His and other seats open to candidates BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] County Commissioner Danny Riddick has announced he will not seek reelection this year. He was emotional when making the announcement last week, saying it was a tough decision because he enjoys the job. “I’ll just tell you, God has blessed me. He’s helped … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Randy Andrews, who served as director of Bradford County’s zoning office, is no longer at work amid possible ethics charges. According to a press release following the Florida Commission on Ethics most recent meeting, the ethics commission found probable cause that Andrews “violated the constitutional amendment prohibiting abuse of office … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] According to Starke Mayor Andy Redding, discussions between consultants and the county about hosting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainment facility have not included the city commission. As citizen Paul Still pointed out during his comments to the city commission Feb. 3, the proposal calls for the extension of Starke’s … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Florida Department of Environmental Protection is updating landowners about the contamination identified in the groundwater beneath the former Department of Management Services Bureau of Federal Property Assistance warehouse on U.S. 301 south of Starke. FDEP covered the cost of extending Starke’s waterlines to the Deerwood subdivision in 2003 after some … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Recent shootings in Bradford and Union counties have underscored the crisis of domestic violence. The tragic incidents have raised awareness about the immediate need for support for victims and the roles that community members can play in offering assistance. Domestic violence can encompass physical, mental/emotional and sexual abuse — pushing, … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County Schools Superintendent Mike Ripplinger is navigating a complex landscape of declining enrollment, unpredictable state funding, and increasing competition from school choice alternatives as the district works to retain students and maintain quality education. In a recent interview, Ripplinger detailed the financial pressures facing the small rural district, which depends … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County commissioners faced questions from residents during a Monday, February 2, town hall meeting about hundreds of people living in RVs and campers who pay nothing into county coffers while using garbage collection, emergency services, and roads funded by property owners. The meeting at the Providence Community Center was part … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The St. Johns River Water Management District is experiencing drought across its entire 18-county territory, with some northern and western areas classified under severe or extreme drought conditions, officials reported during the district’s February Hydrological Conditions presentation covering January data. January rainfall across the district averaged just under an inch — … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Keystone Heights Mayor Nina Rodenroth and Seat 5 Council Member Brandon Ludwig were the only candidates who qualified for their respective offices and will therefore continue for additional three-year terms beginning in April. Rodenroth first ran for the office in 2023. She was the only candidate who qualified. She is a … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] A resident of Keystone Heights and the owner of Keystone Heights Insurance was awarded the Board Director of the Year Award in December 2025. For the past eight years, Barbara Franklin has volunteered and served as the Melrose Fire Department’s secretary, averaging 150 volunteer hours per year. The award, presented by … Read more
