Union officials pitch assessments to Raiford crowd

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected]  Union County commissioners made the first of several road trips around the county on Monday, November 3, to get residents’ feedback on proposed increases to special assessments and to communicate the need for the additional revenue.   Garbage assessment not adjusted in 38 years County Coordinator Jimmy Williams informed the crowd … Read more

Shed fire stopped before spreading to home

BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected]  A storage shed caught fire in Bradford County, nearly igniting the home. According to Bradford County Fire Rescue, the fully engulfed shed posed a threat to the shed owners’ home. Firefighters from Bradford and Clay Counties quickly extinguished the blaze. The incident occurred in the 400 block of Southeast 43rd Street, … Read more

Clay school board member: ‘We don’t have the money’

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected]  During their October 28 workshop, Clay County School Board members continued to discuss their budget struggles in light of state cuts to public education and dissatisfaction from the Clay Education Association about the school district’s salary offers. During the October 2 school board meeting, Vicki Kidwell, President of the teachers’ union, … Read more

Black Creek project within weeks of activation

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected]  A director for the St. Johns River Water Management District told the organization’s governing board that the Black Creek Water Resource Development Project could be activated sometime in November. Dale Jenkins, the director of the district’s Division of Infrastructure and Land Resources, told the board during its October meeting that the … Read more

Bradley awarded for Arc support

BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] While there were a number of asks from local government and community groups at last week’s legislative delegation meeting, The Arc of Bradford County with members of The Arc of Florida presented Sen. Jennifer Bradley with their 2025 Legislative Champion Award.  Bradley cosponsored a bill that improved transparency at the … Read more

Wanted: More money for local projects

BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Highlighting the successful track record of bringing financial support to the communities they serve, Bradford County’s Legislative Delegation held this year’s public hearing ahead of the next legislative session, which begins earlier in 2026 because of the election year.  Sen. Jennifer Bradley emphasized the value of strong participation in legislative … Read more

Union officials pitch local needs to lawmaker

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] In his final legislative delegation meeting before he is termed out, State Rep. Chuck Brannan (R-MacClenny) heard pleas from Union County officials for a $1.5 million water storage tank, a revived farmer’s market, and protection from looming property tax cuts that could gut local services. The annual hearing, hosted at Lake … Read more