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GAINESVILLE – An all-white jury handed down a more than $15 million verdict after a weeklong trial in which Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Seargent Kevin Davis claimed racial discrimination.  

The jury awarded Davis, the plaintiff, $115,724 for lost earnings David Macpherson, Ph.D., an economic expert witness, claimed Davis would have realized had he been promoted.  The jury also awarded an astounding $15 million for emotional pain and mental anguish, although there were not any medical or psychological expert witnesses listed in the plaintiff’s witness list to testify to the extent of such pain and anguish.  Oddly, the jury passed on awarding $54,545 in lost pension benefits that the economic expert estimated Davis lost due to the non-promotion.

Davis, a white man who has been employed with ACSO off and on since 1999, filed his lawsuit in February 2023 alleging discrimination by then Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr.’s administration.  The crux of Davis’ complaint is that less qualified black candidates at the sheriff’s office were promoted into lieutenant positions instead him.  Davis claimed that although he was ranked in the top five candidates for a slate of positions, he was intentionally passed over based on his race.  The defense, however, stated that at the time of Davis’ lawsuit, there had been some 150 promotions, 120 of which were filled with white candidates and approximately 30 were filled with black candidates.

Witnesses for the sheriff’s office, however, testified that Davis has specifically not been recommended for promotion.  Notably, Davis had been seen as problematic, filing multiple Equal Employment Opportunity and other complaints against multiple sheriffs, both black and white.  And despite Davis’ many years on the force, under several sheriffs he had not been highly promoted by any of them.

Davis also claimed that he was retaliated against when he was placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation into Davis’ potential violation of ACSO’s social media policy.  Davis said this paid administrative leave was retaliation for his filing of an Equal Employment Opportunity Complaint.

Former Sheriff Watson testified that he was greatly bothered by assertions that he or his administration acted in a racially biased manner against any of his officers.  Watson harkened back to his time as a former city manager in the City of Alachua where he oversaw the promotion of numerous white employees, including white men and women, who ultimately became city managers in Alachua and elsewhere around the state.

The trial began Monday, Jan. 3, 2025, with jury selection and opening statements.  The plaintiff was scheduled to conclude its case by Wednesday at noon, but by Thursday at noon, it appeared that plaintiff would not rest until Thursday at 3 p.m., leaving little time for the defense, who would need to rush its case or hold the jury late into the evening and possibly through the weekend.  Apparently, the court broke for lunch Friday and sent jurors out to begin deliberations.  By early afternoon, the jurors returned with their surprising verdict.  

The $15 million award seems unlikely to be paid out of public coffers anytime soon.  It’s possible that presiding Judge Gloria Walker could reduce the award, especially if the jury had no evidentiary basis for arriving at the number.  It also seems likely ACSO will appeal the decision based on numerous objections and motions raised before and during trial.

Representing ACSO, Attorney R. Wayne Evans of Allen, Norton, and Blue, P.A. in Tallahassee, Fla., was tight-lipped about the defense’s plans going forward, saying, “They put on their case-in-chief, and we put on our case-in-chief.  We are considering all of our options.”

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ALACHUA – A new Chick-fil-A restaurant is slated for construction in the City of Alachua.  The news was first shared in a neighborhood meeting notice shared in the Oct. 31, 2024 edition of Alachua County Today.  The new fast-food restaurant is to be located in the new Santa Fe Crossings Plaza, a few parcels west of the recently-opened Wawa convenience store.  Between the Chick-fil-A and Wawa is expected to be a Firestone Tires shop and a car wash.

Chick-fil-A has more than 3,000 locations across 48 states.  Six other Chick-fil-A restaurants already exist in Alachua County, but all are within Gainesville.  Chick-fil-A would be yet another chicken-based fast-food restaurant on Alachua’s 441 corridor, which is already home to Popeye’s, KFC, and Zaxby’s.

The intersection of County Road 235A and U.S. Highway 441 is fast becoming a hotbed of development.  The Alachua County Fire Station 21 in Alachua will soon be relocated from its current facility across from Alachua Elementary School to a newly constructed station on County Road 235A, a short distance south of Ellianos Coffee.

Also, under construction on the southside of U.S. 441 is the headquarters of Tower Hill Insurance, which first broke ground Nov. 28, 2023.  The state-of-the art 65,000 sq-ft two-story building will feature more than 25,000 sq-ft of energy efficient glass and was designed by local architectural firm Paul Stresing Associates. When completed, the facility will house 300 of the company’s 500-plus employees. Tower Hill currently has offices in Gainesville, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and Lexington, Ky, and operates in 17 states in the U.S. Anticipated construction completion is planned for spring 2025.  

The soon-to-be Tower Hill Insurance headquarters for the 50-year-old firm will be accessed from U.S. Highway 441 at Northwest 167th Boulevard traffic signal, the same signal used from primary access to Alachua’s Publix.

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ALACHUA ‒ The Santa Fe Raiders are hoping a familiar Florida football name can help turn their program around. Florida legend and former NFL running back Earnest Graham has been hired as the team’s head coach for the 2025 season, marking the Raiders' fourth coaching change since 2022.

Graham tie
Graham, who played nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is eager for the opportunity. As he shared with The Gainesville Sun, he believes Santa Fe provides the perfect environment to guide young athletes toward success. The school's football facilities and strong community support also factored into his decision.

Before joining Santa Fe, Graham was the offensive coordinator at Gainesville High School, where he worked alongside former Florida Gators teammate Ian Scott. Under their leadership, the team improved its win total over consecutive seasons, finishing with five victories last year.

The Raiders have struggled in recent years, managing just two wins since 2021. In the 2022-23 season, Santa Fe finished 1-9 under head coach Joe Szymanski, and two years later, Jason Wells led the team to the same record. Their last winning season came in 2015-16, when Bill Wiles coached them to an 8-4 finish. Historically, the Raiders have seen success, winning the Class 3A state championship in 1991 and the Class 4A title in 1994.

Graham’s deep ties to Florida football began at Mariner High School, where he was named the state’s Mr. Football in 1997. That season, he rushed for 5,710 yards and scored 86 touchdowns, earning Parade Magazine All-American honors. His high school career was so impactful that the Florida High School Athletic Association later included him on its “100 Greatest Players of the First 100 Years” list in 2007.

At the collegiate level, Graham continued to make a name for himself with the Florida Gators. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 1999 and earned Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2001. By the time he left Gainesville, he ranked among the program’s all-time leaders in rushing yards and touchdowns.

Despite going undrafted in 2003, Graham carved out a successful NFL career with the Buccaneers, rushing for over 2,000 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns across nine seasons. Known for his relentless work ethic, he became a fan favorite in Tampa Bay.

Following his playing days, Graham transitioned into coaching, quickly making an impact at the high school level. He took over a struggling North Fort Myers program and transformed it into a competitive team, going from a winless season to a .500 record within three years. In 2017, he led the Red Knights to an undefeated season.

His coaching career later took him to Oasis High School, Evangelical Christian, and Woodward Academy. At Woodward, he had the opportunity to coach his son, Myles Graham, who is now following in his father’s footsteps as a linebacker for the Florida Gators.

Now, Graham steps into a challenging role at Santa Fe High School, aiming to bring stability and success to a program that has been searching for a turnaround. With his experience, leadership, and deep Florida football roots, many Raiders are surely hopeful that Graham’s hire will mark the beginning of a new era.

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Road and Traffic Impacts for Feb. 14-21, 2025

GAINESVILLE - Below are the updated City of Gainesville traffic impacts scheduled for Feb. 14-21, 2025. 

 New Notices

SE 20th Place: Southeast 20th Place, between Southeast 20th Lane and Southeast Fourth Street, will have a single-lane closure with flaggers, from Monday, Nov. 18-Friday, Nov. 22.

 Note: All lane and road closures are subject to change due to unforeseen conditions, such as inclement weather.

Please be advised that this report covers the roads maintained by the City of Gainesville. For roads within Gainesville maintained by other agencies, please visit the following:

University of Florida campus road closures

Alachua County project updates

Florida Department of Transportation right-of-way road and lane closures

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Event to honor all branches of the military, featuring a celebration of "Gators in Space"; static military and civilian aircraft displays; classic cars; children’s activities; live music; food trucks, aircraft rides over “The Swamp”

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Feb. 12, 2025 – Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) and its FBO, the University Air Center (UAC) will once again host the popular Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day Saturday, March 22, 2025.

A fly-in is a gathering for pilots who arrive by air. The event takes place from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (pre-event pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m.) at University Air Center, 4701 NE 40th Terrace, Gainesville, Fla. (Enter at General Aviation Entrance, Waldo Road) and is open to the public. Admission and parking are free, and a complimentary shuttle will be provided.

“Our annual Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day is our way of honoring all branches of the military, including some great dignitaries, military and civil aviators who will be flying in many different types of aircraft to the UAC for the event,” says Allan Penksa, CEO, Gainesville Regional Airport. “It’s an exciting day for our community — especially anyone who is curious about flight — to learn more about aviation. This year we are especially focused on celebrating 'Gators in Space'. And as always, we look forward to sharing this incredibly special celebration at our airport with the community.”

Celebrating Gators in Space and our Military

Planned events include opening ceremonies with a color guard and flyovers, most notably the “Flown West” ceremony for those who have gone before us. The pre-event fun begins with a continuation of our celebration of the late Col. Joe Kittinger, the first Gator in Space, with the third annual “Col. Joe ‘Pamcake’ Breakfast” at 8:30 a.m., with donations going to Col. Joe’s favorite charity, the International Sky Diving Museum & Hall of Fame (www.skydivingmuseum.org). In addition, Col. Joe’s autobiography, “Come Up and Get Me,” will be available for purchase at the event for $25. At 10 a.m., the gates will open to the public, with all participating aircraft in place. Opening ceremonies begin promptly at 11 a.m., with the National Anthem, sung by Mary Jo Wheeler, (USAF, ret.). At 11:15 a.m. a “Flown West” ceremony will commence, planned to include T34 Mentor and T6 Texan aircraft. In addition, invited dignitaries will make speeches. (Invited Distinguished Aviators include Dr. Robert Ferl, distinguished UF molecular biology professor and director of the new UF Astraeus Space Institute; Mike Ginter, Head of Airline Owner and Pilot’s Association’s [AOPA’s] Air Safety Institute, and U.S. National Aerobatic Champion Patty Wagstaff.) Veterans’ groups from the North Central Florida region have been invited to participate.

 Static Display:

All branches of the military have been invited to fly in and participate in the event’s aircraft static displays. We also expect aircraft manufacturers, privately owned aircraft and law enforcement aircraft to be on display. In addition, the Swamp Launch Rocket Team plans to display rocketry at the event.

 Best Aircraft Contest and People’s Choice Awards

A “Best Civilian Aircraft” and “People’s Choice: Best Aircraft” contest will be held, allowing event attendees to vote for their favorite aircraft at the Gator Fly-In. The two winners will be announced and presented with awards at 2:00 p.m.

 Live Music, Classic Cars, Kids’ Activities and All-Day Food Trucks

Activities include touring static aircraft and car displays by ALR Imports and Gainesville Street Rods, military trucks, a kid’s corner with face painting, toy airplanes and coloring, arts and crafts vendors, and food trucks. Live Music by The Treetop Flyers will take place throughout the event. In addition to the “Col. Joe ‘Pamcake’ Breakfast” from 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., food trucks and a variety of food vendors will operate throughout the event.

 Aircraft Rides for purchase – Commemorative Air Force - Tampa Wing, Robinson 44 Helicopter, Bell 47-G and Cessna 172; “Swamp Tours”

For a fee, attendees can purchase rides in a variety of aircraft. Commemorative Air Force, Airbase Tampa will provide rides in several different aircraft, with specific information on how to sign up to be posted closer to the event. 

Walk-up tickets can also be purchased at the event. In addition, UAC is offering “Swamp Tours” lasting about 15 minutes, in which passengers can fly over the UF Football Stadium in a Cessna 172 ($50) or a Bell 47-G or Robinson R-44 helicopter ($50).

A wide variety of general aviation, corporate, aerobatic, glider and homebuilt aircraft are expected at the Gator Fly-In.

All branches of the military have been invited to fly in and participate in the event’s static display. As of this news release, possible military aircraft include MH-60 Blackhawk, Boeing P-8 Poseidon, Lockheed P-3 Orion, North American T-6 Texan, Lockheed 26-B and T-34B Mentor, as well as Shandscair Helicopter and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter, and Life South Bloodplane aircraft. Confirmed military aircraft will be updated as they are scheduled. We also expect aircraft manufacturers, privately owned aircraft and law enforcement aircraft to be on display. All aircraft and pilots are subject to change due to weather, mechanicals and availability.

 A schedule for the day follows:

  1. 7 a.m. Vendors arrive for set up
  2. Pre-Event: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Third Annual Col. Joe “Pamcake” Breakfast
  3. 9 a.m. – aircraft arrive and park; all aircraft parked by 9:30 a.m.
  4. 10 a.m. – Public Arrive; helicopter and airplane rides begin
  5. 11 a.m. Opening Ceremony
  6. 11:15 a.m. Flown West Ceremony
  7. 11:20 p.m. Speakers begin
  8. 12 noon Live Music, food trucks
  9. 2:00 p.m. People’s choice and Best of Show Airplane Contest Announced
  10. 3 p.m. Final thank you and prep for departures

Please tell your flying friends and anyone who enjoys aviation. For more information on the Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day, please contact  paml@universityaircenter.com or phone (352) 416-0787, visit the Gator Fly-In Facebook page  or visit https://www.flygainesville.com.

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HIGH SPRINGS – A devoted guardian dog from High Springs has been named the 2025 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year, bringing national recognition to Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses and their unique mission of healing.

Sirius, a 6-year-old Maremma sheepdog, won the prestigious title in a competition hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) with support from Nestlé Purina PetCare. He was honored at the AFBF Convention on Jan. 26, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.

Sirius serves as the protector of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, a multiple award winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity celebrating 28 years of service based in High Springs that provides comfort and emotional support to people in hospitals, hospice programs, assisted living centers, and to those who have experienced traumatic events. Their therapy horses have visited children’s hospitals, veterans, first responders, and survivors of tragedies across the country.

While the miniature therapy horses are bringing hope and joy to people in need, Sirius ensures their safety back home. The Maremma sheepdog is a guardian breed, known for its natural instinct to protect livestock from predators. His role on the farm is vital, keeping the horses secure from potential threats such as wild animals or intruders.

Jorge and Debbie Garcia-Bengochea, co-founders of Gentle Carousel, describe Sirius as the “hero behind the heroes.”

“Guardian dogs are like having a 24/7 security system on the farm,” Jorge said. “I feel great about the farm being safe and very proud of what Sirius is doing to protect the horses.”

Sirius performs many tasks essential to farm life, including patrolling the property, watching for predators, and ensuring that the therapy horses can rest peacefully without fear of danger. His presence allows the organization to continue its life-changing work without worrying about the safety of their animals.

The Farm Dog of the Year contest, now in its seventh year, highlights the essential role that farm dogs play on farms and ranches across the country. AFBF President Zippy Duvall emphasized the impact of these hardworking canines.

“Farm dogs often play a dual role as both working dogs and companions to farm and ranch families,” Duvall said. “Farming is very rewarding but stressful at times. Farm dogs can help ease the burden. It has been a pleasure partnering with Purina for the seventh annual Farm Dog of the Year contest, providing the public a glimpse of daily life on the farm.”

Sirius was chosen as the winner by a panel of judges specializing in veterinary medicine, pet care, and communications. As part of his award, Sirius received $5,000 in prize money, a trophy plate, a year’s supply of Pro-Plan dog food, and other Purina products.

This recognition not only celebrates Sirius but also brings national attention to Gentle Carousel’s mission. Their therapy horses have brought comfort to thousands of people, including survivors of natural disasters, mass shootings, and other traumatic events. The organization’s work has been featured in news outlets worldwide, and now, with Sirius in the spotlight, their farm's dedication to both therapy and animal welfare is receiving well-deserved recognition.

As Sirius continues his duties protecting the beloved miniature horses, Gentle Carousel will continue its mission of spreading hope, one visit at a time.

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 GAINESVILLE – The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is preparing to bid a bittersweet farewell to its beloved Asian small-clawed otter family as they move to their new home at the Memphis Zoo on March 5, 2025. Duncan and Chitra arrived at the SF Teaching Zoo in 2019, where they delighted everyone with the arrival of pups in 2020 and again in 2023. All 7 members of the otter family will make the move.
 
The move is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP), a nationwide effort to protect and sustain the Asian small-clawed otter population in accredited zoos. Recommendations are made based on breeding compatibility and needs of the otter population in zoos.
 
While their departure will be emotional for students, staff, and visitors, the transition comes at an ideal time, coinciding with planned renovations to the otters’ habitat at SF Teaching Zoo as part of the Zoo’s newly created Master Plan.
 
“We know the otter family is a favorite for many of our guests” said Zoo Director, Jonathan Miot. “They will be missed by students and staff, but we are comforted to know they will be living in a beautiful new home while we renovate the habitat.” 
 
In preparation for their move, the otter family has been participating in a groundbreaking interspecies communication program using FluentPet technology, a system of buttons that allows animals to associate words with actions and objects.
 
“This is a unique opportunity for both the otters and our students,” said Julie Smith, professor in the Zoo Animal Technology Program. “Our team has been working on innovative training techniques to help ease the otters’ transition to a new facility and new caregivers.”
 
SF Teaching Zoo is among the first institutions to expand FluentPet research beyond companion animals, training otters, tortoises, and capuchin monkeys to use communication buttons. The otters are currently learning words such as “new,” “move,” “otter,” and “human” to help them adapt to their upcoming transition. 
 
“This is the first time any animal in the FluentPet program will be transferred from one zoological facility to another,” Smith said. “The Memphis Zoo team is excited to continue this innovative research.”
 
Otter Farewell Weekend – March 1 & 2
The zoo invites members and visitors to say their goodbyes at a special farewell event on March 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include:
 
  • Otter training demonstrations
  • Keeper talks 
  • Crafts and activities 
  • A special gift for zoo members
 
Support the Otter Habitat Renovation
To ensure that otters can return to the SF Teaching Zoo in the future, donations are being accepted to support the renovation of their habitat. Contributions can be made online at tinyurl.com/47zda5d2 (type “otters” in the comments). For larger contributions, please contact Jonathan Miot at 352-395-5602 or jonathan.miot@sfcollege.edu.

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Screenshot special to Alachua County Today

State

GAINESVILLE – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping new law Thursday at the Capitol that puts him in charge of a new state board of immigration enforcement, toughens punishments for crimes committed by immigrants in the U.S. illegally and requires state and local governments to cooperate with federal deportation efforts.

The new law, passed during a four-day special session of the Legislature, also cancels in-state tuition for immigrants at Florida’s public colleges and universities who are here illegally and prohibits the state from issuing driver’s licenses to those immigrants. It also permits Florida’s disaster management agency to deport immigrants aboard state planes and seek reimbursement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The new law also makes it illegal for others to aid or solicit a non-citizen immigrant to vote in elections. It already was illegal in Florida for those immigrants to vote, and there is no evidence such voting has taken place on any significant scale.

In Tallahassee, the governor and legislative leaders billed the new immigration package as a compromise, after DeSantis had criticized an earlier proposal approved Jan. 28 by the Legislature as “weak, weak, weak.” The new bill effectively put DeSantis in charge of immigration policy in Florida, while the previous measure – which DeSantis had threatened to veto – gave that authority to the elected commissioner of agriculture.

“I absolutely anticipate other states will follow what Florida has done as we move forward in the weeks and months ahead.” DeSantis said. “We are ahead of the curve on ending the illegal immigration crisis. We didn't just set our hands. We got to work.”

Under the new law, a new immigration enforcement council will advise the state immigration enforcement board. The council will include police chiefs appointed by the governor, attorney general, chief financial officer and agriculture commissioner, plus sheriffs selected by the Senate president and House speaker. The council’s first meeting must take place by April 1.

Thursday’s action ended a surprisingly bitter and rare disagreement between the Republican governor and GOP-led House and Senate. 

DeSantis said he did not take the disagreement personally and harbored no hard feelings toward Florida legislators, after they snubbed him by immediately adjourning his special session, beginning their own and overriding a previous budget veto for legislative funding in January.

Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Bartow, said the disputes were part of a healthy legislative exercise.

“It's very complex. It's very complicated,” Albritton said. “I'll just tell you that our Republican family, we're together, and we are moving forward together.”

House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, agreed.

“This is just a disagreement. It's normal. It's healthy,” Perez said. “People wanted to make this seem like a feud, but it wasn't. It was just a disagreement on how to get to the finish line.”

The bill passed in the Senate 27-10 and in the House 85-30 largely along party-line voting.

“The recent dynamics between the House, the Senate and the governor's office may have made some of us a little bit uncomfortable over the last couple weeks, but the reality is that experience is healthy,” said Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Tarpon Springs. “It proved that when we all work together, we produce the best possible product for Floridians, and that product is before us today.”

Rep. Wallace Aristide, D-North Miami Beach, acknowledged concerns about crimes committed by immigrants but defended other immigrants working for better opportunities, citing his family’s experiences.

“There's two sides to a story,” Aristide said. “I'm against those that are here, illegally committing crime, doing something wrong. We can't support it, but I got to support those that are trying to make their lives better for themselves and their family.”

Most provisions of the new law took effect immediately after DeSantis signed it. In-state tuition for students who were immigrants in the U.S. illegally will end July 1.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Governor DeSantis is charting a new course for Florida’s recreational boaters, urging state lawmakers Tuesday to prohibit marine law enforcement officers from stopping boats on the water for inspections unless there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.

During an appearance at a boat show in Miami Beach, the governor said he was announcing a “boater freedom initiative” that would change Florida’s existing laws permitting inspections and searches of boats under the justification of safety checks. 

The move would represent a major change for maritime law enforcement. DeSantis called the existing law “a wrong that has been an issue in this state for far too long.” It wasn’t clear how any change to Florida law would affect operations by the U.S. Coast Guard in the state’s waters.

“We don’t want to have our boaters to be unnecessarily interfered with,” DeSantis said. He described marine law enforcement officers as “sometimes well meaning.” 

“People who are just out enjoying themselves when there’s no indication that anything is wrong, they should not be subjected to these intensive searches,” DeSantis said at the Miami International Boat Show.

The Legislature’s annual session begins next month for 60 days. 

State law allows authorities to stop and inspect boats, passengers and search any containers on board without probable cause. Officers routinely check a boater’s registration paperwork, fishing licenses or catches, storage containers or coolers, life preservers and required safety equipment – and a boater’s sobriety.

DeSantis said the law has resulted in unwarranted inspections and cited an example that went viral from August, when law enforcement arrested a Jupiter executive who later blew a 0.0 in a breathalyzer. DeSantis met with the executive two weeks ago, on Jan. 29, according to a copy of the governor’s official schedule. 

Michael Christian Arrieta, 36, was on the Loxahatchee River with his wife on board when a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer stopped him. Arrieta was driving his boat on full plane in a slow speed zone, according to his arrest report.

Per the officer’s instructions, Arrieta performed a series of sobriety tasks before being arrested and accused of operating the boat under the influence. 

“I’m with all my kids right now,” Arrieta told the officer. “You don’t smell alcohol on my breath. There’s not one ounce of alcohol on the boat.” At one point during the encounter, Arrieta told the officer he is a church elder, knows the local police chief personally and said, “Sir, if you Google me, I’m on Governor Ron DeSantis’ council, OK?” 

It wasn’t immediately clear which council Arrieta was describing. A search of the governor’s appointment announcements didn’t show one for Arrieta. He was not among the members of the governor’s Faith-Based and Community-Based Advisory Council, according to the council’s website. The governor’s press office did not immediately respond to a request for an explanation.

According to the arrest report, Arrieta told his wife to “call multiple high-ranking officials” in the state to demand the officer’s name and badge number.

The incident was captured on video through the officer’s body camera and shared online.

Arrieta, who was never charged with a crime, said in a new interview Tuesday the situation was traumatizing for him and his family. He declined to discuss the governor’s new proposal or the incident further.

DeSantis also said Tuesday he intends to repeal a restriction some state municipalities enforce that ban fuel-based boats on the water.

“You don’t need to be driving an electric boat if you don’t want to,” he said.

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TALLAHASSEE —On February 12, 2025, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Paul Renner to the Board of Governors of the State University System. This appointment is effective April 15, 2025.Speaker_Paul_Renner.jpg

Renner is the former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 19 and is currently Of Counsel for Nelson Mullins. A public servant for most of his life, he is a veteran of the United States Navy and began his legal career as a state prosecutor. Renner earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Davidson College and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. 

This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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~ The suspect has prior charges in California for attempted kidnapping, attempted rape, stalking, luring and enticing a minor, and assault with a deadly weapon ~

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Yesterday, a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Trooper was approached by a pedestrian at an apartment complex on Eastwood Acres Road in Fort Myers. The pedestrian, a resident of the apartment complex, informed the Trooper that his 12-year-old daughter had missed her bus and was followed by a large male on foot who repeatedly tried to engage her in conversation as she made her way back to their residence.

The resident also reported that this suspect had been seen entering the apartment complex through the bushes at least three times while attempting to conceal himself. The Trooper then activated his emergencyLeeCountyArrest_Karba.jpg
lights and made contact with the indiviual the resident pointed out.

After locating the suspect, the Trooper approached him. Using the individuals California driver's license, he confirmed his identity as Thomas Christopher Karba, 37, from Ventura, California.

Karba advised he was walking through the complex to find a place to rent. When asked why he was attempting to engage a minor in conversation, Karba said he was unaware she was a minor. The Trooper then spoke to the apartment manager, who confirmed that Karba was not a resident and that he did not have any family living in the apartment complex. She also stated that Karba had never entered the apartment leasing office to inquire about renting an apartment.

The Trooper spoke to the juvenile, who explained that after missing the bus, she was walking back home when Karba began following her and asked how old she was and where she lived. She explained that he was walking closely behind her, which made her feel fearful due to his aggressive and persistent questioning, along with his imposing stature. Upon entering her apartment complex, she saw her father working outside and quickly informed him of the situation. Observing this, Karba bagan walking in the opposite direction. The suspect was then seen by the resident/father circling the apartment complex on foot three  times within two hours, causing him to flag down the Trooper for assistance.

Upon conducting a criminal history check on Karba, he was found to have previous charges in California related to kidnapping, assault with intent to rape, and assault with a deadly weapon. Karba also had arrests in Florida for stalking, attempting to lure or entice a child under 12, and loitering or prowling.

Thomas Christopher Karba was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol and is charged with the following:

Karba was transported and booked at Lee County Jail without incident; there is no bond. The investigation remains active. The redacted report is linked here. Redactions are in accordance with § 119.071(2)(h)1., Florida Statute. Additional information is unavailable at this time.

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GAINESVILLE – In a groundbreaking effort to combat animal cruelty in Florida, the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine has partnered with three State Attorney’s offices to create the North Florida Animal Cruelty Task Force. This initiative represents a significant step toward addressing animal abuse and ensuring justice for the state’s most vulnerable creatures.

The task force includes representatives from Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, Putnam, Baker, Bradford, Union, Levy, Gilchrist, Alachua, Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties and brings together law enforcement, animal services, veterinarians, and legal professionals to investigate and prosecute cases of animal cruelty effectively.

“The goal of this task force is to enable law enforcement, animal services, veterinarians, and the State Attorney’s offices to collaborate effectively in investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty crimes throughout North Florida,” said Adam Stern, D.V.M., a professor of veterinary forensic pathology at UF and the head of the UF Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory. Stern played a key role in forming the group, which had its inaugural meeting in October.

The task force spans Florida’s Fourth, Seventh, and Eighth Judicial Circuits and includes members from agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, county sheriff’s offices, and local law enforcement.

“There are multiple external factors that impede animal abuse investigations and the successful prosecution of those who commit animal cruelty,” Stern said. He emphasized that the task force represents a major step forward, addressing critical issues such as enhanced collaboration between agencies, educational training for investigators, prosecutors, and others involved in animal cruelty cases, and resource-sharing to improve investigation outcomes.

The alliance also seeks to strengthen Florida’s response to animal cruelty by providing educational programs to task force members, including those not formally trained in investigating such cases.

Stern noted the established connection between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence, often referred to as “The Link.” Research has shown that animal abuse frequently serves as a precursor to, or occurs alongside, other forms of violence, such as child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse.

“The development of this animal cruelty task force is an essential step in breaking the cycle of violence,” Stern said. “This task force will enable agencies to pool resources, share intelligence, and develop educational programs to protect animals throughout the region.”

The task force’s mission underscores the importance of providing animals the protection they are entitled to under Florida law. Beyond prosecutions, the task force is committed to raising awareness and training professionals to improve investigations.

The public is urged to report any suspicious activity involving animal cruelty or abuse to the appropriate authorities.

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We want to thank the Alachua County Today community for strongly supporting the Alachua Main Street Harvest Festival this past Sunday.

There were over 200 vendors with all types of products and a record crowd that was amazing from start to finish.  The vendors do a fantastic job of coming early and setting up for a big day and they were rewarded. 

Our 37th Alachua Main Street festival was a resounding success!

Marilyn Vanover

Alachua Business League

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Small municipalities are currently undergoing numerous changes and financial problems. Elected officials often spearhead projects within their cities, but I do not see much of that taking place in my city of Archer. In most cases we have no oversight, follow up or plans. The lack of these brings about project delays affecting the utilization of grants and other resources in the city.

It is a sad thing to see the newly planned Community Center project for the Holly Hills neighborhood going down the drain and grant funding being returned.

Municipalities are grappling with an influx of grant funds aimed at addressing numerous community projects. As someone who has authored and received numerous grants, I can attest that effective leadership is crucial for fund management. The associated reports alone are intricate. This underscores the importance of well -trained municipal managers and staff, including contingency training.

The city manager should be a proficient communicator, hands-on, and proactive, engaging with the community to address the needs. The city manager assumes a leadership role, ensuring task are completed, while the commissioners act as overseers, bridging the gap between politics and administration and executing the laws.

Citizens and residents in many small towns like Archer often refrain from participating in the political process. Attending meetings become futile when the issue affecting you have already transpired, rendering your input belated.

We all contribute taxes to support our cities and understanding how the funds are spent is crucial.

Roberta C. Lopez

Archer, Florida

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Our small town of High Springs is beloved because its elected leaders have done more things right than wrong over time. Just like with big families, there is rarely unanimous agreement on how issues should be addressed. Issues are not simple, and leaders that let you believe the choices are not hard are fooling you. What usually tells the truth is time.

In the past year, High Springs has received no new grant funding, returned over a million dollars in grants, lost leaders in every major department other than police, while retaining an under qualified finance director. Our mayor and other first-term commissioners have blamed former staff and former elected officials for a range of problems and suddenly the city is portrayed as poor.

For the first time in years, our city is being sued. Current leadership has accepted no responsibility and created a budget, that in the coming year, will repeat many of the mistakes previous commissions had been working for years to fix.

The stage is now set for our community to lose our exceptional Fire Department.  Current commissioners have lowered expectations for what a small-town department can offer.  They have hired leadership with little experience and the slow recovery from the recent storms are an example of what we have lost.

Do you see a pattern?

Luckily, we have two citizens who are willing to step up, accept responsibility, make decisions and guide our growing town to its future.

They have experience in public service; they have training in emergency management, large budgets, and leadership. Sue Weller has felt compelled to return to office because of the intentional mistruths spoken by our mayor.

Ross Ambrose

High Springs Resident

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To fellow High Springs voters:

I have been a resident of High Springs since 1979 with a unique multi view experience of our City's political climate and government.

Back in the 1980s, I worked as a paralegal for the then High Springs City Attorney. Decades later, my husband served on the High Springs Commission and later became City Attorney for High Springs before the City's current legal counsel. I have spent the past 28 years working for a local developer and real estate investor managing both residential apartments and professional commercial properties in the City of High Springs.

Over the decades, I have witnessed Commissions that have operated as a cohesive body following the Charter, working with the City Manager, and conducting City business with thoughtful, well versed and trained leadership. Unfortunately, I have also witnessed Commissions that have been riddled with partisanship, discourse, and lack of training trying to manage staff at City Hall and make decisions outside of the Commission as a whole.

Unfortunately, we are again experiencing this type of local government climate. Our City is in crisis. The turnover rate from the number of employees leaving the City has resulted in great inefficiency in services to our citizens, not to mention the lack of transparency within our government causing many citizens to be uninformed at best or ill-informed at worst.

We need proven, experienced non-partisan leadership, and that is why I am endorsing Sue Weller for Seat #5 for the High Springs City Commission. As many voters know, Sue served on the Commission from 2010 through 2016.

What voters may not know is that Sue has stayed continually engaged in the governance of High Springs. She has served on multiple boards as well as faithfully followed the City Commission meetings live or online. Her depth of knowledge around our Charter and our history regarding planned responsible growth are pluses in a time when there are many gaps in our City's continuity in leadership.

Sue's professionalism and ability to stay neutral while listening to our citizens is refreshing and supportive of the direction we want to take our City.

A vote for Sue Weller provides an opportunity to begin to restore and rebuild the City's reputation and service to our residents; supports a healthy cohesive working environment for City staff; and strongly sends the message that we believe our commissioners should be willing to attend Florida League of Cities training programs for new commissioners as well as continuing education classes for current commissioners.

I personally am grateful that Sue Weller is willing to serve our community again; especially at a time when we so need proven leadership. I love High Springs and I know that we, as voting citizens, can help our City course correct and return to service and civility. Please join me in making sure this opportunity to have Sue Weller back on the Commission is not missed.

Alvalyn Lancaster

High Springs, Florida 32643

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Tim Marden, Alachua County Republican Chairman, seeks to divide us and spew hatred whenever and wherever he can. He recently sent out a letter concerning the upcoming City Commission election in High Springs. Such elections are non-partisan, i.e., the candidates do not list their political affiliations and a candidate’s party affiliation is not listed on the ballot.

Marden tries to create an issue about Precinct 60 voting place being moved from the 1st Methodist Church to the newly named and remodeled Douglas Community Center. He incorrectly states that Ross Ambrose “quietly initiated” such polling change “earlier this year.”

Mr. Ambrose originally brought this proposed change about four years ago. Polling places are supposed to be in the precinct that they represent. The church is not in Precinct 60. The Douglas Community Center is. Ms. Barton [Alachua County Supervisor of Elections], after the recent renovation of the Center, determined that it is now “a suitable location” in Precinct 60, and moved the polling place to the Center.

Marden questions the “last minute” change, but the renovation was finished only about a month ago and the request to move the polling place from the church originated about four years ago. But don’t let facts get in the way if Marden wants to spew hatred.

He writes that Barton has made two changes that directly affect the votes of Republicans. What about those voters (Republican and Democratic, alike) who live in Precinct 60 and have to drive to the church? No, Marden doesn’t’ care about that. In Marden’s mind Barton’s decision is solely to hinder Republican voters.

Lastly, Marden states that voters in Precinct 60 have to be told of the polling change. I don’t know the date that his letter went out, but voters in Precinct 60 have already received such a notice in the mail.

Marden follows up his imagined tirade with directions to vote for Katherine “against” Sue Weller and Judith Jensen against Kim Barton. Such wording only shows that Marden spews hatred, has no knowledge of the facts (or totally avoids them) and wants to spread his hatred to others. As for Sue Weller’s stand on the issues …. Her campaign sign says it all, “No politics, Just issues.”

Thomas R. Weller

High Springs, FL 32643

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We wish to express our gratitude to:

Jeremy Marshall, City Manager of High Springs, and his staff for their continued support of the citizens of High Springs during Hurricane Helene.  Public Works, in particular, was out in full force clearing roads and grinder pumps in addition to many other issues.  

Commissioners were out in force to provide assistance to High Springs residents.

Police Chief Shepherd and his officers and staff for their assistance.  We know that they were out in this storm protecting our community.  

Fire Chief Peters and his firefighters and staff for their efforts in keeping our community safe.

Friends and neighbors were out in force with their tractors and other equipment to clear roads for incoming power trucks.  Also checking on each other to see if assistance was needed.  

Everyone was too busy working to post their efforts on social media.  They did what they did because it was the right thing to do.  

We have had a rough time during the past few years and have come a long way in the past year to bring our City into a better place in leadership and financially.  I have personally talked to city staff about morale and it is at its highest.

There is a small group of people who are intent on bringing the City back into their control.  If you do not follow their lead, they will do whatever is necessary to remove you from office or position in city hall.

It is imperative that you vote!  Vote early or request a mail-in ballot! Vote to re-elect Katherine Weitz, our current mayor.  Vote to elect Julie Rawls Tapia-ruano.  Citizens of High Springs are at the forefront of their mission, which includes supporting the City of High Springs.  We need diversity on the five-member board.  Having two police officers on the board would compromise diversity.

Bob & Linda Jones

High Springs, Florida

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TALLAHASSEE - A new Protect the Panther license plate is now available to Florida motorists. The new design features a striking photograph taken by Carlton Ward in 2018 of the first female panther documented north of the Caloosahatchee River since 1973, along with her kitten. The new license plate can be purchased at the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or by checking with your local tax collector office for availability.

Staff with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) worked with photographer Carlton Ward and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida to design the new plate. The photo depicts a well-known panther — an adult female who was also the first female documented to have had kittens north of the river in over 40 years. The Caloosahatchee River has long appeared to be an obstacle to the natural expansion of the population, including the northward movement of female panthers.

Fees from the Protect the Panther license plate go directly into the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund, which is a critical source of funding for the state’s panther-related research, monitoring and conservation efforts. The long-term public support of this fund has had a direct positive impact on the FWC’s management and research efforts, resulting in timely, science-based information needed to guide current and future conservation actions for Florida panthers. The FWC and conservation partners have made significant progress with panther recovery and the FWC’s panther program relies upon sales of the license plate to continue these conservation efforts.

Florida panthers are native to the state, with the majority of panthers found south of Lake Okeechobee. Florida panthers are listed as an Endangered Species under the federal Endangered Species Act. There are approximately 120-230 adult panthers in the population.

Purchasing a Protect the Panther license plate isn’t the only way motorists can help panthers — drivers can also help by following all posted speed limits, particularly in panther zones, which are in place in several counties across south Florida to coincide with areas where panthers are known to cross. Panther speed zones help protect both Florida panthers and motorists from vehicle collisions and potential injury.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With $1 million in support from University of Florida President Ben Sasse’s strategic funding initiative, investigators at the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute will launch a new project that combines basic and clinical research with artificial intelligence to improve stroke treatments.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the No. 1 cause of disability in the United States, and it presents a growing health care challenge among Florida’s aging population.

“We are grateful for these strategic funds, which will further propel our multidisciplinary research efforts in stroke prevention and treatment,” said Jennifer Bizon, Ph.D., the director of the McKnight Brain Institute and the chair of the UF College of Medicine's Department of Neuroscience. “This project, under Dr. Brian Hoh’s leadership, exemplifies our mission to build research collaborations among clinical and basic science investigators across our UF and UF Health campuses to improve outcomes and change lives.”

The Transforming Stroke Care initiative will unite investigators across disciplines and colleges who will benefit from UF and UF Health’s exceptional resources, including the HiPerGator supercomputerthe UF Health Shands Comprehensive Stroke Centerthe OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Network, and the McKnight Brain Institute.

“We are thrilled that President Sasse has given us this opportunity and the resources to transform stroke research and care for the future,” said Hoh, a UF Health neurosurgeon and chair of UF College of Medicine’s Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery. “As the flagship university in the state, where stroke is particularly prevalent among Florida’s aging population, the University of Florida is uniquely positioned to lead the nation in stroke research.”

By forming teams of investigators (studying all aspects of stroke, from prevention and treatment to rehabilitation and imaging) and pairing them with experts in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science, the project will provide a multidisciplinary learning experience for students. This will position UF as a leader in training the next generation of stroke researchers.

“We need more experts to specialize in stroke research, and the Transforming Stroke Care project is illuminating that need,” Sasse said. “We want this initiative to help create training pathways for UF students to become stroke AI researchers, and that is a critical step toward innovation.” 

UF Health recently became the first in Florida to launch a Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit program, featuring state-of-the-art stroke ambulances equipped with a computed tomography (CT) scanner and clot-busting drugs to save lives and reduce disability. Hoh — who is also leading the Comparison of Anticoagulation and anti-Platelet Therapies for Intracranial Vascular Atherostenosis (CAPTIVA) stroke-prevention clinical trial — believes the new research project will help propel UF’s stroke research efforts to new heights.

“Our vision is to create the top stroke AI research center in the country,” Hoh said. “It will expand UF Health’s reach and impact to patients, clinicians, and researchers throughout the world, and attract the top scientists and faculty for the future.”

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TALLAHASSEE ‒ Beginning Monday, July 24, and running through Sunday, Aug. 6, Florida families can save taxes on clothing, footwear, backpacks, school supplies, personal computers, and more. The traditional tax holiday has expanded this school year to include a second tax-exempt period from January 1 through January 14, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions for Consumers

1. What items will be exempt from sales tax during the 2023 and 2024 Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holidays?
During the 2023 and 2024 Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holidays, certain clothing, footwear, and accessories with a sales price $100 or less per item, certain school supplies with a sales price of $50 or less per item, learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less, and personal computers and related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use with a sales price of $1,500 or less, are exempt from sales tax. The 2023 tax holiday begins on Monday, July 24, 2023, and ends on Sunday, August 6, 2023; the 2024 tax holiday begins on Monday, January 1, 2024, and ends on Sunday, January 14, 2024.

A list of items that are exempt from tax during the 2023 and 2024 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holidays is provided in TIP No. 23A01-06. These include:

• Personal computers or personal computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use having a sales price of $1,500 or less:
o Personal computers* include:
 Electronic book readers
 Laptops
 Desktops
 Handhelds
 Tablets
 Tower computers
* The term does not include cellular telephones, video game consoles, digital media receivers, or devices that are not primarily designed to process data.
o Personal computer-related accessories* include:
 Keyboards
 Mice
 Personal digital assistants
 Monitors
 Other peripheral devices
 Modems
 Routers
 Nonrecreational software, regardless of whether the accessories are used in association with a personal computer base unit
* The term does not include furniture or systems, devices, software, monitors with a television tuner, or peripherals that are designed or intended primarily for recreational use.

• Items having a sales price of $100 or less per item:
o Wallets or bags*, including
 Handbags
 Backpacks
 Fanny packs
 Diaper bags
* Briefcases, suitcases, and other garment bags are excluded.
o Clothing
 Any article of wearing apparel intended to be worn on or about the human body, excluding watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas, and handkerchiefs
 All footwear, excluding skis, swim fins, roller blades, and skates
• School supplies having a sales price of $50 or less per item:
o Pens
o Pencils
o Erasers
o Crayons
o Notebooks
o Notebook filler paper
o Legal pads
o Binders
o Lunch boxes
o Construction paper
o Markers
o Folders
o Poster board
o Composition books
o Poster paper
o Scissors
o Cellophane tape
o Glue or paste
o Rulers
o Computer disks
o Staplers
o Staples used to secure paper products
o Protractors
o Compasses
o Calculators
• Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles having a sales price of $30 or less:
o Flashcards or other learning cards
o Matching or other memory games
o Puzzle books and search-and-find books
o Interactive or electronic books and toys intended to teach reading or math skills
o Stacking or nesting blocks or sets

Please note: The 2023 Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday overlaps with the 2023 Florida Freedom Summer Sales Tax Exemption Period (taking place Monday, May 29, 2023, through Monday, September 4, 2023), which includes tax exemptions on several similar products. During the Florida Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday, the retail sale of various children’s toys and children’s athletic equipment is tax-exempt, as is the first $35 of the sales price of pool toys. See TIP No. 23A01-03 for specific information.

2. If I purchase an item that costs more than the limits stated above, do I only owe sales tax on the portion of the price that exceeds the limit for that item?
If you purchase an item that would otherwise qualify for the sales tax exemption but costs more than the limits listed above, the item is not exempt, and you must pay sales tax on the entire price of the item.

3. Is there a limit on the number of items that can be purchased exempt during the sales tax holiday?
No. The exemption is based on the sales price of each item, not on the number of items purchased.

4. How exactly are learning aids defined?
“Learning aids” are flashcards or other learning cards, matching or other memory games, puzzle books and search-and-find books, interactive or electronic books and toys intended to teach reading or math skills, and stacking or nesting blocks or sets. Examples of tax-exempt learning aids are the following items with a sales price of $30 or less per item:

• Electronic books
• Flashcards
• Interactive books
• Jigsaw puzzles
• Learning cards
• Matching games
• Memory games
• Puzzle books
• Search-and-find books
• Stacking or nesting blocks or sets
• Toys that teach reading or math skills

5. What types of items are not exempt?
The 2023 and 2024 Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holidays do not apply to:
• Any item of clothing with a sales price of more than $100;
• Any school supply item with a sales price of more than $50;
• Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of more than $30;
• Books that are not otherwise exempt;
• Computers and computer-related accessories with a sales price of more than $1,500;
• Computers and computer-related accessories purchased for commercial purposes;
• Rentals of any eligible items;
• Repairs or alterations of any eligible items; or
• Sales of any eligible items within a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport.

6. If I buy a package or set of items that contains both taxable and tax-exempt items during the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holidays, how is sales tax calculated?
If a tax-exempt item is sold in a package with a taxable item, sales tax must be calculated on the sales price of the entire package or set.

7. If the store is offering a “buy one, get one free” or “buy one, get one for a reduced price” special on coats and I purchase one for $200 and get another for free, will the transaction be tax-free because I am effectively paying $100 for each pair?
No. The total price of items advertised as “buy one, get one free” or “buy one, get one for a
reduced price” cannot be averaged for both items to qualify for the exemption. In this case, the purchase of the coats is taxable.

8. If I purchase a gift card during the sales tax holiday, can I then purchase a qualifying item tax- exempt using the gift card after the tax holidays end?
No. The purchase of the qualifying item must be made during the sales tax holidays to be tax- exempt. However, when qualifying items are purchased during the tax holidays using a gift card, the items are tax-exempt; it does not matter when the gift card was purchased.

9. If a store issues me a rain check during the sales tax holiday, can I use it after the sales tax holidays to purchase the item tax-exempt?
No. The purchase of the qualifying item must be made during the sales tax holidays to be tax- exempt. When a rain check is issued, a sale has not occurred. The sale occurs when the rain check is redeemed and the item is purchased.

10. If I place an item on layaway, is it eligible for the tax exemption during the sales tax holiday? Yes. A layaway is when an item is set aside for a customer who makes a deposit, agrees to pay the balance of the purchase price over a period of time, and receives the merchandise at the end of the payment period. Qualifying items placed on layaway during the sales tax holidays are tax- exempt, even if final payment of the layaway is made after the tax holidays. If a customer makes a final payment and takes delivery of the items during the tax holiday, the qualifying items are tax- exempt.

11. Do the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holidays also apply to items I purchase online?
Yes. Items purchased online are exempt when the order is accepted by the company during the sales tax holidays for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the tax holidays.

12. I purchased an exempt item during the sales tax holiday period, but the seller charged sales tax. How can I get a refund for the tax I paid?
You should take your receipt to the selling dealer and request a refund of the tax collected in error. If the dealer does not issue the refund, you may report this tax violation to the Department of Revenue.

13. Who is responsible for determining which items are exempt and which aren’t?
The 2023 and 2024 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holidays are established through the lawmaking authority of the Florida Legislature. Sales tax holidays, and the items exempted by them, must be passed into law by the Legislature.

14. How can I request that a certain type of product be added to the list?
Sales tax holidays, and the items exempted by them, are passed into law by the Florida Legislature. You may wish to contact your local representative regarding your suggestion. You can find your representative at www.myfloridahouse.gov.

15. I didn’t see my question listed here. Where can I find additional information about the 2023 and 2024 Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holidays?
If you have a question about a specific item that is not listed in TIP No. 23A01-06, contact the Florida Department of Revenue at (850) 488-6800.

16. I heard there were several sales tax holidays this year. Where can I find more information about the other holidays?
House Bill 7063 from the 2023 regular legislative session was signed into law on May 25, 2023. The new law contains six tax relief holidays and specifies the timeframe for each holiday. For a printable calendar of the tax relief holidays, you can visit our website: Florida Dept. of Revenue - Tax Holidays and Exemption Periods (floridarevenue.com)

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Nearly two years after a father killed his young sons, burned the family's vacation home and fatally shot himself, Florida's Legislature is nearing passage of a new law that would shield details of autopsies of children.  Sponsored in the House by Rep. Charles “Chuck” Clemons, R-Newberry, and Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, the effort in Tallahassee is on behalf of the boys' surviving mother, 44-year-old Minde O'Sullivan of Gainesville. She said she never wanted to learn details of her sons' murders that were described in media coverage in the case that drew public interest across Florida. The bills would also ban release of photographs, audio or video in all cases when a minor is killed by anyone, not just in domestic violence crimes. The Senate has already passed a version of the bill. The House is expected to vote on the bill Thursday.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Nearly two years after both her sons were killed by her estranged husband, a surviving mother is picking up the pieces of her life to move forward as untold storylines about the murders are just emerging.

Minde O'Sullivan, 44, of Gainesville said her new marriage to the University of Florida baseball coach, Kevin O’Sullivan, and a non-profit foundation she created in honor of her boys, Rex Reinhart, 14, and Brody Reinhart, 11, have given her a new purpose in life. 

Meanwhile, her sons’ legacy may be legislation – “The Rex and Brody Act” – that is so far sailing through the state Legislature. One bill passed the Senate 39-0 earlier this month, and the House is expected to vote Thursday on another, after it passed unanimously through three committee votes. Similar efforts failed in Tallahassee last year.

The bills would ban the public release of autopsy reports for minors killed by domestic violence – and also ban release of photographs, audio or video, such as police body camera recordings or in reports by child abuse investigators, in cases when a minor is killed, no matter the circumstances.

Minde O’Sullivan’s estranged husband, Paul Otto Reinhart, 46, fatally shot the couple’s sons in May 2021 at the family’s waterfront vacation home in western Florida then set the house on fire and killed himself. The family, which ran a lucrative medical device sales company, was prominent in the region’s social and political circles.

The boys’ autopsies, which were released publicly, revealed that their father had shot both sons before he shot himself and set the fire – even though Minde O’Sullivan had initially assured a 911 dispatcher that her husband did not own any guns during the frantic hours when authorities were still searching for her missing family. Sheriff’s investigators also believed Paul Reinhart didn’t have a gun, based on their review of recent firearms transactions. But detectives later found two 9mm Glock pistols in the burned home in Suwannee.

“I was unaware he bought one two weeks prior,” she said in a recent interview. “I had no idea that he was capable of doing anything like this, or else I never would have left my children with him.”

Court and investigative records showed that the murders happened after Reinhart learned about an extramarital affair, the two traded angry texts about her wishing her husband dead and he made moves to withhold the family’s millions of dollars from her.

“You changed your life insurance policies so I don’t get any f***ing money,” Minde O’Sullivan told Reinhart in a conversation that Reinhart apparently recorded, according to a sheriff’s office report. She later said during a deposition in a related court dispute with Reinhart’s family that she had been unaware of Reinhart’s efforts to change his $4 million in life insurance policies.

When the boys’ autopsies were made public under Florida’s public records law, in August 2021, investigators had not yet released any details about how the boys had died three months earlier. Most media coverage then focused on the disclosure that Reinhart had shot the boys, without graphic descriptions. A local television station went further, detailing in a brief news article published on its website how many times and where on their bodies each boy was shot. Photographs and videos taken during autopsies are already blocked from public view under existing Florida law.

Minde O’Sullivan made clear to lawmakers she did not want to learn details of her sons’ tragic deaths – in a case that generated public interest across Florida – because it would be too upsetting.

The proposed law would have kept details secret. A surviving parent or spouse who was not involved in their child’s death could review an autopsy report. The legislation said such reports contain “highly sensitive descriptions of the deceased” and “could result in trauma, sorrow, humiliation, or emotional injury to the immediate family and minor friends of the deceased, as well as injury to the memory of the deceased.”

The bills would also ban release of photographs, audio or video in all cases when a minor is killed by anyone, not just in domestic violence crimes. The ban would cover accidents, such as car or boat crashes or cases when a child falls off an amusement park ride. It would cover killings even by police or sheriff’s deputies and even if there were questions about whether they acted lawfully in such cases. It would also cover evidence of deaths of children in cases that may have been handled or mishandled by government regulators, such as Florida's Department of Children and Families. 

That provision – which was not in the version of the bill that failed last year – was added last month by the House Judiciary Committee, saying it worried that release of recordings of killings may encourage others.

The bills were sponsored by two Alachua County lawmakers: Rep. Charles “Chuck” Clemons, R-Newberry, and Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville.

Clemons said he supports Florida’s public records law, sometimes known as the Sunshine Law, because it shines a light on government programs and activities. “What I’m asking you to do today, with this bill, is to put into the shade the gory photographs, the descriptions, the videos, etc…of minors who have been murdered,” he told lawmakers on the judiciary committee last month. 

Minde O’Sullivan pleaded with lawmakers to draft a bill so no surviving parent has to undergo the same hurt ever again, Clemons said. This year, the Senate version passed on April 11, Minde O’Sullivan’s birthday. When the Senate voted, she broke into tears in the Capitol as her mother, Tammy Prince, put her arm around her to comfort her.

“This was just the biggest birthday gift that I could ever imagine,” Minde O’Sullivan said. “It was so emotional.”

Clemons said he looks forward to Gov. Ron DeSantis signing the law once it passes the full Legislature, as is expected on Thursday. He said it would have prevented young friends of Rex and Brody learning graphic details online about the deaths of the boys. DeSantis is widely expected to sign the measures into law.

“Think about the psychological impact and the hurt it has not only for those young boys but for the surviving parents, the grandparents, the friends, the close-knit community – it's all out there and it's out there forever,” Clemons said.

Under the bill, a judge who finds good cause could disclose autopsy reports in certain cases. The court would have to evaluate the intrusion into the family’s right to privacy and consider whether there is similar information available in other public records.

While Minde O’Sullivan attended legislative hearings in Tallahassee, she also founded and focused her efforts on the Rex & Brody Foundation. The charity honors her sons, who were avid baseball players, to support youth and school baseball teams. Brody regularly served as the unofficial batboy for the University of Florida baseball team. She married baseball coach Kevin O’Sullivan on Sept. 24. The two were friends for years and began dating after the murders.

Some details about Reinhart’s actions – and interactions with Minde O’Sullivan – ahead of the murders have not been previously reported.

Eight days before the murders, Reinhart filed paperwork to change two life insurance policies to keep his wife from collecting money after his death. At the time, the couple was separated and intended to divorce. The policies were worth $2 million each and permitted full payouts even in a case of suicide.

The changes by Reinhart named his sons as primary beneficiaries and one of his brothers, Konrad Reinhart of Gainesville, a secondary beneficiary if the boys died. After the murders, Minde O’Sullivan settled a federal lawsuit with Konrad Reinhart last summer over the $4 million. Court records did not specify how the money was divided.

Separately, Paul Reinhart also updated his will 15 days before the murders to prevent his wife from receiving any assets after their 19 years of marriage. He named his brother, in place of his wife, the beneficiary of a retirement account worth more than $600,000.

Two days before the murders, Paul Reinhart began moving large sums of money from the family’s bank accounts: He transferred $299,000 from his business account to a personal account controlled by himself and Konrad Reinhart. He moved $100,000 out of Brody’s account and $100,000 from Rex’s and transferred it to the same account controlled by him and his brother, according to court records. 

The same day, Paul Reinhart used his phone to search: “selfish and having an affair” and “how to break someone psychologically, mentally and emotionally,” according to the final Dixie County Sheriff’s Office report. 

“The thing that is so upsetting is that it was planned out weeks before,” Minde O’Sullivan said in an interview. “It wasn't like he just snapped on a whim. He was still walking around with a smile on his face while he was planning all of this.”

The morning of the murders, Paul Reinhart emailed her a message that read, “You got your wish and you can keep the millions.” Attached to the email was an audio recording Reinhart made of the two arguing. 

In the recording, Paul Reinhart said, “Honestly wish I were dead.” Minde O’Sullivan responded: “Yes, I do. I do, but you know what sucks? Is you changed your life insurance policies so I don’t get any f***ing money,” according to the sheriff’s office report.

As part of their bitter family legal fights over the estate, Konrad Reinhart accused Minde O’Sullivan of a role in Paul Reinhart’s violence. The sides settled their probate fight in July, according to court records.

“Paul told me that she told him… to go kill yourself multiple times, and Paul said, ‘Are you serious?’” Konrad Reinhart said in a deposition. “And she said, ‘Yes,’ and then she got angry because the life insurance was changed into the boys’ name, and that’s all she was concerned about was the money.”

Minde O’Sullivan’s charity, which raised $82,222 last year, pays for baseball facility improvements and sponsors local teams to compete in national tournaments. Its next major fundraiser is Sept. 23 at UF’s football stadium. 

Minde O’Sullivan said the charity gives her a purpose, staying involved with youth baseball. She still attends high school games, she said, and stays in contact with her sons’ teammates.

“I wake up every single morning and think, ‘This is not real, this didn’t happen,’” she said. “But you have choices to make: You either get up and get going, or you choose to give up. And I've never chosen to give up.”

She added: "Staying involved in sports and baseball, which was their true passion, has helped a lot. It gives me a purpose. I knew I won't have my own ever again, but I have hundreds of other children and I'm going to continue to help."

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