BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] The Starke City Commission has approved a resolution to establish a sister city relationship with Próspera, a special economic zone (Zede) in Honduras. This decision was made Oct. 21, following Mayor Andy Redding’s recent visit to a country whose citizens are trying to define their future through economic development. “Some … Read more
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Both of Keystone Heights High School’s cross-country teams are advancing to region-level competition after earning top eight finishes at the District 2-2A meet, which was held Nov. 3 at Jacksonville’s Bishop Kenny High School. The boys team placed seventh out of 18 teams, finishing behind Bolles, Bishop Kenny, Eastside, Episcopal, Wolfson … Read more
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Think of children’s lives as jigsaw puzzles. If pieces are missing, the picture is incomplete. Edrick Hamilton has been attempting to supply the missing pieces to young lives as part of hits 12G Mentoring program, which is celebrating its 10th year of existence. Hamilton hadn’t planned on creating a mentoring program, … Read more
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] A source of light. For Bradford County students every year, that’s exactly what Bradford Community for Schools’ Take Stock in Children is: a source of light. That light was especially bright in the 2024-25 school year as the Bradford program received Take Stock in Children’s Luminary Award. It was the Bradford … Read more
Not paying their fair share Union commissioners say camper and shed dwellers are mooching off taxpayers BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County Commissioners, meeting with Raiford residents during a county commission meeting, said people living in sheds and campers are freeloading off Union County taxpayers because they don’t pay the special assessments that other residents … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County commissioners made the first of several road trips around the county on Monday, November 3, to get residents’ feedback on proposed increases to special assessments and to communicate the need for the additional revenue. Garbage assessment not adjusted in 38 years County Coordinator Jimmy Williams informed the crowd … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] Clay County Fire Rescue’s Station 11 in Keystone Heights is without Engine 11 after a driver lost control and crashed into the vehicle. According to the driver involved in the accident, he crashed into the apparatus after another driver made a sudden turn, cutting him off. The driver collided with the … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] A storage shed caught fire in Bradford County, nearly igniting the home. According to Bradford County Fire Rescue, the fully engulfed shed posed a threat to the shed owners’ home. Firefighters from Bradford and Clay Counties quickly extinguished the blaze. The incident occurred in the 400 block of Southeast 43rd Street, … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] During their October 28 workshop, Clay County School Board members continued to discuss their budget struggles in light of state cuts to public education and dissatisfaction from the Clay Education Association about the school district’s salary offers. During the October 2 school board meeting, Vicki Kidwell, President of the teachers’ union, … Read more
