Early voting starts
Saturday in Dixie County
New voting precinct mentioned

Dixie County Supervisor of Elections Darbi Chaires speaks from the lectern in the Dixie County Commission Meeting Room on Aug. 6.

By Jeff M. Hardison © Aug. 7, 2026 at 4 p.m.
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Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     CROSS CITY -- Dixie County Supervisor of Elections Darbi Chaires told everyone at the Aug. 6 County Commission meeting that early voting starts Aug. 8 in Dixie County.
     This early voting is for the Aug. 18 Primary Election, at which point all of the races for people in Dixie County will be decided, she said. 
     Thursday (Aug. 6) was also the last day a person could ask to have a ballot mailed to them. In a conversation before the meeting, Dixie County Commissioner Daniel Wood III mentioned to the daily news website publisher that he voted by mail. Wood said he completed his ballot and hand-delivered it to Chaires’ office.
     Early voting at the Dixie County Supervisor of Elections Office is every day from Aug. 8 through Aug. 15 from a.m. to 6 p.m., except Sunday (Aug. 9) when the hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     Chaires reminded voters to bring a picture ID, and people will be signing their ballots as well. 
     “Local elections matter so much to us,” Chaires said. “The decisions that our Board (of County Commissioners) and other elected officials make impact us immediately. They are voting on decisions that are impacting all of our voters and everyone in Dixie County.”
     Chaires said there has been a change in one voting precinct location.
     Dixie County Voting Precinct 4, which used to be at the former Old Town Elementary School has been moved to be at the Suwannee River Baptist Church in Old Town (64 N.E. 718th St.), right off of U.S. Highway 19 next to the Dollar Store.

Publisher learns new editing program
Column By Jeff M. Hardison © Aug. 7, 2026 at 10 a.m.
Updated Aug. 7, 2026 at 1 p.m.
     THE INK PAD – Hello readers.
     This is a column. For people familiar with English, it is being written in the first person.
     The daily news website on Aug. 6, 2026, had to switch from the hypertext transfer protocol coding created by the late Bill Kilborn (April 27, 1937-Oct. 16, 2015) when HardisonInk.com first came into official existence on Feb. 1, 2011.
     With some time of working with my friend at Nature Coast Web Design, I have now mastered the new editing program. 
     The daily news website will be even better than before.
______________________________
Early Voting starts in Levy County

Early voting in Aug. 18 Primary Election
starts in Tri-County Area
Early voting starts
today in Levy County
Early voting starts Saturday
in Dixie and Gilchrist counties
By Jeff M. Hardison © Aug. 5, 2026 at 12 p.m.
Updated Aug. 6, 2026 at 8 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     TRI-COUNTY AREA – Voters in Dixie, Gilchrist and Levy counties will enjoy the opportunity to cast their ballots in this Tri-County Area, early, in the Aug. 18 Primary Election.
     In-person early voting is available started today (Thursday, Aug. 6) in Levy County.
     On Saturday (Aug. 8) in Dixie and Gilchrist Counties
     Voters may vote in person by casting a ballot prior to election day. The voter will use the same type of voting equipment that is used at the polls on election day. Early voting is a minimum mandatory eight days beginning on the tenth day and ending on the third day before Election Day. Each county supervisor of elections may, at his or her own discretion, offer additional days of early voting on any or all days during the 15th through 11th day and the last Sunday before Election Day, according to Florida law.
Levy County
     As a convenience to Levy County voters, Levy County Supervisor of Elections Tammy Jones will allow a voter to vote early in the Levy County Supervisor of Elections Office, 421 S. Court St. in Bronson. It is the smaller building next to the Levy County Courthouse.
     Voters are reminded to bring a valid photo and signature ID when coming to early vote.
     Early voting in Levy County for the Aug. 18 Primary Election will be available Aug. 6 through Aug. 15, including weekends, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Dixie County
     As a convenience to Dixie County voters, Dixie County Supervisor of Elections Darbi Chaires will allow a voter to vote early in the Dixie County Supervisor of Elections Office, 229 N.E. 351 Highway (aka Dixie County Road 351), Suite A, in Cross City.
     Voters are reminded to bring a valid photo and signature ID when coming to early vote.
     Early voting in Dixie County for the Aug. 18 Primary Election is from Aug. 8 through Aug. 15. The times are Monday through Saturdays from 8a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Gilchrist County
     As a convenience to Gilchrist County voters, Gilchrist County Supervisor of Elections Lisa Darus will allow a voter to vote early in the main office of the supervisor, which is in the Gilchrist County Courthouse (Room 137), 112 S. Main St. (U.S. Highway 129), in Trenton. The Supervisor of Elections Office is to the left after passing through the metal detector at the front door.
     Voters are reminded to bring a valid photo and signature ID when coming to early vote.
     Early voting in Gilchrist County for the Aug. 18 Primary Election is every day from Aug. 8 through Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 

Rabies alert issued for Bronson area
Information Provided by FDOH
Published July 28, 2026 at 12 p.m.
     BRONSON -- The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) is issuing a rabies alert in Levy County in response to a confirmed case of rabies in a stray cat that was killed on the north side of Bronson off of Northeast 94^th Place on Monday (July 20).
     The FDOH is not the quickest state agency in regard to issuing notices of health hazards.
     The FDOH is reportedly “monitoring rabies among wild animals in the area.”
     All Bronson area residents and visitors should be aware that rabies is currently present in the wild animal population.
     People and domestic animals should always avoid physical contact with wild animals (such as raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes), which carry a higher risk of human exposure, and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment. Anyone who is exposed to rabies is advised to receive appropriate treatment after exposure to help protect them from the risk of death from rabies.
     This rabies alert is for 60 days (until Sept. 20 more or less) and currently includes the following boundaries in Levy County:
     ● Northern boundary: U.S. Alt. 27 Alternate and State Road 24;
     ● Southern boundary: U.S. Highway 19 and State Road 24;
     ● Eastern boundary: State Road 24 and U.S. Alt. 27; and
     ● Western boundary: Northwest 30^th Avenue and U.S. Highway 19.

People flock to pavilion
for free school supplies
Annual event changes

Chiefland Methodist Church Senior Usher Leon Clyatt puts up a barricade to help keep the area safe from vehicular traffic during the free school supplies giveaway on Saturday (July 25) in Chiefland.

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © July 25, 2026 at 4 p.m.
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Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     CHIEFLAND – Few things are as constant as change. And even when there are dramatic changes, some things remain the same.
     Fifteen or so years ago, First United Methodist Church of Chiefland Pastor Terry Wines led the congregation to initiate what he named the Chiefland Epic End of Summer Bash of 2011. The name may have been even longer… 
     Diana Child, Pastor Wine’s administrative assistant, was the powerhouse behind this “summer bash” effort as well her being the biggest spark for the church back then being a cornerstone in what became the Tri-County Community Resource Center. Child was a leader in the community theater, too, that came to perform in an old movie theater downtown, where Snitzy Mullet worked as a teen.
     The Chief Theatre was built in 1948. It served as a movie theater until 1984. It was later purchased and reopened as a playhouse in 1998 and progressed even more after 2012 – up to today.
     On Saturday (July 25), the Rev. Dr. Mark Williams of the Methodist Church of Chiefland told the vendors from organizations at the event a little bit about the 400 to 500 children he anticipated as appearing that very day to accept backpacks filled with school supplies. He opened the event with a prayer.
     The name of the church and affiliation has changed.
     There have been a number of different pastors since the Rev. Wines moved away. And there were a number of other pastors who helped people at First United Methodist Church of Chiefland before Pastor Wines served the congregation and surrounding communities. The Methodist church in Chiefland was organized in 1861 in the home of Isaac P. Hardee.


People begin to line up to accept free backpacks full of school supplies.


Gerry Jesk (left) and Norma Santiago are among the team of four who checked people into the event. Also helping at the table but not pictured here are Brianna Calvo and Laura Smith.


Darla Whistler, a candidate for Levy County Court judge, is among the volunteers giving out backpacks. 


Representing the Rural Women’s Health Project, an organization that focuses on improving health outcomes for rural women and their communities through education, advocacy, and community-based programs, are Kayla McKay (left) and Yisel Urbina.


Representing the Florida Department of Health Tri-County Unit are (front row, from left) Alex Santana, Natalie Burleson, Catherine McDermott and Leslie Olavarria, and (standing at back) Jan O’Steen (left) and Kyle Ritema.


The Rev. Dr. Mark Williams speaks to people before the children and families arrive under the pavilion.


Representing the Levy County Emergency Management are Assistant Director Caleb Hardee (left) and Coordinator Jordyn DelVecchio. 


Levy County Sheriff's Office School Resource Deputy M. Wilkinson is seen with LCSO Citizens On Patrol (COP) Volunteer June Ladewig. There was a good presence of COP volunteers to help with traffic and crowd management. This was another safe school supplies giveaway event.


LCSO Citizens On Patrol (COP) Leader Rich Dechau and LCSO Lt. A. Hiers, leader of the LCSO Community Relations Divisions, which includes all of the school resource deputies and all of the COP volunteers, and more, are seen at the event. Lt. Hiers may be thought of the now-retired LCSO Sgt. Max Long of the day.


The Levy County Medical Reserve Corps trailer is seen behind a Florida Department of Health pickup truck. Behind those vehicles is the pavilion, once named the C. Doyle McCall Pavilion. To read the 2016 story about the Levy County Medical Reserve Corps, click HERE.

     And what used to be named the C. Doyle McCall Pavilion is now known as “the pavilion,” Williams said, as the church leaders have simplified things. Even the plaque that had been placed on the pavilion to designate it with how it was named, where that plaque was made and placed by the former First UMC of Chiefland Men, the very men who built and named the structure to honor the late Coach C. Doyle McCall (Oct. 14, 1928-Aug. 9, 2021), has been removed. 
     Among the many men who helped build the pavilion in spirit and with their hands are Hardy R. Dean Jr. (April 30, 1938 - June 14, 2021), Reid Granger (1943 - 2020), Ken Dietrich (Aug. 26, 1934 - Sept. 25, 2025), Bill Dosreis, and Gene Pollock.
     Coach McCall was among the various legendary Sunday school teachers when First UMC of Chiefland existed. However, even before that he was a legend as a coach, a teacher and high school principal in Chiefland.
     Part of the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame notations about Coach McCall show that he “… spent his entire 39-year professional career at Chiefland High School. During his years there, he served as history teacher, coach, athletic director, dean of students, assistant principal and principal. He was also head coach in the following sports: football, 25 years; basketball, four years; baseball, four years; track, 15 years; and golf, 10 years.”
     There is far more noted about the late Coach McCall.
     The story about free backpacks is the focus here.
     While change is constant and at times can be seen as relatively drastic, such as the “un-naming” of a pavilion, it exists.
     What has remained for even more than 20 years is that the people in the Tri-County Area are economically disadvantaged. Hence, when former Pastor Wines and his trusted assistant Child started the Epic End of Summer Bash about 15 years ago, which has included former bash events with a tower constructed by Boy Scouts, a zip line and much more, this free giveaway of school supplies continues to help families with school-age children.
     Now, for simplification, it may be named the free school supplies giveaway. And one of the constants so far, as of this end of summer, is the acceptance of school supplies as gifts.
     Among the other organizations and things under the pavilion during the giveaway this year were free popcorn, free flavored crushed ice, and representatives from those noted in photos above – and Radiant Federal Credit Union, the Girl Scouts Gateway Council, the Florida Department of Education’s Blind Services Division, Unity Family Community Center of Williston, Meridian Health Care, and the Hanley Foundation.
     Publisher’s Note: Since Feb. 1, 2011, the official start date of HardisonInk.com, which has earned awards, including ‘First Place - Independent Online News Site’ and can be known as ‘the best daily news website in Florida,’ this outlet media has covered this event – once known as The Bash – more than any other daily or weekly newspaper, monthly magazine, or television or radio station.
     Below are some of the archived stories and photos. Stories, photos and videos from 2011 through late 2015 have gone to “Internet heaven” although they still exist on hard drives. A switch of servers led to a loss of previously archived material.
     To see the July 27, 2024 story and photos under the headline -- Annual Epic End of Summer Chiefland Back To School Bash continues, click HERE.
     To see July 29, 2023 story and photos under the headline -- Bash marks the end of an era -- click HERE.
     To see the July 31, 2022 story under the headlines --11th Annual Epic Back to School End of Summer Bash precedes schools’ opening on Aug. 10; This year, the bash is Tri-County Area again -- click HERE.
     To see the July 28, 2019 story and photos under the headline -- 8th annual Epic End of Summer Bash rings the bell for charity galore, click HERE.
     To see the Dec. 1, 2016 story and photos under the headlines – Cement floor added to pavilion; Christmas card creation continues, click HERE.
     To see the July 30, 2016 story and photos under the headline -- Bash provides free backpacks, click HERE.

Both candidates
for State House District 22 speak out
Property tax amendment
becomes focal point
Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © July 21, 2026 at 9:45 a.m.
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     CHIEFLAND -- Incumbent State Rep. Chad Johnson (R-Chiefland) and Amy Trask (D-Gainesville) both won their parties’ primaries to run in the General Election on Nov. 3. 
     Both candidates presented statements during a “town hall” sponsored by the Chiefland City Commission on July 16 in the Tommy Usher Community Center.
     Florida House of Representatives District 22 includes all of Levy County, all of Gilchrist County and the western part of Alachua County.

Chad Johnson

     Johnson shared with listeners that he is called “Cracker” by his friends, and “Rep Johnson” in the halls of legislation in Tallahassee. He is known as “Poppers” by his grandchildren and “Dad” by his children.
     He tags himself as “Lucky to be the husband of Angela Quincey.”
     Johnson said he is grateful to the voters who put him in the trusted position in the Florida House of Representatives to serve a two-year term as the person from District 22. 
     On July 16, Johnson said he was “endorsed by the local sheriffs.” Both Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobb Schultz and Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum confirmed on July 20 that they endorse Johnson for reelection. Just in case, the Alachua County part of District 22 is “local,” the daily news website reached out.
     Alachua County Sheriff Chad Scott does not make endorsements, he said on Tuesday morning (July 21). Democratic candidate Scott won the Alachua County Sheriff’s race by about 47 percent of the votes in November of 2024.
     A review of some of the other endorsements Johnson noted shows the Florida Nurses Association (FNA) endorsed Johnson for reelection in the 2026 legislative cycle. The FNA’s July 2026 announcement lists Johnson as one of 19 Florida House candidates and seven Florida Senate candidates selected to represent nurses’ priorities, including nursing practice, patient safety and healthcare quality. According to Johnson’s official campaign website, among the other endorsements for his election are former State Rep. Chuck Clemons; Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson; former State Rep. Charlie Stone; Gilchrist County Clerk Todd Newton, and “Gainesville Fire and Rescue.”
     During his introduction to the people on July 16, Johnson noted that of the two people seeking this seat, he is the one who lives and works in the rural part of District 22. He expressed his opinion that he understands fiscally constrained counties – like Levy and Gilchrist counties – more than Trask.
     Johnson said he will continue to focus on solid economies, safe streets, educational opportunities “and most importantly – you, the voters of District 22.”

Amy Trask

     Trask introduced herself as “a mom,” a “homeschool teacher” and that she comes from a long line of citrus farmers who became public servants in Florida. She said a few times that even before being elected she has been active in successful legislation in Florida. Although she had said before her intent to send information about that legislation, as of 9 a.m. on July 21, she had sent no email with that information.
     “I have a background professionally in civil disagreement,” Trask said. “But most importantly I am running because I survived domestic violence, and I was a single mom for over six years.”
     From having to barely survive and to start over, Trask said, she knows what it is like “… to go hungry, and have my lights turned off – to lose my car and try and figure out which bill I can afford to pay and which doctor I can afford to go to.”
     Too many Floridians are experiencing these same challenges now and this is unfortunate, Trask said, especially when there are resources available to fix those problems.
     “Survival should be the floor that we build from,” she said, “not the ceiling we aspire to reach.”
     Trask said the people of Florida have the resources to assure children do not go hungry. She believes people in Florida should be able to work one job and earn enough to cover the expenses for housing as well as food. Another ideal she expressed was to be able to work one job and have access to affordable health care.
     She also believes every person should live in a county where the people of that county have a right to govern themselves.
     Trask said the Florida Legislature this year and last year passed preemption bills, which were signed into law by the governor that “tie the hands of our local government.” She intimated that home rule is becoming more and more endangered by state leaders.
     When State Rep. Johnson was asked about the cost of homeowner property insurance in Florida skyrocketing, and what can be done about it, Johnson said the appraised taxable values of homes in Florida has increased.
     He said people who bought a home will see the value of the home increased because of the market that shows what a buyer will pay for that home. He said that challenge is faced by every property owner.
     Johnson said in Florida the insurance industry is regulated by state law. 
     The Number One challenge for the Florida Legislature, Johnson said, is balancing how much government intervenes in the private sector, the private market, as it waits for the private market to correct itself. The Florida Legislature has created tort reform and addressed litigious situations, and the roofing issue related to homeowner property insurance.
     State leaders continue working to resolve those insurance issues resulting from available housing inventory as demand for residential property in Florida grows.
     Since the year 2000, Johnson said, 10 million more people have moved into Florida. That is more than the whole population of 39 of the United States’ 50 states.
     Trask helped listeners understand a broader view of the homeowner insurance increase question.
     Trask said homeowner insurance is part of the bigger issue of the “cost of existence.”
     She said Floridians are facing challenges of being able to stay in the homes where they currently reside, not only from the cost of insurance for those structures. 
     Trask brought the question back into focus on what happens if 60 percent or more of the Florida voters in November alter the Florida Constitution in regard to revenue for counties coming from ad valorem property taxes.
    She spoke about the impact on all Levy Countians’ lives if the millions of dollars projected for Levy County to lose each year happens if this amendment goes into effect and wipes out a major revenue source for all Florida counties.
     “My opponent voted for this bill,” she said.
     During the June 2026 special legislative session, 75 Florida House members voted to pass the constitutional amendment (House Joint Resolution 1-F) to be placed on the November 2026 general election ballot. There were 26 representatives who voted against it.
     Records show that vote passed along party lines, with only a handful of cross-party votes — one lone Democrat supported it and the two Republicans opposed it. Johnson, a Republican, voted with that party.
     Trask said that if the majority of Florida voters adopt the bill to significantly decrease that source of revenue for county government, then what comes as a result of his vote and the vote of the other legislators to put that on the ballot is from those state leaders making that happen.
     Specifically on the insurance question, Trask said Florida needs to diversity the companies that can provide affordable homeowner insurance.
     Addressing the overall question of “cost of existence,” she said, and disallowing the state government from so much preemption of home rule are overriding points beyond the problem of homeowner insurance. Electing state leaders who put the ability of local leaders to not be hamstrung by the state government is an answer to some of the problems, she intimated.
     Johnson did not just roll over once Trask opened the door for expanding views on answering questions at the “town hall.”
     Rep. Johnson opened his response to the same question by saying, “When you’re a candidate, you get to say what you want. When you are the representative you’ve got a record that you have got to stand behind.
     “We brought over $32 million in appropriations to District 22,” Johnson said. “We salvaged a fire engine that was going to get released from Cedar Key. We brought money to the school infrastructure for roof repairs. We brought money for generators for Levy County for when there are storms. We’re in the middle of working on an oyster restoration project right now with FWC (Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission) and FDACS (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services).”
     Johnson said these projects are things he has been a part of since he was elected. 
    He noted he was a sponsor of the Farm Bill this year, where part of it is “Florida Farmers Feeding Floridians,” where the state is using tax dollars to buy Florida produce, protein and aquaculture to give to people who are in need.
     Johnson noted there are 29 fiscally constrained counties out of Florida’s 67 counties. In those counties, there are a total of nine state representatives. Consider that there are 16 state representatives in Miami alone, he said.
     “So, you better believe that when we are in Tallahassee, we are constantly advocating for a rural lifestyle; the importance of understanding fiscally constrained counties; and our independence,” Johnson said. “The last thing I want is for Levy County to be dependent on a handout from the state of Florida.”
     Johnson said he feels the people of Levy County want this count to be self-reliant. He wants to do what he can to help his constituents to have a stronger local economy.
     In answering another question, Johnson said he voted for the voters to have a choice at the polls to vote for the drastic reduction in ad valorem property taxes.
     He conceded that it is not a perfect bill, but he did feel the people should have a vote on the question rather than for the legislators to somehow alter the Florida Constitution.
     Trask then lit into Johnson with her commentary about that issue.
     “When you went to Tallahassee,” Trask said to Johnson, “we put our faith and our trust in you, that you were going to represent us. And your job, and I think the job of any representative is to stand as the guardian for that district – to stand as the last line of defense, as a champion for the people living there.”
     She went on to say that elected leaders in the Florida House of Representatives have a duty and a responsibility stop the buck where it’s at, when there is proposed legislation that will be detrimental to the state as a whole.
     “That pot of money is gone,” Trask said. “It’s vetoed. If this bill passed (by a vote of 60 percent more Florida voters), then it’s going to be detrimental. And I think the responsibility of any good representative is to say, ‘No,’ is to say ‘Absolutely not. You will not get past me. My people come first.’
     “And if that mean bucking the party line,” she continued, “then that means bucking the party line. Your responsibility is to your people.”
     Trask said she would have voted “No,” where Johnson voted “Yes,” regardless of this being now put before the voters in Florida to choose.
     Trask said Johnson did not only vote for that, but he voted for all of the preemption bills. Johnson voted for the Blue Ribbon Project bill in the House.
     The “Blue Ribbon Projects” bills (SB 354 and HB 299) were a set of highly controversial preemption proposals in the Florida Legislature. They would have allowed developers who own at least 15,000 contiguous acres to bypass local zoning, land-use rules, and public oversight in order to build massive new communities.
     He voted for the Florida House Bill 691, which is the companion bill for the Florida Agricultural Enclaves Act, she said. 
     The Florida Agricultural Enclaves Act (enacted via Florida Senate Bill 686) is a law that makes it faster and easier to develop farmland into suburban subdivisions. It allows owners of agricultural land mostly surrounded by development to apply for an “enclave certification,” requiring local governments to process their development plans without burdensome regulations or prolonged public hearings.
     He voted for SB 180, she said.
     Among the many parts of that adopted Senate bill and its subsequent House counterpart, for one year after a hurricane makes landfall, the bill prohibits certain counties and municipalities from proposing or adopting a moratorium on the construction or redevelopment of property or more restrictive or burdensome regulations or procedures pertaining to land development.
     She said these bills where Johnson voted in favor of them in his first two-year term reflect action contrary to local home rule, and that they are "pro-developer" rather than "pro-farmer."
 

200^th Performance

Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office Capt. Sheryl Brown (left) and GCSO Evidence Manager Jennifer Williams sing the HardisonInk.com Jingle on Thursday (July 9), just before the meeting of the Gilchrist Prevention Coalition at the GCSO in Trenton. Jeff M. Hardison asks people to sing the jingle, and some of them agree to sing it. (Thanks people!) CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO SEE AND HEAR THE VIDEO ON YouTube.com. The very first person to sing the jingle was Danesh “Danny” Patel of Danny’s Food Mart in Chiefland in March of 2013. HardisonInk.com started as a daily news website on Feb. 1, 2011.
Photo and Video by Jeff M. Hardison © July 9, 2026, 2026 at 4:45 p.m.
All Rights Reserved - Do Not Copy And Paste Anywhere Else