BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County Schools Superintendent Mike Ripplinger is navigating a complex landscape of declining enrollment, unpredictable state funding, and increasing competition from school choice alternatives as the district works to retain students and maintain quality education. In a recent interview, Ripplinger detailed the financial pressures facing the small rural district, which depends … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County commissioners faced questions from residents during a Monday, February 2, town hall meeting about hundreds of people living in RVs and campers who pay nothing into county coffers while using garbage collection, emergency services, and roads funded by property owners. The meeting at the Providence Community Center was part … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The St. Johns River Water Management District is experiencing drought across its entire 18-county territory, with some northern and western areas classified under severe or extreme drought conditions, officials reported during the district’s February Hydrological Conditions presentation covering January data. January rainfall across the district averaged just under an inch — … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Keystone Heights Mayor Nina Rodenroth and Seat 5 Council Member Brandon Ludwig were the only candidates who qualified for their respective offices and will therefore continue for additional three-year terms beginning in April. Rodenroth first ran for the office in 2023. She was the only candidate who qualified. She is a … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] A resident of Keystone Heights and the owner of Keystone Heights Insurance was awarded the Board Director of the Year Award in December 2025. For the past eight years, Barbara Franklin has volunteered and served as the Melrose Fire Department’s secretary, averaging 150 volunteer hours per year. The award, presented by … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] Two students from Keystone Heights Elementary School excelled in the local Spelling Bee championships. Fifth grader Bristol Wasdin secured first place, while sixth grader Ashlynn Frysinger took second. This was their first time competing. The competition took place on Thursday, January 15. The students were given two weeks to memorize 450 … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] Each Year in Clay County, teachers and school-related employees are nominated by their peers for their exceptional commitment to their schools and communities, as well as their dedication to going above and beyond in their everyday lives. At the Thrasher-Horne Center in Clay County, teachers, family members, friends, and dedicated staff … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Keystone Heights City Council voted Monday to remove one street parking space on South Lawrence Boulevard to improve traffic flow and safety at a congested intersection, while also approving more than $41,000 to support the Lake Geneva restoration project. The parking space removal, the northernmost spot in front of Keystone … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Keystone Heights Heritage Commission met on January 20 to review recent projects and plan upcoming community events, including preparations for the annual fourth-grade field trip and the second annual Chautauqua event. Inventory Project Advances Museum Planning Chair Deirdre Murphy reported significant progress on the commission’s inventory project, which aims … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet on Saturday, February 7, celebrating excellence in education and business while recognizing the individuals who shape the community’s future. As part of the event, Bradford School Superintendent Will Hartley recognized the district’s teachers of the year and school-related employees of … Read more
