News:
Telegraph-Times-Monitor for March 14, 2024
Mark J. Crawford
March 13, 2024
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KH approves purchase of corner lot
Dan Hildebran
March 13, 2024
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Keystone Heights council members approved the purchase contract for the southeastern corner of Walker Drive and Lawrence Boulevard during their March 4 meeting. The 0.165-acre parcel, with a street address of 125 East Walker Drive, was the site of a former Kentucky Fried Chicken beginning in...
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KH Mayor wants tougher reaction to social media, vandalism
Dan Hildebran
March 13, 2024
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Keystone Heights Mayor Nina Rodenroth said the city should respond rigorously to misinformation on social media and to vandalism and misbehavior at Keystone Beach Park. The mayor commented during a February 28 workshop in which she, her colleagues, and the public discussed communications, strategic planning, security,...
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KH planning and zoning approves variance, rezoning
Dan Hildebran
March 13, 2024
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Keystone Heights Planning and Zoning Board approved a request by a couple seeking to reduce the setback on a proposed detached garage. The panel also approved a zoning variance by acceptance for a parcel north of the city’s Family Dollar store. Vince and Pam McCloud...
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Starke clerk resigns amid confusion over election
Mark J. Crawford
March 13, 2024
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Jimmy Crosby has resigned from his position as Starke city clerk. Crosby was elected unopposed to the office in 2021, but submitted a brief letter explaining he didn’t want to continue and become a distraction. “Dear Mayor Roberts, “A question has been raised on the...
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Report resulting in forensic audit of Starke PD
Mark J. Crawford
March 13, 2024
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Starke City Manager Drew Mullins delivered a report March 12 that contradicted prior statements about a smooth transition of law enforcement responsibility from the city police department to the county sheriff’s office. In addition to unveiling Police Chief Jeff Johnson’s alleged lack of cooperation and...
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Sports:
BHS softball team makes it 2 in a row with 12-4 victory
Cliff Smelley
March 15, 2024
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Three batters drove in two runs each as the Bradford High School softball team defeated visiting Bishop Snyder 12-4 on March 14. The Tornadoes (3-6) held a 4-3 lead before scoring eight runs in the fourth. Bradford loaded the bases with one out on a Rylie...
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UCHS’ Nichols, Williams sign to play college football
Cliff Smelley
March 15, 2024
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Union County High School seniors Johnte Nichols and Thomas Williams signed letters of intent to play football at the next level during a scholarship-signing ceremony on March 14 in the school’s media center. “I’m just blessed,” said Williams, who’ll be attending Thomas University, an NAIA school...
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UCHS baseball team scores 20 again in win over Trenton
Cliff Smelley
March 15, 2024
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Union County High School’s baseball team scored in every inning and got a grand slam from Ayden Androlevich as part of a five-run fourth in defeating host Trenton 20-7 on March 14. Androlevich’s long ball put the Tigers up 12-3 as they went on to score...
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Features:
Reed celebrates 90th birthday
Cliff Smelley
March 15, 2024
Editor’s note: Most of the material for this story, except where noted, was taken from a speech Deb Reed gave at Jo Reed’s birthday party. BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Josephine “Jo” Reed has lived a full life, indicated by not only the 90th birthday she just celebrated, but also...
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McKenzie sisters, Ward receive best-overall awards for 4-H projects
Cliff Smelley
March 15, 2024
Kaitlyn McKenzie, Kierstyn McKenzie and Shawn Ward received best-overall awards in their respective age divisions for the projects they submitted for the Bradford County 4-H display at the Bradford Agricultural Fair. A paper-mache shark earned Kaitlyn McKenzie the top award in the senior division. In all, she entered three projects...
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Ward, Benton show Bradford Fair’s top poultry exhibits
Cliff Smelley
March 15, 2024
Nicholas Ward and Memphis Benton had the top poultry exhibits at the Bradford Agricultural Fair. Ward’s grand champion was a Porcelain d’Uccle hen. It was one of two blue-ribbon entries for Ward, with the other being a Calico Cochin hen. Benton exhibited both a Black Old English hen and rooster,...
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KH high school honors Vietnam veterans
Dan Hildebran
March 13, 2024
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Keystone Heights High School celebrated Vietnam Veterans Day with a ceremony honoring local veterans. Jeannie Blaylock of First Coast News organized the event. The evening anchor and winner of 26 Emmys said she began honoring Vietnam veterans after a trip to Normandy, where she reported on...
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Durrance, Stopka exhibit top rabbits at Bradford Fair
Cliff Smelley
March 12, 2024
Shayna Durrance exhibited the grand champion, while McKynzie Stopka exhibited the reserve grand champion at the Bradford Agricultural Fair’s rabbit show. Durrance’s top rabbit was a Mini Rex buck. She earned an additional two blue ribbons for a pair of Mini Rex does. Stopka, who showed last year’s grand champion,...
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Steer, swine sales total $400K-plus
Cliff Smelley
March 12, 2024
The combined steer and swine sale on March 8 at the Bradford Agricultural Fair consisted of 113 animals, which collectively sold for $436,536.90. Exhibitors Steer sale exhibitors, their 4-H or FFA affiliation and weight of their animal were as follows: Jordan Hamilton (grand champion), Bradford FFA, 247; Bailey Varnes...
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Crime:
Recent arrests in Bradford, Union and Clay
Dan Hildebran
March 13, 2024
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...
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Recent arrests in Bradford, Union and Clay
Dan Hildebran
March 7, 2024
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...
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Obituaries:
Celebration of Life — Darla Jean Christopher
Cliff Smelley
March 12, 2024
Celebration of Life Darla Jean Christopher (1959 - 2023) Darla Jean Christopher, 64, of MacClenny, received her heavenly reward on May 30, 2023. She was born and raised in Starke to Donald and Darlene Christopher. Darla was a very accomplished attorney who graduated with honors from Harvard College and returned...
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Obituaries — March 12, 2024
Cliff Smelley
March 12, 2024
Carlos Armstrong Carlos L. Armstrong, 68, of Starke passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2024. He was born June 9, 1955, in Starke to Hubert and Emma Mae (Smith) Armstrong, but he considered his stepfather, Wesley Garber, to be his father. He attended school in Bradford County and was a...
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Editorial:
Clerk addresses investigation
Mark J. Crawford
February 20, 2024
Dear Editor: I am Kellie Hendricks Rhoades, Union County clerk of court and comptroller. This letter addresses the State Attorney’s investigation of our county coordinator. Specifically, I explain both the need for the referral to the State Attorney’s office and allegations that I did not provide all relevant documents for...
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Partnership in saving the world
Mark J. Crawford
February 20, 2024
Dear Editor: Hello, this is Pastor Terry Clark with the River of Life Church here in Starke. I am writing this letter to ask for your partnership in changing the world! Yes, you read that right! Maybe you’re like us and have pondered the questions: How can I solve world...
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POSTED 5/12/2022: CLICK HERE to download the BC Personal Taxes Display & Notice