News
Contracts signed for wastewater design
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Design of Starke’s wastewater extension is set to begin following recent contract approval with Woodward and Curran, which has an ongoing engineering services contract with the city. Questions about progress of the project were recently raised by the county, which has committed $4 million in pandemic relief funding to help … Read more
Guns allowed in parks under open carry decision
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Larry Ford from the Speedville area recently approached Bradford County commissioners with questions and concerns about the rules for guns in public parks. In September, Florida’s First District Court of Appeals struck down the state’s ba n on openly carrying firearms as unconstitutional, meaning legally owned guns could be carried … Read more
Extended parade route approved for Christmas
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] A longer Christmas parade in Starke this year will serve as a preview of what is to come. Scheduled as always on the second Tuesday evening in December, organizers have stretched the parade route further down U.S. 301 and decided to close all four lanes to do so. Pam Whittle, … Read more
Empty Bowls raises 10k for Lake Area Ministries
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] A vibrant room filled with eager attendees gathered together, united by the anticipation of homemade soup and bread, all in support of Lake Area Ministries. This spirit of community and generosity helped raise over $10,000 to assist with the food pantry. The 8th Annual Empty Bowls event took place on Tuesday, … Read more
New Bradford fair manager has passion for agriculture
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Harlee Hutchinson stood before the Keystone Heights Rotary Club at the Montgomery Center on November 12, sharing her vision for the Bradford County Fair with the enthusiasm of someone who grew up attending rodeos in rural Texas and never lost her appreciation for small-town agriculture. “There is something very special to … Read more
Palms Medical opens new facility at HCA
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce joined Palms Medical Group at HCA Starke ER for a ribbon-cutting within HCA’s building at the corner of Starke’s Colley Road and Call Street. CEO Anita Rembert said the hospital’s administrator brought up the new location. “We were actually meeting with the CEO at … Read more
Audit shows Starke positive financial position
Spouse travel expenses among findings BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] At the recent Starke City Commission meeting, auditors from Powell and Jones presented their annual report, offering a detailed assessment of the city’s finances for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024. The presentation, delivered by Brad Hough, offered both good news as well as … Read more
Starke signs MOU for recreation
Questions about who sits on the Bradford Sports board BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Starke has joined Bradford County in a memorandum of understanding for recreational funding, but not before contemplating changes to the Bradford Sports United board. Seeing that two of the three funding entities — Bradford County and the Tourist Development Council — … Read more
