BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Officials from Scherer Construction and the City of Starke kicked off the construction of a new stage at Starke Square during a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, September 4. In comments preceding the shooting of photographs, Scherer Marketing Manager Shelly Vickers introduced Project Manager Adam Steenbeke and Superintendent Kevin Murie, who serves … Read more
4% increases removed from resolution BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Two minutes after the advertised start time there was already a shout from the audience: “No new taxes!” That sums up much of the sentiment shared over the next four hours. Chairman Danny Riddick, an unflinching supporter of the fire assessment, … Read more
Working with incoming clerk on role BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Agreeing questions about the incoming city clerk’s duties still need to be addressed, most Starke commissioners moved forward an ordinance restoring the office of city manager. Only Commissioner Scott Roberts voted against the first reading of the ordinance because it eliminated the position of … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Addressing questions about a recently introduced ordinance related to the city manager position, Starke city attorney Scott Walker said his office does not believe it conflicts with the charter. The charter identifies the city clerk as treasurer, responsible for accounts and payments, while a chief financial officer or city manager … Read more
Engineer receives more for its supervision BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Woodward & Curran Vice President and professional engineer Justin deMello announced Aug. 26 the Starke wastewater treatment plant has reached substantial completion. This follows the commission’s decision earlier last month to pursue liquidated damages again Weiss Construction. DeMello said the construction contractor is working … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Clay County School Superintendent David Broskie highlighted the district’s achievements during an August 26 school board workshop in which school board members assessed the district’s progress in obtaining goals outlined in its strategic plan. Broski opened the workshop with a reflection on the start of the school year, likening it to … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Keystone Heights City Council approved an update to its community development plan during its August 4 meeting. The update was recommended by the CRA Board on June 23, 2025, to guide future redevelopment projects. Florida law allows cities to establish community redevelopment agencies to improve infrastructure, combat blight, and foster … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier told Bradford County Republicans that he will “fight evil every day” and uphold constitutional principles, even in the face of legal challenges. The 37-year-old told the crowd at the Gov. Charley Johns Conference Center during the GOP Patriots Dinner about his start in politics, stating that … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia put aside his government official hat at the Bradford Republican Patriots Dinner on August 29. Instead, he reverted to his posture of leading Florida Republicans as their chair, a post he held from 2015 to 2019 before his appointment by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the state’s CFO … Read more
