First Federal celebrates entry into Bradford County market
Dan Hildebran
March 20, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Dan@BcTelegraph.com 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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Starke employee will be missed
Mark J. Crawford
March 17, 2026
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD mark@bctelegraph.com The city of Starke mourned the sudden loss of one of its employees this past week. City Manager Drew Mullins said Cory Adams — a meter reader — died right after work March 11. The death was not related to his job, and as he...
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Sheriff affirms right to open carry, defends staff
Mark J. Crawford
March 17, 2026
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD mark@bctelegraph.com It was the first fair under Bradford County’s ownership of the fairgrounds and the management of a new fair board, but a policy posted at the gates has led to a lawsuit. Christopher Rose II is suing both the county and the Bradford County Fair...
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Bradford awarded funds to replace truck driving school
Mark J. Crawford
March 17, 2026
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD mark@bctelegraph.com Bradford County School District has funding to build its new commercial driving range. The news came last week as part of a $9 million Florida Job Growth Grant announcement. Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $3 million so Bradford can continue training applicants for commercial driver’s licenses...
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Soil and Water Conservation District saddened by dissolution decision
Mark J. Crawford
March 17, 2026
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD mark@bctelegraph.com Citing the inability to fill its seats, the Bradford Soil and Water Conservation District has been dissolved. Amy Morie chaired the board and said despite their efforts, they have been unable to fill vacant seats. The law was changed in 2023 requiring the conservation district...
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Sports:
Tigers open Viera tourney with 12-2 win
Cliff Smelley
March 24, 2026
BY CLIFF SMELLEY cliff@bctelegraph.com Union County High School’s baseball team scored in every inning, while pitcher Brady Tetstone allowed only three hits in the Tigers’ 12-2, five-inning win over Class 7A Coral Gables on the first day of Prospect Select’s Spring Classic in Viera on March 23. Tetstone struck out...
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KHHS’ Ford is 2nd in 2 events at Knight Invite
Cliff Smelley
March 23, 2026
BY CLIFF SMELLEY cliff@bctelegraph.com Keystone Heights High School’s track and field teams competed in the March 13 Creekside Friday Knight Invite, with Baylor Ford finishing as runner-up in two events. Ford had a second-place distance of 40 feet, 6.25 inches in the triple jump, while also running a second-place time...
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Lawrence earns 2 wins for BHS at Baldwin meet
Cliff Smelley
March 23, 2026
BY CLIFF SMELLEY cliff@bctelegraph.com Bradford High School’s Elijah Lawrence won two events and was one of two individuals to earn points in multiple events at a March 13 track and field meet at Baldwin High School. Lawrence took first in the 100m with a time of 11.36 seconds and first...
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Features:
BHS welcomes new members of National Technical Honor Society
Dan Hildebran
March 20, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Dan@BcTelegraph.com 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 Dan@BcTelegraph.com 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 Jenn@BcTelegraph.com 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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The 3rd Annual “Say Yes to the Dress” event a smashing success
Dan Hildebran
March 17, 2026
BY JENN SAMSEL Jenn@BcTelegraph.com It’s that time of year when schools are coming to a close, prom is just around the corner, and weddings are happening in the community. However, buying a dress can sometimes go beyond the budget. The return of “Say Yes to the Dress” has been a...
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Crime:
Cameras track shooting suspect
Dan Hildebran
March 24, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN Dan@BcTelegraph.com Lamonte' Garcia Gamble, 20, of Jacksonville, was arrested by Bradford deputies on March 13 for attempted murder. According to the affidavit prepared by Bradford County Sheriff's Office Det. Hayley Flynn, the incident began in the early morning hours of March 2, when Lamonte Gamble was at...
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Recent arrests in Bradford, Union and Clay
Dan Hildebran
March 17, 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 — March 10, 2026
Cliff Smelley
March 10, 2026
Arnola Hall Arnola Hall, 85, of Keystone Heights died Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Middleburg. She was born March 14, 1940, in Cairo, Georgia, to James Arnold and Manola Boynton. She was preceded in death by sons, Richard Wayne (Shelli) Hall Jr. and James Scott (Pam) Hall. She was...
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Obituaries — March 3, 2026
Cliff Smelley
March 3, 2026
Wayne Alvarez Stanley Wayne Alvarez, known fondly as Wayne to those who had the pleasure of knowing him, passed away quietly at his beloved farm in Bradford County on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at the age of 78. Born Nov. 2, 1947 in Bradford County, to the late Donald and...
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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
