ALACHUA ‒ Who doesn’t love happy hours? It’s a chance to relax after a long workday and spend time with friends. On Sunday, June 11, San Felasco Tech City was the scene of a special kind of happy hour at the Daft Cow Brewery and Beaker and Flask Wine Co. Guests had a chance to relax and enjoy craft beer and wine while their four-legged furry friends enjoyed dog treats, toys and interacting with other dogs. The Yappy Hour charity event welcomed both pet owners and their dogs to socialize and enjoy the day.

Yappy hours are often hosted by hotels, bars, apartment complexes or breed play groups with guests paying a fee to attend. The event at the Daft Cow Brewery was held by the Shakespeare Animal Fund, a non-profit that helps pay emergency veterinary costs for elderly, disabled and others who have a suffering pet and no funds to get help.

“Our mission is to help pet owners with emergency veterinary bills due to accidents, sickness and other emergencies,” said Shakespeare Animal Fund founder Jennifer Webb. “We are active in 13 northern Nevada counties and now in North Central Florida as well.”

Webb started the organization in 2003, while living in Reno, Nevada after the loss of her own dog, Shakespeare, a cocker spaniel who jumped into his new companion’s arms from a pet shop counter in Harlem three days before Christmas.

Shakespeare became Webb’s constant companion as he travelled the streets of New York with Jennifer. The two of them spent countless hours in Central Park on weekends. He was allowed to attend dance classes in the evenings, and he even rode the streets of the city in a little red wagon as he got too old to walk

In November 2003, Shakespeare became ill, and nothing the vet could do seemed to help. In desperation, Webb took him to a large medical facility where they did extensive testing including an MRI before finding there was nothing left to do. The medical bills were expensive, but Webb says she would have done anything, borrowed from anywhere, to help him recover.

“When he died on Nov. 14, 2003, my heart was forever broken at his loss,” said Webb. “I heard stories from others who had watched their beloved pet suffer and die because they simply couldn't afford the vet bills.”

Out of this heartrending experience, Webb founded the Shakespeare Animal Fund. “I hoped that many others who love their animal companions as much as I loved Shakespeare, but perhaps can't afford to pay for an unexpected illness or any other medical expense, can be helped,” said Webb.

“Often those who need our help are elderly, disabled, returning veterans or simply those who find themselves in an emergency situation without the funds to get the help their pets desperately need. For many people their pets are their only family, and a constant source of unconditional love,” said Webb. “We believe no one should ever have to choose between taking care of their four-footed family member or putting food on the table.”

Under Webb's direction, fundraisers have brought in more than $1million to help pet owners in need in Nevada, Webb’s previous home. Recently Webb moved to Alachua for work and is now also creating events in North Central Florida. At the recent Yappy Hour, pet owners made a donation of $25 for beer, wine and snacks, while their canine family members enjoyed a variety of treats. Attendees could also contribute additionally by bidding on a variety of silent auction raffle items.

“Although this is our first Yappy Hour event in Alachua, we are establishing our headquarters here and letting other members in Nevada continue events out there.” Webb is currently planning a Yappy Hour event at the Black Adder Brewery in Gainesville in August and hoping to expand to Marion County as well.

“We also welcome anyone who would like to join, either as a board member, staff support or as volunteers for the events,” said Webb

Anyone who is interested in additional information, joining or contributing can email helpshakefund@gmail.com with the subject line Yappy Hour or visit www.shakespeareanimalfund.org. The website also has contact links for people who need emergency help, and there is also a crisis phone line at 775-342-7040.

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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.

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ALACHUA ‒ In May 2023, two local residents, Nancy Baumann and Sherrilene Classen, travelled to the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania, an experience that would test not only their physical limits, but their emotional resilience as well.

Located just over 200 miles south of the Equator, these intrepid explorers experienced sub-zero temperatures, powerful winds, and braved the toughest conditions nature can muster in their quest to reach the summit. “This is not your beach vacation,” said Classen. “There are risks involved.”

Over eight days, trekking through five climate zones to the artic zone at the top, climbing Kilimanjaro is a challenging adventure that requires physical fitness and mental strength.

Sitting down with Ben Boukari, Jr., of “I Know a Guy” podcasts, the two recount their epic journey to conquer the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano and the highest mountain in Africa, spiraling 19,341 ft. above sea level.

Amidst the physical challenges, Classen and Baumann also share a deeply moving spiritual moment that forever transformed their lives. In the midst of the mountain’s majestic solitude, they found themselves immersed in a transcendental moment of self-reflection and profound connection to the world around them.

Listen to their captivating journey in entirety by visiting https://youtu.be/gP7cDXMEdr8 in an internet browser, going to YouTube.com and searching for “I Know a Guy Podcast 0005” or scanning the following with a smartphone:

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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.

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