New Strawberry royalty crowned
Mark J. Crawford
March 10, 2026
The 2026 Miss Strawberry Pageant of North Florida was held Feb. 28 at the Union County High School auditorium with the theme “Strawberry Bowl,” a sports-inspired celebration highlighting confidence, talent and community involvement. The annual scholarship pageant provides young women the opportunity to showcase their abilities while competing for titles...
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Lawtey swears in new council member
Mark J. Crawford
March 10, 2026
BY MELISSA PYLE Special to the Telegraph The city of Lawtey swore in its newest council member at the March meeting — Sheri Wilson. Wilson has lived in Lawtey four years and has been an active member of the community, serving on the Lawtey Recreation Board. The seat previously...
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Commission candidates filing to run for Bradford races
Mark J. Crawford
March 10, 2026
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] Two seats are open on the Bradford County Board of Commissioners, and three candidates so far have filed to run. Commissioners Kenny Thompson and Danny Riddick representing Districts 2 and 4 have confirmed they will not seek reelection, retiring at the end of their current...
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Tougher subdivision standards on hold for now
Mark J. Crawford
March 10, 2026
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] North Florida Professional Services has been at work updating the Bradford County’s land development regulations and preparing a periodic evaluation and appraisal report of the comprehensive plan required by the state. Planning and Grants Manager Brandon Stubbs and Senior Planner Justin Tabor visited the commission...
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Fees increase with change in planning and zoning
Mark J. Crawford
March 10, 2026
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD [email protected] North Florida Professional Services’ role in assisting Bradford County Planning and Zoning has been expanded. The change follows the departure of Zoning Director Randy Andrews while facing an ethics charge for misuse of office. The professional planners will continue to assist the zoning office as...
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Sports:
Tornadoes LeMire, Sapp sign to play softball, football
Cliff Smelley
March 12, 2026
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Two Bradford High School seniors announced their intention of continuing their respective sports at Webber International University during a March 4 signing ceremony in the BHS auditorium. The Babson Park university, which is approximately 60 miles south of Orlando in Polk County, is getting softball player...
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UC’s Hancock wrestles at 1A state finals
Cliff Smelley
March 10, 2026
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Union County High School’s Aidan Hancock competed in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A Wrestling Finals, going 0-2. Hancock earned the trip to state with a third-place finish at the Region 1 meet, which saw him go 4-0 after a first-round loss. At state,...
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Features:
Copeland, Desire, Morris are tops in Very Berry Bakeoff
Cliff Smelley
March 12, 2026
This year’s Bradford Agricultural Fair/Bradford 4-H Very Berry Bakeoff had 17 entries from 11 participants, with Lucian Copeland, Jorden Desire and Noah Morris placing first in their respective divisions. Entries had to feature strawberries in honor of Bradford County’s agricultural heritage. Categories were Breads, Cakes, Cookies, Candy/Dipped Items and Pies....
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BHS senior Nicolas attends program at MIT
Cliff Smelley
March 12, 2026
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Imagine a trip to the Boston area, taking in the sights and enjoying the local cuisine, but spending most of your time devoted to math and science classes. A lot of us would be on board with sightseeing and eating, but Bradford High School senior Alixiyah...
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Starke Kiwanis members hear about Blanding’s POWs
Cliff Smelley
March 12, 2026
BY CLIFF SMELLEY [email protected] Members of the Kiwanis Club of Starke heard some interesting facts about Camp Blanding during its World War II days, including that it housed more than 1,000 German prisoners of war. Camp Blanding Museum Historian George Cressman presented a program at the Kiwanis Club’s Feb. 17...
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DAR hosts Veterans Affairs representatives
Dan Hildebran
March 10, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Colonel Samuel Elbert Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held its March 2, 10:30 a.m., regular monthly meeting at Keystone Heights City Hall. Special guests and speakers included: Robin Stephens, Gainesville Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Representative to the Veterans...
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McRae Elementary receives $1,615 for its literacy program
Dan Hildebran
March 10, 2026
BY JENN SAMSEL [email protected] Pangborn Ice Cream Shop proudly donated a check to McRae Elementary School to support their literacy program. On Sunday, March 1, in Keystone Heights, Pangborn Ice Cream Shop presented a $1,615 check as part of the February Community Scoops Partners. McRae Elementary was thrilled to be...
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Crime:
2 years for threatening to kill with a hammer
Dan Hildebran
March 10, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A Melrose man who threatened a family member with a hammer last fall has been sentenced to two years in with the Department of Corrections followed by two years of probation after entering a no contest plea to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. According to...
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4 years for choking partner, damaging patrol camera
Dan Hildebran
March 10, 2026
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A 23-year-old Starke man was sentenced last month to more than four years with the Department of Corrections after pleading no contest to choking and imprisoning his live-in partner during a September altercation that also led to a criminal mischief charge stemming from an unusual encounter...
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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
