![Photo of ACPS Teacher of the Year Nicole Harris [Courtesy of Jackie Johnson]](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/ufa/46e23593-39b3-4317-ba7f-eee5743abfe7.sized-1000x1000.jpeg?w=1500&ar=4%3A3&fit=crop&crop=faces&facepad=3&auto=format)
The Robert W. Hughes Teacher of the Year Celebration selected Harris as the winner among two other finalists during a virtual livestream Jan. 21. Harris will represent the Alachua County Public School District in the 2022 Florida Teacher of the Year Program.
The Alachua County Commission voted unanimously at a meeting Tuesday to accept the rent relief funds, which will help county residents who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or are at risk of homelessness.
Barakissa Couliaby taught her first outdoor West African dance class at Depot Park on Dec. 6 and held a second class Jan. 17. The next class will not take place until Feb. 21, and Couliaby is still working on figuring out a regular schedule.
Florida finished at 21-under-par, beating out Liberty University for first place in its opening tournament of the spring.
Alachua County healthcare workers continue to vaccinate residents over the age of 65, but it will still be several months before the vaccine is widely available to those under the age requirement.
An older man died following a crash on West University Avenue Monday afternoon — less than two weeks after a crash on the same road sent five to the hospital and killed a UF student.
Sophomore Ricky Castillo led the way for UF, shooting 7-under-par individually. The Gators will compete in an 18-hole match play event tomorrow.
The Gators continue to revamp their coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball with the addition of a former cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator from South Florida, the second hire of the offseason.
Peterson is the No. 255 overall prospect and 65th ranked right-handed pitcher in the nation.
Baseball America became the fourth outlet to have the Gators atop their 2021 preseason rankings, moving Florida one step closer to unanimous status.
Coastal engineer Chris DiScenza is bringing his art to local markets and outreach programs in Gainesville.
The organization’s eighth annual fundraiser supporting its work of community organizing will be online.
Vanessa Villarreal worked with Lee Jeans to gift nine celebrities hand-painted jackets.
The outdoor concert series prioritizing COVID-19 safety kicked off Saturday at the Prairie Creek Preserve.
![Photo of Sophia Lambert [Courtesy of Lubavitch Chabad UF Jewish Student Center]](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/ufa/47ef6323-81aa-49cf-8956-39bc6ebd882f.sized-1000x1000.jpg?w=1500&ar=4%3A3&fit=crop&crop=faces&facepad=3&auto=format)
“Do good, and say ‘I love you,’” is the phrase echoing through the UF community in honor of Sophia Lambert, a first-year UF theatre and psychology major who died Jan.16 after a fatal crash on West University Avenue that sent five others to the hospital. She was 18 years old.
![Photo of Maggie Paxton [Courtesy of Lisa Paxton]](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/ufa/e83df259-499d-407e-87e7-92e4b797519b.sized-1000x1000.jpeg?w=1500&ar=4%3A3&fit=crop&crop=faces&facepad=3&auto=format)
Paxton will be remembered for her encouraging nature and selflessness, her mother, Lisa Paxton, said. Her favorite saying was, “Progress over perfection.”
Gainesville Police implemented Gator STEP, while the city commission passed a traffic safety plan that includes creating a task force to provide short-term safety solutions on University Avenue, including a speed limit reduction, barriers and flashing lights at intersections.
For Alachua County, the weeks following the insurrection marked the largest departure from the Republican Party in the past year, pointing to an uncertain future for the party following the Trump presidency and the start of Joe Biden’s presidency.
After canceling Spring Break, UF administration is urging faculty to suspend classes and exams for two days this semester to avoid student burnout.
![Photo of one of the housing units. [Courtesy of Jayne Moraski]](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/ufa/f969a317-4a92-4ab2-923c-87cee34ffe62.sized-1000x1000.JPG?w=1500&ar=4%3A3&fit=crop&crop=faces&facepad=3&auto=format)
Family Promise of Gainesville and Rebuilding Together North Central Florida officially opened their affordable multi-family housing quad Friday morning.
Solutions by The State News
