BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] In an emergency order Nov. 25, Bradford County joined others in north Florida in declaring a burn ban. Despite some rain Tuesday, commissioners retroactively approved the order at their Dec. 2 meeting and extended the ban through Dec. 10. Bradford County Emergency Management shared information showing Bradford County in moderate … Read more
According to multiple sources, including Action News Jax, WFTV and Fox News, Florida officials have decided to turn over 500 Chinese-made drones that were recently confiscated into military training tools. These drones, which were banned due to safety concerns, will be used by U.S. Special Operations Command for target practice at Camp Blanding from Dec. … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Bradford County commissioners granted the Florida Resiliency and Energy District permission to offer financing to commercial developers, including developer Dwight Hewett, who wants to build townhomes in downtown Starke. FRED is a separate legal and governmental entity, established under the Florida Development Finance Corporation to administer a financing program known … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Discussion of the C-PACE funding alternative for commercial projects revealed some more details about the Dwight Hewett’s CityWalk project and who might someday call it home. CityWalk has been described as a 45-unit, sustainably constructed pathway to home ownership where residents can rent, purchase or rent to own their townhome. … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Clay County public school teachers staged a protest before the school board’s November 6 meeting and then complained to the board about its offer to pay instructors during the session at Fleming Island High School. They said the offer would give zero raises to 45% of teachers and leave veteran educators … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Union County School Board elected Chris Hodgson as its chair for 2026. Hodgson takes over for Curtis Clyatt. The board elected Russell Gordon as vice chair. Clyatt nominated both Hodgson and Gordon for the offices. “Thank you all for giving me the faith to do this,” the new chair said. … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Lake Butler city commissioners heard an update on Monday, November 18, on a potential buyer for the old public works property. Keller Williams realtor Brent Line told commissioners on a Zoom call that an underground utilities contractor in San Diego is looking to relocate its operations to Florida. He said the … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] A brush fire on a private island in Keystone Heights impacted residents surrounding Lake Geneva and traffic on State Road 21 on Friday, November 21. The blaze broke out near 1455 South Lawrence Blvd. at approximately 10:34 a.m. It rapidly spread across the island, significantly affecting residents, filling the area with … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] The City Council of Keystone Heights bid farewell to Elston “Speedy” Kussler as he stepped down from his position as City Councilman and Vice Mayor. Kussler, a longtime resident of Keystone Heights, met his future wife a few years ago, and they recently purchased a home outside the city limits. Due … Read more
