BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] After a marathon hearing that began on Tuesday, February 10 and stretched past midnight, the Alachua County Commission voted unanimously to approve a temporary use permit for the Wildflowers Music Festival, a multi-day folk and roots music event planned for a 270-acre agricultural property south of Melrose in mid-March. The … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] During the public comment period of the February 5 Clay County School Board meeting, multiple speakers called on Robert Alvero to step down from his District 2 seat over what they described as racist comments. The Cuban immigrant raised concerns from a Facebook Live video he posted, then removed, in which … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A board-certified interventional cardiologist who recently joined the Ibrahim Heart Clinic is working to bring advanced cardiac, vascular, and valve procedures to the local community — and his message to residents is clear: early detection saves lives. Dr. Yashwant Agrawal, who goes by Dr. Yash, introduced himself and his specialties during … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County’s school district is grappling with a nearly $1.4 million budget shortfall this year and facing similar losses in the coming years, forcing Superintendent Mike Ripplinger to consider a dramatic restructuring that could include combining the middle and high schools into a single campus. In a somber district-wide meeting on … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Clay County commissioners unanimously approved a major restoration project for Lake Geneva on Tuesday, February 10, moving forward with a plan that has been in development for several years. The board voted to award a bid to C & S Site Prep, Inc. for the Lake Geneva Restoration Project after a … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The chair of the Union County School Board said the district was in a financial crisis after hearing that the state cut over $1.4 million in funding due to declining enrollment. “We’re in crisis,” said Chris Hodgson during a February 10 school board meeting. “I don’t know any other way to … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A discussion over land-use percentages and the future character of the city dominated the Keystone Heights Planning and Zoning Board’s meeting on Feb. 9, as the board continued work on a comprehensive plan update funded in part by a $60,000 state grant. The session, led by planning consultant Janis Fleet, centered … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The man who killed two women near Providence on Tuesday, February 3, and then took his own life, posted a pair of videos on TikTok in which he described the collapse of his 13-year relationship with one of the victims. The Union County Sheriff’s Office said that around 4:30 p.m., it … Read more
The following individuals were recently arrested by local law enforcement officers in Bradford, Union, or Clay (Keystone Heights area) counties. All defendants are considered innocent until convicted in a court or until pleading guilty or no contest. Information in this report is from law enforcement agencies and court documents, which are public records. Bradford … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] When John Williams first walked into a Starke Rotary Club meeting in late 2022, he was simply there to give a presentation. As the newly appointed CEO of the Arc of Bradford County, he had been invited to speak to the club about his organization’s work with individuals with developmental disabilities. … Read more
