BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The bureau chief for the St. Johns River Water Management District said below-average rainfall in December pushed the western and northern sections of the district into severe drought conditions, with other areas of the 18-county district undergoing moderate drought conditions. Tim Miller briefed the district’s governing board during its January 13 … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A director for the St. Johns Water Management District said the treatment facility for the Black Creek Water Resource Development Project has reached a significant milestone with all six treatment cells now filled with media, but drought conditions are preventing the facility from beginning full operations. The project will divert up … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Keystone Heights City Council voted 3-1 on Tuesday, January 5, to approve a controversial rezoning request for property at 200 Northeast Commercial Circle, overriding the recommendation of the city’s Planning and Zoning Board. The council approved both a future land use map amendment and rezoning for the 2.72-acre property, changing … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors finalized leadership changes and set plans for its annual banquet during a January 8 meeting, according to chamber officials. The organization will see four board members departing due to term limits and personal circumstances, reshaping the business group’s leadership heading into … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] The City of Keystone Heights closed out its centennial year with a final, milestone celebration on Wednesday, December 31, at City Hall, commemorating 100 years of history while preserving the present for generations yet to come. City officials, community leaders, and residents gathered for the city’s last official celebration of the … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County commissioners held a town hall meeting for Worthington Springs residents at the county’s extension office to discuss proposed increases to special assessments, impact fees, and a potential gas tax as the county faces significant budget shortfalls in its solid waste and emergency medical services operations. The meeting, attended by … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The second-ranking Florida House member recently said that if voters approve reducing or eliminating property taxes on homesteads later this year, the legislature should consider merging smaller counties into larger ones. Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis began pushing to eliminate property taxes in the Sunshine State and proposed allocating $300 million … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] A car collided with a home in Keystone Heights, displacing residents and leaving the driver in serious condition. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver, who veered off course and crashed into the home, had a medical condition at the time of the incident. The accident occurred on Tuesday, December … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] Keystone Heights officially welcomed Brandon Ludwig as the city’s second youngest ever councilman during a special meeting held Dec. 16 at City Hall, following the resignation of Elston “Speedy” Kussler from the council. Ludwig, a lifelong Keystone Heights resident and fifth-generation member of the community, was appointed to fill the seat … Read more
