Sept. 11 through Sept. 17 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 … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor STARKE— Bradford High School’s volleyball coach was arrested Monday for engaging in lewd conduct with a student and sending sexually explicit text messages to the same minor. Lanie Kay Rodgers, 24, turned herself in to Bradford deputies Monday night and was released after posting a $75,000 bond. Major Brad Smith … Read more
Rainfall slightly below average BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor PALATKA— The St. Johns River Water Management District said that even though rainfall during August of 6.89 inches was 0.11 inches below the long-term average, water levels on Lake Brooklyn rose nearly 8.5 inches during the month. The increase brings the lake’s level to over 100 … Read more
Keystone (4-0) built a 52-13 lead at halftime and cruised to a 68-13 win over Umatilla (1-3), Friday, Sept. 17. A steady rain covered the field for the first three quarters. The Indians have outscored their opponents 184 to 27 through four weeks of play. Running back Kade Sanders and offensive linemen Tyler Duncan, Luke … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS— The Florida Department of Health’s Clay County administrator told county commissioners that new, weekly COVID cases in the county continued to decline in September. Heather Huffman told commissioners during their Sept. 14 meeting that new daily cases averaged 134 in the first week of September and dropped … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor CAMP BLANDING— Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $3.4 million in state grants for military installations and surrounding communities, with most of the funding destined for northeast Florida. DeSantis made the announcement during a Jan. 15 press conference at Camp Blanding. “We’re doing almost a million dollars for Clay County to provide … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS— The Clay County School District Police Department is urging teachers and parents to talk to students about a social media challenge that promotes vandalism and theft. The agency said that in accomplishing the challenge called “Most Devious Lick,” students are stealing school property, clogging toilets, and painting … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook made her case for increasing property taxes to the Keystone Heights Rotary Club during the group’s Sept. 15 meeting. Cook said the proposed 10.7% tax increase county commissioners are considering would help her reduce turnover at the agency and save over $6 million. … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor FLEMING ISLAND— The Clay County School Board held a workshop on Sept. 9 to begin the process of redrawing voting districts for its five members. State law requires the board to realign its five voting districts every 10 years, based on the U.S. census. School board attorney J. Bruce Bickner told board members they must … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— In its final official act, the Keystone Heights Volunteer Fire Department gave away thousands of dollars to Lake Region nonprofits during a Sept. 9 event at the city’s beach pavilion. The funds came from the proceeds of the organization’s sales of its firehouse and rescue house on Flamingo Street. The department’s president, Tony Brown, who is also a Keystone … Read more
