BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Members of the Keystone Heights Heritage Commission discussed plans for their upcoming Christmas wreath project and their effort to catalog historic artifacts during their November 18 meeting. Chair Deirdre Murphy led the discussion about the commission’s annual wreath project, in which the city advisory panel loans Christmas wreaths to downtown businesses. … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County Commissioners, during a December 1 town hall meeting in Lake Butler, discussed copying Bradford County’s trash decal program, which requires a sticker placed in the windshield for vehicles dropping off trash at county solid waste collection sites. Commissioners floated the idea after Eric Williams of Williams LP Gas said … Read more
During the November 18 school board meeting, Union County School District officials recognized W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc. for its support of the students of Union County. Superintendent Mike Ripplinger presented W.W. Gay’s Trey Carr a plaque of appreciation and expressed his gratitude to the Jacksonville-based firm for its support of Union County students. “That … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Lake Butler city commissioners tabled a proposed dangerous building ordinance on November 18 after concerns were raised about its language and enforcement approach. Code Enforcement Officer Rick Ward presented updates on his recent work, including progress on revising city ordinances and implementing a new online violation tracking system. Ward said he’s … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Clay County’s only dual-certified domestic violence and sexual abuse shelter said survivors of domestic violence spent nearly 9,500 nights in its facility this year. Quigley House Interim CEO Jackie Krug said its staff answered over 4,200 phone calls in 2025, marking a 20% increase over last year. “As Clay County continues … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Clay Electric Cooperative’s leader for the last 17 years is retiring, and another co-op lifer is taking over Florida’s largest electric cooperative this month. Ricky Davis started his career with the Keystone Heights-based utility in September 1973 as a pole inspector trainee. For the next three years, he worked his way … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested 45-year-old Karl Davis Staton from Lawtey on multiple charges related to child exploitation, including three counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device. FDLE said the arrest is part of its ongoing … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Preparing to revive impact fees for new developments inside the city limits, Starke city commissioners accepted the results of a new study on those fee amounts. A prior commission placed a mortarium on the collection of impact fees to encourage growth, but, as Mayor Andy Redding pointed out, that doesn’t … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Bradford County’s decision to reject a rezoning request could backfire if the landowner chooses to retaliate. After hearing concerns from neighbors about drainage, flooding and property values, commissioners voted 3-2 to turndown Brightburn Properties’ request for the rural residential zoning category, which would have allowed for mobile homes on nearly … Read more
