1 dead in officer-involved shooting

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected]  The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office said a man wanted for threatening a credit union pointed two weapons at deputies near the intersection of County Road 225 and State Road 16 between Starke and Raiford. Four deputies returned fire, killing the suspect. No deputies were injured in the shooting. Col. Brad Smith … Read more

Most local funding requests survive veto

BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Of the millions of dollars allocated locally, only the Arc of Bradford County’s request for funding was excluded the state’s new budget. Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the 2025-26 state budget totaling $117.4 billion after $567 million in line-item vetoes. One of those vetoes was $300,000 legislators had set … Read more

Starke railroad overpass wins for outstanding project

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida recently honored eight Florida Department of Transportation infrastructure developments with Outstanding Project Awards for transportation achievements. Starke’s Railroad Overpass took the prize for Outstanding Bridge Project. “These award-winning projects represent real solutions that enhance safety, strengthen connectivity, and improve the quality of life for Florida’s communities,” said … Read more

Court of Appeal hears arguments in Starke

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected]  Florida’s First District Court of Appeal heard oral arguments in three cases in Starke on June 18. The Tallahassee-based court ordinarily hears cases in the state capital but also hears cases throughout the First District, which consists of the First, Second, Third, Eighth, and Fourteenth circuits. Florida’s Eighth Judicial Circuit is … Read more

Monday morning fire guts house

BY JENN SAMSEL Special to the Monitor  An early Monday fire north of Keystone Heights destroyed one home and resulted in a missing dog. Clay County Fire Rescue received the call on the fire at 4:26 a.m., June 16. One man occupied the home, who told first responders he couldn’t find his dog. The Red … Read more

What to do about bears in unexpected areas

Spring and early summer mark a general increase in activity for Florida’s black bears after limited movements in winter. During this time, juvenile bears could be spotted in unexpected areas as they leave their mothers’ home ranges. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shares this annual reminder that the best thing to do if … Read more

Report wild turkey sightings between now and Aug. 31

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking Florida residents and visitors to report all sightings of wild turkeys between now and Aug. 31. This includes hens, poults (newly hatched wild turkeys) and gobblers. Florida’s annual summer wild turkey survey is part of a broader multi-state initiative aimed at better understanding the reproductive success … Read more