BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Keystone Heights High School’s Chloe Still was a runner-up at the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A Girls Weightlifting Finals, which were held Feb. 13 in Lakeland. Still, competing in the 139-pound class, passed out before she could complete her first clean-and-jerk attempt. However, she was able to return and … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] After a marathon hearing that began on Tuesday, February 10 and stretched past midnight, the Alachua County Commission voted unanimously to approve a temporary use permit for the Wildflowers Music Festival, a multi-day folk and roots music event planned for a 270-acre agricultural property south of Melrose in mid-March. The … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] During the public comment period of the February 5 Clay County School Board meeting, multiple speakers called on Robert Alvero to step down from his District 2 seat over what they described as racist comments. The Cuban immigrant raised concerns from a Facebook Live video he posted, then removed, in which … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Clay County commissioners unanimously approved a major restoration project for Lake Geneva on Tuesday, February 10, moving forward with a plan that has been in development for several years. The board voted to award a bid to C & S Site Prep, Inc. for the Lake Geneva Restoration Project after a … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A discussion over land-use percentages and the future character of the city dominated the Keystone Heights Planning and Zoning Board’s meeting on Feb. 9, as the board continued work on a comprehensive plan update funded in part by a $60,000 state grant. The session, led by planning consultant Janis Fleet, centered … Read more
The following individuals were recently arrested 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 … Read more
William Bullard Sr. William David Bullard Sr., 88, of Starke, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. He was born April 26, 1937, in Miami to Eric and Nettie Bullard. William was united in marriage to the love of his life, Joan E. Perry, on Sept. 2, 1956. Joan preceded him in death. Together they … Read more
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Grant Timonere scored 42 points as the Hope Christian Academy varsity boys basketball team won its fourth straight game, defeating visiting Gainesville Christian Community on Feb. 6. Timonere also had eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Lions (11-7) got six points each from Rory Foster and Noah Gaffney, five … Read more
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Keystone Heights High School saw its boys and girls basketball seasons come to an end in their district tournaments. The girls team, which was seeded fourth, advanced to the semifinals of the District 3-3A tournament off a 33-31 win over fifth seed Baldwin in a Feb. 2 quarterfinal game. Keystone (13-12) … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The St. Johns River Water Management District is experiencing drought across its entire 18-county territory, with some northern and western areas classified under severe or extreme drought conditions, officials reported during the district’s February Hydrological Conditions presentation covering January data. January rainfall across the district averaged just under an inch — … Read more
