BY DAN HILDEBRAN Telegraph Staff Writer KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— School board member Erin Skipper told her colleagues that she wants the school district to abolish its police department and instead contract with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office to provide security at the district’s 52 schools. Skipper announced her intentions during the board’s June 29 meeting after … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Telegraph Staff Writer KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The school district’s chief academic officer told school board members that the district has removed 76 books from school libraries because of challenges by parents and community members, and in reaction to legislation passed in Tallahassee. Roger Daily told school board members during a June 20 workshop … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Telegraph Staff Writer KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The Clay County Economic Development Corporation president said his organization plans to use a $122,000 state grant to develop sites at the Keystone Heights Airport. Crawford Powell told the Republican Men of Clay during the club’s June 21 meeting that his organization hopes to attract aviation maintenance … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Telegraph Staff Writer KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said one person is dead and another hospitalized after the two tried to help a friend who was estranged from her ex-boyfriend. Deputies arrested 20-year-old John Jacob Thornton of Keystone Heights on Saturday, June 24 for second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Telegraph Staff Writer KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The Freedom 5K Run will kick off the 55th annual Our Country Day in Keystone Heights on July 4th. The run benefits the Jordan Cooper Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to Keystone Heights High School seniors. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the city will host … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Telegraph Staff Writer Sen. Jennifer Bradley said that although the Department of Corrections still needs to improve, the state’s largest agency is coming out of its employment crisis that saw dangerous staffing levels last year. Bradley made her comments during a legislative briefing sponsored by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce. State … 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 Paul Timothy … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Telegraph Staff Writer Sheriff Michelle Cook described three different scenarios under which her agency and the school district would reunify students with their parents in cases of shootings or other catastrophic incidents at Clay County public schools. Cook made her comments on her podcast: Never Off Duty, hosted by Judson Sapp with … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Telegraph Staff Writer STARKE— The unemployment rates in Bradford, Union, and Clay counties increased by around one-half percentage point in May. All three counties tallied unemployment rates of 2.2% in April. Bradford’s rate increased to 2.7% in May, Union’s rate rose to 2.8% in May, while Clay County’s percentage increased to 2.6%. … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Telegraph Staff Writer KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Clay County officials led a town hall-like discussion on the county’s emerging strategic plan in Keystone Heights. The gathering at the beach pavilion on Wednesday, June 14, was the final of six meetings officials held throughout the area. County Commission Chair Betsy Condon said she started pushing … Read more
