BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Keystone Heights High School went 4-1 and own its division at the Sept. 12-13 Wawa Jacksonville Juniors Volleyball Association River City High School Classic. The Indians (10-5) began play with a 2-0 (25-13, 25-14) win over North Marion, getting 10 kills each from Kadence Massey and Mia Rivera. Massey also had … Read more
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Kiwanis Club of Starke members heard about a nonprofit organization that supports girls ages 12-17 and is interested in serving Bradford County. Erica Wortherly, Reach Program manager for Pace Center for Girls, Clay, was the guest speaker at the Kiwanis Club’s Aug. 19 meeting. Pace Center, which provides services in Florida, … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Lake Butler City Commission unanimously approved a proclamation on September 16, designating October 2025 as American Pharmacist Month, recognizing the vital role pharmacists play in community health. The proclamation, requested by William Garst of the Florida Pharmacy Association, was endorsed by Mayor Melissa Hendrix and the commission, urging residents to … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Lamar Waters, a Union County native and the head football coach for the Union County High School Fightin’ Tigers, spoke to the Lake Butler Rotary Club on September 16. Waters, who previously coached baseball and served as an assistant football coach at Union County, expressed his deep connection to the community … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Lake Butler Hospital is redeveloping the Main Street building that formerly housed furniture retailer Badcock. In a news release, the hospital said its new professional center will host hospital office staff, creating more space on the main campus for patient care and medical services. In addition, the new facility will become … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] State Representative Chuck Brannan spent 10 hours over two days with President Donald Trump and other officials at the White House. As the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, the former Chief Detective of the Baker County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy U.S. Marshal was invited to Washington, along with other Florida … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Union County School Board discussed a preliminary agreement for leasing electric school buses during its September 9 meeting, focusing on a mileage restriction clause that raised concerns. The board, led by Superintendent Mike Ripplinger, reviewed the proposal with input from Transportation Director Tony Raish and a representative from the bus … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] During the September 9 Union County School Board meeting, State Representative Chuck Brannan displayed a ceremonial check for $29.5 million for the first phase of a new elementary school in Lake Butler. The funding is part of a broader $55.9 million secured for Union County over the past two and a … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] At a recent community meeting, Interim City Manager Jamie Booth introduced himself and shared updates on Keystone Heights’ ongoing and upcoming initiatives, emphasizing community engagement, infrastructure improvements, and events to boost local commerce and tourism. Booth, a Lake Region native and retired Army Corps of Engineers colonel, has served as interim … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Clay County Commissioners passed a tentative $779 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year after a public hearing on September 9. The spending plan boosts overall expenses by 11% while also decreasing the general fund and slightly reducing reserve levels. The proposed budget is balanced as required by state law. While … Read more
