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ALACHUA COUNTY – The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO) announced this week that deputies will no longer arrest individuals for openly carrying firearms if that is the only alleged violation, aligning with a recent state appellate court decision declaring Florida’s open carry ban unconstitutional.

The clarification came after initial confusion surrounding how the ruling would be enforced locally. Sheriff Chad Scott emphasized that deputies will follow the law while also urging citizens to respect the judicial process as appeals and procedural deadlines run their course.

Court Decision Shifts Enforcement

On Sept. 10, 2025, the First District Court of Appeal ruled in the McDaniels case that Florida’s statutory ban on open carry was unconstitutional. While the decision technically remains under a procedural hold until the deadline for rehearing passes, State Attorney Brian Kramer of the 8^th Judicial Circuit issued a memo to law enforcement agencies stating that the ruling is effective immediately.

Kramer’s office noted that the Attorney General is unlikely to appeal, and therefore the decision should stand. According to the memo, the ruling means that open carry alone cannot be used as the basis for reasonable suspicion of a crime, a search, or an arrest.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Monday said the ruling is already in effect, although his office noted there is a 15-day period for appeals that the state does not plan to pursue. Uthmeier confirmed that the decision applies statewide and became effective as soon as it was issued last week.

Sheriff’s Office Updates Position

Earlier in the week, the Sheriff’s Office had issued a statement indicating that deputies would continue to enforce the state’s open carry law until the court opinion became final. The agency has since revised its position to align with Kramer’s directive, confirming that no one will be arrested solely for openly carrying a firearm.

To avoid confusion, the Sheriff’s Office reissued its statement with an added clarification. It said that while the ruling will likely remain in place, deputies will not make arrests for open carry alone. At the same time, the statement urged citizens to continue following the law as written until the judicial process is fully complete.

Guidance for Gun Owners

The open carry ruling does not eliminate all restrictions on firearm possession. Adults who are legally allowed to own firearms may now carry them openly in most public spaces, but businesses, stores and private property owners retain the right to prohibit both open and concealed carry on their premises. Restricted areas remain the same as those that apply to concealed carry, including schools, government buildings, and certain public gatherings.

Other law enforcement agencies across Florida have posted similar guidelines in the wake of the ruling. They emphasize that while the appellate court has struck down the ban, gun owners must remain mindful of private property rights and other state and federal restrictions on possession.

Original Sheriff’s Office Statement

In its original press release issued immediately after the court opinion, the Sheriff’s Office highlighted the complexity of Florida’s firearms laws, which combine multiple statutes governing where and how firearms may be carried. The agency said deputies would continue enforcing existing laws until the legal process surrounding the ruling was complete.

That statement also noted that the office was reviewing the court’s opinion with its legal advisors and would promptly update policies to remain in compliance. It encouraged gun owners to practice safe and responsible firearm ownership, particularly with respect to concealed carry, storage, and transportation.

Next Steps

Although the appellate court’s decision has immediate effect, the final resolution depends on whether a rehearing is sought before the deadline expires. Sheriff Scott said his office will continue to monitor developments and make adjustments if further legal challenges occur.

For now, the ruling has effectively changed enforcement practices in Alachua County and across the 8^th Judicial Circuit. The Sheriff’s Office has joined others statewide in acknowledging that, unless other crimes are involved, open carry by itself will not lead to arrests.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission has approved a tentative property tax rate and budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, taking the first step toward finalizing how the city will fund services and projects in the year ahead.

At a public hearing on Monday, Sept. 8, commissioners unanimously adopted a tentative millage rate of 5.8800 mills and approved the city’s tentative budget of just over $75 million. The decision came after the property appraiser certified taxable values in June and after residents received Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices in August that explained proposed changes.

What the Millage Rate Means for Property Owners

The millage rate determines how much property tax residents and businesses pay to the city. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value. At the approved tentative rate of 5.8800 mills, a property assessed at $200,000 — after exemptions — would owe about $1,176 in city taxes.

The approved rate is slightly higher than the rollback rate of 5.6995 mills, which is the rate that would generate the same amount of revenue as the previous year, not counting new construction. Because the new rate is above the rollback level, it represents about a 3.1 percent increase in revenue for the city.

Although commissioners had previously approved a preliminary rate of 6.0623 mills in July, state law prevents them from raising the rate beyond that ceiling. By adopting 5.8800 mills, they chose a lower figure heading into final budget approval later this month.

Budget Overview

Alongside the millage rate, commissioners adopted Resolution 2025-43, establishing the city’s tentative budget. The plan totals $75,124,284 in revenues, financing sources, and reserves. That figure includes:

• $34 million is grant related earmarked for the city’s wastewater treatment plant expansion, the single largest project in the budget.
• $66.7 million in total revenue and other financing sources, plus $8.4 million in reserves carried forward.
• Appropriations of $32.4 million, with an additional $42.7 million set aside in reserves.

Next Steps

The unanimous city commission vote does not make the millage rate and budget final. State law requires two public hearings before adoption. The second and final hearing is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. in City Hall’s Commission chambers. At that meeting, commissioners will set the official property tax rate and adopt the final budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

For Newberry residents, the tentative vote offers a preview of how the city plans to fund services, manage growth, and invest in infrastructure in the coming year. The final decision later this month will determine the property tax bills included on county tax notices.

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ARCHER ‒ A City of Archer employee was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, after investigators say he stole more than $14,000 in municipal funds over a three-month period.

Justin Bobby Southard, 34, of Archer, faces a felony charge of grand theft after admitting to taking $14,500 in cash deposits that should have been submitted to the city, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

The case unfolded when Interim City Manager Deanna Alltop reviewed financial records and discovered discrepancies in receipts and deposits for the months of June, July and August. The missing funds involved cash payments that had been collected but never deposited into the city’s accounts.

According to the incident report, Alltop noted that Southard and one other staff member were responsible for handling cash transactions. When she questioned the two employees, Southard admitted to taking the money, stating that he intended to repay it when possible.

Authorities say Southard was in the process of clearing out his desk when deputies arrived at City Hall.

Deputies reported that Southard became emotional after being read his Miranda rights and confessed to taking the missing deposits. He allegedly told investigators that he used the money to care for his children and for unspecified “personal use.” Officials said Southard acknowledged the money was gone and expressed remorse for his actions.

Southard was arrested and charged with grand theft of more than $10,000, a second-degree felony under Florida law. He has no prior criminal history, court records show.

During his first court appearance, Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered Southard’s release on his own recognizance, meaning he will not be required to post bail while awaiting trial.

City officials have not disclosed how the theft may affect Archer’s budget, though missing deposits of this size represent a significant loss for Archer, a city of just over 1,100 residents.

Southard’s case remains pending in Alachua County court. If convicted, he could face restitution, probation, or a prison sentence under state sentencing guidelines.

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ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ Alachua County will host its third and final Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) action-plan community workshop in the city of Alachua on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. The session runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Swick House, 15100 N.W. 142^nd Terrace, and will focus on proposed projects and policies intended to improve transportation safety for all road users.

County staff will present key elements of the draft SS4A Action Plan, including a list of proposed safety projects and recommendations aimed at reducing crash risks on local streets. The initiative seeks to identify systemic issues that contribute to serious and fatal crashes and to outline actionable steps — both policy changes and on-the-ground improvements — to address them.

Holding the final workshop in the city of Alachua is intended to broaden participation from residents and stakeholders who use corridors in and around the area. Organizers say community feedback at this stage will help refine the draft recommendations before the plan moves toward adoption.

What the Workshop Covers

According to the county’s announcement, the session will:

• Present draft recommendations and proposed safety projects that form the core of the SS4A Action Plan.
• Invite public input on priorities and locations where safety improvements could have the greatest impact.
• Explain how the action plan will guide future projects and policy updates aimed at making streets safer for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users.

The county describes the plan as a major public-safety initiative that emphasizes both infrastructure and policy improvements to reduce risks for all road users.

How to Participate

Residents are encouraged to RSVP for the event on Facebook. Those who cannot attend in person can learn more by visiting the project website at tinyurl.com/SS4AActionPlan or by checking the project’s Facebook page. Input gathered at the Alachua workshop will help finalize the countywide action plan, which is intended to guide next steps for safety investments and related policies.

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HAWTHORNE ‒ A 36-year-old Hawthorne man has been arrested on charges of sexual battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after a woman reported being assaulted at his home.

Deputies said the incident occurred on Aug. 22, 2025, when the victim traveled from another county to visit Kimon Marcus Miller, whom she had met earlier this year. During the visit, she reported that Miller displayed a firearm and forced her into sex out of fear for her life. She told deputies that afterward he refused to let her leave right away and threatened her not to report the incident.

When she was finally allowed to leave, the victim said Miller followed her to her car, photographed her license plate, and demanded her driver’s license. He allegedly took pictures of the license and warned he would harm her and her family if she contacted law enforcement, adding that he knew how to find personal information because of past fraud convictions.

The victim fled to a public place and called 911. Deputies responded and escorted her to a hospital for a sexual assault examination. Investigators said she described the residence, firearm and other details that were later corroborated by evidence at the scene. Miller was arrested the following day, Aug. 23.

Court records show Miller is on probation for felony convictions in Georgia, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and firearm possession by a convicted felon. Although his arrest report listed a Hawthorne address, the Department of Corrections identifies his permanent address as Orlando.

This is Miller’s second arrest in Alachua County this year. On June 29, deputies found a pistol near his car while investigating an armed disturbance. He was arrested for firearm possession by a convicted felon and resisting an officer without violence. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $52,500, and Miller was released before prosecutors filed formal charges in August.

Following his most recent arrest, the State Attorney’s Office petitioned the court to hold Miller without bail on the sexual battery charge, citing public safety concerns. On Aug. 29, Judge James Colaw agreed, ordering him detained until trial. The judge also set bail at $100,000 for the firearm charge.

Sexual battery with a deadly weapon is a first-degree felony punishable by up to life in prison. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum penalty of 15 years. Miller remains in custody at the Alachua County Jail.

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GAINESVILLE – Local and federal authorities seized firearms, cash and large amounts of illegal narcotics in a months-long investigation that culminated in the arrest of a convicted felon last week.

The Gainesville Alachua County Drug Task Force, made up of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, executed search warrants at a residence and several storage units tied to Donray Byrd, investigators said.

Inside, detectives recovered seven firearms, $120,700 in cash and substantial quantities of drugs. Seized items included approximately one kilogram of fentanyl, 5.5 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly three kilograms of cocaine, 1.7 kilograms of substituted cathinone (known as “Molly”), 23 pounds of cannabis, and a smaller amount of oxycodone. A cocaine press and other drug-processing equipment were also confiscated.

Authorities underscored the danger represented by the haul, noting that even small amounts of fentanyl can cause fatal overdoses. Sheriff Chad Scott said the amount of drugs seized could have destroyed countless lives in the community and vowed that his office, along with local and federal partners, will continue targeting traffickers. He added that the “peddling of deadly poison in Alachua County will not be tolerated.”

Byrd was arrested Aug. 22, 2025, and charged with 10 felony counts. The charges include trafficking in fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone and phenethylamines; multiple counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and possession with intent to sell controlled substances near schools or parks. His bond was set at $1.6 million, and he remains in the Alachua County Jail.

Investigators said the bust was the result of extensive surveillance and multiple investigative techniques. They credited interagency cooperation with the success of the operation.

Officials added that the task force will continue targeting large-scale traffickers in an effort to disrupt networks that distribute narcotics throughout Alachua County and beyond.

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