Good morning, Gainesville.

Lincoln High alumni celebrated paying off the final balance on a memorial wall honoring graduates from the former all-Black school (a historic Gainesville landmark) and underscored their dedication to preserving local history.

The board voted on Monday to expand Newberry Community School to include fifth grade for the 2027-28 school year and approved an improvement plan with teacher training and smaller classes.

The decisions, following the Aug. 10 opening, will allow for hiring extra staff as enrollment grows.

Incumbent Sarah Rockwell reclaimed her District 3 seat with 57.3% of votes in northwest Gainesville & Hunter Miller and Janine Plavac will face off Nov.

4 for District 1 after neither candidate garnered 50% while Jancie Vinson secured District 5. The board will be sworn in in November.

State Farm has begun sending a one-time dividend to qualifying auto insurance customers based on a percentage of 2025 premiums, with customers receiving an email—if registered—or a mailed check.

The payout distribution will take several months as the company leverages its financial strength to benefit policyholders.

Health inspections conducted Aug.

10-16 found that 15 local restaurants received citations for high-priority safety violations, including expired licenses, improper food temperatures and pest sightings. Officials said follow-up reviews will verify that corrective measures are in place at several Gainesville locations.

Hawthorne football coach Cornelius Ingram has returned (after a 50-day break) to lead the Hornets in their move to Class 1A; the team will open against No. 12 Bishop Moore on Aug.

21 and face No. 3 Miami Northwestern on Sept. 10.

Florida football players were named to multiple preseason award watch lists ahead of the new season.

RB Jadan Baugh appears on the Doak Walker Award list & Maxwell Award list while punter Alec Clark, linebacker Myles Graham, kicker Patrick Durkin & center Harrison Moore earned preseason honors.

Florida's senior golfer Luke Poulter was named to Team GB&I for his second Walker Cup selection after ranking among the top five in the World Amateur Golf Ranking; the 51st Walker Cup will start Sept.

5 at Lahinch Golf Club in Ireland.

Gators swimming & diving released its 2026-27 schedule on Monday.

The men’s team opens Sept. 26 in Boca Raton and the women’s team starts with a Vanderbilt meet in Nashville; a home dual meet with Missouri is set for Jan. 22-23 at the Ann Marie Rogers Pool in Gainesville.

The Gators held their 11th fall camp practice Tuesday at Sanders practice fields, where players sharpened deep routes and pass rush moves.

The team prepares for its Sept. 5 *season opener* at The Swamp, with Seahawks scouts watching the drills.

USA TODAY Network ranked SEC quarterbacks on Aug.

18, naming Trinidad Chambliss a star while highlighting Florida’s debate over its starting signal-caller between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. — local fans await coach Sumrall’s decision as the season nears.