Union County
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 boys still unbeaten after win over Bucs
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Visiting Branford whittled a 17-point deficit down to five, but the Union County High School boys basketball team maintained its lead to remain undefeated, getting 23 points from Jaylen Pierre in a 67-59 win on Dec. 13. A basket by Branford’s Arkayvion Jones made it a 62-57 game with less than … Read more
Obituaries — Dec. 9, 2025
Robert H. Bell Robert Hovey Bell, 90, of Melrose died Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. He served in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard and was a minister for over 40 years at Keystone Heights Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his son, James Robert Bell; and wife, Patsy Carolyn … Read more
Former UCHS football coach now at Dixie
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Andrew Thomas, the former Union County High School head football coach who was fired in May, is the new head coach at Cross City’s Dixie County High School. Thomas graduated from Dixie in 1995. It was one of the schools at which he served as an assistant coach before landing his … Read more
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, which are public records. Bradford Thomas Lyle … Read more
Lake Butler Hospital earns 5-star rating
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Lake Butler Hospital has earned a 5-star quality rating from the National Rural Rating System. The designation is the highest possible score under the performance metric. The hospital had maintained a four-star rating for about eight months before reaching the top tier, according to Cynthia Coulter, chief clinical services officer. “It’s … Read more
5 score in double figures for UCHS boys in 71-62 win over Hamilton
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Tyrese Chandler led five players with double-digit points as the Union County High School boys basketball team improved to 2-0 with a 71-62 win at Hamilton County on Dec. 5. The Tigers trailed by six at halftime, but outscored Hamilton 20-12 in the third quarter to go up 50-48. Union then … Read more
Union County may adopt Bradford’s trash decal requirement
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Union County Commissioners, during a December 1 town hall meeting in Lake Butler, discussed copying Bradford County’s trash decal program, which requires a sticker placed in the windshield for vehicles dropping off trash at county solid waste collection sites. Commissioners floated the idea after Eric Williams of Williams LP Gas said … Read more
School district thanks W.W. Gay
During the November 18 school board meeting, Union County School District officials recognized W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc. for its support of the students of Union County. Superintendent Mike Ripplinger presented W.W. Gay’s Trey Carr a plaque of appreciation and expressed his gratitude to the Jacksonville-based firm for its support of Union County students. “That … Read more
