Union County
Tigers still have lofty goals for 2025 season
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Union County High School football is still Union County High School football. Despite the firing of Head Coach Andrew Thomas in late May, Interim Head Coach Lamar Waters said expectations haven’t changed for a program that set the bar high when it won three straight state championships in the 1990s. “The … Read more
Obituaries — Aug. 5, 2025
Roman Alvarez Roman Mansfield Alvarez went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. A devoted Baptist minister, Roman lived a life rooted in unwavering faith, deep love for his family, a heart for missions, and a steadfast commitment to his great country. His sermons resonated with grace, his actions embodied integrity, … Read more
Union commissioners turn down crematory
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] By a 3-2 vote, Union County Commissioners rejected a special exception to its zoning code that would have allowed J.R. Davis Acquisitions, LLC. to build a crematory on Little Springs Road in Worthington Springs. Commissioners approved a rezoning for the nine-acre parcel in April and considered the special exception in July. … Read more
Croft places 6th in barrel world championships
SUBMITTED BY THE UNION COUNTY RIDING CLUB The Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry buzzed with excitement from July 19-26, 2025, as young barrel racers from across the globe competed in the National Barrel Horse Association Youth & Teen World Championships. Among the standout performers was 13-year-old Naomi Croft, a member of the Union County Riding … Read more
Three retirees honored
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Union County School District honored three retirees during its meeting on July 8. Paul Griffis Superintendent Mike Ripplinger announced that Paul Griffis was retiring after 34 years of service. “You have been a fixture,” Ripplinger told the retiree, “not only around our district, but at the football games.” Griffis said … Read more
Recent arrests in Bradford, Union and Clay
Recent arrests in Bradford, Union and Clay The following individuals were arrested recently by local law enforcement officers in Bradford, Union, or Clay (Keystone Heights-area) counties. All defendants are considered innocent until convicted in a court or until pleading guilty or no contest. Information in this report is from law enforcement agencies and court documents, … Read more
UCHS grad Jones runs at USATF Para National event
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Stirley Jones, a 2003 Union County High School graduate, earned a first-place medal at the 2025 Toyota USATF Para National Championships, which were recently held in Eugene, Oregon. Jones, who competes in the T13 visually impaired division, ran a time of 11.26 seconds in the 100m. His race involved two other … Read more
Marshall takes 5th at the AAU Junior Olympics
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Lake Butler’s Zoey Marshall earned a medal and All-American status with her performance in the 400m dash at the AAU Junior Olympics, which were held July 26-Aug. 2 in Houston. Marshall, who competes as a member of Supreme Performance Athletics, placed fifth in the 12-year-old girls division with a time of … Read more
