Candidate responds to sex crimes allegations

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— A candidate running to represent the Lake Region on the Clay County Commission is denying allegations that he committed lewd and lascivious assault on a girl under 16. Even before Dale Carter officially qualified for the District 4 County Commission Seat, now held by Crystal Lake resident Betsy … Read more

Agencies plan for school shootings response

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS— Clay County Schools Superintendent David Broskie said his district ran through plans to reunite students and parents in the event of a school shooting or other incidents. The superintendent was joined by Sheriff Michelle Cook, Clay County Deputy Emergency Management Director Mike Ladd and other law enforcement … Read more

Sheriff’s office reaches out to KH youth

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The Clay County Sheriff’s Office participated in the National Night Out campaign, setting up tents at Keystone Beach on Tuesday, Aug. 2 and at other locations throughout the county. Deputy Dimitri Santiago, who ran the Keystone Heights outreach, said the office partnered with other Lake Region businesses and … Read more

Officials celebrate historic courthouse renovations

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS— Clay County officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for renovations at the county’s historic courthouse in Green Cove Springs. County Commissioner Kristen Burke said the 1890 structure is one of only four Florida courthouses built before 1900. She added that the land for the courthouse was donated to … Read more

Recent arrests in Bradford, Union and Clay

July 23 through July 29 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 … Read more

City honors weightlifting team, restaurant owner

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The city council recognized the community’s state champion weightlifting team and gave a key to the city to the owner of Johnny’s Barbecue during its Aug. 1 meeting. Mayor Karen Lake reminded weightlifting team members that the municipality posted signs at its city limits proclaiming their championship from … Read more

Sheriff to reopen KH substation

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said she is reopening the office’s substation within the Keystone Heights City Hall. The substation previously operated out of the South Lawrence Boulevard government building and was closed by Cook’s predecessor. “We know how important a substation is to all of you,” Cook … Read more

School districts looking for veterans

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The Clay and Bradford County school districts recently said they hope military veterans will consider teaching as a career following their military service. Both districts pointed to a bill signed earlier this year by Gov. Ron DeSantis that helps veterans access jobs in education by allowing their military … Read more

KH adopts tentative millage and budget

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The city council unanimously voted to hold the municipality’s millage rate for next year at the current rate of 4.2901 mils during a special July 27 meeting. The council may later lower the tentative rate before the Sept. 30 deadline. City Manager Lynn Rutkowski said that if the … Read more