BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Scott Roberts’ departure from the Starke City Commission was marked by heartfelt recognition and reflection last week. Mayor Andy Redding presented Roberts with a plaque in appreciation of his four years of outstanding service, highlighting his wisdom, professionalism, and steady composure, and noting that he would be missed “I admire … Read more
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Bradford High School was number one in the inaugural Florida High School Athletic Association Region 2-2A football power rankings, which were released Sept. 23, but dropped one spot in the latest rankings, which were released Sept. 30. The inaugural rankings had Bradford (5-1) ahead of The Villages, but The Villages (6-0) … Read more
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Williston High School Head Football Coach Robby Pruitt, who led Union County to state championships in 1994, 1995 and 1996, became the first high school football coach in the U.S. to win 200 games in two different states. Pruitt, who has 209 victories in Georgia, picked up win number 200 in … Read more
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Union County High School’s volleyball team snapped a four-match losing streak with its 3-1 (23-25, 25-11, 25-18, 25-23) win over visiting Keystone Heights on Sept. 25. Stats for Union weren’t available by deadline, but Keystone got 18 kills, 10 digs and two blocks from Mia Rivera, 15 digs, seven kills and … Read more
The following individuals were arrested recently 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 Threatened … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Lake Butler officials, the family of Fletcher Myers, and others gathered to mark the rededication of Fletcher Myers Park on Saturday, September 27. Former Florida Gators Chaplain Patrick Maxwell began the ceremony with an invocation, recalling that Myers, whom he called “Uncle Flash,” took him to Gator games on Saturdays and … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Lake Butler City Commission authorized Mayor Melissa Hendrix to execute a $11.25 million loan agreement with the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund for wastewater infrastructure upgrades during its September 16 meeting. Under the loan agreement, the city is pledging revenues from its water fund to repay the loan. … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The assistant county manager who oversees Clay County’s economic development efforts spoke to the Clay Chamber’s Lake Region Prosperity Partners on Wednesday, September 25, at the Keystone Beach pavilion. Chereese Stewart briefed the group on county growth trends, the board of County Commissioners’ strategic plan, property taxes, current infrastructure projects, and … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Three workers from Clay Behavioral Health Center spoke to a Lake Region civic group about the mental health services their organization provides to the Keystone Heights area. Crystal Riviere, Khelsea Boyd, and Debbie Carter told the Keystone Heights Rotary Club that in addition to an office on State Road 21 North, … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Clay County School Superintendent David Broskie recapped what he called an extraordinary budget year, and school board member Ashley Gilhousen said the district was facing an unprecedented budget situation during a September 23 school board workshop. Broskie reminded the board that the district cut its 2025-2026 budget by 20% after several … Read more
