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ALACHUA – The City of Alachua played host to a high-energy celebration of creativity, teamwork and problem-solving last weekend as the FIRST LEGO League North Florida Regional Championship brought more than 700 participants to the Hal Brady Recreation Complex and Legacy Multipurpose Center.

The multi-day competition transformed the recreation facilities into a hub of activity, with teams of children and young teens collaborating on robotics challenges and project presentations while families, coaches and volunteers filled the venue with encouragement and excitement. Organizers described the atmosphere as vibrant and upbeat, with participants fully engaged throughout the event.

City of Alachua Recreation & Culture staff members, along with volunteers from the SwampBots robotics community, played a central role in the championship’s success. Their coordinated efforts ensured smooth transitions between events, maintained competition schedules and provided support to teams navigating the demanding regional contest.

The championship weekend began Friday evening with a welcome social event in downtown Alachua, giving teams a chance to unwind before the competition began in earnest. Participants gathered along Main Street at The Vault Ice Cream Shop, where each competitor received a complimentary treat. The informal gathering allowed students, mentors and families from different communities to connect and share in the excitement of the weekend ahead.

Adding to the festive tone, participants took part in snow play activities during the social hours at Skinner Field – Allen Hitchcock Baseball Field. The unexpected winter-themed fun created a memorable experience for visiting teams and offered a lighthearted kickoff to the regional championship.

Teams traveled from across Central and North Central Florida to compete, reflecting the growing popularity of youth robotics programs throughout the region. The FIRST LEGO League challenges students to design, build and program robots using LEGO technology while also completing research projects that emphasize innovation, teamwork and real-world problem solving.

Throughout the weekend, competition spaces buzzed with activity as teams tested robots, adjusted strategies and cheered for one another’s successes. Parents and spectators observed from the sidelines as students demonstrated not only technical skills but also collaboration and sportsmanship — hallmarks of the program’s educational mission.

City officials and organizers noted that hosting a regional championship of this scale underscores Alachua’s capacity to accommodate large youth-focused events and reinforces the city’s commitment to recreation, education and community engagement.

By the end of the weekend, participants left with more than trophies and scores. Many departed with new friendships, renewed enthusiasm for science and technology, and memories of a community that welcomed them with creativity and hospitality.

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ALACHUA COUNTY – The Alachua County Arts Council is preparing for its fifth annual Artists Conference, scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, and is now seeking presenters and sponsors to help shape the event.

The annual conference brings together artists, educators, nonprofit leaders and arts advocates from across the county to share ideas, build professional skills and strengthen connections within the local arts community. Organizers say the conference has grown steadily since its launch, becoming a key gathering for those involved in visual, performing and literary arts.

As planning for the 2026 event begins, the conference committee is accepting applications from individuals and organizations interested in presenting breakout sessions. Proposed sessions should appeal to members of the arts community and may cover a wide range of topics, including creative practice, arts education, marketing, funding, collaboration and professional development.

Presentations are expected to run between 30 and 60 minutes, including time for questions and discussion, allowing attendees to engage directly with presenters and explore ideas in greater depth. Organizers encourage submissions that are informative, interactive and relevant to artists working at all stages of their careers.

In addition to presenters, the Arts Council is also seeking sponsors to support the conference. Sponsorships help offset event costs while providing visibility for businesses and organizations that support the arts. Sponsors play a role in ensuring the conference remains accessible to the local arts community.

Application materials for both presenters and sponsors are available on the Alachua County Arts Council’s website under the “Artists Conference” section. Interested individuals and organizations must complete and submit the appropriate form by Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.

The Artists Conference aligns with the Arts Council’s broader mission to strengthen arts engagement throughout the county. According to the council, its mission is to “improve the quality of life of Alachua County residents by increasing exposure to the arts, expanding opportunities for creative expression by local artists, and increasing community resources for the arts.”

The conference provides a platform to advance that mission by fostering collaboration, encouraging innovation and offering practical tools for artists and arts organizations. Past conferences have featured workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities designed to support both emerging and established artists.

Additional details about the conference agenda, schedule and location are expected to be announced closer to the event date.

For more information about presenting, sponsorship opportunities or the Artists Conference, contact Assistant County Manager and Chief of Staff Gina Peebles at 352-538-8265 or gpeebles@alachuacounty.us.

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ALACHUA – After more than five decades of supporting local growers and connecting the community with fresh, locally produced food, the Alachua County Farmers Market is beginning a new chapter at a new home.

The market, the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the area, has relocated to San Felasco Tech City, located at 13900 Tech City Circle in Alachua, just a few miles north of its former site along U.S. 441. Organizers say the move positions the long-standing market for continued growth while maintaining its core mission of supporting local agriculture and small businesses.

To welcome the community into the new location, the market will host a series of free culinary tastings and organic gardening workshops beginning in January and continuing through February 2026. The programming is designed to highlight the variety of vendors who make up the market while offering educational opportunities for both longtime patrons and first-time visitors.

Throughout January, market vendors including jam makers, beekeepers, pickle producers, sprouts growers and bakers will offer a rotating selection of complimentary snack tastings. Vendors will also share culinary tips and ideas for incorporating locally produced foods into healthy, everyday meals. The tastings are intended to give shoppers a chance to sample products while learning new ways to use them at home.

In addition to the tastings, vendors will raffle off free packages of their products during the month of January. Market organizers said the giveaways are meant to encourage residents to add the new San Felasco location to their regular Saturday morning routine.

Beginning in February, the focus will shift to gardening education as North Central Florida enters its spring growing season. Market growers will lead organic gardening workshops covering a range of topics, including growing vegetables, herbs, ornamentals and butterfly gardens in small spaces such as patios and backyards. Sessions will also address practical subjects such as composting, organic pest control and container gardening, with instruction provided by experienced local growers.

All produce, meats, eggs, dairy products, seafood, plants and honey sold at the Alachua County Farmers Market are locally grown. Organizers emphasize that buying local food not only ensures freshness and quality, but also benefits the broader community by keeping food dollars circulating among area farmers and businesses.

Market hours will remain unchanged following the move. The Alachua County Farmers Market will continue to operate every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The market is also pet-friendly, welcoming shoppers to bring well-behaved animals as part of the community atmosphere.

With more than 50 years of history behind it, the market’s relocation signals both continuity and renewal. Organizers say the new site offers an opportunity to build on a long tradition of community engagement while introducing new educational and culinary experiences for future generations of shoppers.

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GAINESVILLE – A Newberry man was arrested after Gainesville Police say he drove his car into a real estate office near one of the city’s busiest corridors and showed signs of impairment during a post-crash investigation.

The crash happened shortly after midnight on Nov. 25, 2025, when officers were dispatched at about 12:17 a.m. to a report of a vehicle into a building at 5310 NW 8^th Avenue, just west of the intersection of West Newberry Road and NW 8^th Avenue. According to a Gainesville Police Department (GPD) report, arriving officers found that 28-year-old Shu Zhi Zhu had been behind the wheel of the vehicle that struck the office of The Mills Group of Keller Williams.

The crash caused visible damage to the building, though authorities did not report any injuries to occupants or bystanders. Officers said Zhu displayed several indicators of impairment while speaking with them at the scene. According to the arrest report, Zhu had difficulty maintaining his balance and was slurring his words as he interacted with officers.

Zhu reportedly told police he had not consumed any alcohol before driving. However, the responding officer wrote that Zhu performed poorly on standard field sobriety exercises conducted on scene. Based on those observations, police arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence.

After his arrest, Zhu was read his Miranda rights. According to the police report, he stated that he did not understand his rights and then refused to listen when officers attempted to re-explain them.

Zhu was taken to GPD Headquarters for further processing, where officers requested that he provide a lawful breath sample. The report states that he did not respond to repeated requests, and he was subsequently charged with refusal to submit to a breath test. Police also cited him for careless driving in connection with the crash.

Court records show that Zhu has no prior criminal history. Following his first appearance, Judge Meshon Rawls ordered that he be released on his own recognizance. As a condition of release, Zhu is required to wear a transdermal alcohol monitor, a device designed to detect alcohol consumption through the skin.

No injuries were reported, and the extent of structural damage to the real estate office has not yet been released by the business or city officials.

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TALLAHASSEE – More than $55 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians in November, including nearly $585,000 paid to residents in the Gainesville area, according to figures released Dec. 12, 2025, by State of Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.

The funds were distributed through the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Unclaimed Property, which safeguards financial assets that have been lost, forgotten or left inactive by their owners. State officials say the program continues to return millions of dollars each month to individuals, families and businesses across Florida.

“With over $55 million returned to Floridians in the month of November, I think Santa will be very busy this holiday season,” Ingoglia said. “I encourage Floridians across the state to check for their unclaimed property at FLTreasureHunt.Gov and see if they might have some extra Christmas cheer waiting for them.”

Unclaimed property includes a wide range of financial assets that may be unfamiliar to owners. Common examples include dormant bank accounts, unclaimed insurance proceeds, stocks, dividends, uncashed checks, security deposits, credit balances and refunds. In some cases, tangible items such as watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps and historical artifacts from abandoned safe-deposit boxes are also turned over to the state.

Under Florida law, businesses and government agencies are required to hold unclaimed assets for a set period — typically five years — while attempting to locate the owner. If those efforts are unsuccessful, the property is reported to the Division of Unclaimed Property, which holds the assets until a rightful claim is made.

State officials estimate that more than $2 billion in unclaimed property remains available to be claimed statewide. Residents are encouraged to periodically search the state’s unclaimed property database, particularly if they have moved, changed jobs, closed financial accounts or lived in multiple parts of Florida.

November’s returns highlight the broad geographic reach of the program. In addition to Gainesville, significant amounts were returned in Orlando, Tampa-St. Petersburg and Miami, each totaling more than $10 million. Smaller but still substantial amounts were returned in regions including Pensacola, Tallahassee and Fort Myers-Naples.

Officials emphasize that searching the database is free and can be done online. Claims may be submitted by individuals, businesses or heirs seeking property belonging to deceased relatives. Those who have lived or worked in different areas of Florida are encouraged to check each region where they may have previously resided.

A regional breakdown of unclaimed property returned in November 2025 shows:

• Pensacola - $1.8 million
• Panama City - $993,000
• Tallahassee - $2.4 million
• Jacksonville - $4 million
• Gainesville - $585,000
• Orlando - $10.8 million
• Tampa/St. Petersburg - $12.2 million
• Fort Myers/Naples - $3.1 million
• West Palm Beach - $9.2 million
• Miami - $10.4 million

More information and access to Florida’s unclaimed property search is available through the state’s official website at https://fltreasurehunt.gov/.

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GAINESVILLE – A Waldo man was arrested Wednesday after Gainesville Police said he fled from officers during a predawn encounter earlier in the week, crashed a vehicle into a fence and later attempted to claim he had been home all night. Investigators identified him using surveillance video from a nearby convenience store.

According to the Gainesville Police Department (GPD), the incident began around 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 23, 2025, when officers responded to repeated noise complaints at the Chevron gas station at 1024 W. University Ave. Police reported seeing a large baggie of marijuana on the center console of a gold Chevrolet Malibu parked at the pumps. Officers said the driver initially opened the door as if to get out of the vehicle but then quickly shut it and sped away.

Officers activated their lights and sirens in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop. Police said the driver switched off the vehicle’s headlights, ran multiple stop signs and drove at a high rate of speed “disregarding the safety of other vehicles” as he fled the area.

At about 4:20 a.m., officers found the Malibu abandoned in the 700 block of NW 15^th Avenue after it had crashed into a fence. Police also located fresh damage on a nearby fence where they believe someone tried to force their way through and attempted to jump over it.

Inside the car, officers found approximately 80.5 grams of marijuana along with the ID card and mail of 23-year-old Mitchell Craig Griffin Jr. Investigators noted there were no signs of forced entry into the Malibu and no evidence of ignition tampering.

Although officers could not immediately confirm that Griffin was the driver, the investigation continued. The next morning, Griffin’s girlfriend — the registered owner of the Malibu — reported the vehicle stolen. She told officers the car had been parked at her residence when she went to bed around 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 and that Griffin was home at the time, went to bed with her and “never left her residence” until after she woke to find the car missing.

Investigators returned to the Chevron and reviewed surveillance video from the early-morning hours. Footage showed the Malibu driver standing near the gas pumps around 1:45 a.m. and inside the store at about 2 a.m. Officers captured clear images of the suspect’s face.

When an officer later contacted Griffin by phone, he reportedly claimed he had been home the entire night.

On Nov. 26, Griffin agreed to meet officers at GPD Headquarters. During the interview, he again reportedly insisted he had remained at his girlfriend’s house the whole night and had not loaned his girlfriend’s car to anyone.

When shown the surveillance image from the Chevron, Griffin reportedly acknowledged he was the man in the picture, at which point officers detained him. Post Miranda, Griffin again confirmed the man in the surveillance footage was him. When told that the same individual was recorded getting into the Malibu and fleeing officers, Griffin reportedly declined to discuss that portion of the incident. He also stated he did not have any marijuana in the vehicle.

According to police, Griffin made additional comments while being transported to the jail, allegedly stating that he had “just gotten out of prison for the same thing.”

Court records show Griffin has five felony convictions and was released from state prison in June 2025 after serving a one-year sentence for fleeing from law enforcement.

Griffin now faces multiple charges: possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, fleeing from law enforcement with lights and sirens activated, reckless driving with property damage, resisting an officer without violence and driving without a valid license. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set his bail at $40,000.

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