BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Clay County’s emergency management director, said that although some accuse him of being the Chicken Little of the county, constantly proclaiming the sky is falling, his true intent is to preach preparation for emergencies, so residents will not panic when disasters strike. John Ward told the Keystone Heights … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said her agency arrested two juveniles for a string of auto burglaries in the High Ridge Estates neighborhood east of Keystone Heights. Cook said the 14 and 16-year-olds were seen by deputies walking in the area of recent car break-ins. One of the … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor MELROSE— The Florida Highway Patrol said a gyrocopter crashed into a residential grassy field near County Road 214 and Melrose Road and caught fire on impact. The crash occurred around 10:10 a.m., Saturday, July 30. Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook added that the aircraft appeared to be constructed from a … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Airport Manager Maria Searcy said a multi-million-dollar project to add industrial tenants to the airport is now undergoing an environmental assessment required by the FAA. Searcy told the Keystone Heights Rotary Club that the 400-acre development, known as the airport’s westside project, is funded by a $1.4 million … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Clay County Commissioners James Renninger and Betsy Condon were awarded the Advanced County Commissioner Level 1 designation from the Institute for County Government. Condon represents the Lake Region on the board of county commissioners. Renninger represents the Orange Park area. Both commissioners were recognized during the Florida Association … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS— Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless said his office is now using new ballots that will make it easier for voters with disabilities to participate in elections. The system is compatible with accessibility devices such as speech input software, screen readers and screen magnifiers. It allows voters to … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor STARKE— Area law enforcement agencies and fire-rescue departments, including the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office and Fire-Rescue, announced the opening of a new phone line designed to prevent suicides. 988 is now active across the United States. The new, shorter phone number will make it easier for people to remember and … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Michael Dan Andrews, 48, of Keystone Heights, was sentenced to 34 days in jail and 24 months’ probation for the April 4 offense of fleeing and eluding. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Clay Deputy Joshua M. Byrne was patrolling the High Ridge Estates neighborhood when he saw … Read more
July 16 through July 22 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
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor STARKE— The Florida Highway Patrol said a 31-year-old Jacksonville woman died when she crashed into trees Saturday night, July 9. The agency said the crash occurred around 9:44 p.m. at the intersection of State Roads 16 and 230. According to an FHP report, the driver was traveling eastbound on 16 … Read more
