Union board seeks to address inequity

BY TRACY LEE TATE Times Editor LAKE BUTLER — The Union County Board of Commissioners has established its committee assignments for the coming year and each member stands ready to serve county residents with any business they may have with the various entities with which the county deals. Each commissioner deals with several committees while … Read more

Christmas on Call Street Dec. 9-12

Starke Christmas Parade, a 5K and more BY MARK J. CRAWFORD Telegraph Editor Christmas is returning to Call Street next week, with another multi-day event for families to celebrate the season and the community. With games, vendors, rides, entertainment, an evening light parade and breakfast with Santa, there will be something for everyone. Christmas will … Read more

Starke commissioner faces investigation

BY MARK J. CRAWFORD Telegraph Editor STARKE — A Starke city commissioner appears to be in hot water with employees as well as his fellow commissioners, who have launched an investigation. According to the allegations, Commissioner Danny Nugent angrily confronted employees of the city and tree trimming contractor Asplundh over trimming that was taking place … Read more

Child well-being ranked in Florida counties

BY MARK J. CRAWFORD Telegraph Editor Each community has its strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the well-being of its children, and a recent report published by the Florida Policy Institute shines a light on the strengths and weaknesses of Florida counties. Information in the 2021 County Rankings for Child Well-Being is sourced from … Read more

Dixon takes over at DOC

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor TALLAHASSEE— Twenty-five-year Department of Corrections veteran Ricky Dixon is taking the top spot at the Florida Department of Corrections. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed the deputy secretary to the agency’s top job pending the retirement of current Secretary Mark Inch. Inch was appointed in January 2019. In a  Nov. 17 news … Read more

Troopers looking for hit-and-run suspect

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor STARKE— The Florida Highway Patrol said it is looking for the driver of a pickup that hit a cyclist that was pulling a child. FHP said the black Ford F-150 struck a woman on a bicycle after swerving off County Road 100A around 1:50 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19. The … Read more

Lake Butler approves new solid waste agreement

BY TRACY LEE TATE Times Editor LAKE BUTLER — The Lake Butler City Commission, at its regular October meeting, approved a three-year extension to its agreement for garbage selection services with GFL Solid Waster Southeast (formerly WPA).  The city has been using this company for the past six years and has seen no problems with … Read more