Residents protest Trump, ICE
Mark J. Crawford
March 31, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Dozens of protesters lined the sidewalk on the southwest corner of U.S. 301 and State Road 100 in Starke on March 28 to protest the policies of President Donald Trump and a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Starke. A dozen more lined up...
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Milner to seek reelection to Starke City Commission
Mark J. Crawford
March 31, 2026
The following is an announcement of intention to seek public office submitted and paid for by the candidate. I want to thank the Bradford County Telegraph for allowing this one-time announcement of my intent to seek reelection to the District 3 seat of the Starke City Commission. It has been...
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Keystone airport eyed for aerospace overhaul
Mark J. Crawford
March 31, 2026
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] A global investment group wants to turn Keystone Heights Airport into a billion-dollar hub for drones, green energy and aerospace manufacturing. The airport could soon become home of one of the largest aerospace and aviation investments in the state’s history. Keystone Heights Airport and the...
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Budget: School districts face uncertain future
Mark J. Crawford
March 31, 2026
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] “We look fine,” Bradford Superintendent of Schools Will Hartley said when asked about the district’s financial position given the difficulties being faced across the line in Union and other counties. That’s due in part to surpassing the state’s projected enrollment for the year. Enrollment in...
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Union officials reach consensus on special assessments
Dan Hildebran
March 31, 2026
Garbage fees to rise from $70 to $100; EMS fees from $70 to $120 under plan reached at March 30 workshop BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] After months of town halls and inconclusive meetings, the Union County Board of County Commissioners reached tentative consensus Monday on its first special assessment increase...
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Sports:
BMS softball team scores runs, but falls in SMAC tourney
Cliff Smelley
April 2, 2026
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Bradford High School’s softball team got off to a good start, but just couldn’t keep up with number-one seed Lake City, which defeated the Tornadoes 17-11 in the semifinals of the Suwannee Middle Athletic Conference tournament on March 31. The fourth seed Tornadoes started the game...
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LBMS baseball season ends in with 6-0 loss in SMAC tourney
Cliff Smelley
April 2, 2026
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Lake Butler Middle School’s baseball team was held to four hits in a 6-0 loss to third seed Baker County in the semifinals of the Suwannee Middle Athletic Conference on March 31. The second seed Tigers (8-4) had runners in scoring position in all but one...
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LBMS softball team rallies late before falling in SMAC semis
Cliff Smelley
April 2, 2026
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Lake Butler Middle School rallied late, but couldn’t overtake second seed Baker County, which defeated the third seed Tigers 10-7 in the semifinals of the Suwannee Middle Athletic Conference tournament. The Tigers (10-5) trailed 9-2 before scoring three runs in the sixth. Katelynn Bennett drove in...
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Features:
Against the odds – How Lake Butler Hospital has survived and thrived as one of Florida’s last rural independent hospitals
Dan Hildebran
March 31, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Paula Webb was 19 years old, studying accounting in Gainesville, when a roommate mentioned that a physician who had just purchased a bankrupt hospital an hour north was looking for help with the books. That was 1984. Four decades later, Webb is no longer the young...
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BHS welcomes new members of National Technical Honor Society
Dan Hildebran
March 20, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Bradford High School held its 2025-2026 National Technical Honor Society induction ceremony on Thursday, March 19, welcoming 13 new members to Chapter 5123 and installing officers for the coming school year. Science teacher Camara Casson, one of the chapter’s faculty advisors, opened the ceremony by noting...
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Hope 4-H spends day at the Capitol
Mark J. Crawford
March 17, 2026
Latoya Foster and her Agriscience Foundations class attended a field trip to the Capitol for 4-H Day. “The students had an amazing opportunity to learn about their state government and have first-hand experience of the political process,” she said. “We toured the House of Representative and Senate chambers, the historical...
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Union Co. Master Gardeners graduate
Mark J. Crawford
March 17, 2026
Nine Master Gardeners completed the first Union County Master Gardener training in December 2025. The course included 50 hours of horticultural training and a field trip to the University of Florida campus for the graduation ceremony and a tour of the poinsettia production greenhouses. Master Gardeners help county extension agents...
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Physician assistant briefs senior group on colorectal cancer
Dan Hildebran
March 17, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Lake Butler Hospital recognized Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month with a presentation during its monthly “Let’s Thrive” seniors’ meeting on March 12. Physician Assistant Angelica Kraus, PA-C, noted that incidence rates among adults under 50 have been climbing for decades, while the disease remains one of the...
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Crime:
Recent arrests in Bradford, Union and Clay
Dan Hildebran
March 31, 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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Report: Walmart employee stole PlayStation to feed cat
Dan Hildebran
March 27, 2026
Michael Glover, 18, of Hampton, was arrested by Bradford deputies on March 18 for dealing in stolen property and larceny. According to the arrest report, a sheriff's deputy responded to Walmart after staff reported Glover, who was employed there, had taken merchandise without paying. Video surveillance showed Glover walking out...
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Obituaries:
Obituaries — March 31, 2026
Cliff Smelley
March 31, 2026
Doris Barbour Doris Mae Barbour, 81, of Lawtey, died Sunday, March 29, 2026, at UF Health Shands in Gainesville with her family by her side. She was born and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she met her husband, Jesse E. Barbour Sr. For years, she attended Highland First...
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Celebration of Life — Theresa Long
Cliff Smelley
March 24, 2026
Theresa Long Celebration of Life As we continue to remember and honor the beautiful life of Theresa Long, we invite all who knew and loved her to join us for a memorial and celebration of her life. Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 5 p.m. at her home in...
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Editorial:
Public deserves better notice
Mark J. Crawford
January 20, 2026
Dear Editor: Whether for or against an issue, don't we all want officials to follow the law? This past week, the Bradford County Commission voted on a controversial issue to convert the old Douglas Warehouse into a 3,000-bed ICE/DHS detention center. The agenda was only published to the county website...
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Historic loss for community
Mark J. Crawford
January 20, 2026
Dear Editor: Within the next few weeks, the community of Melrose will lose one of its most precious, historic buildings; the Mediterranean Revival Historic School House that sits on the corner of 26 and 21. This building has stood as a reminder of the importance of education and historic pride...
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POSTED 5/12/2022: CLICK HERE to download the BC Personal Taxes Display & Notice
