A preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board said a rotor came off a gyrocopter prior to the aircraft’s July 30 crash into a goat field near Melrose. Both the flight instructor on board and the pilot under instruction were killed in the crash. “Examination of the gyroplane revealed that the majority of the … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS—Abandoned Treasures Thrift Store reopened on Tuesday, Aug. 16 at the corner of Firetower Road and State Road 21. The building was occupied for more than 50 years by Leonard’s Outboard, owned by retired FHP trooper Leonard Jones. Jones also served as Chief of Police for Keystone Heights from … 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 Struck child … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS— Clay County Clerk of Courts Tara Green said external auditors gave the county an unmodified or clean opinion for the county’s 2020-2021 financial statements. Green said the county’s financial position is strong with assets exceeding liabilities by $464.5 million. The county also reduced its net pension liability … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS—Clay County Chief Planner Beth Carson briefed the county’s Historic Preservation Board about cemetery preservation during the board’s Sept. 1 meeting. Carson said she attended a webinar on the topic presented by the Florida Public Archeology Network. She added that of the estimated 5,000 to 7,000 cemeteries in … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Over 60 people attended the Aug. 25 meeting of the Clay Chamber’s Lake Region Prosperity Council at the Keystone Beach Pavilion. Sheriff Michelle Cook, County Commissioner Betsy Condon and newly elected School Board Member Michele Hanson briefly addressed the gathering. Community Affairs Lt. Michael Layne of the … 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 Wesley Glen … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS— County Manager Howard Wanamaker said JTA will not charge riders on Clay County routes during October. The Jacksonville-based transportation agency took over the operation of Clay’s flex routes in 2018 when the Council on Aging, which previously operated the routes, encountered financial difficulty. Two JTA routes run … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS— Clay County Manager Howard Wanamaker told commissioners that rising costs are forcing the county to scale back plans for a recreational sports park north of Camp Blanding. During their Aug. 23 meeting, Wanamaker told commissioners that Phase 1 of the project now includes eight multi-purpose fields, an … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD Telegraph Editor Incumbents won the night in Bradford’s county commission races, but not so in the District 5 race for school board. Voters gave Kenny Thompson and Danny Riddick an additional term on the county commission, with Thompson receiving nearly 58% of the votes cast and Riddick receiving almost 41%. Riddick’s … Read more
