the streets for one of the city’s most anticipated annual events.

The centerpiece of the festival is a barbecue competition that brings together both backyard cooks and seasoned professionals. Organized as a non-sanctioned contest, the cookoff features two divisions — Backyard (amateur) and Commercial (professional) — with teams competing in four traditional barbecue categories: chicken, pork ribs, pork and beef brisket.

Judging unfolds throughout the day, beginning with chicken at 11 a.m., followed by ribs at noon, pork at 1 p.m. and brisket at 2 p.m. By late afternoon, anticipation will build as teams and spectators gather at the Main Stage for the awards ceremony, scheduled from 4 to 4:30 p.m. Top teams in each category and division will take home cash, prizes and trophies, along with overall grand prizes in both divisions.

Competition rules emphasize old-school barbecue techniques, with teams cooking exclusively over wood, charcoal or wood pellets. All meats must be USDA inspected before cooking, and strict food safety and sanitation standards will be enforced throughout the event. Teams will work from designated 20-by-20-foot cook sites, turning downtown streets into a patchwork of canopies, smokers and grills.

Beyond the barbecue pits, the festival offers plenty to explore. A popular car show will once again line the streets, with on-site registration available the day of the event. Roughly 100 vehicles participated last year, and prizes will be awarded.

Festivalgoers can also browse a variety of craft and merchandise vendors, selected to complement the barbecue and car show atmosphere. While vendor space is limited, organizers encouraged offerings that match the event’s food-and-fun focus.

With live blues, competitive barbecue, polished chrome and the buzz of downtown energy, the Newberry Main Street Blues & BBQ Festival promises a full-sensory celebration that has become a winter tradition in the community.

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ARCHER – The City of Archer is facing ongoing scrutiny after an independent audit identified widespread deficiencies in its financial operations, including problems related to utility billing, payroll taxes and internal accounting controls.

The audit, which examined multiple fiscal years, documented numerous weaknesses in how the city tracked revenue and expenses. Among the most concerning findings were irregularities in the city’s water and sewer billing system, where some customer accounts were not billed accurately or consistently.

Auditors reported instances in which utility customers were charged only minimum fees regardless of usage, while other accounts showed extended gaps in billing. In addition, utility revenue records did not consistently align with bank deposits, raising concerns about whether all payments were properly recorded.

The audit also revealed failures in payroll administration, including the nonpayment of federal payroll taxes that had already been withheld from employee wages. Those lapses resulted in a significant liability to the Internal Revenue Service and compounded the city’s financial instability.

Auditors cited weak internal controls as a contributing factor, noting that the same employees were often responsible for receiving payments, recording transactions and reconciling accounts. That lack of separation, auditors said, increases the risk of errors and reduces financial oversight.

Additional findings included duplicate accounting entries, deposits recorded in inactive or closed accounts, and discrepancies between financial reports and actual bank balances. Auditors concluded that the city lacked formalized financial procedures and consistent review processes.

City officials discussed the audit findings during public meetings, acknowledging that the problems developed over time and were not limited to a single department or transaction. The financial issues have prompted the city to seek outside assistance to reconstruct records, strengthen accounting practices and bring operations back into compliance with state and federal requirements.

The situation has also led to administrative changes and heightened oversight by elected officials. Residents have raised concerns at commission meetings about utility billing accuracy, transparency and the city’s long-term financial stability.

City leaders have said correcting the deficiencies will require sustained effort, improved internal controls and updated financial systems. Auditors cautioned that resolving the issues and restoring public confidence will take time as corrective measures are implemented.

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Golf carts line the staging area at Turkey Creek Golf and Country Club as players check in ahead of the Miracle at Turkey Creek golf tournament Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Alachua. The event marked the fifth annual tournament held since the course reopened following a nearly 10-year closure./Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – Golfers from across the region gathered Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at Turkey Creek Golf and Country Club for the Miracle at Turkey Creek golf tournament, marking the event’s fifth annual playing since the course reopened after a decade-long closure.

A total of 144 golfers participated in the tournament, which featured a full field, shared meals and time on the course as players filled the fairways throughout the day.

The men’s first-place team included Joe Thigpen, Ken Vejraska, Ken Radcliffe and Ben Love, while the women’s first-place honors went to Kathy Quelland, Tina Banner, Vicki Glass and Robin Cunningham.

The tournament is held annually at Turkey Creek Golf and Country Club, 11400 Turkey Creek Boulevard, just off U.S. Highway 441 in Alachua. The course originally opened in 1978 and served as a central feature of the Turkey Creek community for decades. Following multiple ownership changes and financial challenges, the course closed in 2011, remaining unused and overgrown for nearly 10 years.

In 2015, the Turkey Creek Master Owners Association purchased the property. In the years that followed, residents and volunteers worked to restore the course, addressing long-standing infrastructure issues and gradually returning it to playable condition. The reopening of the course marked the end of a prolonged period of inactivity and signaled a revival of golf at the site, a feat that many likened to a miracle given the many challenges that the nearly an all-volunteer team of residents and volunteers faced in restoring the golf course.

Saturday’s tournament coincided with the milestone of five years since the course’s reopening, a point organizers and participants recognized throughout the day. Golf carts lined the staging area early in the morning as teams checked in, and players returned to the clubhouse following their rounds for awards and fellowship.

Organizers credited the continued success of the Miracle at Turkey Creek tournament to steady participation and community involvement, noting that the event has grown alongside the course’s return to regular play.

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Michael Ebner (center) displays his Park Ranger of the Year award during a presentation at the Florida Park Service’s annual Park Manager Meeting in Fort Lauderdale. Ebner was named the Florida Park Service Ranger Association’s 2026 Park Ranger of the Year. He is joined by (from left) Chuck Hatcher, Florida Park Service director; Bill Bryan of Tyler Technologies; Warren Poplin, president of the Florida Park Service Ranger Association; and Heather Goston, park manager./Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – The Florida Park Service Ranger Association has named Michael Ebner, a park ranger at San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park and Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, as the recipient of its 2026 Park Ranger of the Year Award.

The award was presented Jan. 27, 2026, during the Florida Park Service’s annual Park Manager Meeting in Fort Lauderdale. Ebner was selected from statewide nominations representing more than 1,000 Florida Park Service employees.

According to the association, Ebner was recognized for his commitment across all aspects of park operations, including visitor services, resource management, maintenance, prescribed fire and interpretation. His leadership, problem-solving skills and dedication to mentoring others were cited as qualities that enhance the visitor experience and reflect the “Ranger First” philosophy.

“Michael is an integral part of the San Felasco and Devil’s Millhopper team,” said Heather Goston, park manager. “His strong work ethic, guidance, and attention to detail have helped bring important park improvements to life. Michael exemplifies the Ranger First attitude, and we all feel fortunate to work alongside him.”

San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park is one of North Central Florida’s largest state parks. The park’s North Trailhead, which features horse trails, off-road cycling routes and hiking trails, is located off U.S. 441 at 13201 San Felasco Parkway in Alachua. Ebner’s work supports daily operations and visitor engagement at the Alachua-based preserve.

“Park rangers are the heart of Florida’s award-winning state parks,” said Warren Poplin, president of the Florida Park Service Ranger Association. “Michael’s dedication, leadership, and service above self reflect the very best of the Ranger First philosophy, and we are proud to recognize his outstanding contributions.”

Ebner was selected from among district awardees statewide, including Terri Messler of Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, Sunny Clark of Colt Creek State Park, Ed Alaniz of Myakka River State Park and Guillermo Rodriguez of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

Now in its fifth year, the Park Ranger of the Year Award is hosted by the Florida Park Service Ranger Association and sponsored by Tyler Technologies. Established in 1989, the association supports current and former Florida Park Service employees and operates the James A. Cook Humanitarian Relief Fund, which has provided nearly $250,000 in assistance to nearly 300 individuals. The association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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