Rainfall slightly below average BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor PALATKA— The St. Johns River Water Management District said that even though rainfall during August of 6.89 inches was 0.11 inches below the long-term average, water levels on Lake Brooklyn rose nearly 8.5 inches during the month. The increase brings the lake’s level to over 100 … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS— The Florida Department of Health’s Clay County administrator told county commissioners that new, weekly COVID cases in the county continued to decline in September. Heather Huffman told commissioners during their Sept. 14 meeting that new daily cases averaged 134 in the first week of September and dropped … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor CAMP BLANDING— Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $3.4 million in state grants for military installations and surrounding communities, with most of the funding destined for northeast Florida. DeSantis made the announcement during a Jan. 15 press conference at Camp Blanding. “We’re doing almost a million dollars for Clay County to provide … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor GREEN COVE SPRINGS— The Clay County School District Police Department is urging teachers and parents to talk to students about a social media challenge that promotes vandalism and theft. The agency said that in accomplishing the challenge called “Most Devious Lick,” students are stealing school property, clogging toilets, and painting … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook made her case for increasing property taxes to the Keystone Heights Rotary Club during the group’s Sept. 15 meeting. Cook said the proposed 10.7% tax increase county commissioners are considering would help her reduce turnover at the agency and save over $6 million. … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor FLEMING ISLAND— The Clay County School Board held a workshop on Sept. 9 to begin the process of redrawing voting districts for its five members. State law requires the board to realign its five voting districts every 10 years, based on the U.S. census. School board attorney J. Bruce Bickner told board members they must … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— In its final official act, the Keystone Heights Volunteer Fire Department gave away thousands of dollars to Lake Region nonprofits during a Sept. 9 event at the city’s beach pavilion. The funds came from the proceeds of the organization’s sales of its firehouse and rescue house on Flamingo Street. The department’s president, Tony Brown, who is also a Keystone … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The members of AMVETS Post 86 remembered the terrorist attacks and acts of heroism of Sept. 11, 2001, with a ceremony held at the post. Lt. Col. Mark Alexander began the observance by recalling the timeline of events on the Tuesday morning 20 years ago. He described the events of … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Monitor Editor KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The city council gave former Senator Rob Bradley a key to the city and declared Sept. 13 as “Rob Bradley Day” during its Sept. 13 meeting. Mayor Karen Lake said in a proclamation that Bradley championed the City of Keystone Heights by identifying the Black Creek Water Resource Project … Read more
PALATKA— The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board unanimously appointed Michael A. Register, P.E., as the district’s executive director. Register’s appointment comes after the retirement of Dr. Ann Shortelle, who led the state agency for six years. “We are pleased to welcome Mike into the executive director role and confident he will seamlessly carry on our successful work on … Read more
