During its Sept. 13 meeting, The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board approved a $38.8 million bid to construct the Black Creek Water Resource Development Project pipeline. The project will divert up to 10 million gallons per day from the creek during wet-weather, high-flow periods. The water will be pumped through a 17-mile … Read more
The National Transportation Safety Board said the aircraft that crashed into a goat field near Melrose on July 30, killing two occupants, was a Tango 2 gyrocopter. The NTSB issued a preliminary report on the crash, adding that one of the rotor blades on the vehicle was missing. The report added that the missing rotor … Read more
AMVETS Post 86 in Keystone Heights hosted a ceremony for Lake Region residents to remember the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Event organizer Cindy Lee enlisted the help of area leaders to speak during the service because some of the scheduled speakers for the memorial failed to show up. Keystone Heights Mayor Karen Lake … Read more
A man who pleaded guilty to the beating death of a Lake Region man in 2019 is suing the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, claiming that deputies used excessive force when arresting him. In a federal lawsuit, Travis Roe claims he did not resist nor pose a threat to officers when he exited his truck with … Read more
Lake Region residents lined up to shake the hands of a Clay County Fire Rescue Station 11 crew at the conclusion of a 911 observance ceremony at AMVETS Post 86 in Keystone Heights Sunday morning. The ceremony included statements from AMVETS leaders Cindy Lee and Bob Beinlich. Also speaking were Mayor Karen Lake, Clay County … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor STARKE— Union County Supervisor of Elections Deborah K. Osborne said the county’s canvassing board rejected one ballot for the Aug. 23 primaries. The Bradford County Board also rejected one ballot, while the Clay County canvassing board tossed 350 ballots. Under Florida law, the canvassing board in each county is responsible … Read more
Clay County Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless said his office rejected a mail-in ballot submitted for a dead voter. He added that all voters who submit mail-in ballots must sign the envelope on which the ballot is returned. The word “deceased” was written on the signature line of the envelope in question. Chambless said a … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The Clay Electric Foundation awarded two Clay County and two Putnam County non-profits a total of $33,200 during its August round of grants. Fleming Island’s Island Theater received $5,700 to purchase a portable lighting and audio system. The foundation awarded $15,000 to Goodwill Industries of North Florida to … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Clay Electric Cooperative said rising natural gas prices are forcing it to increase the power cost portion of the charges it bills members. The co-op said in its September Power Line bill insert that members using 1,000 KwH will see a $5 per month increase on their bills. … Read more
Two Clay County School District employees told the school board that newly approved labor agreements unfairly penalize veteran employees. The workers said the new contracts, one for teachers and a second for support personnel, compensate new employees at the same rate as veteran workers. Joel Miller said that when he started as a teacher at … Read more
