BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] To assist those in need of Christmas shopping, the Community Partnership hosted its 5th annual Christmas Shop for parents facing financial difficulties. The event took place on Monday, December 8th, at Keystone Heights Junior High School. “We try to provide them opportunities to shop at discounted prices right here in our … 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 Jakerria … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Florida Highway Patrol said a 21-year-old Starke woman died on Saturday, January 3, when her pickup truck left the roadway on US Highway 301 one-half mile south of the Bradford-Clay County line, near the community of Highland. According to a news release, the woman was driving northbound around 8:10 p.m. … Read more
Clay school board member: Most black people are nasty, rude, problematic BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The chair of the Clay County School Board said one of her colleagues should consider resigning after posting a video to Facebook in which he said about African Americans, “80%, they’re being nasty, they’re being rude, they’re being problematic, always … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] The streets of Melrose along State Road 26 came alive as crowds gathered for the highly anticipated 36th-year Merry Melrose Parade and Santa Claus. The parade occurred on Saturday, December 13. There were dancers, decorated floats, musical artists, and marching bands, all celebrating the holiday season, ending with an appearance by … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Lake Butler City Commission heard a presentation on the completed Townsend Green Building roof project and discussed staffing improvements and a property transaction during its regular meeting on Tuesday, December 16. Doug Sanders of Andy Easton and Associates presented a detailed update on the historic Townsend Green Building roof restoration, … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County commissioners unanimously approved $500 Christmas bonuses for all 59 full-time county employees during their December 15 meeting, with Commissioner Mac Johns making an impassioned plea for the gesture. “It’s that time of year, morale is not at its highest, but yet these guys are still out there working,” Johns … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Clay County Schools Superintendent David Broskie used his remarks during a December 11 school board meeting to clarify misconceptions about charter school co-location and voice concerns about the growing cost of school vouchers to the district. Broskie said he wanted to address comments made during the public comment portion of the … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] More than a dozen speakers, most of them teachers, filled the public comment period at the December 11 Clay County School Board meeting with pleas for better pay and criticism of the board’s handling of recent compensation negotiations. The comments came after an impasse hearing, during which the board voted to … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County deputies served two search warrants on Tuesday, December 10 that resulted in the rescue of more than 40 dogs showing signs of mistreatment and suspected dogfighting abuse. The Union/Bradford SWAT Team executed the warrants at properties on Northwest 71st Run and West County Road 18 in Lake Butler as … Read more
