Regional News Regional News

Transcription

B S e ct io n • Th u r s d ay, M a rch 2 4 , 2 016
FEATURES
CRIME
SOCIALS
OBITUARIES
EDITORIAL
Regional News
News from Bradford County, Union County and the Lake Region
Win or lose, let’s play ball!
BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Staff Writer
player Lainie Rodgers returned
to the fields where her dreams
STARKE — Florida State began to help usher in the start
College at Jacksonville softball of youth baseball/softball/T-ball
Makayla Moore sings the
national anthem. Photos:
Smelley
ABOVE: Florida
State College
at Jacksonville
softball player
and BHS grad
Lainie Rodgers
speaks to the
teams before
they play ball.
LEFT: White
Sox players (l-r)
Andy Gonzales
and Aiden
Massey are
eager to get the
games started.
seasons during the Bradford
Parents Athletic Association’s
opening-day
ceremony
on
March 19 at the Edwards Road
Complex.
Rodgers, a 2015 Bradford
High School graduate, addressed
the teams after they were all
announced, reminiscing about
how she began playing T-ball
on those very same fields on
Edwards Road.
Now, she’s the starting left
fielder for Florida State College
at Jacksonville. Prior to facing
Santa Fe College later in the day,
Rodgers was batting .370 with
seven home runs and 35 RBI.
She’s having fun playing, but
Rodgers told the children a lot
goes into enjoying the success
she’s had. Plus, to be able to
play at Bradford Middle School
and Bradford High School
and eventually earn a college
scholarship, she had to maintain
her focus in school.
“It’s a lot of work, a lot of
practice and a lot of homework,
too,” Rodgers said. “You have to
make sure you’re keeping your
grades up. Start practicing now
in getting your schoolwork done.
Then worry about your sport.”
Rodgers helped BMS win
three
straight
conference
championships. At BHS, she
helped the Tornadoes win two
district championships as well as
advancing to the Final Four her
sophomore year.
Though every one of her
BMS seasons ended with a win,
every BHS season she was part
of ended with a loss. Losses are
part of the game, which is why
Rodgers encouraged the children
to give their all no matter what.
“Winning is awesome, and
I know every one of you wants
to win when you get on the
field today, but winning is not
going to happen every time
unfortunately,” Rodgers said.
“Whenever the game is tough,
you have to make sure you keep
fighting and don’t ever give up.
“Today, I’m going to challenge
you. When you step on the field,
run as hard as you can, swing as
hard as you can and dive for any
ball that you can because if you
give your best effort, that’s all
that matters. Don’t ever give up
on yourself or your teammates.
Believe in yourself and work to
be the best player on the field.”
It was a prevalent message
stressed by several guest
speakers—give your best effort
See BALL, 5B
UC resident key figure in Bundy story
BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Staff Writer
For a boy who grew up hunting,
fishing and enjoying all kinds
outdoors pursuits, it seemed to
be the ideal job—game warden.
It was just that for current
Union County resident David
Lee, who is now retired after
approximately 35 years of
working with the Florida
Freshwater Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission.
Yet it took his firing as a
patrolman with the Pensacola
Police Department to put him on
that career path.
It all seemed unlikely at the
time. The year before his firing,
Lee was named Pensacola’s
Officer of the Year. All he did
to earn that distinction was
arrest one of this country’s most
notorious serial killers—Ted
Bundy.
“I tell people I was the talk
of the town for a while,” Lee
said. “I felt like I was riding in
a wagon, but shortly thereafter, I
was dodging the hooves.”
Lee became caught up in an
interesting chain of events that
began almost 38 years ago to the
day with a suspicious vehicle
emerging from an alleyway
behind a restaurant.
• • •
Actually, the chain of events
began when Lee ended his
midnight-patrol shift at 9 a.m.
on Feb. 14, 1978. He went to the
apartment of one of his fellow
officers, where several late-night
patrolmen gathered to wind
down.
“We sat around the pool and
had quite a few adult beverages,”
Lee said. “I went home later and
went to bed. When I woke up, I
didn’t really feel like going to
work.”
Lee called his sergeant to
say he wouldn’t be in, but the
sergeant replied he was the
fourth officer to attempt to call in
and avoid work. The order was
clear: “You’re going to come in.”
The first thing officers did on
the midnight shift was to drive
through town and check up on
businesses to see if there was
anything in the way of a kickedin door or a busted-out window.
Lee was conducting his check
of businesses when he saw a
Volkswagen Beetle emerge from
behind Oscar’s Restaurant with
its lights off.
Lee began following the
vehicle, which was being driven
by Bundy, though Lee would
have no idea who the driver
was until much later. Bundy
eventually made a couple of
left turns and stopped at a usedcar lot. Lee said it was later
determined Bundy was going to
attempt to swap license plates.
Bundy noticed Lee’s patrol
car and drove off, heading north
and out of the city limits, which
made Lee apprehensive. Lee had
recently been disciplined for
leaving the city limits.
As he followed, Lee radioed
in the tag number of the VW
and found out the car was stolen.
He activated his blue lights, and
Bundy accelerated.
“Not much of a race—a
Volkswagen Beetle and a Ford
LTD,” Lee said with a laugh.
Lee conducted a felony stop,
ordering Bundy out of the
car and onto the ground. He
thought someone was sitting in
the passenger seat, so Lee was
yelling for the other person to
exit the vehicle. Lee got one of
Bundy’s wrists cuffed, but with
his focus on the other person in
the vehicle, Bundy was able to
rise and get on top of Lee.
“I carried a .357, but my first
round was a .38,” Lee said.
“When he started to get on top of
me, I just fired up in the air. He
jumped off me and took off (on
foot).”
After discovering the other
person in the vehicle was
actually a duffle bag, Lee began
to chase Bundy, ordering him
to stop. When Bundy did stop,
Lee estimated he was a quarter
of a block away from him. Lee
saw what he thought was a gun
in Bundy’s hand, though he later
found out what he was seeing
were the handcuffs. Lee fired his
weapon.
“He went down,” Lee said. “I
said, ‘Oh, my God. I’ve killed
this man.’”
Bundy, who wasn’t hit, was
laying face down. When Lee
attempted to roll him over, Bundy
grabbed Lee’s gun. The ensuing
struggle, which had Bundy
yelling for help, woke a minister
who lived nearby. Lee said he’ll
never forget the minister yelling
at him to not hurt Bundy instead
of attempting to help him in any
way.
Lee finally subdued Bundy by
hitting him in the face with his
gun.
“If you’ve ever noticed the
booking photos when he was
first arrested, he’s got a big
bruise,” Lee said. “That’s where
that hit him.”
As Lee was escorting Bundy
to his patrol car, Bundy asked
him what his rank was. After
Lee replied he was a patrolman,
Bundy said, “You’re going to be
a sergeant after this.”
Still having no idea who the
man he just arrested was, Lee
thought, “Boy, that’s strange.’”
Bundy originally claimed he
See LEE, 2B
Teams
participated
in a poster
contest based
on the theme,
“Baseball is
the Heartbeat
of America.”
ABOVE: The
Red Hots were
the winning
softball team.
Pictured (lr) Shaynee
Brooks,
Brinley Carter
and Delaney
Crosby.
LEFT: The
Braves were
the winning
baseball team.
Pictured (l-r)
coach Netta
Gardner,
Travis Gardner
and Charlie
Morgan.
Florida Twin Theatre
All Seats $6.00 Before 6 p.m. • 964-5451
Visit us on-line at www.FloridaTwinTheatre.com
SCREEN 1
SCREEN 2
Starts Friday
Ben Affleck
Fri 7:00, 9:45
Sat 5:00, 8:00
Sun 5:10
Wed-Thur 7:15
Now Showing
Shailene Woodley
THE DIVERGENT SERIES
PG-13
Fri 7:05, 9:20
Sat 5:10, 8:10
Sun 5:10
Wed-Thur 7:30
PG-13
䌀栀愀爀氀攀猀䴀愀爀挀爀甀洀挀漀洀瀀氀攀琀攀搀栀椀猀甀渀搀攀爀最爀愀搀甀愀琀攀猀琀甀搀椀攀猀愀琀嘀愀渀搀攀爀戀椀氀琀唀渀椀瘀攀爀猀椀琀礀椀渀一愀猀栀瘀椀氀氀攀Ⰰ 戀攀昀漀爀攀愀琀琀攀渀搀椀渀最最爀愀搀甀愀琀攀猀挀栀漀漀氀愀琀䠀愀爀瘀愀爀搀唀渀瘀椀瘀攀爀猀椀琀礀Ⰰ 眀栀攀爀攀栀攀愀氀猀漀琀愀甀最栀琀⸀ 䄀昀琀攀爀爀攀愀氀椀稀椀渀最琀栀愀琀洀攀搀椀挀椀渀攀眀愀猀栀椀猀琀爀甀攀挀愀氀氀椀渀最Ⰰ 栀攀洀漀瘀攀搀琀漀爀甀爀愀氀䠀愀爀爀漀最愀琀攀Ⰰ 吀攀渀渀攀猀猀攀攀 ⠀瀀漀瀀甀氀愀琀椀漀渀㐀Ⰰ㌀㠀㤀⤀ 琀漀愀琀琀攀渀搀䰀椀渀挀漀氀渀䴀攀洀漀爀椀愀氀唀渀椀瘀攀爀猀椀琀礀✀猀䐀攀䈀甀猀欀䌀漀氀氀攀最攀漀昀伀猀琀攀漀瀀愀琀栀椀挀䴀攀搀椀挀椀渀攀Ⰰ 眀栀攀爀攀栀攀爀攀挀攀椀瘀攀搀栀椀猀䴀愀猀琀攀爀漀昀匀挀椀攀渀挀攀椀渀䴀攀搀椀挀椀渀攀⸀ 倀爀椀漀爀琀漀樀漀椀渀椀渀最倀愀氀洀猀Ⰰ 栀攀瀀爀愀挀琀椀挀攀搀瀀攀搀椀愀琀爀椀挀猀椀渀䰀愀欀攀䌀椀琀礀愀猀愀一愀琀椀漀渀愀氀䠀攀愀氀琀栀匀攀爀瘀椀挀攀䌀漀爀瀀猀匀挀
匀挀栀漀氀愀爀⸀ 䠀攀椀猀渀漀眀攀砀挀椀琀攀搀琀漀猀攀爀瘀攀瀀愀琀椀攀渀琀猀漀昀愀氀氀愀最攀猀椀渀琀栀攀匀琀愀爀欀攀漀昀昀椀挀攀⸀
“We Are Debtors”
One day on a hill my Savior died,
He paid the sin debt for you and I.
So alone was he that wonderful day,
On a hill — so far away.
His great agony was my gain,
My safety was His pain.
For God so loved the world that He
sent His Son to die for you and me.
by Henry Hodges
Lawtey, FL
Y
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2B
Telegraph, Times and Monitor B Section • Thursday, March 24, 2016
UCHS lifters, coach tabbed by Gainesville Sun as tops in area
For the second year in a row,
the Gainesville Sun has turned
its focus to Union County High
School for its all-area girls
weightlifter and coach of the year
awards.
This year, though, the Sun
couldn’t just pick one UCHS
lifter as its overall top lifter after
Brandy McCoy and Latiyah
McDonald both won state
championships—the first in
LEE
Continued from 1B
was Kenneth Misner. Materials
found in the Volkswagen,
including a Florida State
University student ID, seemed
to indicate Bundy was indeed
Kenneth Misner. The car also
contained stolen credit cards and
sets of IDs for three female FSU
students.
Misner, a track and field
athlete, saw news of the arrest
and called the Tallahassee Police
Department to report that his
wallet had been stolen from a
gym locker room a week ago.
Bundy eventually revealed his
true ID, which meant nothing to
anyone in the Pensacola Police
Department.
“I
swear,
Bundy
was
disappointed,” Lee said. “We
didn’t know who he was.”
The
Pensacola
Police
Department contacted the nearest
FBI regional office to see if
Bundy was someone the FBI was
interested in. It turned out that
Bundy had just been placed on
the bureau’s top-10 most-wanted
list. He was connected to more
than 30 murders in Colorado,
Oregon, Utah and Washington
and had escaped police custody
twice in Colorado.
A fingerprint analysis revealed
Bundy was indeed who he said
he was.
Bundy was convicted of the
Jan. 15, 1978 murders of FSU
students Margaret Bowman and
Lisa Levy and later convicted
of the murder of 12-year-old
Kimberly Leach of Lake City.
Leach was reported missing Feb.
9, 1978. Her body was found
April 7.
He was executed at Florida
State Prison on Jan. 24, 1989.
“Of course, I got the invitation
to go to the death chamber and
watch it,” Lee said. He declined.
Lee was actually living in this
area at the time of the execution
due to his duties with the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission. The man who
helped put a stop to Bundy’s
activities was no longer working
in law enforcement.
• • •
Lee, an Army veteran, was
a member of the National
Guard. He took a leave from the
Pensacola Police Department
to participate in a National
Guard training course. He was
supposed to be gone from the
police department for six weeks,
but he eventually discovered
the National Guard course was
six months long. The Pensacola
Police chief wouldn’t grant his
request for an extension of his
leave. Lee was eventually fired.
The result was that Lee asked
attorney Barry Beroset, a good
friend of his, to represent him
in taking the matter to court.
Judgment went against Lee at the
civil and federal levels before the
federal judgment was upheld by
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
school history in the sport.
McCoy and McDonald earned
the area’s top award one year
after Union’s Kaylee Findley,
who graduated last year. Like
Findley, McCoy and McDonald
both went undefeated in earning
spots in the Florida High School
Association Finals in Class 1A,
winning District 4 and Region
2 championships. They didn’t
settle for just getting there or
earning a medal for a top-six
finish. McCoy, a freshman,
won the 199-pound class with
a state-record 440-pound total,
which included a state-record
bench press of 245. McDonald, a
senior, made her second straight
appearance in the state finals,
winning the 169-pound class
with a 335 total (190 bench press,
145 clean and jerk).
Coach Bryan Griffis was
David Lee was
a longtime
game warden
in this area,
but he used
to work as a
police officer in
Pensacola and
was responsible
for arresting Ted
Bundy. Photo:
Smelley
Fifth Circuit.
Some good did come out of the
situation.
“One of the accomplishments
in my life that I’m proud of is
they actually changed federal
veterans’ re-employment rights
based on my case,” Lee said.
Another good thing—Lee
wound up working in a job
that seemed to be his true
calling. Being a police officer
in a municipality, he said he
could potentially risk his life
over something as little as $30
stolen from a convenience-store
cash register. With the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, he got to travel and
spend time on the water and in
the woods.
“Being a game warden’s got to
be the best job for a man that I
can think of,” Lee said.
Lee said most of the people
he and other game wardens run
across are good, law abiding and
ethical.
“People make mistakes,” Lee
said. “Countless times, I’d just
tell them, ‘Well, you don’t do
that again.’ They didn’t pay us by
the number of tickets we wrote.”
Lee said he encouraged
others in wildlife management
to use judgment when it came
to making a decision to issue a
citation.
“People are having a good
time,” he said. “They’re having
fun. If it’s an obvious violation
that you’ve got to deal with by
writing a paper, write it, but
always treat them with respect.”
Of course Lee had incidences
that involved more than issuing
warnings, and quite a few of
those occurred around Lake
Okeechobee—his first area of
assignment.
“Back in the day, Okeechobee
was a game warden’s heaven,”
Lee said. “There was always
something to do.”
Lee once gave a warning to
a man who had no lights on his
boat. The man was really upset,
but Lee didn’t think any more
about it until a couple of weeks
later, when he had to issue a
citation to the same man for the
same reason.
“He just went berserk,” Lee
said.
At the time, Lee was married
to a woman who was a dispatcher
for the Okeechobee Sheriff’s
Office. He asked her to run the
man’s name. It was discovered
the man was wanted for child
abduction out of California. He
was arrested by the sheriff’s
office.
“The next day, the Secret
Service flew a plane down there,
landed in Okeechobee and took
him,” Lee said. “I never heard
anymore about it. Obviously it
was something pretty serious.”
Another
incident
in
Okeechobee had Lee in his
airboat giving chase to another
boat, whose occupants were
obviously up to no good since
they chose to flee when they
first caught sight of Lee’s boat.
Lee said the boat traveled into
a marshy area he knew was
eventually going to become dry
land.
Sure enough, the boat got
stuck. Lee discovered the men on
the boat had a large cage filled
with 30 live raccoons.
“What they were doing was
trapping them and taking them
to Tennessee to a coon-hunting
club and getting paid per coon,”
Lee said.
Lee took photographs of the
evidence and issued citations.
He wasn’t taking anyone to jail,
so his work was done. The men,
though, had a rope attached to
their boat and asked him where
he wanted them to attach the
other end. When Lee asked them
what they meant, they replied,
“Well, you’ve got to spin us
around and get us out of here.”
“I said, ‘You all got here. Get
out by yourself.’ I left them,” Lee
said.
It wasn’t the only raccoon
incident Lee was involved in.
He helped stop people driving
an El Camino—with a camper
top—full of 132 live raccoons
that were being transported
north. Lee took the animals to the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Office
in Lake City. Since the raccoons
were dehydrated, he took a hose
and wet them down.
Lee called the local animalcontrol officer to see if she could
help the agency with the animals.
She said she could, but it would
cost $10 for each raccoon to be
euthanized.
“I didn’t really want to have
them put down,” Lee said.
Instead, it was eventually
decided to release the animals
into Pinhook Swamp, which
is part of the Osceola National
He is
RISEN
“He is not here…
He is risen”
— Matthew 28:6
Kingsley Lake Baptist Church will have ONE SERVICE at 10:30 AM on Easter
Sunday with the Bridge Band performing and a Choir Special.
We would love for you to join us and be a part of celebrating the Risen King!
Sunrise Services at Camp Blanding at 7:00 AM
CALL THE CHURCH TO HAVE ACCESS THROUGH CAMP BLANDING GATE
Saturday 10:00 am
Community Easter
Egg Hunt
for Children
up to 5th grade
KLBC Kidz Event!
Kingsley Lake
Baptist Church
(904) 533-2018
www.KingsleyLakeBC.com
6289 Mary Dot Lane
Starke, FL 32091
named the Sun’s Area Coach of
the Year after taking four lifters
to the state finals for the second
straight year. In the past three
seasons, he has taken a total of 13
lifters to state.
UCHS senior Latia Jackson
qualified for state this year and
joined McCoy and McDonald
as a Gainesville Sun first-team
all-area selection in the 119
class. Jackson won a District
4 championship and was the
runner-up in her class at the
Region 2 finals. She earned a
medal at the state finals, placing
fifth with a 260 total (135, 125).
Bradford High School senior
Kierston Boatwright was a firstteam all-area pick in the 110
class after advancing to the state
finals for the second straight year.
She won District 4 and Region
2 championships and earned a
medal at state, placing fourth
with a 250-pound total (125
bench press, 125 clean and jerk).
Kurston Bakken, a BHS
sophomore, was a second-team
selection in the unlimited class.
She earned third-place finishes at
the District 4 and Region 2 meets,
earning her first berth in the state
finals. She placed sixth at state
with a 355 total (190, 165).
Forest. Lee said a major fire had
burned through the swamp, so
there wasn’t much out there at
the time.
Lee and two other offices made
stops throughout the swamp so
as not to release all the raccoons
in one area. The raccoons did
not want to exit their enclosure,
so Lee and the officers had to
use catch poles to remove the
animals one at a time.
“We spent almost the entire
day restocking Pinhook Swamp
with raccoons,” Lee said.
Though Lee is still a reserve
officer with the Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission, he
is retired. He spends his time
wearing a different uniform now.
•••
The Fish and Wildlife
Conservation
Commission
uniform was the third Lee had
worn in his adult life, with the
other two being that of a soldier
and a police officer.
He now dons a fourth: Cub
Scout leader.
“I’m probably most proud of
the Scout leader (uniform),” Lee
said. “I like to think when these
boys grow up, they’ll remember
me like I remember the two
mentors I had as a young Boy
Scout.”
Being a leader is like having
a full-time job, Lee said, but
he loves it. He hosts camping
outings on his property and
has taken the Scouts to places
such as Black Creek Ravines
Conservation Area, which is
where Lee and the Scouts were
when the area experienced a few
brief snow flurries recently. Lee
said he told the Scouts, “This is
something you’ll remember and
you’ll tell your kids about—the
great snow flurry of 2016 when
you were out hiking with the Cub
Scouts.”
He enjoys watching the
children learn skills that a lot of
children don’t learn nowadays.
He’s watched his Scouts perform
a number of skills, from starting
a fire to cooking in a Dutch oven
over an open fire.
“Scouting’s a great program,”
Lee said. “Kids nowadays just
don’t get enough of an outdoors
environment.”
Lee got involved in the Cub
Scout group because his 9-yearold grandson Logan is a member.
To Logan, Lee is “Papa Bear.” To
Lee, Logan is “Little Bear.”
“When he was born, I called
him Baby Bear,” Lee said. “On
his fifth birthday, we were having
a birthday party. He said, ‘Papa
Bear, I’m too big to be called
Baby.’ I said, ‘All right. You’ll be
Little Bear.’”
This life that Lee shares with
his wife, Sheila—a Lawtey
native who works at Camp
Blanding—is much different
that the one he experienced more
than 30 years ago, when he made
one of the more notable arrests a
police officer can have. Though
he talked about the event for
this Telegraph-Times-Monitor
interview, it’s not a story Lee has
shared much. He’s glad he played
a part in preventing Bundy from
committing more murders, but he
also downplays his involvement.
“Like I tell anybody, I just
happened to be in the right place
at the right time,” Lee said. “Any
officer out there doing his job,
I’m sure, would’ve done the
same thing.”
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Thursday, March 24, 2016 • Telegraph, Times and Monitor B Section
3B
North Florida Elite teams prove they are elite at All Out event
BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Staff Writer
Stefanie Nelson asks of the
“We weren’t going in thinking
young people who represent her we’re going to get five of seven
ORLANDO — All North Starke cheer gym is that they go national titles out of this,” Nelson
said.
Florida
Elite
owner/coach out and do their best.
That’s exactly what happened,
though, as five North Florida Elite
teams won championships—
with one also winning the overall
grand championship—at the All
Out Nationals the last weekend
of February.
North Florida Elite also had
one team place second and
another place third.
The weekend was perfectly
summed up by the performance
of North Florida Elite’s Senior 1
Nitro and Senior 2 Bombshells
teams. Nelson said the goal for
both was to execute deductionfree routines—routines in which
no mistakes are made. It was
something neither team had
accomplished heading into the
competition.
Well, they executed their
deduction-free routines and
came home with the national
championships in their divisions.
The championship Senior 1 Nitro tream: (front, l-r)
Sabrina Owen, Jordan Etcher, Bailey Nelson, Parker
The Senior 2 also earned the
Lewis, Jena Wall, Josie Croft, Lauren Coleman, (back,
overall grand championship.
l-r) coach Dave Darty, Kaylee Hamrick, Sutherlyn
“They hit deduction-free on
Adams, Allyson Montane, Kaylee Tabet, McKayla
day one, found out they were in
Coleman and coach Leah Crawford.
first place and just went out there
on day two confident and killed
it,” Nelson said of the Senior 2
team.
The Senior Nitro team consists
of Sutherlyn Adams, Lauren
Coleman, McKayla Coleman,
Josie Croft, Jordan Etcher,
Kaylee Hamrick, Parker Lewis,
Allyson Montane, Bailey Nelson,
Sabrina Owen, Kaylee Tabet and
Jena Wall.
The Senior Bombshells team
consists of Michaela Bradley,
Nate Gorden, Ty Gorden,
The championship Tiny team: (front, l-r) Alivia
Oceanna Dreher, Ali Everson,
Richards, Lilly Harrington, (back, l-r) Tinley Guessford,
Abby Jordan, Cory Lloyd, Bailey
Sydni Feezel, Madison Baker, Noah Gorden, Madison
Nelson, Meonna Null Charity
Sapp and Ciara Gleen.
Packham, Jules Padgett, Teagan
The championship Mini team (l-r): Paisley Guessford, Shaley Maloney, Kerrington
MacGregor, Mallory Sanders, Ashley Rotundo, Kendall Cook, Paige Harrington,
Aubrey Nelson, Brylee Hart, Shyann Clemons, Mia Rivera and Lexy Hamm.
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The Senior 2 Bombshells won the championship in their division as well as the
event’s overall grand championship. Pictured (l-r) are: Ty Gorden, Charity Packham,
Jules Padgett, Abby JOrdan, Autumn Williams, Ciera Rowell, Michaela Bradley, Nate
Gorden, Ali Everson, Oceanna Dreher, Cory Lloyd, Meonna Null, Teagan Rhoden and
Bailey Nelson.
Rhoden, Ciera Rowell and
Autumn Williams.
National championships were
also won by the Tiny (Madison
Baker, Sydni Feezel, Ciara Gleen,
Noah Gorden, Tinley Guessford,
Lilly Harrington, Alivia Richards
and Madison Sapp) and Mini
(Shyann Clemons, Kendall
Cook, Paisley Guessford, Lexy
Hamm, Paige Harrington, Brylee
Hart, Kerrington MacGregor,
Shaley Maloney, Aubrey Nelson,
Mia Rivera, Ashley Rotundo and
Mallory Sanders) teams, while
the Youth Dynamite team (C.K.
Barnes, Madison Blanchett,
Emma
Cirigliano,
Sydney
Johnson, McKinlee Kirkland,
Kyla Maloney, Bailey Nelson,
Charity Packham, Jules Padgett,
Teagan Rhoden, Marissa Rivera,
Bailey Sanders, Sarah Siebert,
Allianna Stevens and Kaylee
Thomas) also earned a first-place
trophy.
The Junior 2 team (Madison
Blanchett, Emily Browning,
Amberly Carlton, Ty Gorden,
Sydney Johnson, Abby Jordan,
McKinlee Kirkland, Parker
Lewis, Kyla Maloney, Judy Null,
Teagan Rhoden, Marissa Rivera
and Kaylee Thomas) earned a
second-place trophy, while the
Youth Grenades team (Brylee
Brantley, Shyann Clemons, Caelynn Lewis, Rexi Lewis,
Kendall
Cook,
Charlotte Aubrey Nelson, Mia Rivera,
Gamble, Madisynn Guessford,
See ELITE, 5B
Paige Harrington, Kayla Hunter,
“Modern methods
with old-fashioned concern.”
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CHIROPRACTIC
PHYSICIAN
4B
BHS to host
Region 3-1A
weightlifting
competition
STARKE — The public is
invited to attend this year’s
Region 3-1A boys weightlifting
finals, which will be hosted by
Bradford High School on Friday,
April 1, at noon.
The event will feature 120
weightlifters representing 16
schools. This is the final qualifier
for the Florida High School
Athletic Association Finals,
which will be held Friday, April
15, at the Kissimmee Civic
Center. The winner of each
weight class at the Region 3 meet
will qualify for the state finals,
though other competing lifters
have the chance to advance as
well, dependent upon region
results throughout the state.
Admission is $7. Concessions
will be available.
Tornadoes
defeat Palatka,
sit atop district
BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Staff Writer
PALATKA — Peyton Welch
hit two home runs, while pitcher
Tucker Stack recorded nine
strikeouts in a complete-game
effort as the Bradford High
School baseball team defeated
District 5-5A opponent Palatka
on March 15.
The Tornadoes now sit atop
the district standings with a 4-1
record. Three teams have two
district losses each: Santa Fe (42), Keystone Heights (3-2) and
Palatka (3-2).
P.K. Yonge, the remaining
team in the five-team district, is
winless in six district games.
Bradford (8-7 overall) played
Ridgeview this past Tuesday and
will host Keystone on Thursday,
March 24, at 7 p.m. The
Tornadoes then host P.K. Yonge
on Tuesday, March 29, at 7 p.m.
Welch, who was 2-for-4, drove
in three runs for Bradford in the
win over Palatka, while Jameaze
McNeal, who was 3-for-4 with
a double, had two RBI. Caleb
Polk and Matt Stanwix Hay, who
was 2-for-4, each had one RBI.
Polk and Danny Clarke each hit
a double.
Stack (3-1) gave up six hits
and three walks and now has at
least eight strikeouts in each of
his wins.
Error gives
Union 4-1
softball win
over Bradford
BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Staff Writer
STARKE — An error on a
fly ball hit by Katie Zipperer
allowed three runs to score as
the Union County High School
softball team defeated Bradford
4-1 in eighth innings on March
18.
It was the second win over
Bradford this season for Union,
which improved to 11-3. The
Tigers host District 6-1A
opponent Hawthorne on Tuesday,
March 29, at 7 p.m. They then
travel to play district opponent
Newberry on Thursday, March
31, at 7 p.m. before returning
home to play Keystone Heights
on Tuesday, April 5, at 7 p.m.
Bradford (7-7) hosts District
5-5A opponent Keystone on
Thursday, March 24, at 7
p.m. The Tornadoes, who are
currently 6-0 in District 5, then
host district opponent Santa Fe
on Tuesday, March 29, at 7 p.m.
The Tigers scored first when
Devin Lewis hit an RBI double
in the top of the third. That
scored Teala Howard, who drew
a one-out walk, stole second and
advanced to third on an error.
Bradford’s Harli Phillips hit an
RBI single in the bottom of the
fifth that scored Shelby Spratlin,
who was a courtesy runner for
Annie Luke. Luke reached on an
error.
The Tornadoes threatened to
score more in the fifth, loading
the bases with two outs when—
after Phillips’ single—Meghan
Woods singled and Shianne
Cassels walked. A ground out to
short ended the inning.
Union’s Madelyn Kish led
off the top of the eighth with a
single, while Brooke Waters
and Jordan Howe each drew
a walk to load the bases, with
Jessica Howard then entering the
game as a courtesy runner for
Howe. Bradford pitcher Shelby
Wilkison then recorded her 13th
strikeout of the game, but an error
on Zipperer’s fly ball allowed all
three runners on base to score.
Gracie Blankenship hit a oneout double for the Tornadoes in
the bottom of the inning, but a fly
out and a ground out ended the
game.
Waters earned the win for
Union, pitching 3.1 innings of
shutout ball, allowing two hits
and no walks. Kaylan Tucker
started, giving up three hits and
one walk in 4.2 innings. Tucker
had four strikeouts.
Kish went 2-for-4 for the
Tigers, who had just four hits
against Wilkison.
It was the fourth straight win
for the Tigers, who entered the
game off a 13-6 win over Hilliard
on March 15 that improved their
District 6 record to 8-1.
Union fell behind 2-0 in the
first, but scored three in the
bottom of the inning, getting an
RBI double each from Kish and
Waters.
The Tigers scored six runs
in the third to go up 11-2. The
inning featured a two-run double
by Tucker and one-run doubles
by Kish and Waters.
Waters hit an RBI double in
the fifth, while Tucker hit a solo
home run in the seventh.
Tucker, who also hit a double,
was 2-for-5 with five RBI.
Kish and Waters finished
3-for-4 and 3-for-5, respectively,
with Kish driving in two runs
and Waters driving in three. Each
batter had two doubles.
Lewis drove in a run as well,
while Teala Howard and Kensley
Hamilton were 4-for-5 and 3-for5, respectively, with Howard
hitting a triple. Zipperer was
2-for-4 with a double.
Tucker started in the circle,
giving up three runs on six hits
and no walks in four innings.
Waters gave up three runs on
five hits and no walks in three
innings.
Both of Shealey’s hits were
doubles.
Cassels,
Wilkerson
and
Wilkison each had one RBI,
with Cassels and Wilkison going
2-for-4 and 2-for-2, respectively.
Gracie Blankenship went
3-for-4 with a double.
In the circle, Wilkison struck
out nine, giving up no walks.
BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
UCHS pitchers
hold Ft. White
hitless in 10-0
district victory
BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Staff Writer
LAKE BUTLER — Pitchers
Taz Worrell and Matthew
Starling combined to throw a
no-hitter, while Dalton Teston
drove in three runs for the Union
County High School baseball
team, which improved to 5-3 in
District 6-1A with a 10-0 win
over Fort White on March 18.
Worrell earned the win,
striking out seven in five innings
as the Tigers improved to 10-6
overall.
Union plays at Hamilton
County on Monday, March 28,
before hosting district opponent
Hawthorne on Tuesday, March
29. Both games start at 7 p.m.
The Tigers scored seven runs in
the second to go up 8-0, with the
highlight being a bases-loaded
triple by Teston, who scored the
inning’s final run on a steal of
home. Casey Driggers hit a triple
as well to score one run, while
Worrell drove in another on a
sacrifice fly. An error allowed a
run to score as well.
Driggers, who hit a double and
a triple, finished 2-for-4, while
Ty Cook, who hit a triple, went
2-for-4 as well. J.C. Lovelace
and Stephen Milner each had an
RBI, while Seth Hendricks hit a
double.
in the third, with Hall hitting a
bases-loaded triple and Keaton
driving in the last run on a single.
Hall and Keaton finished
Three pitchers combined to
give up four hits. Osteen allowed
two hits and one walk, while
striking out four, in two innings.
Josh Sheppard allowed two hits
and no walks in two innings,
while Terry Giles allowed no hits
and one walk, while striking out
two, in one inning.
On March 15, Hall drove
in what would prove to be the
winning run, while Keaton’s
two-run homer provided the final
margin in the Indians’ 7-4 win
over district opponent Santa Fe.
The game was tied at 4-4 when
Jackson Hicks singled, stole
second and advanced to third
on a ground out by Lewis. After
another out, Hall hit a double to
score Hicks before Keaton sent
one over the fence.
Keystone fell behind 3-0, but
scored two runs in the bottom
of the third off RBI singles by
Keaton and Tyler Ricketts.
An RBI double by Hicks was
part of a two-run fourth that gave
Keystone a one-run lead before
the Raiders tied the score in the
top of the fifth.
Hall was 3-for-4 with an
RBI, while Fowler and Keaton
were each 2-for-4, with Keaton
finishing with three RBI. Hicks
and Ricketts each had an RBI,
while Harvin hit a double.
Osteen started on the mound,
giving up four runs on six hits
and no walks. He had eight
strikeouts.
Harvin closed it out, giving
up one hit and one walk in two
innings. He had five strikeouts.
Keystone is now 3-2 in District
5.
BHS tennis
teams now
prepare for
BHS softball
KHHS baseball district tourney
team keeps
team defeats
BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Staff Writer
perfect district Iroquois 19-1
Bradford High School is
record intact
preparing
for the March 28
BY CLIFF SMELLEY
STARKE — Charli Morrow
and Savana Shealey each hit a
two-run double as part of an 11run third inning as the Bradford
High School softball team
cruised to a 15-0, four-inning
win over District 5-5A opponent
Palatka on March 15.
Pitcher Shelby Wilkison gave
up just two hits for the Tornadoes,
who improved to 6-0 in District
5. Bradford finishes out regularseason district play in its next
two contests: at home against
Keystone Heights on Thursday,
March 24, and at home against
Santa Fe on Tuesday, March 29.
Both games are scheduled for 7
p.m.
Meghan Woods also drove
in two runs off a single in the
Tornadoes’ big third inning,
which also featured one-run
singles by Shianne Cassels and
Victoria Wilkerson.
Annie Luke, who hit a double,
led the team with four RBI, while
Morrow, Shealey and Woods
each had two.
Morrow and Shealey went
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS —
Gage Hall and Tyler Keaton
combined to drive in 10 runs
for the Keystone Heights High
School baseball team, which
defeated Iroquois (NY) 19-1 in
five innings on March 21.
Keystone
(7-7)
played
Middleburg this past Tuesday
and travels to play District 5-5A
opponent Bradford on Thursday,
March 24, at 7 p.m. The Indians
travel to play North Marion on
Tuesday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m.
Hall and Keaton each drove
in two runs as part of a 10-run
first inning. Hall drove in two
on a triple, while Keaton went to
bat twice, driving in a run each
on a single and double. Wyatt
Harvin, who was 2-for-2, with
three RBI, hit a two-run single,
as did Conner Osteen. Pierson
Lewis drew a bases-loaded walk
to force in one run, while another
run scored on a Jarrett Fowler
ground out.
Keaton hit a two-run double
as part of a five-run second, that
also featured RBI singles by
Hall, Harvin and Lewis.
Keystone capped the scoring
says
Thanks!
for a Successful 2016 Fair
and to the following:
Ben Carter
BC Sheriff’s Office
Bradford County TDC
Call Street Cafe
Capital City Bank
Carl’s Signs
City of Starke PD
Clay Electric
Community State Bank
Country Caterer’s BBQ
Davis Express
Deggeller Attractions
Denmark Auto Sales
Downtown Grill
Florida Credit Union
Florida Twin Theater
Futch’s Depot
Harvey Phillips Contracting
Services
Jones-Gallagher Funeral
Home
Lazenby Equipment
Liberty Trucking
Madison Street Baptist Choir
Murray Ford Superstore
North Florida Chamber of
Commerce
Sheffield Pest Control
Showcase Advertising
Sonny’s BBQ
Starke Academy of Dance
Starke Community Church
Steakhouse in Starke
Theresa Phillips
Tony & Al’s Deli
Torrie Clark Infused Worship
Walmart
WEAG
District 4-2A tennis tournament
at The Bolles School, with girls
players Chelsea Creighton,
Rima Fares and Morgan Bradley
having earned multiple wins in
singles play during the regular
season.
Creighton, a sophomore, leads
the girls team with four wins,
which have come against Clay,
Keystone Heights, Santa Fe
and Union County. She has also
been involved in three wins in
doubles play. She teamed up with
Bradley for a win over Keystone
and teamed up with Fares for a
win over Santa Fe. Creighton
and junior Sarah Hirsch teamed
up for a win over Union.
Fares, a senior, and Bradley, a
sophomore, each have two wins
in singles play, with both wins
for each coming against Santa Fe
and Union.
Besides her and Creighton’s
doubles
victory
against
Keystone, Bradley teamed up
with Jamie Perry for a doubles
win against Santa Fe.
Perry, a senior, and Katelyn
Massey, a sophomore, each have
a win in singles against Santa Fe.
Senior Elijah Higginbotham
has been involved in three
victories for the boys team,
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defeating Santa Fe and Union
opponents in singles play, while
teaming up with fellow senior
Elijah Smith for a doubles win
over Santa Fe.
David Powell, another senior,
has a win in singles over Clay.
The remainder of the girls team
is composed of Megan Brown,
Dima Fares, Jenin Fares, Grace
Frederick, Victoria Krausie and
Tiffany Ritch, while the rest
of the boys team is composed
of Kyle Caraway, Griffin Hart,
Lance Leukal, Ben Miller and
Kyle Plasters.
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ELITE
Continued from 3B
Ashley Rotundo and Mallory
Sanders) earned a third-place
trophy.
Nelson was proud of every
team, of course, but also singled
out the Mini, Junior 2 and Youth
Grenades teams.
The music cut off during the
majority of the Mini team’s
performance, but it didn’t faze
the competitors for the most part.
“They kept going,” Nelson
said. “They were barely flustered
by it.”
The team was given the
opportunity to perform its
routine again, so it made for a
5B
full day, especially considering
that many of the members were
also competing that same day on
the Youth Dynamite team.
Nelson
would’ve
been
impressed no matter where the
team placed, so the fact it earned
the championship trophy says a
lot.
“Their endurance and their
stamina and their ability to adapt
so quickly to a situation—I was
in awe of that,” Nelson said.
The Junior 2 team was in
third place after the first day, but
added a stunt to its routine and
increased its score on the second
day to where it placed second,
while the Youth Grenades team
had a well-earned third-place
trophy after going up against stiff
competition.
“They were in a really, really
hard division,” Nelson said of
her Youth Grenades performers.
“A lot of them are newer to the
age level. They went out there
and hit a good routine.”
Rather than resting on their
laurels, those who did so well
at the All Out Nationals showed
up at the North Florida Elite
gym ready to work and keep
improving. Nelson said that’s a
credit to them and their parents.
“They didn’t come in
arrogant,” Nelson said. “They
came in confident in their skills,
but ready to work to make the
necessary changes to take them
to the next level.”
The championship Youth Dynamites team: (front, l-r) Madison Blanchett, Allianna
Stevens, Bailey Nelson, Charity Packham, McKinlee Kirkland, Bailey Sanders, CK
Barnes, Marissa Rivera, (back, l-r) coach Stefanie Nelson, Emma Cirigliano, Jules
Padgett, Kaylee Thomas, Sydney Johnson, Sarah Siebert, Teagan Rhoden, Kyla
Maloney and coach Megan Ford.
The second-place Junior 2 team (l-r): Amberly Carlton, Teagan Rhoden, Sydney
Johnson, Kaylee Thomas, Parker Lewis, Emily Browning, Ty Gorden, Abby Jordan,
Marissa Rivera, McKinlee Kirkland, Kyla Maloney and Madison Blanchett. Not
pictured Judy Null.
The third-place Youth Grenades team: (front, l-r) Caelynn Lewis, Kayla Hunter,
Mallory Sanders, Ashley Rotundo, Kendall Cook, Paige Harrington, Aubrey Nelson,
Shyann Clemons, Mia Rivera, (back, l-r) Charlotte Gamble, Brylee Brantley, Rexi
Lewis and Madisynn Guessford.
“We want you to go out and have
fun. Sometimes we think about
the game as being about winners
Continued from 1B
and losers, but today, there are
no matter what. Starke’s vice no losers. Someone will score
mayor, Carolyn Spooner, said, a higher score, but when you’re
going out and you put your
heart into it, you work hard and
you’ve done your best, you are a
winner.”
Bradford County Sheriff
Gordon Smith said the children
are learning life lessons. No
matter how hard life gets, he said,
you get back up, dust yourself off
and get ready for the next pitch.
“In life, a lot of things happen
to us, but it’s like baseball,”
Smith said. “We get up tomorrow,
and it’s a whole new ball game.
To you young men and women
out there, keep swinging for the
fences. This is what life is all
about.”
Ceremonial first pitches were
thrown by Jordan Norman and
Masey Padgett, with Jackson
Gracelin Cook is escorted Thames and TaKeirra Bakken
doing the catching.
onto the field by her
coach—and dad—Chris
Player Makayla Moore sang
Cook.
the national anthem, while
player Liberty Baucom gave the
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Lake Butler
Braford
Fire players
(foreground, l-r)
Allie McFarland
and Gracie
Manning and
Red Hots player
(background)
Tamia Young
observe the
national anthem.
opening prayer.
and Starke City Manager Tom
Matt Stucky gave the closing Ernharth judged the posters.
prayer.
A poster contest was held
based on the theme, “Baseball is
the Heartbeat of America,” with
a baseball team winner and a
softball team winner picked. The
Braves were the winning baseball
team, while the Red Hots were
the winning softball team, though
their poster playfully extolled the
virtues of softball over baseball.
Spooner,
Smith,
Starke
Mayor Danny Nugent, Starke
commissioner Wilbur Waters
Sheriff Gordon Smith
匀倀刀䤀一䜀匀䔀刀嘀䤀䌀䔀匀倀䔀䌀䤀䄀䰀
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Starke Vice Mayor Carolyn
Spooner
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6B
d
Obituaries d
Ocala to the late Charles H. and
Viola W. (Watson) Hardee and
was a Methodist. He retired from
Windstream Telephone Company
and served in the United States Air
Force.
His survivors are: his wife, Anna
L. (Hallman) Hardee of Melrose;
daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Susan
Sailor and Dr. Joel Sailor of Keystone
Heights; and two grandsons.
A private family gathering and
interment in Pierson Methodist
Church Cemetery will be at a later
date. In lieu of flowers contributions
may be made to the Melrose
Volunteer Fire Department, P.O.
Box 646, Melrose, FL 32666.
Arrangements are by JonesGallagher Funeral Home, Keystone
Heights.
SR-230 E (2 miles east of US-301)
They will know
when we glow
Two miners had been searching
for gold for months. Their efforts
went unrewarded until one day
when they struck it rich. They did
not want anyone to know where
they discovered their “fortune”
until they staked their claim. But
they needed supplies badly.
They decided to go into town,
buy what they needed, tell no
one of their discovery and return
to their cabin. In spite of their
silence, when they returned to
their cabin they discovered a large
crowd waiting for them. Their
happiness, joy and excitement
gave away their discovery.
Whatever we have on the
inside always appears on the
outside. When God resides
within us, His glory will be
reflected through us.
One day Moses met with
God. When he returned to his
followers, his face glowed with
God’s glory, letting the people
know that he had been with God.
When you and I spend time
with God, reading His Word and
praying, others will know that we
have been with Him. It will show
in us and through us.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I know
that others will see You in the
things that I do, the places I go
and the statements I make. Help
me to spend time alone with You
that I may reflect Your grace in
my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Scripture for today (Exodus
34:28-30): So when Aaron and
all the children of Israel saw
Moses, behold, the skin of his
face shone, and they were afraid
to come near him.
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Banquet Hall • Driving Range
Glenn Conner
Glenn Conner
Glenn L. Conner has gone on
from this life on Thursday, March
17. Glenn loved life, his family and
his tree farm. He grew up in Starke,
and attended the University of
Florida. He was very much a Gator!
He is survived by: his wife Beth;
children, Leonard, Sheila, Helen,
Maggie, Patti, and John; his beloved
grandchildren, and his sister, June.
Glenn worked hard and helped get
all six children through college. A
life well-lived. His presence will
always be felt by his family and
friends. Service was held at Quest
Church, Gotha, on March 21.
PAID OBITUARY
Infant Carter
June Keefe (386-431-1830) for
Still time to
more information.
Evan Denmark
register for
Infant Carter Evan Denmark
was born Friday, March 18, 2016 to
Bradford
Starke Kiwanis
parents, Meagan Carter and Evan
Denmark at St. Vincent’s Medical
Athletic
Assoc.
golf tourney
Center and weighed six lbs and
ten ozs. Carter went on to be with
our Lord Jesus Christ that same
STARKE — The 13 annual to host Family
Kiwanis of Starke golf tourna- Fun Day April 2 day. Carter is deeply loved by his
Mommy and Daddy, Big Sister
ment will be held Friday, March
th
25, beginning with a shotgun
start at 8:30 a.m. at the Starke
Golf and Country Club.
Prizes will be awarded to the
first-, second- and third-place
teams.
The tournament is composed
of four-player teams at a cost
of $50 per player. That includes
cart, lunch and goody bag.
Lunch will be provided, courtesy of Call Street Cafe.
Prize drawings will be held for
golf packages.
Applications are available
at the Starke Golf and Country
Club clubhouse.
Contact Barry Warren at 352494-3326, Tatum Davis at 904263-0410 or Cheryl Canova at
904-964-5382 for more information.
Local DAR
chapter meets
April 4 at
Betty’s Pizza
MELROSE — The Col.
Samuel Elbert Chapter of the
National Society Daughters of
the American Revolution will
hold its regular meeting on
Monday, April 4, at Betty’s Pizza
& Subs (S.R. 26, next to the
Melrose Post Office). Parking is
available behind the business.
The program will be presented
by Laura Pond, chairman of the
Florida State Society Daughters
of the American Revolution
Records Preservation Committee
and a member of the FSSDAR
Speakers Staff. Her topic will
be, “Florida Originals: Pioneers,
Cowboys and Cattle.”
June Keefe will be the hostess.
Visitors are welcome.
Any woman 18 years or older,
regardless of race, religion or
ethnic background, who can
prove direct descent from a
person who aided in achieving
American
independence
between April 19, 1775, and
November 26, 1783, is eligible
for membership. Please contact
Leslie Harper (352-475-5090) or
STARKE — The Bradford
Athletic Association is hosting
a Family Fun Day fundraiser
Saturday, April 2, at the
downtown square from 8 a.m.
until 5 p.m.
Five to seven bounce houses
will be a part of the fun, while
parents can sign their children
up for BAA football and
cheerleading.
Concessions will be available,
including cotton candy and snocones. Dinners will be available
for purchase as well.
Admission is $5 per person.
The
Bradford
Athletic
Association is in need of football
and cheer coaches. Please contact
Braxton Britt at 904-364-7185 if
interested.
Piper, his Grandparents, Doyle
and Trish Carter and Ron and Jo
Ann Denmark, his many aunts
and uncles and cousins. Carter will
always remain his parents precious
baby boy and Piper’s little brother
and they will hold him again in
heaven one day.
Private Family Services were held
on March 23 with Pastor Michael
Ragland officiating. Meagan and
Evan want to thank family and
friends for all their prayers and
support that they have been given
through this difficult time. More
importantly, they thank the Lord
Jesus Christ for his love and comfort
he has given them.
If anyone would like to make
a donation in Carter’s memory,
please donate to “Now I Lay Me
Down To Sleep” Infant Bereavement
Photography at www.nilmdts.org
StarkeJournal.com
PAID OBITUARY
Card of Thanks
The family of Freddie D.
Mack would like to express
our sincerest thanks to
everyone in the community
who supported us during
our loss. Your support
meant so much to our
family.
The Mack Family
VeRonica R. Owens
Attorney at Law
• Last Will and Testament
• Power of Attorney
• Living Will and Healthcare
Surrogate Designation
• Living Trusts
• Probate Administration
• Real Estate
• Deed Preparation
• Real Estate Closings
• Contracts
• Family and Juvenile Law
• Criminal and Traffic Matters
www.VeRonicaROwens.com
Geraldine Griffis
STARKE— Geraldine Griffis,
age 93, of Starke went to be with God
on Thursday, March 17, 2016. She
was born in Lake Butler on Dec. 31,
1922 to the late James W. and Leaty
(Groves) Todd and was a lifelong
resident of Starke. Mrs. Griffis was
a homemaker and was known for her
kind and generous nature by always
willing to give. She enjoyed reading,
loved spending time with her family,
and was a wonderful mother and
grandmother whom will be greatly
missed by everyone. Her husband,
Ancil W. Griffis had preceded her
in death as well as two sons, Joseph
Griffis, Sr. and Bobby Griffis; three
grandchildren, Joseph Griffis, Jr.,
Tracy Griffis and Kenneth Stall;
three great grandchildren, Thorne
McSpadden, Mariah Hagen and
Manuel Reagan along with five
siblings.
Her survivors are: her 11 children
and their spouses, Leroy (Jan) Griffis
of New Falls, OH, Leo (Joann)
Griffis of Callahan, Donald (Judy)
Griffis of Lake Milton, OH, Lamar
(Benita) Griffis of Raiford, Sadie
(James) McKinney of Hampton
Lake, Janie Heiken of Andalusia,
AL, Bernice (Johnny) Manning of
MacClenny, Carolyn Mintz and
Joan Buschel both of St. Petersburg,
Annette (James) Tomlinson and
Evelyn Crawford all of Starke. Also
left behind are 36 grandchildren; 71
great-grandchildren; 14 great-greatgrandchildren; and numerous nieces
and nephews.
Funeral services were held
March 21 at Sampson City Church
of God with Reverend Gene Bass
officiating. Interment followed at
Evergreen Baptist Church Cemetery
in Raiford. Arrangements are by
Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 620
Nona St. Starke, FL 32091. www.
jonesgallagherfh.com
904-9646200.
PAID OBITUARY
Golf Lessons by Appointment
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Professionally Run Tournaments
Pro Shop – Gift Certificates
Home of the Strawberry Invitational
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North Florida
Pharmacy
of Keystone Heights
Friendly, Personal, Fast Service
with Pharmacist Jim Autry & staff.
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All Insurances plus
All Medicaid & Medicare Part D Plans
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(352) 478-2057
Mon–Fri 8 am — 6 pm
Sat 9 am — 1 pm
405 S. Lawrence Blvd.
Keystone Heights
Robert Hardee
MELROSE— Robert Wilson
Hardee, 82, of Melrose died
Thursday, March 10, 2016 at North
Florida Regional Medical Center.
He was born on Oct. 15, 1933 in
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7B
Obituaries d
Randolph
Hunnicutt
RAIFORD— Randolph “Randy”
William Hunnicutt, 58, of Raiford,
died Sunday, March 20, 2016. He was
born in Jacksonville, but returned
to the Raiford area in 1999 after
retiring from 23 years of service in
the United States Marine Corps and
Navy. He was born to the late Bill
and Debbie Dowling Hunnicutt.
He is survived by: daughter, Jamie
(Kevin) Sapp of Minneola; sister,
Diane (Ken Beaudua) Hunnicutt of
Gainesville; partner, Bama Austin of
Raiford; and two grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held
11:00 am Thursday, March 24 at
the Archer Funeral Home Chapel in
Lake Butler. Interment will follow
in Sapp Cemetery. The family will
receive friends at the funeral home
Wednesday evening from 6 – 8
pm. Arrangements are under the
direction of Archer Funeral Home,
Lake Butler.
Lynn McKellips
Lynn McKellips
MELROSE—Lynn N. McKellips
passed away Sunday, March 13,
2016 peacefully in the company
of her husband and three sons at
Shands UF Hospital. She was born
in San Bernardino, CA in 1945. She
met Alan in Fort Lewis, WA and
was married in Honolulu, HI and
has lived in Melrose since 1976.
Lynn was a retired schoolteacher
of 30 years at Keystone Heights
Elementary School. She graduated
from University of Florida and
was a member and elder of Faith
Presbyterian Church, Melrose.
She is survived by: her husband
of 49 years, Alan; sons, Justin (his
wife, Natalie), Cord, and Taylor; and
grandchildren, David, Kenna and
Ian.
A memorial service will be
held at Faith Presbyterian Church,
2738 S.E. State Road 21, Melrose,
Saturday, April 2 at 2:00 pm with
Rev. Glenn Dickson officiating. In
lieu of flowers donations can be made
in her name to Faith Presbyterian
Church. Arrangements are under
the care of Forest Meadows Funeral
Home, Gainesville. PAID OBITUARY
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away on Tuesday, March 15, 2016
at her home in Theresa. Hazel was
born in Tallapoosa, GA and raised
by her grandparents, Samuel and
Nancy McMichael. She graduated in
Rome, GA and then went to Atlanta
to participate in the war effort where
she was a machinist. She went on to
be a communication specialist for
the US Govt. at Selfridge Air Force
Base and NAS JAX. She was 1958
winner at the Westminster dog show
at Madison Square Gardens and
bred and raised a World Champion
Quarter Horse on her Twill Do Farm
in Theresa. She was predeceased by:
her son Robert Michael Phifer; and
her husband, Robert Kenneth Phifer.
She is survived by: her daughter,
Patricia Phifer Trout of Starke; and
two grand sons, Timothy William
Trout and Phillip LynDale Trout,
both of Jackosnville, and her foster
son, Lee Alien Bourgois of Starke.
Mema was a positive influence on
so many lives. We are so blessed to
have her.
A graveside service will be held at
Crosby Lake Cemetery on March 28
at 11 am with Reverend Jim Crosby
and lay minister Percy Sullivan in
attendance. A private memorial
will be held at her home with dinner
served at 1 pm with friends and
family.
PAID OBITUARY
18865 US HWY 301 N.
STARKE, FL 32091
Phone: (904) 368.2277
www.transformations122.org
facebook.com/transformations122
Alphonso Pernell Sr.
Alphonso
Pernell Sr.
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Serving Families in North Florida since 1973
The area’s largest supplier of Colored Granite
When Quality Counts, You Can Count On Us
STARKE OFFICE OPEN 8:30 to 5:00 MON-FRI
Hwy 301 North, Starke • 904-964-2010
(Next to Best Western)
Primary Location in Lake City at 561 NW Hilton Ave.
Member of Better Business Bureau
Monument Builders of North America
Florida Monument Builders
FL Lic. # F037700
STARKE—Alphonso L. Pernell
Sr., 36, of Starke died Thursday,
March 17, 2016. He was a life long
resident of Starke and a member
of New Bethel Baptist Church.
He attended the local schools of
Bradford County.
He is survived by: his parents,
mother and stepfather, William Jr.
and Barbara Ann McCloud Aldridge
of Starke; father and stepmother,
Ike and Maria Pernell Sr. of Starke;
daughters, Makiya Ford and Tyneria
Pickney, both of Gainesville; sons,
Te’Ondre Waldon, Leonta Pernell,
Alphonso Pernell Jr. all of Starke;
brothers, Isaiah Pernell, Ike D.
Pernell, Dameon Butler, Joshua
Pernell, William Aldridge III all of
Starke, Varaschi Pernell of Orlando;
sisters, Melody Pernell, Artesha
Pernell, Stacy Kelly, Jacqueline
Thomas all of Starke, and Betty
Thomas of Cocoa.
Funeral services will be held at
11:00 am on Saturday, March 26
at the New Bethel Baptist Church
Starke with Rev. Robert Ellis
conducting the services. Interment
will be held at Oddfellow Cemetery
Starke. Arrangements under the
direction of Haile Funeral Home
Inc. Visitation will be held on
Friday, March 25 at the Carl D Haile
Memorial Chapel/Haile Funeral
Home. Family hour 1:00-2:00 pm,
friends 2:00-7:00 pm and one hour
at the church prior to the services on
Saturday. The cortège will form at
the resident of Mr. and Mrs. William
Bill Aldridge 1402 Debra Street,
Starke at 10:30 am March 26.
Hazel Phifer
Tribute To Mother
STARKE—Hazel Doris Thurman
Phifer, 93 yrs. of Starke, passed
Herbert Rix Sr.
Herbert Rix Sr.
STARKE—Herbert James Rix,
Sr., age 87, of Starke, passed away on
Sunday, March 20, 2016 at Malcom
Randall VA Medical Center in
Gainesville. He was born in Eldred,
PA on Aug. 2, 1928 to the late Walter
George Rix, Sr. and Sophia Brecht
Rix. He was a Navy veteran, cabinet
maker, carpenters Local Union 637,
American Legion Post 56 and V.F.W.
Post 1016. Herbert was predeceased
by his parents; six sisters; five
brothers; his wife, Tommie Lou
(Reid) Rix; son, Herbert J. Rix, Jr.;
and grandson, Ricky Wilbourn.
Herbert is survived by: his loving
children, Mary (Louis) Combs of
Macclenny, Artis Duane Rix (Diane
Ennis), Linda Wilbourn (Randy
Howell) of Starke; grandchildren,
Rebecca (Chad) Cason, Shawn
Combs of Macclenny, Jacqueline
Combs of Tampa, James Clinton Rix,
Angela Rix of Starke, Clinton Rix of
Gainesville, and Randy Wilbourn
of China; great-grandchildren, Sean
and Gabrielle Fogarty, and Parker
Cason.
A Graveside Service will be
held on Friday, March 25 at 11:00
a.m. at Crosby Lake Cemetery with
Chaplain Glen Busby and Melvin
Lane officiating. Military honors
will be rendered following the
service. The family will receive
friends on Thursday, March 24 from
6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Archie Tanner
Memorial Chapel. Arrangements
are under the care and direction of
Ferreira Funeral Services and Archie
Tanner Memorial Chapel. Please
visit www.ferreirafuneralservices.
com to sign the families’ guest book.
PAID OBITUARY
Isaac Warren Jr.
Isaac Warren Jr.
STARKE—Isaac Warren, Jr., age
74, of Starke passed away at Shands
UF in Gainesville on Saturday,
March 19, 2016. He was born in
McBean, GA, Jan. 23, 1942 to the
late Isaac and Carrie Bell (Williams)
Warren. Mr. Warren had been a long
time resident of Starke and was the
owner and operator of “Ike’s Clean
All” for many years. He was a fan
of all sports, especially football,
and he never met a stranger. Mr.
Warren loved spending time with his
family and being with friends. He
was preceded in death by: his
brothers, Lonnie Warren of Starke,
MacArthur Warren of Philadelphia,
PA; his daughter-in-law, Melissa
Warren of Chicago, IL.
His survivors are: his four
children, Roxanne Beamon, Tina
Turner, Dana Warren, and Russel
Warren, all of Ellenwood, GA; six
siblings, Mary Alice Williams,
Carolyn Gaines, and James Warren
all of Philadelphia, PA, Bernice
Wynn, of Augusta, GA, Mary John,
and Joseph Warren, of Savannah,
GA. Also left behind are his nine
grandchildren, Tinika Cousin of
Lithonia, GA, Michael Cousin,
Rhein Beamon, Brandon Beamon,
Danae Warren-Nichols, Victoria
Warren-Nichols, Lauryn WarrenNichols, Robert Nichols IV, and
Gavin Warren all of Ellenwood,
GA; four great-grandchildren, and
numerous nieces, nephews, and
cousins. Funeral services for Mr. Warren
will be held at 11:00 a.m. on
Saturday, March 26 in the DeWitt
C. Jones Chapel with Mr. Johnny
Peoples officiating. The family
will receive friends beginning at
10:00 a.m. Family and friends of
Mr. Warren will be gathering at
The Bradford County Fairgrounds
immediately following the service.
There are so many of you, whom
Isaac loved and appreciated, as
well as his surviving family also
appreciates. In like manner to what
the apostle John said in regards to all
of Jesus’ words and deeds, while on
earth they could not be contained in
all the world. (John 21:25) Likewise, it
is humanly impossible to thank each
person individually for their positive
influence. Therefore, in order not to
glorify one and forget another, we
would like to say to all: Thank You!
For all of your love and support over
the years for Isaac and his family,
which is greatly received and much
appreciated. Arrangements are by
Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 620
Nona St. Starke, FL 32091. www.
jonesgallagherfh.com
904-9646200.
PAID OBITUARY
James Willis
JACKSONVILLE— James “Jim”
L. Willis, 77, died Sunday, March
13, 2016. He was born in Petersburg,
IN, but had lived for several years in
Gainesville after moving there from
Jacksonville. He was a veteran of
the United States Navy and Army,
and was a truck driver for several
years. He was a member of the
Lenox Avenue Church of God in
Jacksonville.
He is survived by: his wife of
46 years, Ellamae Willis; brothers,
Bob Willis and Jack Willis, both
of Petersburg, IN; and several other
nieces, nephews, and other family
members.
A
graveside
service
was
held March 17 in Elzey Chapel
Cemetery in Worthington Springs.
Arrangements are under the
direction of Archer Funeral Home,
Lake Butler.
PAID OBITUARY
William
Whitehead
LAKE BUTLER—William J.
“Bill” Whitehead, age 84 of Lake
Butler, passed away peacefully
Thursday, March 17, 2016, at Lake
Butler Hospital surrounded by his
family. Bill was born Dec. 4, 1931
in Lake Butler to Andrew and Virdie
Palmer Whitehead. He graduated
from Union County High School
in 1950. Having proudly serving
almost four years in the Korean
War, Bill returned home. He was
a Christian and lifelong member
of First Christian Church of Lake
Archer
Funeral Home
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Butler. Bill was honored to have
worked with world-renowned civil
engineers as an instructor in Soil
Mechanics at the University of
Florida. After retiring in December
1983, he enjoyed many years hunting
and fishing in Star Lake, Cracker
Boys and Little Hell hunting clubs,
where he made lifelong friendships.
He enjoyed working in his yard, and
learned that the ruts under the swing
set were a symbol of love. He was
preceded in death by: his parents,
Andrew and Virdie Whitehead;
brothers, A.W., Alfred, and John;
and sisters, Merle Brown and Olene
Douberly. He was also preceded
in death by one great-grandson,
Eli Stephen Kemp; and a daughter,
Cynthia Mallard. Bill was always
so proud of growing up in Union
County on the family farm. He
cherished the time spent with his
parents and brothers and sisters and
kept those memories in his heart
always. He was a man of his word,
and believed that to have a friend,
you had to be a friend.
He is survived by: his loving
and devoted wife, Betsy Shoucair
Whitehead; sons, Joe Whitehead
(wife Susan), Lake Butler, Paul
Whitehead, Glen St. Mary, and
Mitchell Mallard (wife Esther),
Alachua; daughters, Debbie West
(Wayne) and Donna Conner, both
of Glen St. Mary, Deborah Mallard,
Alachua, and Nancy Starling (Shay),
Keystone Heights.
He is also
survived by: 15 grandchildren and 18
great grandchildren. Bill also leaves
behind two brothers, Jack and Jimmy
Whitehead, both of Lake Butler, and
a host of loving nieces, nephews
and many, many more family and
friends. The family thanks the staff
of Lake Butler Hospital who showed
unending compassion to Bill during
his final days.
The funeral service was held on
March 20 at First Christian Church,
Lake Butler. In lieu of flowers,
remembrances may be sent to
Haven Hospice of Lake City, or First
Christian Church, Lake Butler.
55 North Lake Avenue • Lake Butler, Florida 32054
Dorothy Yaxley
Dorothy Yaxley
GAINESVILLE—Dorothy
Marie Maynard Yaxley, age 82 of
Gainesville passed away Monday,
March 21, 2016 at Shands at UF
surrounded by her family. She was a
member of Wesley United Methodist
Church, Rob Morris Chapter #310
Order of the Eastern Star and CoOwner of Quality Glass and Mirror.
She is survived by: her daughter,
Linda (Frank) Yaxley-Nosko; son,
Richard (Penny) Yaxley Jr.; three
grandchildren, Richie and Jason
Yaxley and Misty Martin; and one
great granddaughter, Jade Martin.
Funeral services will be held at
11:00 am on Friday, March 25 at
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Gainesville with Rev. Harry
Holloman officiating. Visitation
will be held on Thursday, March
24 from 5:30—7:30 pm at Forest
Meadows Funeral Home Chapel.
Arrangements are under the care
of Forest Meadows Funeral Home,
Gainesville. In Lieu of flowers
donations may be made in her
name to Wesley United Methodist
Church in Gainesville.
PAID OBITUARY
8B
t Crime t
Recent arrests
in Bradford,
Clay and Union
were located and arrested in
the following days. During
Buchholtz’s arrest, deputies
found crack cocaine and a glass
pipe in his front pocket, leading
to the additional charges. Bond
was set at $20,000 for Buchholtz,
while bond was set at $6,000 for
Bradford
Troy Lamorris Aaron, 19, of the charges against Robbins.
Lawtey was arrested March 19
Jonathan Will Burgio, 22, of
by Starke police for possession
of cocaine and possession of Starke was arrested March 16 by
marijuana. According to the Starke police for felony probation
arrest report, Aaron offered to violation. Bond was set at $200
sell a person crack cocaine while for the charge.
at Huddle House in Starke. The
James Kyle Carney, 24, of
person called law enforcement
after leaving, and when an officer Melrose was arrested March 18
located Aaron at the restaurant by Bradford deputies for two
and asked him about the charges of public order crime–
allegation, he denied it. He did keep public nuisance structure
admit to having marijuana in his for drug activity, two charges of
pocket, but police also observed selling cocaine, manufacturing
a capsule that contained three cocaine, for possession of
small pieces of crack cocaine. cocaine–with intent to sell,
Aaron was arrested, with bond possession of marijuana and
drug equipment and probation
set at $12,000 for the charges.
violation
(see
Telegraph
Arthur Robert Alvarez, 45, of A-section for details).
Starke was arrested March 21 by
Ronald Vernie Clemons, 50,
Bradford deputies on an out-ofcounty warrant from Columbia of Jacksonville was arrested
for probation violation on March 21 by Bradford deputies
original charge of driving while on a warrant for burglary of
license suspended or revoked. No an unoccupied structure and
bond was allowed for the charge. larceny–grand theft less than
$5,000. According to the offense
Barry Lynn Atwood, 62, of report, Clemons was involved in
Wesley Chapel was arrested a burglary of a Keystone Mini
March 15 by Starke police Storage unit in December 2014
during a traffic stop for driving when heavy duty tarps, several
while license suspended or dehumidifiers, cases of door
revoked, possession of harmful locks, padlocks and various
new legend drugs without a items were taken, with some
prescription,
possession
of eventually put on Craigslist for
cocaine and possession of sale. One suspect was arrested
marijuana–not more than 20 several weeks after the burglary,
grams. Bond was set at $9,000 and a warrant was issued for
Clemons’ arrest. Bond was set at
for the charges.
$100,000 for the charges.
Monte Allen Austin, 30, of
Travis Dekon King Covington,
Bradford deputies for possession 29, of Starke was arrested March
of cocaine and possession of 18 by Starke police during a
drug equipment (see Telegraph traffic stop for driving while
license suspended or revoked,
A-section for details).
possession of cocaine and
Levi Anthony Benson, 29, of possession of drug equipment.
Brooker was arrested March 19 Bond was set at $21,000 for the
by Bradford deputies during a charges.
traffic stop for driving while
Raymond Leon Doles, 36, of
license suspended or revoked
and possession of marijuana–not Jacksonville was arrested March
16 by Lawtey police during a
more than 20 grams.
traffic stop on an out-of-county
Joshua Logan Buchholtz, 27, warrant. Bond was set at $750
of Lawtey was arrested March 21 for the charge.
by Bradford deputies for larceny–
Elijah Franklin Gainey, 23, of
grand theft less than $5,000,
possession of cocaine and Starke was arrested March 17
possession of drug equipment. by Starke police during a traffic
Steven Wade Robbins, 28, of stop for driving while license
Lawtey was arrested March suspended or revoked, possession
20 for larceny–grand theft less of marijuana with intent to sell
than $5,000 and knowingly and possession of marijuana–not
giving false information to more than 20 grams. Bond was
law enforcement during an set at $7,000 for the charges.
investigation. According to the
Lafonda Norman Garrard,
arrest report, Buchholtz and
Robbins stole an ATV from a 45, of Lake Butler was arrested
property on March 18 and hid March 16 by Bradford deputies
it on the property of a friend’s for driving while license
relative the night it was stolen. suspended or revoked–second
After law enforcement was called offense. Bond was set at $500 for
by the owner of the stolen ATV, the charge.
the deputy discovered tracks
Wesley Scott Godwin, 41 of
leading to the friend’s property
and was able to track down a Hampton was arrested March 15
vehicle seen in the area by other by Bradford deputies on a warrant
residents. The friend that hid the for seven charges of conspiracy to
ATV was questioned further by purchase a controlled substance–
the deputy and eventually called Oxycodone. Bond was set at
Robbins and Buchholtz, with $105,000 for the charges.
the two admitting to taking the
James Michael Harper, 34, of
vehicle. The ATV was found
later, but had been severely Hampton was arrested March
damaged, with all of the plastic 19 by Bradford deputies for
coverings removed and the contempt of court–violation
front axle unbolted from the of injunction for protection
frame. Robbins and Buchholtz domestic violence. According to
the arrest report, Harper yelled
and cursed at the victim—whom
he has a baby with—after she
refused to let the child visit with
him. Bond was set at $10,000 for
the charge.
Kimberly Marie Henry, 34 of
Starke was arrested March 15
by Bradford deputies on an outof-county warrant from Clay for
non-support. Bond was set at
$1,500 for the charge.
Craig Jerome Jenkins, 36, of
Starke police for misdemeanor
probation violation. Bond was set
at $598 for the charge.
Javaris Eugene Kates, 25, of
Bradford deputies for battery and
for simple assault–threat to do
violence. According to the arrest
report, Kates started arguing with
several relatives about a phone
charger when he threw a box and
struck his sister in the face with
it. He eventually returned with a
rake and threatened his brother.
Bond was set at $5,000 for the
charges.
of a firearm. According to the
offense report, a homeowner
reported that two handguns had
been stolen from their home in
December. The owners reported
that Williams had been working
at their home on the outside one
day while no one was home, but
they didn’t observe any forced
entry into the house. Several
weeks later, the owners called
deputies to report that Williams
had called to say he had taken
the guns and given them to a
drug dealer in Waldo. Williams
wasn’t located until last week
and was arrested on the warrant.
charges.
Brandon Scott Wynne, 34, of
by Lawtey police during a traffic
stop for driving while license
suspended or revoked and sex
offender violation–failure to
comply with registration law.
charges.
Keystone/Melrose
Misty Cardenas, 41, of
Keystone Heights was arrested
Brittany
Rachel
Moore, March 20 by Clay deputies for
27, of Melrose was arrested failure to appear.
March 18 by Bradford deputies
Nancy Bruce Davis, 49, of
for public order crime–keep
Melrose
was arrested March 16
public nuisance structure for
drug activity, two charges of by Putnam deputies for fraud.
possession of cocaine–with intent
Austin Michael Lay, 21, of
to sell, two charges of selling
Melrose
cocaine and three charges of
possession of drugs–controlled by Putnam deputies for dealing
substance without a prescription in stolen property.
(see Telegraph A-section for
James Lewis, 21, of Melrose
details).
was arrested March 21 by Clay
Michael Brandon Morris, 35, deputies for petit theft.
of Starke was arrested March
Rocky Lane Lord, 42, of
15 by Bradford deputies on an
Melrose
out-of-state warrant from Will
by
Putnam
deputies for battery.
County, IL for failure to appear
on original charge of aggravated
Kenneth Waters, 31, of
delivery of methamphetamine.
Hampton
No bond was allowed for the
by
Clay
deputies
for violating a
charge.
protection injunction.
Henry Arnett Ross, 37, of
Lawtey was arrested March 19 by
Bradford deputies for possession
of marijuana–not more than 20
grams. According to the arrest
report, deputies entered Club
LA in Lawtey to speak with the
owner when Ross was observed
dropping something on the
ground that turned out to be
marijuana. He was also holding
some marijuana in his closed
hand and was arrested in the bar.
Nicole Ann Smith, 40, of
by Bradford deputies for felony
probation violation. No bond was
allowed for the charge.
Robert Earl Terrell, 46, of
by Bradford deputies during a
traffic stop for driving while
license suspended or revoked–
habitual offender and attaching
registration/license plate to
vehicle not assigned to. Bond was
Michael
Keyon
Weston,
31, of Archer was arrested
March 17 by Bradford deputies
for misdemeanor probation
violation. No bond was allowed
for the charge.
James Alan Williams, 24,
of Starke was arrested March
17 on a warrant for burglary of
a dwelling structure and two
charges of larceny–grand theft
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in
Tomas Edwardo Wichterman,
32, of Keystone Heights was
arrested March 20 by state
troopers for driving with a
suspended or revoked license.
Henry Wimberly, 26, of
Keystone Heights was arrested
March 15 by Clay deputies for
robbery.
Union
Maria Shantia Johnson, 29,
of Lake Butler was arrested
March 14 by Union deputies
on two warrants for petit theft,
counterfeiting of public record
certificate, forgery–alter public
record certificate, etc., passing
a forged altered instrument,
larceny–theft less than $5,000
and fraud–utter false instrument.
charges.
Robert Edward Lukatz, 26,
March 16 by Union deputies on
a warrant for felony battery. No
bond was allowed for the charge.
Misty Jolynn Thourot, 35, of
Union deputies for misdemeanor
probation violation. Bond was set
at $5,000 for the charge.
Thomas Gene Ward, 46,
March 21 by Union deputies for
disorderly intoxication.
Tommy Young, 49, was
arrested March 17 by Union
deputies on two charges of felony
probation violation. No bond was
allowed for the charges.
Billy Joe Ziesmer, 32, of Lake
Butler was arrested March 15
by Union deputies on a warrant
for hit and run–failure to stop or
remain at crash involving injury
and reckless driving. Bond was
Jerry Alan Johnson, 41,
of Worthington Springs had
additional charges filed against
him on March 16 after his arrest
on March 13 for felony battery.
Johnson was also charged with
aggravated battery–cause bodily
harm or disability, kidnapping–
false
imprisonment
and
obstructing justice–intimidate
or threaten a victim or witness.
According to the arrest reports,
Johnson was arguing with his
girlfriend and becoming violent
toward her the night before his
March 13 arrest. She went and
hid in the shower, but Johnson
eventually broke the door down,
with the door hitting her in the
head and causing a large bump.
He then broke her cell phone
to prevent her from calling law
enforcement. The next night,
Johnson
started
behaving
aggressively toward the victim
again, so she grabbed several
things and started to leave the
residence. Johnson grabbed her,
threw her on the bed and started
hitting her in the face and head.
He hit her several times in the
same place where the shower
door had injured her the previous
night. The victim then got up and
left the residence, walking down
the road and leading Johnson
to call law enforcement. She
returned to get her purse when
a deputy arrived, with EMS
arriving a short time later. When
EMS started to transport the
victim, they notified the deputy
that she started to fall asleep,
most likely from a concussion.
EMS then notified the deputy a
second time they had to trauma
alert the victim due to a possible
head bleed, which caused her
heart rate to drop. Two days later,
on March 15, it was reported
that the victim was still in the
hospital in intensive care with
very serious injuries and facing
a possible long-term disability
from the battery she received
from Johnson. The following
day, the additional charges were
filed against Johnson, who is still
in jail on a $35,000 bond.
(904) 964-6305
(352) 473-2210
(386) 496-2261
Classified Ads Bradford • Union • Clay
40
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42
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47
Notices
Auctions
Motor Vehicles & Accessories
RVs & Campers
Boats &ATVs
Land for Sale
Real Estate Out of Area
Commercial Property
(Rent, Lease, Sale)
48 Homes for Sale
49 Mobile Homes for Sale
50 For Rent
51 Lost/Found
52 Animals & Pets
53A Yard Sales
53B Keystone Yard Sales
53C Lake Butler Yard Sales
54 Produce
55 Wanted
56 Antiques
57 For Sale
58 Child/Adult Home Care
59 Personal Services
60 Home Improvement
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Scriptures
Vacation/Travel
Love Lines
Business Opportunities
Help Wanted
Investment Opportunities
Hunting Land for Rent
Carpet Cleaning
Food Supplements
Money to Lend
Farm Equipment
Computers &Accessories
Word Ad Classified Tuesday, 12:00 noon
Classified Display Tuesday, 12:00 noon
TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED USE YOUR PHONE
964-6305 • 473-2210 • 496-2261
Classified Advertising should be paid in advance unless credit has already been established with the
newspaper. A $3.00 service charge will be added to all billing to cover postage and handling. All ads
placed by phone are read back to the advertiser at the time of placement. However, the classified staff
cannot be held responsible for mistakes in classified advertising taken by phone. The newspaper reserves
the right to correctly classify and edit all copy or to reject or cancel any advertisements at any time. Only
standard abbrevations will be accepted.
40
Notices
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. All real
estate advertising in this
newspaper is subject to
the Federal Fair Housing
Act of 1968, which makes
it illegal to advertise “any
preference, limitation or
discrimination based on
race, color, religion, sex
or national origin, or an intention to make any such
preference, limitation or
discrimination.” Familial
status includes children
under the age of 18 living
with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women
and people securing custody of children under
18. This newspaper will
not knowingly accept any
advertising for real estate,
which is in violation of
the law. Our readers
are hereby informed that
all dwellings advertised
in this newspaper are
available on an equal
opportunity basis. To
complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at
1-800-669-9777, the tollfree telephone number
for the hearing impaired
is 1-800-927-9275. For
further information call
Florida Commission on
Human Relations, Lisa
Sutherland 850-488-7082
ext #1005
41
Auctions
MW AUCTIONS having annual Spring Farm Equipment Auction on March 26
@ 9:30am at the Dwight
Davis farm, 9818 NW
CR 236 Alachua, FL.
Have farm equipment,
hay equipment, tractors.
Too many items to list.
Call Matt for more info,
352-316-6515. See us
on Auctions Zip AB2853
& AU3439
42
Motor Vehicles
& Accessories
UP TO $500 CASH FOR
JUNK $CARS$. Free pick
up, running or not. Call
352-771-6191. CASH $
CASH $ CASH
45
Land for Sale
BUILDING LOT near Starke,
NE 17th Ave & NE 158th
St, Golf Course. Nice
looking, good neighborhood in County. Special
price $30,000. Call 904364-9022
CITY LOT off Center Street
on Alverez Court. $6,000.
Call 904-364-9022
HWY 230 E. 2 parcels, 2.67
acres & 1.26 acres wooded by concrete bridge.
Parcel 1 & parcel 2 of Security Home Sites, survey
available. $18,900. Call
904-364-9022
FOR SALE (4) city lots.
Property located on Geiger Road. Water, sewer
available. Zoned SFR.
Contractor/builder special
$32,000 takes all four.
Call 904-364-9022
47
Commercial
Property (Rent,
Lease, Sale)
DOWNTOWN STARKE Retail and/or Office Space
for rent. 113-115 E. Call
St. 144 to 1100 square
feet available. Call Jerry
at 904-364-8395
PRIME OFFICE SPACE
FOR RENT. 1,000 sq. ft.
up to 9,000 sq. ft. Contiguously at $8 per sq. ft.
annually. Smith & Smith
801 South Water Street
Starke, FL 32091
TDD/TTY 711
1, 2, & 3 bedroom HC &
Non-HC accessible
apartments.
Realty 904-964-9222.
8 - B AY C O M M E R C I A L
BUILDING for rent. Formally Carlos Auto Repair,
270 Fox Run, off Commercial Circle in Keystone
Heights. Suitable for auto
repair, paint and body,
storage or other uses.
$1000/mo. Call Jeannie
Breedlove at 352-4752838
50
For Rent
WE HAVE 2 OR 3 bedroom MH, clean, close to
prison. Call 352-468-1323
PERMANENT ROOMS
for rent at the Magnolia
Hotel. Both refrigerator
and microwave. Special
rates, by the month. Call
904-964-4303 for more
information.
NEWLY RENOVATED mobile homes. 2 & 3 BR.
Lakefront 2BR house.
Starke & Lake Butler.
1-678-438-6828
9B
HIDDEN OAKS MHC2BR/2BA/$545,
3BR/2BA/$595. Close to
A+ schools, city water/
sewer, ch/a. Lake Butler
386-496-8111 Mike
Lake Butler, Union County
FL. Manufactured home
for rent. Completely Remodeled, 2BR 1 1/2 Bath.
Brand new floors, walls,
kitchen and bathrooms.
Storage shed with washer dryer hookups. Large
yard. No pets. Security
deposit. Available April
1st 352-339-4045 or 352339-3015
S TA R K E - 1 B E D R O O M
apartment. Large living
room, sit-down kitchen
with appliances, ch/a,
window coverings, rent
$470, security deposit
$450. Dixon Rentals 904368-1133.
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS lakefront 2/1 MH. Available
March 25th. Perfect setting for retirees. Lawn
care included. Shaded
oaks, $600/mo. plus deposit. CH/A, screened
porch, safe area, near
shopping. Call 352-4788321.
4 BLOCKS from Keystone
Schools. 3BR/2BA MH
with additional living
room. Corner lot, fencedin back yard. Large shed.
904-881-5177
HOUSEMATE sought. Female preferred. Mature,
easygoing. Smoking
household, but NO drugs
or alcohol. MUST LOVE
CATS! $400/mo. Miss
Julie 904-964-5693.
$550/MO. EFFICIENCY
APT. 315c area. Two
rooms clean, Direct TV
and utilities paid. Onep e r s o n n o n s m o k e r,
nondrinker, proof of employment. References.
Available April 1st. 352478-9569
LARGE master bedroom w/
private bath for rent. SR
100, 3 mi. from Starke.
Kitchen available, smoke
areas. $320/mo. 904769-8077
R O O M M AT E w a n t e d christian male seeks
non-smoker. 2BR/2BA
MH on farm, between
Lawtey & Starke-$100/
wk & half utilities.
CH/A, cable, internet.
904-553-1063
57
For Sale
OFFICE BUILDING for sale.
Stable income producing
rental base. 113-115 E.
Call St. $249,000. Call
Jerry Williams, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Premier
Properties 904-364-8395.
MOBILE HOME & city lot,
walking distance to town.
Good investment or residential home. $22,000
considers owner finance
w/cash down payment
or vehicle. Call 352-4788321
INTRO INVESTMENT
Why not let your purchase pay for itself. In
town of KH, 3/2 SWMH
with add on, fenced
yard, walk to store or
school. Two lots many
possibilities $35,000.
Owner/Broker J. Carroll
352-258-3898
STUMP KNOCKER boat. 20
Mercury w/trailer. $1,800.
904-964-6565
2000 FORD WINDSTAR.
Auto transmission, V6
3.8, DVD, new tires, cold
air, electric side doors.
$2800 or will trade for
auto transmission truck.
904-364-9869
2003 CHEVY S-10. Good
transportation. $2495.00
Call 904-964-6305
59
Personal
Services
CLARK FOUNDATION REPAIRS, INC. - Correction
of termite & water-damaged wood & sills. Leveling & raising Houses/
Bldgs. Pier Replacement
& alignment. We do all
types of tractor work,
excavation and small
demolition jobs. Free Es-
Where one call
does it all!
timates: Danny (Buddy)
Clark, 904-545-5241.
MATURE CNA caregiver
will work 5 or 6 days a
week. Live in or out. References yes. Cooking,
light cleaning, doctors,
errands, shopping. Own
car with drivers license.
904-769-8077
65
Help Wanted
OPPORTUNITY for retired
educator or other that
wants a part-time assignment. In need of persons
to report on public meetings (County, City, School
Board, etc.). Accuracy
and writing abilities necessary. Computer skills
essential. Outgoing personality helpful. Email
classads@bctelegraph.
com or send resume to
P O Drawer A, Starke,
FL. 32091
DRIVER WANTED-Clean
CDL Class A license required. Local route, dump
trailer experience a plus.
Green Technologies,
LLC. 352-379-7780, ask
for Barbara
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Resident
Assistants and Personal
Support Services for developmentally disabled
adults. Several positions
avail, varying schedules.
Must be at least 21, have
HS diploma or equivalent,
clean FL DL & able to
pass D.O.T. physical and
Level 2 BG check, computer literate. Drug-Free
Workplace. Res Asst.
must have proof of 1-year
care giving experience
with disabled persons;
Personal Support must
have 2 years. Apply in
person at 1351 S Water
St., Starke
JARMON’S ORNAMENTAL Concrete is currently
accepting applications
for part-time help. H.S.
Diploma or GED & clean
valid Florida drivers license required. Drug free
workplace. No experience
necessary, we will train.
Applicant must be in good
physical health & able to
lift heavy objects. Drop off
resume or apply at 2000
N. Temple Ave. (Hwy 301)
Starke, FL.
DRIVERS NEEDED. Darling Ingredients is currently seeking drivers
with a Class A license.
Work Monday thru Friday
and be home every night!
Lake Butler
Apartments
1, 2, 3 & 4
Bedroom
apartments with rental
assistance.
Call 386-496-3141
TDD/TTY 711.
This institution is
an EOE.
Now Accepting
Applications
1&2
Bedrooms
NOW
AVAILABLE
1 AND 2
BEDROOM APARTMENTS
607 Bradford Court
Starke, FL
$
460 – $505
Equal housing opportunity.
This institution is an equal
opportunity provider & employer.
Call for more info
904-964-6216
Hearing Impaired Only
call 800-955-8771
Handicapped Accessible
This Institution is an Equal
Opportunity Provider
and Employer.
EQUAL HOUSING
LAWN
SERVICES
• Mowing
• Weed Eating
• Edging
• Hedge Trimming
LOCAL BUSINESS
FREE ESTIMATES
TEACHER (K1): M-F 8:15
AM-5:15PM. Applicant
must have completed 45
child care training hours
and a minimum of 1 year
of experience. CDA preferred. Call 352-47-4040
or visit www.myhopechristianacademy.org.
OPPORTUNITY
Hwy
301
Sat &
Sun
Darling Ingredients offers a full benefit package including medical/
dental/vision and 401k.
Please apply in person at 11313 SE 52nd
Ave Starke, FL 32091.
EOE/DFW
ATTENTION- (ASE certified
tech). Do you want to own
your own business? We
supply the money and
much more-salary, medical, ownership, not just a
job a career w/retirement.
904-533-1063
9th Annual Easter Egg & Scavenger Hunt
2200+ Eggs filled w/ Eggs Candy, Trinkets & Other Surprises
Gold & Silver Egg/ Easter Bunny
FREE for kids ages 1-10 • Register @ Stage 10AM • Hunt @ 11AM
Keenan Tree Service
Trimming & Removal
Competitive Prices
Insured!
FREE ESTIMATES
No Job Too Big or Too Small!
352-603-3318
352-473-4420
LIC# 2199 • INSURED
Cell: 904-966-3017
PINE FOREST/STARKE HOMES
APARTMENTS
1530 Madison St • Starke
Southern Villas
of Starke
Ask about our
1&2 BR Apartments HC &
non-HC Units. Central AC/
Heat, on-site laundry,
playground, private, quiet
atmosphere.
(904) 964-6312
TDD 711
NOW RENTING
• Central Heat & Air • 24 Hr Emergency
Maintenance
• Playground
• All Apartments
• Laundry Facilities
Ground Level
1001 Southern Villas Dr.
Starke, FL
1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments!
“Equal Housing Opportunity”
This institution is an
Equal Housing Opportunity Provider
and Employer.
EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY
“This institution is an equal
opportunity provider, and employer.”
“Equal Housing Opportunity”
8593 South CR231 — Lake Butler, FL
Saturday, April 23 • 11:00 a.m.
• Passed EPA
• Highly Visible
• Metal Roof
• Wired Single & 3-Phase Power
• Approved for City Water/Sewer
• Fully Air-Conditioned
For more information or preview, call:
BREWER AUCTION & REALTY
Roy J. Brewer (904) 838-1575
AU #2604 AB #1940 GAL #2840
• Pumps
• Sales
$
50
As low as 87
security
• Parts
deposit!
• Service
W/D Hook-ups • Pool • Business Center
Fitness Room • Kids Club
PETS WELCOME!
Call
904-368-0007
EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY
NEED CASH FAST!
QUALITY SERVICE SINCE 1964
STATE LICENSE
#1305
Target your
audience
quickly
DURRANCE PUMP
Out of Area Classifieds
baptistery, steeple,
windows? Big Sale on
new cushioned pews and
Sell Your pew chairs – 1-800-231Used or Damaged 2000- 8360. www.pews1.com
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Pay Available: Call 888- $99.00 Your #1 trusted
provider for 10 years.
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all for only
covering Bradford, Union & Clay Counties
a
in our weekly free
community shopper:
/wk
Email your med-to-hi-resolution digital photo (150dpi+) & ad text to:
by 5pm Monday or bring it to:
Bradford County Telegraph • Union County Times • Lake Region Monitor
(904) 964-6305
cash/check/credit cards accepted
10B
Message from Jack Hazen.
HPS II board member and property owner
Dear Neighbor,
I’m Jack Hazen. I was born in Bradford County in 1933, on the land where I still live today. It is land that
my father and my grandfather worked. I have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that live and
work here also.
I care very deeply for this land. It is my heritage, and it is beautiful country. I don’t want to damage the
land because I want my family to live here and to be able to work this land for generations to come. It is
important to me to know that they will have that opportunity.
I have known for a long time that there is phosphate here. Older residents like me remember when KerrMcGee prospected for phosphate in my part of the county in the 1960’s and 1970’s. I was always told
that the big phosphate companies were not interested enough to spend the money to come here to mine
it. However, the real issue was prices at that time were not high enough to provide the profits they
required to pursue the phosphate.
Three years ago, my cousin, Julian Hazen, contacted me. Julian grew up in Bradford County also. He has
spent his career in the phosphate industry, and has been successful.
Julian told me that things had changed; that phosphate was becoming more and more scarce; that the
time had come when the phosphate on my family’s land was needed.
That’s when this project got started. I started it when I approached three other families that also have
phosphate under their land – the Pritchetts, Shadds and Howards, in Union County. These families were
interested and did join together with my family. We put together a team of top-notch scientists, engineers
and other professionals, Julian being one of them that would help us carry out the necessary
investigations to make sure the project is feasible.
These investigations revealed that both counties have comprehensive plans that allow mining.
In this process, I learned a lot about phosphate that I didn’t know. I learned that phosphate is essential and
necessary for all life on earth, including humans, animals and plants. There is no substitute for it. Without
it, there can be no life. It’s really that simple. It is so important that our government has classified
phosphate as a strategic mineral - that having secure sources of phosphate is a matter of national
security. And I learned that our sources of phosphate are dwindling, as existing mines like those in central
Florida are exhausted.
The phosphate on my land will be mined, by someone, at some time. It’s too important not to be utilized.
If it’s not these families who do it, then it will be someone else, most likely one of the big mining
companies that will do the minimum that the law requires for the land, and for this area, and will then be
gone. I am different; the families involved in this project are different. I promise that.
I have taken all of this to heart, and I have given it a lot of thought, and here is what I believe. First and
foremost, I believe in God and I believe that God made man, and that He provided us the essentials of life
here on earth.
The phosphate under this land was put here by God for man. He gave man the tools and the know-how –
the science – to find it and to get it from the land so man can sustain life.
God also wants us to respect His creation. He wants us to avoid harming the land, the rivers and creeks,
and the wildlife that He put here for us. He does not want us to remove phosphate from the land, if doing
that will hurt other creations. He gave us science as a tool to be able to do both – to remove from the
land what we need, and to avoid damaging the environment.
That is why my family, and the other families involved in this project have invested our own money to
develop new techniques for mining phosphate. These techniques will use much less water, will do away
with things like clay- settling ponds, and will greatly improve the speed and the results of land reclamation,
leaving the land at least as rich and abundant as it is now or more so. People who know more than me tell
me that if these new techniques work – we think they will – then our operation will become a model for the
industry. If they don’t work, then there won’t be any mining done on my land, period. I promise that too.
I believe that God has made me his instrument to make this project a reality, and to do it the right way,
His way.
I believe that He gave me and my family this land for that purpose. I believe that He has used my 83 years
on this earth to provide me with enough talents to carry this project through completion.
So, I have asked myself: If these things are so, what right do I have to sit on this land, on this phosphate,
and do nothing? The answer is clear to me. I do not have that right. This is something that the Lord wants
done. I don’t know why, but He chose me to do it, and it’s what I’m going to do.
This project is going to benefit these two counties, Bradford and Union. It will provide an opportunity for a
positive economic impact for the area that will result in financial resources to help citizens’ live better.
For my part, I am committed to helping Bradford County improve its schools. I believe it is also part of
God’s purpose and His blessing.
I do not ask that you share in my beliefs, but I do ask you to listen to the facts, and the science, and to
keep an open mind. We want to share with the citizens of these counties all of the information that has
come to us, all that we have learned, all that we intend to do. I am confident that if you do that, you will
want to support this project, because it is for the public good.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. It means very much to me.
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