BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Union County High School was outscored 16-6 in the fourth quarter of a 54-49 loss to host Hilliard in a Region 3-Rural boys basketball game on Feb. 14 in Hilliard. King Madison scored approximately half of his 19 points in the fourth quarter in helping second seed Hilliard (18-5) survive and … Read more
Bradford High School will open softball’s regular season with a home game, while Keystone Heights and Union County will get their starts in road games. The Tornadoes will host Clay on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. Union also plays on Feb. 17, traveling to Bartram Trail for a 7 p.m. game. The Indians travel … Read more
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Seven players drove in a run each, while three pitchers combined to allow five hits in the Union County High School baseball team’s 9-3 win over visiting Saint Francis on Feb. 13. The Tigers (3-0) trailed 2-1 before scoring three runs in the bottom of the third. Mason Moore and Nate … Read more
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Two Union County High School girls weightlifters earned medals in the traditional event at the Feb. 13 Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A Finals, with Briena Haight placing second in her class. Haight, competing in the 199-pound class, had a clean and jerk of 170 and a bench press of … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A board-certified interventional cardiologist who recently joined the Ibrahim Heart Clinic is working to bring advanced cardiac, vascular, and valve procedures to the local community — and his message to residents is clear: early detection saves lives. Dr. Yashwant Agrawal, who goes by Dr. Yash, introduced himself and his specialties during … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County’s school district is grappling with a nearly $1.4 million budget shortfall this year and facing similar losses in the coming years, forcing Superintendent Mike Ripplinger to consider a dramatic restructuring that could include combining the middle and high schools into a single campus. In a somber district-wide meeting on … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The chair of the Union County School Board said the district was in a financial crisis after hearing that the state cut over $1.4 million in funding due to declining enrollment. “We’re in crisis,” said Chris Hodgson during a February 10 school board meeting. “I don’t know any other way to … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The man who killed two women near Providence on Tuesday, February 3, and then took his own life, posted a pair of videos on TikTok in which he described the collapse of his 13-year relationship with one of the victims. The Union County Sheriff’s Office said that around 4:30 p.m., it … Read more
The following individuals were recently arrested 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, which are public records. Bradford … Read more
William Bullard Sr. William David Bullard Sr., 88, of Starke, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. He was born April 26, 1937, in Miami to Eric and Nettie Bullard. William was united in marriage to the love of his life, Joan E. Perry, on Sept. 2, 1956. Joan preceded him in death. Together they … Read more
