News
Man guilty of murder
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor STARKE — A Bradford County jury convicted a Starke man for the July 2020 murder of 19-year-old Blake Reed Williams. The shooting took place on Old Lawtey Road near State Road 16. Marcus Tereual Whitfield, 33, was found guilty of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder for the … Read more
Public: ‘No more taxes and fees’ (Listen)
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD Telegraph Editor STARKE — The public said a resounding “no” to electric franchise fees or any new form of tax to bail Bradford County out of its budgetary shortfall. The special meeting began with a letter from Chairman Chris Dougherty, who was not present because of a prior work commitment — … Read more
Commission hopes budget workshops will educate
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD Telegraph Editor STARKE — After a reality check from Clerk Denny Thompson earlier this month, Bradford County commissioners are ready begin budget workshops for the next fiscal year. They want the process to be an informed and educational one, for themselves and the public. After hearing from Thompson and meeting with … Read more
Cooper not guilty in stock deal
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor STARKE — A Bradford County jury deliberated less than 30 minutes to acquit former Bradford County Commissioner, school board attorney and Starke lawyer Johnie Steven Cooper on grand theft charges. Cooper is already serving a 21-month sentence for failing to refund $53,098 in trust account funds to the owner of … Read more
UC Animal Control to raise fees
BY LARRY DUPEE Special to the Times LAKE BUTLER — Union County Solid Waste Director Kim Hayes approached the Union County Board of County Commissioners with a proposed new fee schedule that would reflect changes in the expense of running the county operation. Hayes, who also oversees Union County Animal Control, located next to the … Read more
Bradford Fair set to open March 8
BY CLIFF SMELLEY Telegraph Staff Writer The theme for the 72nd annual Bradford Agricultural Fair is “Your Field of Dreams,” and Manager Dale Woodruff has already had one dream come true. “Onward and upward, and no COVID restrictions this year,” Woodruff said. Last year’s fair took social distancing into account as booths were spaced farther … Read more
New Lake Region subdivision approved
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD Telegraph Editor STARKE — Bradford County commissioners have approved a new subdivision in the south end of the county. Unlike other subdivisions approved in the recent past, this will be a major subdivision containing 32 half-acre lots. Known as Indian Lake Ranch Phase II, the subdivision is located off Southeast Eighth … Read more
Starke Fire Department receives $33K Firehouse Subs grant
BY CLIFF SMELLEY Telegraph Staff Writer The Starke Fire Department recently added to its inventory of rescue equipment, thanks to a grant in the amount of approximately $33,000 from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. This is the third Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant the Starke Fire Department has received in the last 8-10 … Read more
Demand for cell phone antennas strong in Lake Region
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS— Assistant County Manager Troy Nagle told Clay commissioners during a recent meeting that mobile phone companies are trying to increase capacity in the Keystone Heights-area, anticipating growth in the Lake Region. He made the comments after Commissioner Betsy Condon asked him if the county could increase revenues … Read more
