BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Bradford County School District said students and staff at Starke Elementary School, Bradford Middle School and the North Florida Technical College were instructed to shelter in place after an unidentified individual climbed a fence at the elementary school. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. on Friday, January 23. Bradford County … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] County commissioners have invited ICE to consider Bradford as a warehouse location for immigrants awaiting adjudication or deportation. Two — Commissioners Carolyn Spooner and Danny Riddick — voted against advancing the proposal because of the selected location. The Douglas Building — originally acquired from the state for economic development — … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Bradford High School’s graduation rate changed little in 2025. In fact, it was a tenth of a point down to 87.2%. The school had been pushing for 90% after increasing nearly five percentage points in 2024. That increase contributed to the school’s historic 2025 school grade — its first B. … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Taking inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of nonviolent change, the theme for the Concerned Citizens of Bradford County’s annual service honoring his legacy was “Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way. Presider Glenda Ruise opened the service quoting King’s words, saying, “There comes a time when … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County commissioners voted unanimously to place a half-cent sales tax referendum on the November ballot, giving voters the final say on providing additional funding for local schools facing mounting financial pressures. Superintendent Mike Ripplinger appeared before the Board of County Commissioners to request the ballot measure, which would generate an … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Pastor Patrick Maxwell delivered a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the January 19 county commission meeting, urging attendees to view the holiday as more than just a day off work or shopping sales. “MLK is more than just a day to enjoy a day off. It’s more … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Keystone Heights Mayor Nina Rodenroth outlined her vision for a Whooping Crane Festival to a Lake Region Civic group. The mayor told the Keystone Heights Rotary Club during its January 14 meeting that her inspiration for the idea came from a historical figure from Keystone’s past: Andy, the Whooping Crane. “So, … Read more
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] A residential house fire shut down portions of County Road 352, resulting in the loss of a resident’s home. The fire occurred at 5395 County Road 352 in Keystone Heights on Sunday, January 18th, at 1:30 p.m. Due to the trees surrounding the home, there was a significant concern about the … Read more
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Bradford County commissioners voted Thursday night to move forward with a proposal to turn the Douglas Building into an ICE detention facility, temporarily housing thousands of immigrants awaiting further adjudication or deportation. Several citizens spoke against the proposal, not just in opposition to the treatment of the immigrant population and … Read more
