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GAINESVILLE – A 27-year-old Hawthorne man has been indicted on multiple federal charges, including drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm, following a July arrest during a traffic stop in Gainesville.

William Blas Hernandez was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to a July 25, 2025, news release from John P. Heekin, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The indictment follows a July 5 traffic stop conducted by a Gainesville Police Department officer in the 3800 block of Northeast 14^th Street. Hernandez was reportedly driving a silver Mercedes Benz traveling 54 mph in a 45-mph zone when the stop occurred.

According to the arrest report, Hernandez was unable to produce a valid driver’s license or vehicle registration and appeared visibly nervous. The officer also observed a fresh cannabis stem in the driver’s side door and initiated a probable cause search of the vehicle.

During the search, officers reportedly located a gold backpack on the passenger floorboard containing a loaded black Springfield Hellcat 9mm handgun, which had been reported lost by the Orlando Police Department. The backpack also reportedly contained 42 grams of pressed pills, 18.6 grams of methamphetamine, 2.1 grams of an unidentified purple powder, a digital scale, packaging materials, and an ATM receipt tied to Hernandez.

Post-Miranda, Hernandez initially denied ownership of the backpack but later admitted it was his. He reportedly identified the pills as MDMA and the crystalline substance as methamphetamine. He said he was unaware of the contents of the purple powder and stated he was selling narcotics due to financial hardship.

He also allegedly told officers he found the firearm on the side of the road in Interlachen and acknowledged he was aware that, as a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

According to federal authorities, Hernandez has a criminal history that includes at least eight felony convictions — two of them classified as violent — as well as multiple misdemeanor offenses. He has served three prison terms and was most recently released in January 2025 following convictions for burglary and drug possession in Alachua and Bradford counties.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Gainesville Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James A. McCain and Adam Hapner. If convicted, Hernandez faces up to life in prison.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, an indictment is a formal accusation by a grand jury and does not constitute evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a national Department of Justice initiative aimed at disrupting drug trafficking, dismantling transnational criminal organizations, and reducing violent crime through coordinated federal efforts.

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Officer Payne of the Alachua Police Department hands out backpacks to local students as families choose supplies for the new school year/Photo Special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – More than 500 local students are heading back to class with new supplies in hand, thanks to a community-wide back-to-school event held Saturday at Legacy Park.

The Alachua Police Department and the City of Alachua Recreation Department partnered with Just Between Friends of Gainesville to host the event, which provided backpacks filled with school supplies, free Child Identification Kits, and a family-friendly atmosphere designed to support student readiness and safety.

Volunteers and officers worked side by side to distribute 500 backpacks in a variety of colors and patterns. Each backpack was stocked with essential items to help children start the school year prepared.

Families also had the opportunity to complete free Child Identification Kits. These kits included fingerprints, current photographs, and other key information that can be critical in helping law enforcement quickly identify and locate a child in an emergency.

The Alachua Recreation Department provided space and logistical support at Legacy Park, contributing to the welcoming and well-organized environment. Just Between Friends of Gainesville, a well-known community consignment event, played a key role in organizing and supplying many of the items handed out during the event.

Alachua Police officers engaged with children and parents throughout the morning, helping with ID kits and offering safety information. Tables were filled with colorful backpacks, and children excitedly picked their favorites with help from family members and volunteers.

Support from sponsors, including Hitchcock’s Markets and Sysco, helped ensure the event’s success.

The effort is part of the Police Department’s broader commitment to youth engagement and community partnership as the school year begins.

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HIGH SPRINGS – A 68-year-old High Springs man died Wednesday, July 23, 2025, after he was struck by a pickup truck while walking near U.S. Highway 27/State Road 45, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The incident occurred around 11:13 a.m. near Northwest 172^nd Avenue. Authorities identified the pedestrian as Joseph Vincent Baxter Jr., who was in the roadway for unknown reasons. His presence reportedly caused traffic to back up in both directions.

A 66-year-old Newberry man driving a pickup truck was traveling north on U.S. 27/SR 45 and swerved onto the east shoulder in an attempt to avoid stopped traffic, troopers said. At the same time, Baxter also moved toward the east shoulder and was struck by the vehicle.

Baxter was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

The driver of the pickup and his passenger, a 32-year-old Newberry man, were not injured. It is unknown whether either occupant was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the incident.

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The following is a press release provided by Alachua County. It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff.

ALACHUA ‒ A 17-year-old Alachua man has been sentenced as an adult to four years in state prison after deputies found a stolen pistol and nearly 170 grams of marijuana in his bedroom during a February search.

Charles Lavon Williams Jr., who had previously served a juvenile sentence in 2024, was released on Nov. 26 of that year. A subsequent investigation involving his social media account reportedly showed him holding multiple firearms after being adjudicated a delinquent.

On Feb. 5, 2025, the Alachua County Sheriff's Office obtained a search warrant for the home where Williams lives with his mother. The following day, investigators searched his bedroom and recovered a 9mm Taurus pistol with an extended magazine that had been reported stolen in Alachua, along with a loaded Glock extended magazine. Both items had allegedly appeared in social media posts by Williams.

Deputies also reported finding a bag containing 167.99 grams of marijuana in his closet, along with a digital scale and a box of baggies. One detective wrote that the discovery “indicat[ed] to this detective that [Williams] has been involved in narcotics since his release from his Juvenile Commitment Program.”

Although Williams was not charged with stealing the pistol—authorities said he was in custody when it was stolen—he was charged with possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent and possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana.

On Feb. 17, Williams was formally charged as an adult and transferred to the Alachua County Jail later that month. At the time of his arrest, he had one prior juvenile conviction and told court personnel he was a student at Santa Fe High School. He was released on $100,000 bail in early March.

Williams entered an open plea of nolo contendere on May 19 to both charges, which carried a maximum sentence of 20 years. The following day, prosecutors asked Circuit Judge William Davis to remand Williams to custody pending sentencing, but the judge denied the motion and instead imposed an 8 p.m. curfew, with exceptions if he was fulfilling work or school obligations.

On June 9, Judge Davis sentenced Williams to two concurrent four-year prison terms, followed by three years of probation for the firearm charge.

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The following is a press release submitted by Palms Medical Group. It is presented as received and has not been edited by this publication.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Palms Medical Group Celebrates National Health Center Week 2025

High Springs, Fla — Palms Medical Group is proud to celebrate National Health Center Week 2025, taking place August 3–9. This week highlights the essential role Community Health Centers (CHCs) play in improving public health and providing Americans with access to critical healthcare services. CHCs represent the nation’s largest primary care network, serving nearly 34 million patients nationwide.

This year’s NHCW celebration, launched by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), focuses on the theme: “America’s Health Centers Celebrating 60 Years of Improving our Nation’s Health.” CHCs across the country join the celebration through a host of scheduled events that include resource fairs, back-to-school drives, health screenings, and visits to CHCs by local, state, and national leaders.

With a mission to make high-quality, affordable care available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status, CHCs save lives and healthcare costs on the front lines of our nation’s most pressing public health challenges. CHCs serve 10% of the U.S. population, and they are powered by a workforce of more than 326,000 dedicated professionals who reach beyond the walls of the exam room with effective services that not only prevent illness but also address the factors that may cause it.

“We are more than a doctor’s office,” said Anita Rembert, CEO of Palms Medical Group. “We are a lifeline for families in rural communities; a support system for those struggling with mental health or chronic conditions; and a safe, welcoming space for anyone who needs care. It takes every single one of our team members to make this possible.”

More than 1,700 CHCs nationwide are the health care home to:

• One in 5 uninsured people
• One in 3 people living in poverty
• One in 5 rural residents
• 9.4 million children
• Over 419,000 veterans

To learn more about the mission and accomplishments of CHCs, visit www.nachc.org. Learn more about NHCW and view a list of events at www.healthcenterweek.org.

About Palms Medical Group
Palms Medical Group exists to enhance the health and wellbeing of our communities. As a not-for-profit health care provider, Palms has been serving North Florida for more than 50 years with quality, affordable primary care and preventative services. With 12 locations across North Florida, same-day scheduling, flexible hours, and bilingual staff, Palms Medical Group gives patients the care they need, when and where they need it.

For more information, visit www.palmsmg.org or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.