County to get $800K to buffer Camp Blanding

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor  CAMP BLANDING— Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $3.4 million in state grants for military installations and surrounding communities, with most of the funding destined for northeast Florida. DeSantis made the announcement during a Jan. 15 press conference at Camp Blanding. “We’re doing almost a million dollars for Clay County to provide…

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Clay County

School police warn of TikTok challenge

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS— The Clay County School District Police Department is urging teachers and parents to talk to students about a social media challenge that promotes vandalism and theft. The agency said that in accomplishing the challenge called “Most Devious Lick,” students are stealing school property, clogging toilets, and painting…

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Clay County

Sheriff argues for tax hike

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook made her case for increasing property taxes to the Keystone Heights Rotary Club during the group’s Sept. 15 meeting. Cook said the proposed 10.7% tax increase county commissioners are considering would help her reduce turnover at the agency and save  over $6 million.…

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Obituaries — Sept. 16, 2021

Gunner Black Gunner Paul Black, August 13, 2021 – August 31, 2021. Just 18 days after coming into the world Gunner died while being treated at Wolfson’s Children Hospital in Jacksonville. During his short time on earth, he brought joy to those that were around him. He is survived by: his parents, Cody Black and…

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School board begins redistricting process

BY DAN HILDEBRAN   Monitor Editor     FLEMING ISLAND— The Clay County School Board held a workshop on Sept. 9 to begin the process of redrawing voting districts for its five members.   State law requires the board to realign its five voting districts every 10 years, based on the U.S. census.   School board attorney J. Bruce Bickner told board members they must…

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Lake Region

Fire department distributes funds

BY DAN HILDEBRAN  Monitor Editor  KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— In its final official act, the Keystone Heights Volunteer Fire Department gave away thousands of dollars to Lake Region nonprofits during a Sept. 9 event at the city’s beach pavilion.  The funds came from the proceeds of the organization’s sales of its firehouse and rescue house on Flamingo Street. The department’s president, Tony Brown, who is also a Keystone…

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Lake Region

AMVETS remember 911

BY DAN HILDEBRAN   Monitor Editor   KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The members of AMVETS Post 86 remembered the terrorist attacks and acts of heroism of Sept. 11, 2001, with a ceremony held at the post.   Lt. Col. Mark Alexander began the observance by recalling the timeline of events on the Tuesday morning 20 years ago.   He described the events of…

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Lake Region

Keystone gives Bradley key to the city

BY DAN HILDEBRAN   Monitor Editor   KEYSTONE HEIGHTS—   The city council gave former Senator Rob Bradley a key to the city and declared Sept. 13 as “Rob Bradley Day” during its Sept. 13 meeting.   Mayor Karen Lake said in a proclamation that Bradley championed the City of Keystone Heights by identifying the Black Creek Water Resource Project…

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Water management district names new executive director 

PALATKA— The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board unanimously appointed Michael A. Register, P.E., as the district’s executive director.   Register’s appointment comes after the retirement of Dr. Ann Shortelle, who led the state agency  for six years.   “We are pleased to welcome Mike into the executive director role and confident he will seamlessly carry on our successful work on…

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