BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] Few individuals dedicate as much time and effort to helping the community as Barbara Franklin. A resident of Keystone Heights and the owner of Keystone Heights Insurance, she was awarded the Board Director of the Year Award in December 2025. For the past eight years, Barbara has volunteered and served as … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] Each Year in Clay County, teachers and school-related employees are nominated by their peers for their exceptional commitment to their schools and communities, as well as their dedication to going above and beyond in their everyday lives. At the Thrasher-Horne Center in Clay County, teachers, family members, friends, and dedicated … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] The Keystone Heights Legacy 14U Fastpitch traveling team recently took to the streets of Keystone Heights to raise funds for this year’s softball World Series. The traveling team, composed mainly of Keystone Heights residents and players from Williston and Gainesville, is preparing for the World Series in July. The team consists … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] Despite the cold weather, windy conditions, and beautiful sunshine, people flocked from all over to relive history. Celebrating its 19th year, the Yesterday’s Festival at the Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park attracted over 900 attendees. Families had the opportunity to see cannons and muskets, meet Civil War reenactors, and … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The CEO of Clay Electric Cooperative said data center builders are scouting potential locations in its coverage area. Andy Chaff told the Keystone Heights Rotary Club that one data center could consume the electricity equivalent of 50,000 to 100,000 homes. “We don’t have that much capacity out there,” Chaff said of … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Clay County School District officials outlined the scope of a severe budget crisis during a lengthy workshop on January 27, revealing that the district is navigating financial challenges unlike any in its history. Superintendent David Broskie presented what he called a “financial renaissance” to the school board, detailing how multiple converging … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Clay County commissioners unanimously approved an updated strategic plan on Tuesday, January 27, incorporating changes that expand health and safety goals while improving transparency in government operations. The plan, presented by Assistant County Manager Troy Nagle introduces several new performance indicators designed to measure county services more effectively over the next … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] According to a document found by investigators at the crime scene, the 50-year-old deputies say murdered his wife before taking his own life was looking for details about the woman’s affair. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office said Loyd Alan Kerr, 50, shot his wife in the neck, resulting in her death, … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith said the man, whom deputies say shot and killed his estranged wife before taking his own life, shot himself in the head while his 11-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son looked on. Deputies said Loyd Alan Kerr, 50, broke into the mobile home of Rachael Renee Kerr, … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Bradford County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating the shooting deaths of two people on Northeast 6th Lane, off of State Road 230 near the Bradford-Clay County line. Sheriff’s Col. Brad Smith said that after receiving a 911 hang-up call at 5:15 a.m., Thursday, January 29, deputies responded to the double-wide and found … Read more
