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ALACHUA – As the year winds down and the temptation to celebrate early builds, Florida law draws a bright line in the sand.

Under state statute, fireworks may only be legally discharged on three days each year: the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Outside of those dates – including Dec. 30 and Jan. 2 – the booms, bangs, and bursts many associate with celebration are strictly off limits.

On the approved holidays, the law allows traditional consumer fireworks such as firecrackers, roman candles, skyrockets, and similar devices containing explosive or flammable compounds. On all other days, their use is illegal, regardless of intent or enthusiasm.

Not everything that sparkles is banned, however. Items like sparklers, pop-its, party poppers, glow worms, smoke devices, and trick noisemakers are not classified as fireworks under Florida statutes and may be purchased year-round.

Law enforcement officials urge residents to be mindful not only of the law, but of their neighbors – many of whom include veterans, pets, and families sensitive to loud noise. As celebrations approach, officials emphasize that courtesy and compliance go hand in hand.

In short: celebrate responsibly, celebrate legally, and save the fireworks for the days Florida law says they belong.

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Alachua police officers escort local students during the 2025 Shop with a Cop event, where 50 children received $100 each to shop for items and gifts at Walmart. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – Community partnerships and volunteer support helped make the 2025 Shop with a Cop event a memorable experience for dozens of local children, according to the Alachua Police Department.

The annual holiday program brought officers together with local students for a day centered on connection, generosity and positive interaction. Police officials credited sponsors, volunteers and community partners for helping create an event that focused on strengthening relationships between law enforcement and young people.

“This year’s Shop with a Cop event was a tremendous success,” the department stated, noting that the generosity, time and support of community partners played a key role in making the day special for participating families.

Fifty students from local schools were selected to take part in the program, which included a shopping trip to Walmart. Each child received $100 to spend on items of their choice. While many participants selected toys, clothing or school supplies, several children chose to use their funds to purchase gifts for family members, organizers said.

Adding to the excitement, officers provided a police escort to and from the store, turning the shopping trip into a festive experience that many children described as unforgettable. The escort, along with the opportunity to shop alongside officers, helped create an atmosphere of celebration and trust.

Before the shopping trip, children were treated to pizza generously donated by New York Pizza Plus. Police officials said the meal helped kick off the day on a joyful note and gave participants a chance to relax and interact with officers in an informal setting.

Programs such as Shop with a Cop are designed to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and youth while addressing practical needs during the holiday season. By pairing officers with children in a supportive environment, the initiative aims to promote understanding, mentorship and a sense of community.

Police officials expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the event, emphasizing that the impact extends beyond a single day.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to this event and helped make a lasting impact on the children and families in our community,” the department said.

Organizers said the success of this year’s event underscores the importance of collaboration among law enforcement, businesses and volunteers, and they hope to continue the tradition in years to come.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to this event and helped make a lasting impact on the children and families in our community.

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HAWTHORNE – Two men were arrested early Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, after a violent home invasion south of Hawthorne led to the theft of cash and a pickup truck, followed by a multi-agency traffic stop that uncovered cocaine and additional charges.

According to law enforcement reports, the incident began around 2:15 a.m. when an Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a residence where the victim said Irving Enrique Vinales-Soto, 59, forced his way inside. The victim reported that Vinales-Soto banged on the door with a pistol and demanded to know the whereabouts of a woman he had previously been involved with. The woman reportedly works at the home and stays there several nights a week.

The victim told deputies that Vinales-Soto pointed a pistol at him, demanded money and took approximately $500 from his wallet before grabbing the keys to his pickup truck and fleeing the residence.

At approximately 3:55 a.m., a Florida Highway Patrol trooper, assisted by Alachua County deputies, located the stolen blue GMC pickup truck and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, identified as Aamir Jalil Sims, 30, of Gainesville, was detained. Sims’ driver’s license had been suspended since September, authorities said. A search of the truck reportedly revealed a baggie containing about 4.9 grams of crack cocaine near Sims’ feet.

Vinales-Soto was reportedly in the passenger seat during the stop and fled on foot before being apprehended a short time later. Deputies said a search incident to arrest produced approximately 2.8 grams of cocaine.

After being advised of his rights, Vinales-Soto reportedly admitted to forcing his way into the home, taking the victim’s vehicle keys, driving away in the vehicle and possessing “crack.”

Sims faces charges of cocaine possession and driving with a suspended license following a previous conviction for driving without a valid license. Records show he is on probation for dealing in stolen property and has two prior non-violent felony convictions. Judge Denise Ferrero set his bail at $7,500.

Vinales-Soto faces multiple felony charges, including armed home invasion, robbery, aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, grand theft of a motor vehicle and possession of cocaine. He has no known local criminal history and is currently being held without bond.

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Photo special to Alachua County Today

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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NEWBERRY – A 23-year-old Newberry man was arrested on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, for possession of marijuana with intent to sell. The defendant is on probation and is also facing charges of drug and marijuana possession from a traffic stop by another officer on Oct. 19.

At about 4:37 p.m., an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a gray Nissan Altima traveling east on Northwest 1^st Avenue. The stop was made because the officer noted that the two occupants were not wearing seatbelts. The deputy noted an “overwhelming” smell of marijuana coming from the driver, Darius Dwayne Stackhouse, Jr., and the vehicle, but Stackhouse reportedly refused to consent to a search of the vehicle.

A K-9 alerted to contraband in the vehicle, and a probable cause search reportedly produced 45 grams of marijuana, a scale and five doses of Buprenorphine strips, a controlled substance.

The defendant is also on active probation for narcotics and firearms charges. All items were located in the center console of the vehicle, which is registered to Stackhouse. The arresting officer also reported that the defendant stated he had smoke marijuana prior to the stop.

Post Miranda, Stackhouse reportedly declined to answer any questions. He was arrested and charged with possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and violation of probation.

The Oct. 19 traffic stop was on the same vehicle at about 10:08 a.m., for a stop bar violation. That deputy described Stackhouse as a “known drug dealer” and a convicted felon who is on probation for selling marijuana. While on probation, he is prohibited from possessing alcohol or illegal drugs.

The deputy reported the odor of unburnt marijuana coming from the vehicle, and when asked if he had any marijuana, Stackhouse reportedly said there was a small “roach” in the driver’s side door. The deputy noted that Stackhouse has a medical marijuana card, but the marijuana was not in the proper packaging. A probable cause search reportedly produced about 0.3 grams of unburnt marijuana in the driver’s side door and a pill bottle with 11 pills of dextroamphetamine that were not prescribed to Stackhouse.

Stackhouse has been charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, marijuana-possession with intent to sell manufacture or deliver schedule I, and drug equipment-possession and or use.

Stackhouse has juvenile convictions between 2015 and 2020, two adult felony convictions and five adult misdemeanor convictions. He has served one state prison sentence and was released in 2022. He is on probation for selling marijuana and is facing the charges from the Oct. 19 incident.

Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail until the probation violation case is resolved. She also set bail at $85,000 on the new charges.

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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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