We are high-transmission communities for COVID

BY MARK J. CRAWFORD Telegraph Editor The number of COVID-19 cases has been rapidly rising across the country and locally. Omicron causes less severe disease than previous versions of the virus, but it is more contagious — as much as three times more infectious, according to the CDC. The Delta variant continues to account for … Read more

Minor subdivision approved near Hampton

BY MARK J. CRAWFORD Telegraph Editor HAMPTON — A new mobile home subdivision near Hampton has received reluctant approval. Following discussion, Bradford County commissioners eventually allowed the applicant to move forward. Ed Rose from Middleburg was present Dec. 16 to represent One Bradford County Starke Florida Trust, which owns the property just north of the … Read more

Lake Butler wastewater project progresses

BY LARRY DUPEE Special to the Times LAKE BUTLER — The City of Lake Butler has applied for state assistance, in the form of grants and loans, to upgrade a century-old wastewater system, as well as many other issues. With Dale Walker’s management of the city operations, plans to bring Lake Butler’s existing infrastructure up … Read more

Longtime corrections director Wainwright passes away at 98

Editor’s note: The majority of the following information was taken from Florida Department of Corrections and Corrections Foundation press releases.   “Not bad for a country boy from Lawtey.” By all accounts, those oft-uttered words by Louie Lee Wainwright Sr. were as close as he’d come to talking about his accomplishments within the Florida Department … Read more

Democratic women help families in need 

MELROSE— As they have done for the past three years, the Democratic Women’s Club of the Lakes Area adopted needy families from the Sonshine Daycare Center in Melrose this holiday season.    Three families with five children under five, including a set of 4-year-old twins were the focus of the club’s efforts this year.    Individual club … Read more

COVID cases rising again

BY MARK J. CRAWFORD Telegraph Editor A resurgence in the spread of COVID-19 has marred the holidays for many Americans. CNN reported a study from John Hopkins University that said the country is averaging nearly 200,000 new cases each day, which was an increase of 47% over the previous week and the highest daily average … Read more