BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The chair of the Keystone Heights Airport Authority board told his fellow board members during their October 7 meeting that “a fairly significant business group from India” is interested in leasing airport land. Gen. Jim Eifert said the enterprise just completed a multi-billion-dollar project in the United Arab Emirates and contacted … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Keystone Heights city council members approved a final millage rate of 3.6073 for its 2025-2026 budget, lower than the 3.6422 tentative rate council members approved during a September 18 meeting. The city’s current rate is 3.8847. In the September 18 meeting, council members said the correct rollback rate—the millage rate at … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Madison Street Baptist Church announced it has paid off its $6.5 million mortgage. The 2005 note was used to finance its 43,000-square-foot Family Life Center. The congregation’s associate pastor of music and administration, Charles Warren, described the debt as an anchor around the congregation’s neck over the last 20 years. … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Birmingham, Alabama-based Express Oil Change joined the North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon-cutting on October 15 at the company’s 1198 S. Walnut Street location. Regional Manager Shane Baldwin said the company launched in 1979 as a quick lube service. “You sit in your car for 10 to … Read more
Starke Downtown Merchants are calling upon churches, nonprofits and anyone who loves Halloween to make this year’s Great Pumpkin Escape the best yet. Reach more than 3,000 in annual attendance by being a part of Trunk or Treat. Set up your own station with games, prizes, candy and community information. Contact North Florida Regional Chamber … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] During recent meetings, the Starke City Commission took steps toward modernizing the city’s foundational governing document, launching a discussion about forming a Charter Review Commission to update the city charter, which dates to the 1920s. Mayor Andy Redding raised the issue Sept. 23, emphasizing the need to bring the city’s … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] The Starke City Commission has adopted a new ordinance creating a formal Capital Improvement Plan process intended to coordinate, prioritize and fund major city projects over a five‑year horizon. The ordinance also adopts the 2026–2030 five‑year capital improvement program. The measure is intended to improve long‑range planning, including plans to … Read more
Lawtey keeps a fraction of the total BY MELISSA PYLE Special to the Telegraph Lawtey Police Chief Jerry Feltner began the Oct. 6 city council meeting with the required public hearing for the RedSpeed Camera program. The program began in April of 2023 as a deterrent to speeding drivers and a revenue source for safety … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] During an October 14 workshop, Union County School Board members said they favored a two-story design for the proposed Lake Butler Elementary school over a one-story option. Greg Kelly of Clemons, Rutherford and Associates, the architectural firm hired by the district to design the school, presented school board members with the … Read more
