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Keystone Heights and Bradford students win debate awards
Dan Hildebran
May 14, 2026
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] Public speaking and debating can be challenging and intimidating for many students. However, two schools participated in the Florida Civic Debate Initiative (FCDI) for both the State and Northeast Regional Qualifiers and won several awards. The schools involved were Keystone Heights Junior-Senior High School and Bradford...
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Chiappini’s closing after 91 years
Dan Hildebran
May 14, 2026
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] Chiappini’s is saying farewell after 91 years in Melrose. This registered historic building, located at the intersection of State Roads 26 and 21, has been a fixture since 1935. After more than 50 years of ownership, the current owners have decided to retire. Since its inception,...
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Water district escalates water shortage to ‘extreme’ as drought, wildfires grip North Florida
Dan Hildebran
May 14, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The St. Johns River Water Management District has escalated its water shortage declaration to a Phase III “extreme” level across additional north Florida counties, district officials announced Tuesday, as more than 80 percent of the state remains in extreme drought and wildfires continue to burn across...
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KH council to send letter about vandalism penalties
Dan Hildebran
May 14, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Keystone Heights City Council directed City Manager Jamie Booth to draft a letter to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office requesting stricter penalties, including community service performed on city property, for those responsible for recent vandalism in Keystone Heights parks. Booth reported that an individual on...
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Keystone Heights sex party riles neighbors
Dan Hildebran
May 13, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A Pointview Road resident told the city council on Monday that an advertised, ticketed party at a short-term rental next door drew dozens of out-of-town guests, blocked driveways into the early-morning hours, and ended with a partygoer allegedly threatening to shoot him over a parking dispute,...
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Outgoing tourist chair recalls conference center origins, says rodeo is next step
Dan Hildebran
May 13, 2026
Long before the Governor Charley E. Johns Conference Center became Bradford County’s go-to venue for school board workshops, sheriff’s office trainings and Department of Corrections meetings, John Miller said the county had nowhere to put 50 people in a room. Miller, who chaired the Bradford County Tourist Development Council and...
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Sports:
Tigers advance to state championship game off 2-0 win
Cliff Smelley
May 13, 2026
A pitchers’ duel went the way of the Union County High School baseball team, which defeated fourth seed Cottondale 2-0 in a May 13 Rural Class state semifinal game. The top seed Tigers (23-7) will play either second seed Trenton (22-5) or third seed Holmes County (16-15) for the championship...
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UCHS’ Bethea to run track at FAU
Cliff Smelley
May 12, 2026
When Union County High School senior Amia Bethea decided to participate in track and field, she wanted to see how far running could take her. It took her to state three years and into the UCHS record books. Now, it’s taking her to the Division-I collegiate level. Bethea signed a...
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UCHS softball season ends with 9-3 loss
Cliff Smelley
May 12, 2026
Union County High School was held to three hits in a season-ending 9-3 loss to second seed Branford in a May 7 Region 3-Rural semifinal softball game in Branford. The third seed Tigers (14-12) trailed 2-0 before scoring a run in the top of the third. Lillyenne Mayhew reached...
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Features:
KHHS Student awarded the Clay County All-State High School Honor Band
Dan Hildebran
May 14, 2026
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] Keystone Heights Junior-Senior High School student Reagan Sames was awarded the Clay County All-State High School Honor Band. During the February Clay County School Board meeting, Reagan Sames was recognized as one of several students selected for the All-State Honor Band for tuba, chosen from a...
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Gold Head Kids Day Draws Crowds for Nature-Filled Family Fun
Dan Hildebran
May 14, 2026
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] The Citizen Support Organization, Friends of the Park, hosted its 1st Annual Kids Day, which was a highly successful event. Families and children of all ages attended a fun-filled day of learning and participation in nature activities. The kids explored a variety of activities, including learning...
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Rhoden earns Versatility Buckle at 4-H Horse Show
Mark J. Crawford
May 12, 2026
Saylor Rhoden of Bradford County had a standout weekend at the Area North 4-H Horse Show, held at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Competing alongside participants from several counties across north Florida, Rhoden and her horse Trooper rose to the top of the field to claim the coveted Versatility Buckle, regarded...
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May is National Foster Care Month
Mark J. Crawford
May 12, 2026
Fifty-two children are living in foster care from Bradford County. These children have been sheltered or removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect and/or abandonment and placed in foster care for their safety. While biological parents work to bring theirchildren home safely, children need loving nurturing foster homes where...
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Lake Butler Woman’s Club promotes child abuse prevention
Dan Hildebran
May 6, 2026
The Lake Butler Women’s Club members planted a blue pinwheel garden to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. The pinwheel is a symbol for child abuse prevention, representing the hope, health, and happiness of a safe, nurturing childhood. The pinwheel represents the joy and whimsy of childhood,...
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Crime:
Recent arrests in Bradford, Union and Clay
Dan Hildebran
May 14, 2026
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...
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Recent arrests in Bradford, Union and Clay
Dan Hildebran
May 6, 2026
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...
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Obituaries:
Obituaries — May 12, 2026
Cliff Smelley
May 12, 2026
Susan Dodds Susan Rose Dodds, 77, of Starke died Sunday, May 10, 2026, at her residence with her family by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, William “Bill” Dodds; children, Dr. William (Kelly) Dodds, Vanessa (David) Gann,...
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Obituaries — May 5, 2026
Cliff Smelley
May 5, 2026
Harold Davis Harold Kenneth Davis, 92, of Starke passed away Monday, March 16, 2026, at Solaris Healthcare in Lake City. He was born in Charleston, South Carolina on Aug. 13, 1933, to the late Harry K. Davis and Myrtle Gooding Davis. He was raised in South Carolina and relocated...
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Editorial:
Changing, but still home
Mark J. Crawford
April 21, 2026
Growing up in this small town was a privilege. Walking on the old railroad bed, flying down the lake hill on my bike, participating in the parade with old Station 10 — those were the days. I miss watching the stars, the wonder of hiking at Gold Head and bomb...
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Opposes ICE plan
Mark J. Crawford
April 14, 2026
Dear Editor: Did you know that Border Patrol operates for up to 100 miles inland from all U.S. borders? That puts Border Patrol active in almost all of Florida. With our Republican-controlled government, we are a tempting target for ICE and Border Patrol throughout the state. They already have four...
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POSTED 5/12/2022: CLICK HERE to download the BC Personal Taxes Display & Notice