23-year-old Firefighter tragically killed in Melrose
Dan Hildebran
March 26, 2026
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] A 23-year-old from Florahome, a firefighter with Jacksonville Fire Rescue, was killed in a traffic crash on State Road 26 in Melrose. The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 25, at 2:30 a.m. As a result, the road was closed for several hours, diverting traffic to other...
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Lake Geneva Restoration Project Underway
Dan Hildebran
March 25, 2026
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] The Lake Geneva Restoration Project has officially commenced in Keystone Heights at the Lake Geneva Boat Ramp of State Road 100 and State Road 214. On Thursday, March 19, crews went to the Lake Geneva Boat Ramp and began cutting down trees. According to the proposal,...
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Bradford County seeks community input on comprehensive, strategic plans
Dan Hildebran
March 25, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Bradford County officials and consultants gathered residents and civic leaders on Tuesday, March 24, to solicit public input on two parallel planning documents intended to shape the county's direction over the next two to three years and beyond. The event, held in an open-house format at...
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First Federal celebrates entry into Bradford County market
Dan Hildebran
March 20, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] First Federal Bank marked its entry into the Bradford County market with a ribbon-cutting celebration that drew elected officials, chamber members, and community supporters to the new branch. Incorporated as First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Live Oak in 1962, the nonprofit mutual bank, owned...
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Sports:
LBMS softball team enters SMAC tourney off a 14-4 win
Cliff Smelley
March 27, 2026
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Lake Butler Middle School’s softball team ended a two-game losing streak with a 14-4 win over visiting Suwannee to conclude the regular season on March 19. The Tigers (10-4) are the third seed in the Suwannee Middle Athletic Conference tournament, which Lake Butler is hosting at...
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LBMS baseball team closes with 2 wins, earns 2nd seed in tournament
Cliff Smelley
March 27, 2026
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Lake Butler Middle School’s baseball capped an 8-3 regular season with a 9-1 win over visiting Suwannee on March 19. The Tigers earned the number-two seed in the Suwannee Middle Athletic Conference tournament, which Lake Butler is hosting at the O.J. Phillips Complex. The Tigers will...
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KHHS softball team defeats Oakleaf to end 3-game slide
Cliff Smelley
March 27, 2026
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Kadence Massey had four RBI in helping the Keystone Heights High School softball team snap a three-game losing streak in a 10-3 win over Class 6A Oakleaf on March 26 in Keystone. The Class 2A Indians, who scored a total of five runs in their previous...
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Features:
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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Miss KHHS crowned in Keystone Heights
Dan Hildebran
March 17, 2026
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] Several women competed for the title of Miss KHHS. Kherrington Norman of Keystone Heights was crowned the winner. on Friday, March 8, at Keystone Heights Junior Senior High School. The participants showcased their talents through personal showcases, on-stage questions, casual-wear, and formal-wear competitions. Part of this...
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Crime:
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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Accused of Pocketing McDonald’s drive-through money
Dan Hildebran
March 25, 2026
Shi'Kira Jones, 22, of Starke, was arrested by Bradford deputies on March 14 for 18 counts of fraud-swindle, larceny and a probation violation. According to the arrest report, the investigation began when a store computer flagged suspicious transactions at the Starke McDonald’s drive-through register occurring between Feb. 24 and March...
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Obituaries:
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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In Memory — Al Coston Jr.
Cliff Smelley
March 24, 2026
In loving memory of Al Coston Jr. Aug. 10, 1946 - March 29, 2016 Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us every day Unseen, unheard, but aways near, Still loved, still missed and very dear.
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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
