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Registration opens
for May 12 FDEP Webinar
Draft selection criteria to be presented
for Deepwater Horizon Program
Information Provided By Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Published April 29, 2026 at 5 p.m. EDT
     TALLAHASEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has scheduled a public meeting to be held to present the draft selection criteria for the 2026 RESTORE Funded Priorities List (FPL) call for projects within FDEP Deepwater Horizon Program.

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     This meeting is to provide the draft selection criteria for the 2026 RESTORE FPL. It is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
     This is a Virtual TEAMS Webinar that can be accessed to register by clicking HERE.
     Registration is now open online for the webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar.
     Please email FDEP Environmental Supervisor IV Lauren Campbell at Lauren.Campbell@FloridaDEP.gov or call 850-245-2177 with any questions.
     Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, handicap or marital status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) are asked to contact FDEP’s Limited English Proficiency Coordinator at 850-245-2118 or LEP@FloridaDEP.gov at least 10 days before the meeting.
     If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (voice).
     The FDEP is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation.
     The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves.
 

ULA sends Atlas V aloft
Launch is visible from Levy County

The rocket exhaust from a launch on Monday night (April 27) is seen in Levy County, 150 miles to the west of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Brevard County.

Story, Photo and Video By Jeff M. Hardison © April 28, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     JEMLANDS – While a planned launch of a Falcon 9 rocket on Monday (April 27) from Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County by SpaceX did not happen due to weather issues that day, a bigger rocket was launched that night by a different entity at another rocket launch facility and it went as planned.

     United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched an Atlas V rocket last night (April 27) at 8:53 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), as noted during live coverage on YouTube.com by Spaceflight Now.
     The mission lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Brevard County, carrying 29 satellites for Amazon’s Kuiper Internet constellation.
     Named Amazon LEO Six, the package of satellites went into space on the Atlas V 551 rocket. That rocket is an expendable launch vehicle developed by Lockheed Martin and Boeing under the United Launch Alliance (ULA). 
     In this usage LEO is an acronym for Low Earth Orbit.
     That rocket is designed to launch payloads for the United States Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and for commercial customers such as Amazon via ULA. The Atlas V 551 is equipped with a Russian-made RD-180 engine for the first stage and an American-made Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10 engine for the Centaur upper stage. During an Atlas V 551 launch, key components of the rocket drop off in a specific, timed sequence. These parts fall into the ocean and are not reused.
     The rocket has been operational since 2006 and is known for its high success rate and ability to carry large payloads. The Atlas V 551 is currently being used to launch the Amazon LEO satellites, which are part of a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband Internet access in the future from that Internet service provider.
     As of the April 27 launch, Spaceflightnow.com reported, it heralded the 108th launch of an Atlas V, with the vast majority of these originating from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which was named Cape Canaveral Air Force Station until 2020.
     An even stronger rocket is expected to take off from Brevard County in mid- to late 2026. The ULA Vulcan Centaur is a heavy-lift rocket designed to replace the Atlas V and Delta IV, offering high-performance, cost-effective, and precise orbital insertions for national security.
     Successfully debuting in January of 2024, the ULA Vulcan Centaur uses a methane-fueled Blue Origin BE-4 rocket engines and up to six solid rocket boosters to carry a payload weighing up to 27,200 kilograms (almost 60,000 pounds) to LEO. A ULA Vulcan rocket delivered a national security spacecraft directly to geosynchronous orbit for the United States Space Force (USSF) Systems Command on the USSF-87 mission. Liftoff was from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Feb. 12 in the very early morning before sunrise that day.
     Information from NASA, ULA and other sources shows the Vulcan rocket will carry The Dream Chaser. The Dream Chaser is a reusable, uncrewed spaceplane developed by Sierra Space to deliver cargo to the International Space Station (ISS). 
     Slated to launch from Florida on a Vulcan Centaur rocket, it features the “Tenacity” spacecraft and the “Shooting Star” cargo module, which together are scheduled to bring up to 12,000 pounds of supplies to the ISS, and return delicate cargo from the ISS to a runway landing in Brevard County.
     As noted, this cargo flight is slated to use the spacecraft named “Tenacity,” and it is set to use the detachable “Shooting Star” cargo module for both pressurized and unpressurized cargo.
     Unlike capsules that splash down in the ocean, Dream Chaser acts like a winged spaceplane, landing horizontally on a conventional runway at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
     Dream Chaser can return up to 3,500 pounds of sensitive, delicate cargo from space, making it ideal for bringing results microgravity research back to Earth, and it supports NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services-2 program.
     While initially planned for earlier, the debut demonstration flight (SSC Demo-1) has been scheduled for a date later than first planned.   


The three-minute view of an Atlas V rocket launch was filmed from 150 miles away in a pine tree farm in Levy County on Monday night (April 27). To see and hear the video, click on the PHOTO. There is a sound of a passing airplane, then the wind, then some clicking from a relatively inexpensive tripod and some crickets are heard at the end as the camera is turned and does not pick up the easterly wind noise because to the rocket went to the north northeast from its launch pad.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison – All Rights Reserved

     This launch provided a relatively good view from Jemlands, an unrecorded subdivision in Levy County – about 150 miles west of the launch pad. If the weather conditions are the same from Brevard County to Levy County as they were most recently, then filming of a Vulcan rocket launch may provide an even more dramatic video if the launch is at night.
     The bright red streak of a flame on Monday night was visible first through the pine trees to the east of one of the fields of pine trees immediately south of The Ink Pad. The rocket was able to be tracked for three minutes before its flames disappeared from view at this vantage point on Monday night (April 27) at about 9 p.m. EDT. As the pine trees south of The Ink Pad grow taller, there may be a new location used by HardisonInk. for filming rocket launches in the future.
      
 

Levy County Democratic
Executive Committee bans press
and media from fundraiser

Graphic from a screen capture on the LCDEC Webpage.

By Jeff M. Hardison © April 27, 2026 at 2:45 p.m.
     WILLISTON – The Levy County Democratic Executive Committee invited everyone -- except the press and the media -- to an event held Sunday (April 26) at the GFWC Williston Woman’s Club, 1049 N.W. Sixth Blvd., in Williston, according to a graphic published on the Levy County Democrats Webpage.     The title and theme of the event was “American Democracy In Action,” the Levy County Democratic Executive Committee (LCDEC) noted.
     The LCDEC noted this was a “We The People Lunch.” 
     “This is a private gathering and is not open to the press or media,” the graphic ad noted.
     The keynote speaker at the event was reportedly David Jolly, according to information on the graphic. The picture appears to show David Jolly, one of the 14 or so active contenders seeking to win the Democratic Primary for governor, according to records in the Florida Secretary of State Office.
     The featured speaker was allegedly Angie Nixon, a Florida House of Representatives member, according to information on the graphic and elsewhere. Nixon is a candidate who wants to win the Florida Democratic Primary Election for United States Senate, according to information on the graphic.
     Nixon faces the current leading Democratic fundraiser in the primary race -- Alex Vindman. Nixon, Vindman or whatever Democrat wins that primary will face Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, who was appointed to the seat. She is seeking to be elected in the General Election.
     The promotion for the LCDEC event noted it would be “A program that will inspire and entertain.”
     According to the advertisement on the LCDEC page, the luncheon was catered by Sister’s Place. There was music by Shade Tree, according to the LCDEC. There was an alleged silent auction as part of the fundraiser. The LCDEC noted “Event tickets SOLD OUT!”
     “Thank you to all those who have supported us,” the LCDEC noted on its webpage. 
     Some of the LCDEC statements on its webpage, as of early Monday morning, showed it believes:
     ● The role of government is to guarantee justice under the law, provide equal opportunities to succeed, protect fundamental freedoms, allow people to live safe from violence, enjoy the freedom to vote in free and fair elections and to drink clean water and breathe clean air.
     ● In addition, the Levy County Democratic Executive Committee strongly believes in the right of women to make decisions about their own bodies.
     ● The riches of America belong to the people, who should share the benefits and have a say in their utilization.

Emergency Funds
Offer Breathing Room When It Matters
Published April 27, 2026 at 2:15 p.m.
     NEWBERRY -- Everyone needs an emergency fund. Financial experts recommend it, and we’ve all experienced surprise expenses: a costly car repair, a broken water heater or unexpected medical bills. Despite our best intentions, building a financial cushion can feel impossible. After rent or mortgage, groceries, utilities and everyday expenses, it seems there's nothing left to save.
     If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many Americans struggle to maintain emergency savings. But building those savings doesn’t necessarily require massive lifestyle changes or windfalls. 
     With a strategic approach and realistic milestones, you can create the financial safety net you need.
     Start small and build momentum. Traditional advice suggests saving three to six months of total expenses. It's excellent goal but can feel overwhelming when you’re starting from zero. 
Instead, begin with a more achievable target, such as $500 or a full month’s worth of expenses. The key is to get started and contribute consistently.  
Even a few hundred dollars can provide meaningful protection and help you avoid relying on credit cards or high interest loans. This initial milestone can cover many medium-sized emergencies. Once you reach the first milestone, work toward one and a half to two months of expenses, then the full three to six months.
     Find money you didn’t know you had. Building your emergency fund doesn’t always require cutting expenses. If you’re employed, set up automatic transfers from your paycheck into a separate savings account. Cancel subscriptions you rarely use, shop around for better insurance rates and take advantage of sales whenever you can.
Consider saving windfalls like tax refunds, work bonuses or birthday money. If your budgeted expenses come in lower than expected — perhaps your health care costs or home maintenance needs were less than anticipated this month — save the difference in your emergency fund.
     Have a dedicated account for your fund. Keep your emergency savings in a separate account from your regular checking, so you’re less tempted to use the money for non-emergencies. Choose an account that’s easily accessible and without penalties and, while you shouldn’t invest emergency money in stocks or bonds, look for an account that earns interest.
     Balance competing priorities. Building an emergency fund is important, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of other crucial financial goals. If you’re carrying high-interest debt or missing out on your employer’s retirement contribution matches, address those priorities first, while still building your emergency savings.
     Ultimately, you’ll want to balance your emergency fund with other goals. To determine an emergency savings target, consider your personal risk for unexpected expenses, your job security and family circumstances. You may need three to six months’ worth of savings, or possibly some other amount. If this step feels overwhelming, ask a financial advisor to help you come up with a suitable plan.
     The path to financial security requires progress rather than perfection. Begin where you are, use what you have and take one small step at a time. That first $500 might feel modest, but it represents the freedom to handle whatever life throws your way.
     Publisher’s Note: This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Edward Jones Financial Advisor Sheila K. Smith and Edward Jones Financial Advisor Ashlyn W. Burtle. Their office is located at 1845 S.W. 249th Drive, in CountryWay Town Square, Newberry. Phone 352-472-2776.

13 Levy County code enforcement cases
heard and ruled on in two hours
By Jeff M. Hardison © April 26, 2026 at 7:30 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     BRONSON – Levy County demonstrates an efficient and effective method for enforcing county laws related to alleged building and zoning violations, while maintaining consideration for individual property rights, which reduces the proliferation of blight, slum and other unwelcome conditions.
     Florida, driven by rapid population growth, imposes strict codes (as noted in part in, Chapter 162 of the Florida Statutes, as well as in county building and zoning code, to protect public health, safety, welfare and property values. These regulations manage trash, rampant signage, noise, blight and slum conditions to protect public health, maintain neighborhood integrity, prevent environmental degradation, and ensure quality of life amid high-density living as well as in rural environments.
     Levy County Special Magistrate Norm D. Fugate heard facts and evidence on April 15 regarding 13 cases of alleged code enforcement violations in Levy County.
     During that two-hour period -- starting at 9:30 a.m., on that Wednesday morning, Levy County moved forward in its goal to have property owners bring their holdings closer to compliance with county codes.
     Nonetheless, six of the 13 cases failed to have complied with previous orders from the special magistrate, which included daily fines for non-compliance, according to Fugate’s findings of facts.
     Two of the 13 cases did reach compliance and were completed with payment of final court costs and fines ending the legal issues regarding rights, freedom and responsibility in a Florida county where the rule of law applies equally to all people.
     Five of the 13 cases from April 15 were at the first hearing stage. Fugate ruled the code enforcement officers proved with facts and evidence as applied to the law that violations existed in all five of those cases, and he gave a ruling on when they must be brought into compliance with the law -- or else property owners must pay fines that are calculated at a daily rate. Court fees are part of the costs, too.
Non-compliance
     After the special magistrate gives property owners time to cure code violations by complying with the laws they broke, there comes a point where the case is heard again if they fail to abide by the rulings of the special magistrate.
     Sometimes, this ongoing violation of law reaches the point where there are such high fines that the Levy County government eventually owns the property. Then, the Levy County Commission disposes of land and other property, via auction or the Levy County Commission keeps it for governmental use.
    The six of the 13 cases heard April 15, and ruled on within the ongoing non-compliance category, are noted below:
     ● Darla Zambelli owns a wastewater management business. Levy County Code Enforcement Manager Dave Banton, who is also a certified code enforcement officer, investigated allegations against Zambelli for violations related to the business on a 40-acre parcel in Section 17, Township 12, and Range 12 of Levy County. Fugate previously ruled Zambelli was violating the law, after Banton had proved Zambelli was operating a commercial sanitary business in a zoning district that doesn't allow it.
     During this hearing in April, facts provided by the code enforcement officer showed this case has been going on for more than a year and a half now. Zambelli said she still plans to relocate the business, according to records.
     The Feb. 2 order, where a $50 daily base fine started to appear on the property, as of April 15, equals approximately $3,600, according to records. Banton recommended Levy County file in court for a lien on the property. Then, if necessary, Banton said he would work with the county to file an injunction on the operation on the property.
     On this case, Special Magistrate Fugate found a violation continues. There’s nothing as of April 15 that changed after the Feb. 2 order, he said. He ruled the current daily fine will continue. He ruled to return this case in 60 days for another compliance hearing to show a statistical update, according to records. Costs from continued administration of this case are added for each hearing, according to records.
     ● During the April 15 compliance hearing, in regard to the David Thompson Estate in care of Eugene Thompson, Code Enforcement Officer Banton said pictures from April 14 of the property showed they did get the frame of the mobile home cut up and removed. The dump trailer is still on the property. There are still garbage bags at the location, according to records.
     In this case, related to property at Section 32, Township 11, and Range 15 of Levy County, Special Magistrate Fugate found that the remnants of the demolished mobile home had been mostly removed. The defendant testified that it is going to be finalized on that day -- April 15. Fugate further found that the multiple semi-trailers still exist on the property, but that the testimony is that they are properly registered. As soon as the defendant provides proof of that, then this violation will be cured. Fugate gave the defendant another 30 days for all of that to happen. 
     Fugate ordered the defendant to return for another possible compliance hearing if he continues to fail to comply with the law. That future hearing is to be one month from April 15.
     ● During the compliance April 15 set of hearings, Fugate ruled there was non-compliance by Trice Joy Roberts in regard to Williston Highlands Unit 7, Block 26, Lot 4. His last order was entered on March 25, in which he gave the defendant 14 days to come into compliance with the code, or this fine would begin to accrue on April 7 at $50 a day. Officer Banton said he had no communication with the defendant.
     Fugate ruled that this violation has not been cured by her, and that it had not been cured as of April 7. He quantified the $50 fine, effective starting from April 7, and that daily fine will continue.
     ● In the case against Jeanette A. Hodges of Williston Highlands Golf and Country Club Estates, Block 32, Lot 3, Fugate found that the respondent had a recreational vehicle that was being lived in on her vacant property, according to records.
     He ordered that code violation to be cured in 15 days. He ordered a $50 a daily fine beginning on Dec. 6, 2025 until the violation was cured. Looking at a photograph from April 14, it appears that the RV is still located on the property, he said.
     Fugate found on April 15 that the violation has not been cure and he quantified the $50 fine will continue.
     ● In the compliance hearing for the case against Adam Lipscomb and Mary Lipscomb of 7696 S.W. 123rd Terrace in Cedar Key, He ruled the non-compliance is continuing.
     He entered an order on this case on Nov. 21, 2025. That order stated that the evidence proves that the owner cures the violation within 30 days and a $50 a day fine starting on Dec. 21 will continue until the violation is cured. On April 15, he found that the violation, which was subject of the order back in November, had not been cured as of April 14. The ongoing fine set forth in that order of $50 a day will be totaled, quantified and will continue.
     ● In regard to a non-compliance matter for property owned by Linda Potter at Rainbow Lakes Estate, Block 44, Lot 15, Levy County, Special Magistrate Fugate found the violation had not been cured by Dec. 21, 2025 as ordered, and as of April 15 it had not been cured, resulting in a $100 a day fine daily from Dec. 21, 2025, though April 15. That property has an appraised taxable value of $15,730, according to records. At the rate of $100 a day times 115 days between Dec. 21, 2025 and April 15, 2026, equals $11,500 in fines. This case was brought by Levy County Code Enforcement Officer Bradley Frazer. Fugate also recommended to the Levy County Board of County Commissioners that the county perform the clean-up work and apply a lien on the property for that work. There is currently a relatively strong probability that Levy County will own that property in the not-too-distant future. Potter’s mailing address, according to records, is 103 Viking Drive, Vinton, Indiana.
Other Cases
     Among the other cases ruled on that day were one that involved a recreational vehicle being used as a residence in the neighborhood of Williston Highlands Golf Course Country Club; roosters in a residential neighborhood in Bronson that are causing a nuisance; and three separate violations on one piece of property in the Whitted Estates Subdivision of Chiefland -- unserviceable vehicles, as well as a couple of RVs and accumulated junk being kept there. 

Palms Medical Group coordinates
donation to fire rescue agencies

Levy County Emergency Management Assistant Director Caleb Hardee and Levy County Emergency Management Director Leatha Keene (at left) accept the donation for Levy County.
Story and Photo Provided
Published April 24, 2026 at 9 p.m.
     HIGH SPRINGS – Palms Medical Group partnered with the Dollar General Distribution Center in Alachua on Friday (April 24) to donate various supplies to fire rescue agencies in North Central Florida.
     This large-scale, multi-agency donation included breakfast bars, beef jerky, water bottles, lip balm, and sunscreen – all items reported by the Florida Fire Service as needed by fire rescue staff.
     “Dollar General’s Alachua distribution center is proud to live our mission of Serving Others and support the Florida Forestry Service and local fire departments as they work tirelessly to protect our communities,” Peter Torres, Dollar General’s senior director of the Alachua distribution center, said. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with Palms Medical Group to help meet the immediate needs of first responders through a $5,000 in-kind donation of essential items. We thank every firefighter across Clay, Alachua, Columbia, and Levy counties for their dedication and service during these challenging conditions.”
     Donated items will be distributed to Alachua, Clay, Columbia, and Levy County fire rescue agencies.
     “Our communities in North Central Florida have seen increased wildfire activity, and the men and women who are on the front lines fighting these fires are truly protecting our neighborhoods,” said Kyler Burk, Director of Marketing for Palms Medical Group. “It is an honor to connect with other organizations like Dollar General’s Alachua distribution center, aligning our missions to help those who are keeping our community safe.”

Williston Golf Course
property sells for $1 million-plus
By Jeff M. Hardison © April 23, 2026 at 10 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     LEVY COUNTY – While the former Regional Hospital of Williston property did not see any bidders on it recently, when it went up for auction at a minimum bid of $1 million-plus, the Williston Golf Course property was sold on Monday (April 20) for $1,016,700, according to records.
     That golf course’s sales history shows, in part, that Williston By Grace Properties LLC sold it to “789 NE SR 121 Williston Property LLC,” according to records in the Levy County Property Appraiser’s Office, for $1,016,700.
     The principal address for Williston By Grace Properties LLC is 789 N.E. State Road 121, according to records in the Florida Department of State.
     Williston By Grace Properties LLC had owned it since Feb. 9, 2024, after it was purchased from Megawatts Holdings LLC, according to records. Before Megawatts, it was owned by Jones Golf Management Inc.
     Williston Highlands Golf & Country Club Association owned the property as of Sept. 21, 2010, according to records.
     The concrete block clubhouse has a total area of 8,977 square-feet and was actually built in 1962, with an “effective year build” of 1967, according to records. That includes the base of 6,176 square feet; six canopies measuring 575, 504, 398, 29, 33 and 616 square feet; canopy and an unfinished screen porch, measuring 104 square feet, according to records.
     The property has a pool, sheds, storage units and 166 units of vacant land.
     There have been more than 500 million rounds of golf played at United States courses in each of the past six years, according to the National Golf Foundation (NGF).
     The year 2025 marked the fourth time in the past five years that there have been a record number of rounds, the NGF reported. From 2020-2025, rounds are trending 21 percent higher than the five-year, pre-pandemic average from 2015-2019. These increased levels of play come despite having about 2,000 fewer golf courses than there were during the industry’s previous peak period (The “Tiger boom”) of the early 2000s, according to the NGF.
     The most active golf course currently in Levy County is in the Chiefland area.
     Chiefland Golf and Country Club, located at 9650 N.W. 115th St., Chiefland, is a beautiful and scenic course located just a few minutes from the city, according to information on the club’s website.
     The club’s members have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars renovating and improving the course, from fairway to green, to challenge any golfer’s ability. The course has a driving range, a pro shop, and a lounge. Golfers may walk this course on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays as well as any other day after 2 p.m. This course is truly one of the best in the Tri-County Area of Levy County, Gilchrist County and Dixie County, the club notes.
     Tee times are not required, but golfers are advised to call to check for possible closures as well as league play, the club notes.
 

Gilchrist County leaders discuss
impacts from tax revenue losses

Gilchrist County Clerk Todd Newton speaks to the County Commission.

Story and Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © April 22, 2026 at 4 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     TRENTON – Gilchrist County Clerk and Comptroller provided the Gilchrist County Commission on April 20 with information that led to discussion during a workshop before the start of the regular twice-monthly meeting of the County Commission that Monday.     The parking lots near the meeting room were packed with vehicles late that afternoon, which is an indicator there was something going on. Apparently, some people who arrived at 3 p.m. for the workshop thought that was when there was going to be a discussion about opposing a plan to pump millions of gallons of treated water from Jacksonville to the Suwannee River Water Basin in the future.
     The water issue was on the agenda for the regular meeting that was scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Still, the unintentional early birds had a chance to listen to Newton provide plausible alternatives to taxing people as well as cutting government services if the Florida Legislature and voters drastically reduce county government revenue by slashing property taxes.


Gilchrist County Commissioners are seen during a workshop session on ‘what-if’ the county government loses a lot of money due to slashed homestead exemption taxes.

     Adding percentage points to sales taxes, as well as increased taxes on services such as ambulances, and other methods for different revenue streams were discussed. Interestingly, currently elected leaders want to shift the burden to fund the government to be more on the people who have the lowest income rather than the middle- or high-income brackets.
     Even if the elected state leaders destroy methods that currently exist for county governments to provide the same level of services, some county workers will still have their jobs and provide some level of service in some areas. Yes, big reductions in workforce at the county employment level is another impact from loss of tax revenue.
     The first round of the counties losing about 50 percent of their funding may not be until after Oct. 1, 2028, or after July 1, 2029, if the legislation gets that far this year.
     As it stands, the current set of elected legislators in Tallahassee appear to be so out of touch with government funding or the responsibility of people who are elected or appointed to offices of public service that the general public may ask their smarter friends to consider running for state office, being elected and serving as a leader in Florida. 
     Gilchrist County Commission Bill Martin said that even if the current state leaders failed to impose the devastating tax cuts this year, he thinks it will happen next year.
     Martin said that some people are happy that property taxes may be cut dramatically or abolished. When they discover that their solid waste transfer site is not able to stay open as long or as often as currently, then they may not be as pleased. 
     Commission Chairman Darrell Smith said the purpose of this workshop was to review the budget and what impact from tax revenue loss means to the county government. He thanked Clerk Newton, Gilchrist County Finance Director Richard Romans, Assistant Gilchrist County Finance Director Tonya Howell, and other staff for helping the County Commission and the public have a look at this part of government. Chairman Smith also expressed his gratitude to Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz for attending and providing input, and he thanked the sheriff for the outstanding job done by the team at the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office. The commission chairman also said he appreciates the work done by Gilchrist County Fire Chief James Campbell and the Gilchrist County Fire Department.
     Law enforcement, fire and rescue services, roads and transportation, and solid waste transfer are the top priorities of public services the county provides, Smith said, as the county looks at where the cuts must happen if revenue sources dwindle or disappear.
     Smith told the room full of people that if anyone has suggestions for how to increase revenue to fund the government if property taxes are reduced or abolished, or if people have suggestions to save money and more efficiently serve the public, then call or email any of the County Commission members.
     During the public comment period at the end of the workshop, one of the people who spoke to commissioners said she had received a text message from a person who feared asking directly how to let the County Commission hear or see their input. She was told all of the commissioners’ phone numbers and emails are on the County Commission website.
     They are listed as: 
     ● Sharon A. Langford (District 1) -- 352-213-2395 (Cell) and sharonlangford@gilchrist.fl.us
     ● William “Bill” Martin (District 2) --352-221-0716 (Cell) and bmartin@gilchrist.fl.us
     ● Darrell Smith (District 3) -- 352-646-9021 (Cell) and dsmith@gilchrist.fl.us
     ● Tommy Langford (District 4) -- 352- 222-4821 (Cell) and tlangford@gilchrist.fl.us
     ● Kenrick Thomas (District 5) -- 352-214-3977 (Cell) and he doesn't use email

Free training offered for high-paying jobs
By Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC, FCWP
Director of Communications
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion
Published April 2, 2026 at 8 a.m.
     LEVY COUNTY – There is a free fiber optics boot camp available for those interested in high-paying, in-demand careers in broadband telecommunications.
     The next one-week free training takes place May 18 through 22 at the College of Central Florida Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 U.S. Highway 19 about five miles north of Chiefland, and a few miles south of the City of Fanning Springs.
     The boot camp is part of the Creating Connections program specifically designed to help fill critical broadband positions in order to provide high-speed internet for approximately 70,000 residents and businesses in three rural CareerSource regions (CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, CareerSource North Central Florida, and CareerSource North Florida).
     CareerSource CLM, oversees the program. Those living in the Tri-County Area of Levy, Dixie and Gilchrist counties are eligible to take advantage of this free training.
     Residents in the CareerSource North Florida region are eligible for this service, which extends even beyond the Tri-County Area of Levy, Dixie and Gilchrist counties.
     So far, 59 residents from the regions in the Tri-County Area have taken part in the boot camp and 43 have garnered good, gainful employment in the field or have been upskilled.
     Here’s what participants get in just one week:
     • Hands-on training with fiber optic cable, patch panels, and test equipment; 
     • Ability to earn three industry-recognized certifications (a $3,350 value);
     • Job placement support in broadband telecommunications; and
     • Wrap-around services such as travel assistance, uniforms, and tools.
     The fiber optics training is conducted by BDI DataLynk, a standards-based company offering Fiber Optic Association (FOA) sanctioned fiber optics network technician training. The FOA is the largest professional fiber optics society in the world.
     Those interested in enrolling in the program or learning more should call 800-434-JOBS, ext. 4206, email broadband@careersourceclm.com or visit https://careersourceclm.com/broadband.

Investiture scheduled
for Alachua County judge
Information and Photo Provided
By Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Administration
Public Information Officer Christy Cain
Published April 17, 2026 at 12 p.m.
     GAINESVILLE -- The Honorable Joy L. Danne was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Alachua County Court bench on Jan. 30, 2026.
     She began her service in March. Her Investiture is scheduled to be held on Friday, June 5, at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 1B of the Judge Stephan P. Mickle Sr. Criminal Courthouse.
     Judge Danne earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her Juris Doctor from Faulkner University, Thomas Goode Jones School of Law. Judge Danne served as an assistant public defender in the Eighth Judicial Circuit under the Honorable Stacy A. Scott for more than 12 years.  
     Beyond her professional legal work, Judge Danne has shown a long-standing commitment to civic leadership and community involvement. Her extensive service in the legal community includes roles such as a member and eventually Chair of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Grievance Committee B.
     Judge Danne is dedicated to developing local youth and education; she currently serves as the co-president of the Newberry Elementary PTO and has volunteered as a coach for youth soccer and basketball for Newberry Sports and Recreation. 
     She continues to support the next generation of legal professionals as a volunteer judge for trial competitions at both the University of Florida and Faulkner University law schools. 
     Judge Danne fills a vacancy created by the elevation of the Honorable Judge Kristine Van Vorst to the Eighth Judicial Circuit bench. Judge Danne is currently assigned to Alachua County Civil Division V and the Civil Traffic Division. Her judicial assistant is Delatrone Hunter.

Gilchrist County to accept $46,000
in $91,600 road deal
By Jeff M. Hardison © April 7, 2026 at 2 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     TRENTON – If Michael and Karen Holbrook of 1119 S.W. 80th Ave., Bell, deliver a check for $46,000 in the next few weeks to Gilchrist County Clerk Todd Newton as payment for part of a one-mile chip and seal road improvement project, then Gilchrist County will subsidize the remaining money for the whole project that has an estimated cost currently of $91,641.72.
     Gilchrist County is footing the whole bill on one mile of Southwest 10th Street west of Gilchrist County Road 341 – just as it is for all five projects the county is completing through its work with Asphalt Paving.
     Chip and seal is not the highest degree of paving. There was some discussion where Holbrook intimated that he and other donors will want a refund if it does not meet their expectations. Gilchrist County entered an agreement with a subdivision where the property owners would pay a municipal service tax for certain roads to be paved. The people did not like the final product, and the county government found a significant unexpected bill for essentially repaving over the inadequate areas of that project.
     A 4-0 vote by Commission Chairman Darrell Smith, Vice Chairman Bill Martin, and Commissioners Sharon A. Langford and Tommy Langford sealed the deal on April 6 with the Holbrooks at the regular twice-monthly County Commission meeting. Michael Holbrook is the front man for this venture and Karen Holbrook is the accountant for this agreement, where the Holbrooks are accepting money from more than 20 other interests that are willing to pay just over 50 percent of the estimated cost to improve that “second mile” of the road, which may have been completely covered in the next year’s roadwork. Of course, several road projects may be delayed or stopped next year and going into the future of Florida if voters approve an amendment to the Florida Constitution to reduce or eliminate county property taxes.
     Holbrook chose against telling the County Commission or Gilchrist County Attorney David Miller “Duke” Lang Jr. who the other contributors are for the project, and if the county needs to refund any or all money, it will be returned to Holbrook for him to distribute to the other donors. Instead, he singularly put his name on the deal. He said some of the donors want anonymity. 
     Until the project is finished, Gilchrist County Finance Director Richard Romans explained that this $46,000 will be held outside of other parts of the budget until the project is finished. It is not going to be listed as revenue for the county then. Also, since this was not a planned expense, the $45,642 the county is paying on this unplanned roadwork this year will come from the $45,000 contingency created for the five approved chip and seal projects this year, with a little coming from another part of the county’s coffers. And, Romans said, the County Commission will need to make a budget amendment to the current fiscal year’s budget. This fiscal year is Oct. 1, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2027.
     Gilchrist County Clerk and Comptroller Newton again warned the County Commission that if it keeps choosing to “spend, spend, spend,” it will reach a point where there is no more reserve balance, or contingency fund.
     And this decision opens the door for any property owner or group of property owners to approach the Gilchrist County Commission to use the chip and seal process to improve their county-maintained lime rock road to make it that better quality of road. Commissioners are trying this chip and seal method this year on the lime rock roads with the most need for maintenance by grading and the most used roads. They may continue it next year, or maybe they won’t do so – depending on variables such as hurricane damage, a loss of tax revenue and the like.
     There has been approved private contribution for a road paving project in Levy County recently. The Levy County Commission accepted an $86,000 voluntary contribution from property owner Jerry Weintraub for the purpose of resurfacing Southeast 157th Avenue on March 3.
     In Levy County, accepting money from a developer for a road project is generally addressed in an enforceable development agreement or development order, as noted in the county’s capital improvements policies. This particular agreement in Levy County was a deal with one property owner. The County Commission let him know that this road is still the same public road that it was before he helped fund it being paved.
     While the Tri-County Area counties – Levy, Gilchrist and Dixie – rely heavily on state or federal grants for most of the major resurfacing projects, these partnerships with private donors are used to expedite specific improvements – such as this one-year jump in time for this one mile that will possibly help traffic more going to the Wannee Boat Ramp in Gilchrist County.

New record set
for distance of humans away from Earth
By Cheryl Warner and Rachel Kraft of NASA News
Sent April 6, 2026 at 3:57 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
Published April 7, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. EDT
     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Four astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis II test flight around the Moon made history at 12:56 p.m. Central Daylight Time (or 1:56 p.m. EDT) on Monday (April 6), traveling 248,655 miles from Earth, surpassing the record for human spaceflight’s farthest distance previously set by the Apollo 13 mission on April 15, 1970.
     At its farthest point, crew inside the Orion spacecraft will have traveled about 252,760 miles, before looping back toward our home planet, setting the new record for human spaceflight.
     Six days into the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen continued collecting pictures of the Moon on their voyage away from Earth.
      “At NASA, we dare to reach higher, explore farther, and achieve the impossible. That’s embodied perfectly by our Artemis II astronauts – Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy. They are charting new frontiers for all humanity,” said Dr. Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Their dedication is about more than breaking records – it’s fueling our hope for a bold future. Their mission is carrying our promise to return to the Moon’s surface, this time to stay as we establish a Moon Base.”
     NASA’s Orion spacecraft began its journey to the Moon following a successful April 1 launch on an SLS (Space Launch System) rocket from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After conducting a series of burns to break free of Earth orbit the following day, the spacecraft set its path toward the Moon.
     Following their record achievement, crew provided brief, emotional remarks. The world heard from CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen aboard Orion:
     “From the cabin of Integrity here, as we surpass the furthest distance humans have ever traveled from planet Earth, we do so in honoring the extraordinary efforts and feats of our predecessors in human space exploration. We will continue our journey even further into space before Mother Earth succeeds in pulling us back to everything that we hold dear. But we most importantly choose this moment to challenge this generation and the next to make sure this record is not long-lived.”
     In addition to their spaceflight record, crew suggested naming two craters on the Moon during their flight. The first is named in honor of their spacecraft, Integrity. The second honors Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll. After this mission is complete, the crater name proposals will be formally submitted to the International Astronomical Union, the organization that governs the naming of celestial bodies and their surface features.
     When they fly past the Moon later, crew will come within about 4,070 miles from its surface at the closest approach. The astronauts will be the first to see the far side of the Moon with human eyes and are the first to travel behind the Moon. Finally, they will witness a solar eclipse as the Moon passes in front of the Sun.
     NASA is expecting to lose communication with the astronauts for about 40 minutes during a planned blackout period. The break will occur as the Moon blocks signals between the spacecraft and the Earth through the Deep Space Network. When Orion reemerges from behind the Moon, it is expected to quickly reacquire contact with flight controllers in the Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. 
     During their lunar flyby, a fleet of cameras will capture imagery of the Moon, including features humans have never directly seen. The astronauts will use a variety of digital handheld cameras to conduct high-resolution photography of the lunar surface. Artemis II is providing astronauts an opportunity to gather data as one of the most powerful scientific tools for observation are the four pairs of eyes observing lunar features with varying illumination and texture.
     Photos, videos, mission telemetry, and communication information are all sources of data from the test flight, which will be used to inform future Artemis missions as the agency embarks on development of its Moon Base.
     The Artemis II astronauts are more than halfway through their mission. The crew is scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 8:07 p.m. EDT (5:07 p.m. PDT) on Friday, April 10. Following splashdown, recovery teams will retrieve the crew members using helicopters and deliver them to the USS John P. Murtha. Once aboard, the astronauts will undergo post-flight medical evaluations in the ship’s medical bay before traveling back to shore to meet with an aircraft bound for NASA Johnson.
     Under the Artemis program, NASA will send Artemis astronauts on increasingly challenging missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.
 

Cedar Key Woman's Club Officers Installed

Cedar Key Woman’s Club officers for 2026-2028 were installed by General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Florida District 5 President, Sallie Milner on March 24. GFWC Florida District 5 includes District 5 Levy, Gilchrist, Dixie, Citrus, Alachua and Marion counties. Cedar Key Woman’s Club officers seen here from left are Correspondence Secretary Sallie Milner, Recording Secretary Tammy Reed, 2nd Vice President for Membership Vicki Crumpley, President Donna Bushnell, Treasurer Jean Garbaty, and Past President Marci Wilcox. The club plans are to continue the many activities and support that it provides for the community.
Photo and Information Provided By CKWC President Donna Bushnell
Published April 5, 2026 at 7 a.m.

Emergency services leader honored
Story and Photo Provided By DCFR Deputy PIO Blake Watson
Published March 31, 2026 at 10 a.m.
     DIXIE COUNTY -- Chief Darian Brown, director of Dixie County Emergency Services (DCES), was recently honored for his lifelong commitment to saving lives and property.
     In recognition of his decades of service and transformative leadership, Brown was recently honored by the presentation to him of the Mark Fingeret Award -- one of the most prestigious acknowledgments in the emergency medical services profession.
     Presented annually by organizations such as the Florida Association of County Emergency Medical Services, the award represents a lifetime achievement in emergency medical services.
     It specifically recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional administrative leadership, dedication, and lasting contributions to community health and pre-hospital care.
     For DCES Director Brown, serving the community has never been just a job. It has been a lifelong commitment. From his earliest days as a volunteer firefighter to his leadership of Dixie County Fire Rescue and the other divisions of DCES today, Brown’s career has been defined by dedication, growth, and meaningful improvements to the county’s emergency services.
     Brown’s journey in the fire service began in 1988 when he started volunteering with Cross City Fire Department. Through years of hard work and commitment, he rose through the ranks and was promoted to Assistant Chief in 1998. Nearly three decades later, he still holds that position, continuing to support the department that helped shape his career.
     In 2005, Brown expanded his service by becoming a full-time firefighter with Taylor County. That same year, he returned home to Dixie County, bringing with him valuable experience and leadership. Upon his return, he joined Dixie County Fire Rescue as a Division Chief.
     Chief Brown’s leadership abilities quickly became evident, and he was later promoted to director, a position he continues to hold today. During his time as director, he has overseen significant advancements that have strengthened emergency response capabilities throughout Dixie County.
     Under DCES Director Brown’s leadership, Dixie County Fire Rescue has expanded its resources and modernized its equipment. The department added an additional Advanced Life Support (ALS) rescue unit, two ALS engines, an ALS squad, and a new tanker to better serve residents during emergencies. These additions have significantly enhanced the department’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to both medical and fire-related incidents.
     Brown secured funding for four new fire stations across the county, improving coverage and ensuring that help can reach residents more efficiently when it matters most.
     In addition to expanding infrastructure and apparatus, Brown prioritized modernization. During his tenure, the department replaced all medical and firefighting equipment to meet current standards, ensuring firefighters and paramedics have the tools they need to safely and effectively serve the public.
     One of Brown’s most forward-thinking initiatives has been the development of a community paramedic program within Dixie County. The program focuses on proactive care, helping residents manage medical needs before they become emergencies. Its success has not only benefited local residents but has also helped demonstrate the program’s value across Florida, contributing to its growing adoption statewide.
     After decades of service, Director Brown’s impact on Dixie County Fire Rescue is evident in the department’s expanded capabilities, improved facilities, and innovative programs. His career stands as a testament to the difference dedicated leadership can make in building a safer and more prepared community.