Pennsylvania middle schooler wins Lake Butler 5k

BY DAN HILDEBRAN Henry Stewart crossed the finish line at Lakeside Park with a time of 28:05. Eight seconds later, the middle schooler’s mother completed the course at 28:13. Paige Stewart said she grew up in Union County as Paige Mosley and is the daughter of Olivia Mosley. Chrystal Woodall placed third with a time…

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State takes top one-third of Union County for conservation

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected]  The head of Union County’s Economic Development is sounding the alarm over a recent land deal between Weyerhaeuser and the state, which he said could hinder the county’s future industrial growth. Bob Cotgreave said a series of sales and conservation easements would shut off the northern one-third of Union County to…

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Union County softballers earn all-area honors

Union County High School had eight softball players earn all-area recognition with the release of the Gainesville Sun’s All-Area, the Florida Times-Union’s All-First Coast, and the Main Street Daily News-Bosshardt Realty All-Area teams. Union junior second baseman Leanne Dicks was a Gainesville Sun Small-School All-Area first-team selection. She batted .462 (third on the team) and…

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Union deputies punched, kicked, threatened

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected]  Tanisha Barnwell, 21, of Lake Butler, was arrested by Union deputies on June 25 for battery on a law-enforcement officer and making death threats to a law enforcement officer. According to an arrest report, the defendant’s mother called 911, telling a dispatcher Barnwell was “having a mental episode, punching holes in…

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Union sheriff: 3 runaways stole from cemetery

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected]  The Union County Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrested runaways in Worthington Springs after they stole items from a Mennonite cemetery, including $43 in cash. The agency identified two of the defendants as Wyatt Eugene-Ray Harris, 16, and Herbert William Coffman, III. 15. According to an arrest report, deputies were called to…

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Recorded trespass on phone

Trent Hamilton Etheridge, 48, of Keystone Heights, was arrested by Clay deputies on June 25 for trespassing. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the defendant had previously received a trespass warning for the victim’s property in the Immokalee Road area… …The officer added that the victim informed Etheridge that he was trespassing and asked him…

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School district honors departing teacher Vandiver

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected]  The Union County School District thanked a 21-year employee during the June 24 school board meeting. Elizabeth Vandiver spent her first 16 years teaching in Jacksonville before making Lake Butler Elementary School her home over the last two decades. The school’s former dean, Stephanie Sellers, now an assistant principal at the…

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Riding motorcycle 101 mph in a 65

Naketa Barnes, 34, of Palm Bay, was arrested by Bradford deputies on June 19 for resisting an officer, driving with a suspended or revoked license, possession of drugs, possession of drug equipment, and reckless driving. According to an arrest report, Deputy T. Lovell saw a southbound green motorcycle passing cars at a high rate of…

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Best dressed and closest to the pin

David Tew left Lake City’s Quail Heights Country Club with two prizes from the Union County Pop Warner golf benefit on Saturday, June 21. The retired Lawtey Community School principal won best dressed male, which came with a $100 cash prize.  He also placed closest to the pin on the 15th hole, which earned him…

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