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NEW EACH WEEK
Gary Miller's Outdoor Truths Ministry, Feb. 9, 2026
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Old Town students salute new colors

Seen here, from American Legion Post 383 of Old Town are (from left) Bob Hardarce, Commander Gary Pruss, Lloyd Roosa, Mazzy Roosa and Kevin Babcock.

By Tammy Jo Daniel, American Legion Public Relations
Published Feb. 12, 2026 at 2:45 a.m.
     OLD TOWN — The morning air at Old Town Elementary was filled with a sense of pride and tradition as a new American flag was hoisted over the campus, thanks to a generous donation from American Legion Post 383 on Friday, Feb. 6. 

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     The ceremony, organized by the local Legion members, served as both a gift to the school and a live history lesson for some of the community's youngest residents. Robyn Taylor’s first grade class watched as the veterans prepared the crisp, new colors for their debut.
     For the students in Taylor’s class, the event was more than just a break from the classroom. It was an opportunity to witness the proper etiquette and care required for the national ensign. 
     Members of Post 383 took the time to explain the significance of the flag before slowly raising it to the top of the pole.

     As the flag caught the breeze for the first time, the young students watched.
     This donation from American Legion Post 383 ensures that Old Town Elementary continues to display a vibrant symbol of the country for years to come. This partnership highlights the ongoing commitment of local veterans to support and inspire the next generation of leaders in Old Town.
     Members present were Commander Gary Pruss, Vice Commander Bob Hardarce, Honor Guard members. Kevin Babcock, Lloyd Roosa, Mazzy Roosa and Connie Linacre
     Post 383 is always looking for new faces to help continue these traditions. Any American veterans or family members of a veteran who are interested in joining, are invited to come visit.
 

Student Honored

Chiefland City Commissioner Kim Bennett stands with Wyatt Bailey at the Monday night (Feb. 9) meeting of the Chiefland City Commission. Bailey, a seventh grader, earned the monthly Outstanding Student Award for academic excellence, leadership, citizenship and attendance at Chiefland Middle School. 
Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © Feb. 10, 2026 at 3 p.m.
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One retail vendor reportedly pledges
to reduce THC sales in Dixie County
Tri-County Area shows higher percentages
than statewide averages for substance abuse
By Jeff M. Hardison © Feb. 8, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
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Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     CROSS CITY – Sheila Frierson, R.N., one of the four employees of the Dixie County Anti-Drug Coalition (DCADC) on Thursday (Feb. 5) told the Dixie County Commission and others who were present for that regular twice-monthly commission meeting, facts that show some hope in the effort to reduce drug abuse and addiction in Dixie County.     And while there is hope from one retailer pledging to remove certain products for sale, which show in-store advertising enticing youth to partake of them, the DCADC is hoping for more community-wide efforts in the prevention of drug abuse and for the rehabiliation for people who, with their families and friends, have suffered from the ill effects caused by drug abuse and addiction. In addition to becoming a slave to a substance through addiction -- temporary or permanent injury, death and imprisonment are among those bad side effects from drug abuse.
     The DCADC, like its counterpart in Levy County, the Levy County Prevention Coalition, conducts reviews of establishments that sell alcohol, tobacco and now THC-laced products.
     THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), is the primary psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana use. It is a cannabinoid that is psychoactive when heated, converting from its acidic form, THCA, into the active THC, which is a colorless oil.
     Frierson said this “environmental scan” by the DCADC in 2025, of 27 establishments in Dixie County, showed eight stores sold CDB or CDB-infuse products, in the forms of energy drinks, edibles, lollipops, lotions, pills, pre-rolled “joints” (cigarettes) loose buds and gummies.
     There is a difference between THC and CDB, according to information from Harvard University and the Mayo Clinic.
     A prescription cannabidiol (CBD) oil is considered an effective anti-seizure medication. However, further research is needed to determine CBD’s other benefits and safety.
     CBD is a chemical found in marijuana. CBD does not contain THC, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic. As noted, THC is the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a high.
     The usual CBD formulation is oil, but CBD is also sold as an extract, a vaporized liquid and an oil-based capsule. Food, drinks and beauty products are among the many CBD-infused products available online, the Mayo Clinic noted.
     As of 2024, the only CBD product approved by the Food and Drug Administration is a prescription oil called Epidiolex. It’s approved to treat two types of epilepsy.
     CBD is being studied as a treatment for a wide range of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and anxiety, research supporting the drug’s benefits is still limited, the Mayo Clinic noted.
     CBD use carries some risks. Though it’s often well-tolerated, CBD can cause side effects, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness and fatigue. CBD can also interact with other medications a person is taking, such as blood thinners, the Mayo Clinic noted.
     Another cause for concern is the unreliability of the purity and dosage of CBD in products. A recent study of 84 CBD products bought online showed that more than a quarter of the products contained less CBD than labeled.
     In addition, THC was found in 18 of the 84 products, the Mayo Clinic report noted.
     “If you plan to use products containing CBD, talk to your doctor,” the Mayo Clinic advised.
     In regard to Frierson’s report to the Dixie County Commission, she noted how in-store advertisements in local convenience stores are placed to entice youth to buy those products, including the CBD brands that actually include THC.
     She reminded county commissioners and others who were listening that the marijuana of the 21st Century is far more potent for THC content than the plants grown in the 1970s.
     As for the eight stores in Dixie County that sold “CBD” products in Dixie County three-fourths of them sold products that contained more than 400 milligrams of THC, Frierson said.
     Another drug that was found to be sold in Dixie County in 2025, Frierson said, is Kratom. Six of the 27 stores reviewed sold Kratom, she said.
     Kratom is a tropical tree (Mitragyna speciosa) native to Southeast Asia, where its leaves have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their stimulant and sedative-narcotic effects. In the United States, it is commonly sold in smoke shops, gas stations, and online as an herbal supplement, powder, capsule, or tea, often marketed for energy, mood enhancement, pain relief, and managing opioid withdrawal. 
     Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is considered both dangerous and addictive by major health organizations, including the Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which lists it as a “drug of concern.” While often marketed as a natural herbal remedy for pain or energy, it has opioid-like properties, with studies showing that regular, high-dose use can lead to physical dependence, addiction and severe withdrawal symptoms. 
     Frierson said the owner of one of the 27 stores reviewed has removed the harmful products after she spoke with him.
Tri-County Area shows higher percentages than statewide averages for substance abuse indicators
     In a four-page handout that Frierson provided to County Commission members and several others, the DCADC also provided a breakdown of some information from the 2024 Statewide Youth Substance Abuse Survey (SYSAS).
     The county-by-county SYSAS happens in even-numbered years. The information she provided included teenage girls giving birth as well as percentages of child poverty in 2024.
     That 2024 survey shows a plethora of information, among which is the following breakdown of data for the Tri-County Area and statewide.
     Among the many indicators, the 2024 SYSAS showed Dixie County students reporting they had ridden in a vehicle, in the 30 days prior to the survey, driven by someone who had been drinking alcoholic beverages or smoking marijuana in the following percentages: Alcohol – 17.4 percent (Florida average 12.2 percent); and Marijuana – 26. 4 percent (Florida average 14.8 percent).
     Other 2024 data showed the following:
Youth Past 30-Day Use
Drinking Alcohol
     Dixie 17.5 percent; Gilchrist 10.6 percent; Levy 7.7 percent Florida 10.2 percent
Binge Drinking 
     Dixie 12.8 percent; Gilchrist 5.3 percent; Levy 2.7 percent; Florida 4.4 percent
Cigarette Smoking
     Dixie 5.4 percent; Gilchrist 2.5 percent; Levy 1.2 percent; Florida 1.1 percent
Vaping Nicotine
     Dixie 19 percent; Gilchrist 7.7 percent; Levy 4.6; Florida 6.6 percent
     To see the entire 2024 Statewide Youth Substance Abuse Survey data, click HERE.

 

Bronson shines a light
on Cancer Prevention Month

While the sign in front of the Dogan S. Cobb Municipal Building in Bronson is incorrect from a grammatical perspective, the thought is there. The people of Bronson endorse cancer prevention awareness and action 100 percent.

Story and Photo Provided
By Bronson Town Manager Amanda Huber
Published Feb. 5, 2026 at 7:45 a.m.
     BRONSON -- Each February, communities across the nation pause to recognize National Cancer Prevention Month, a time devoted to education, screenings and lifesaving awareness.     This year, the Town of Bronson is taking that mission to heart, elevating the conversation through community outreach and the powerful voices of residents whose lives have been forever changed by early detection and faith-driven perseverance. 
     Among those voices is longtime Bronson resident Caryl Carlisle Osteen, whose unshakable outlook and willingness to share her story have already influenced others to take action -- literally saving lives. 
A Community Comes Together for Awareness 
     Fresh off the heels of the Bronson Community Health Fair, town leaders, local health partners and residents continue to make health and wellness a priority. Individuals who missed taking advantage of the cancer screenings at Bronson’s Health Fair, may want to consider visiting the Health Fair in Williston, on Feb. 28, at the Williston Woman’s Club, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for the same type cancer screenings as the Bronson Community Health Fair.
     Both the health fair in Bronson and the one planned for Williston are organized by Bronson High School alumna, Dr. Kizzy McCray-Sheppard, Doctor of Nursing Practice and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, and owner of Limitless Possibilities Now.
     “When I pursued my doctorate, it wasn’t about accolades, it was about championing the purpose of igniting transformation in rural landscapes and underserved communities,” she said. “Together with our health partners, we are spreading awareness one step at a time, building stronger, healthier communities with every stride.”  
     Bronson Town Councilman Reggie Stacy said Bronson’s focus on health and cancer screenings is a continuation of that same determined attitude to build a stronger, healthier town.
     “Consider February your month of action,” Stacy said. “I encourage all residents -- especially those 45 and older -- to schedule vital screenings such as colonoscopies, mammograms and skin checks. Make those calls this month.” 
     Stacy knows that screenings save lives, and so does longtime Bronson resident Osteen, who describes her experience with colon cancer not just as a medical journey, but as a spiritual one -- woven with resilience, gratitude and what she affectionately calls “lemonades.” 
A Journey of Faith, Healing and Purpose
     “My journey through colon cancer is first and foremost a TESTimony of God's faithfulness. Within an hour of receiving my diagnosis, the Lord gave me a peace that cannot be explained any other way. In the quiet of that moment, I clearly heard Him say, ‘I've got this.’ From that point forward, I never felt alone, afraid or uncertain. Who am I to deny God's plan?” 
     What began as an unexpected diagnosis soon became, in her words, a pathway to purpose. 
     “Colon cancer was certainly not on my Bingo card for life, yet today I am genuinely thankful for the journey. Throughout every step, the Lord carried me with a calm confidence that could only come from Him. I was reminded time and again of the truth found in Romans 8:28 -- that ‘in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.’ Even in the unexpected and the uncomfortable, He was working.” 
     Through treatment, recovery and reflection, Caryl counted nearly 50 “miracles” -- her lemonades -- moments she interpreted as reminders of God’s presence and intentionality. But even more astonishing is the ripple effect of her story. 
     “At least 10 people who have heard my TESTimony have since scheduled and completed their colonoscopies, taking steps to protect their health.” 
     These 10 individuals, and perhaps many more soon, represent exactly what Cancer Prevention Month strives for: awareness turned into action. 
     “I am deeply grateful to the Lord for carrying me through this journey and for entrusting me with a miraculous TESTimony to share. My story stands as a reminder that He is in control, even when life takes an unexpected turn, as well as a loving encouragement to everyone 45 and older to schedule their colonoscopy. God is still working, still redeeming, and still turning trials into purpose.” 
Why Bronson’s Campaign Matters 
     Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, but it is also one of the most preventable through early detection. By highlighting stories like Caryl’s, the Town of Bronson hopes to break the stigma and hesitation surrounding routine screenings. 
     Prevention isn’t just about medical tests, it’s about empowering people with information, fostering open conversations and supporting one another through difficult diagnoses. 
A Call to Action 
     Through National Cancer Prevention Month, the Town of Bronson honors survivors, encourages those still in the fight and strengthens their commitment to proactive health care. 
     As Cancer Prevention Month continues and people see the banner, signs and pinwheels at the Dogan S. Cobb Municipal Building in Bronson, Bronson’s leaders say to let this call to action prompt every resident 45 years old and older to speak with their primary care health care provider and take the next important step toward to cancer screenings and prevention.
Thank you for keeping www.HardisonInk.com as THE MOST VIEWED daily news website in the world for any form of print, broadcast or Internet-based media covering the Tri-County Area of Levy, Gilchrist and Dixie counties (and beyond).
 

Levy County Judge Luis Bustamante
campaigns via meet-and-greet
Candidates registering in three counties

Levy County Court Judge Luis Bustamante stands near tables full of hors d'oeuvres and drinks at the meet-and-greet event he had at the Tommy Usher Community Center in Chiefland on Thursday (Jan. 30). This picture is before the guests arrived.

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:15 p.m.
Updated Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
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Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     CHIEFLAND – The Honorable Levy County Court Judge Luis Bustamante continues his campaign to win the election to remain as the county judge in Levy County.     Gov. Ron DeSantis on Sept. 27, 2023, appointed Bustamante of Chiefland to the Levy County bench.
     Bustamante had served as an assistant state attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit since 2015. Previously, he served as the sole practitioner for the Law Office of Luis Bustamante.
     He earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and his juris doctor from Florida State University. 
     Bustamante filled the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of the now late Honorable Levy County Court Judge James T. “Tim” Browning.
     Judge Bustamante warmly greeted all of the visitors who came to the social (and although non-partisan, political) gathering at the Tommy Usher Community Center, 506 S.W. Fourth Ave. (State Road 345), in Chiefland.
     Visitors, during the two-hour event Thursday (Jan. 30) from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, found him to be as friendly and truthful as he is known to be by others who have met him previously.
     A few people arrived before the start of the event because they had other commitments, and they wanted to meet the candidate and shake his hand. So, they jumped the starting time. The judge said he was happy to meet and speak with them.
     The judge himself, joined by his wife Mina Bustamante, and their youngest daughter Miranda, and other campaign supporters, catered the event with store-bought roll-up sandwiches, cheeses and other hors d'oeuvres, as well as sweet tea, sweet lemonade and bottled water.


Levy County Court Judge Luis Bustamante and his wife Mina Bustamante stand near one of the decorated tables in the Tommy Usher Community Center in Chiefland on Thursday (Jan. 30). This picture is before the guests arrived.


Jackson Seery joins Miranda Bustamante, the youngest daughter of Luis and Mina Bustamante, at the table near the front door of the Tommy Usher Community Center in Chiefland on Thursday (Jan. 30). Seery and Ms. Bustamante greeted guests as they entered. This is in betwen when some of the first guests had arrived.

     The judge said he created this get-together to provide people with an opportunity to come and speak with him to get to know him.
     People sometimes feel that a judge is not accessible, he said. These types of events let everyone understand that while they are held to certain standard of decorum and etiquette as professionals, and even by certain laws regarding discussion of cases and the like, all judges are just as human as anyone else.
     “I’m married,” he said. “I have kids.”
     The judge is a font of information, and he is an excellent listener as well. In conversation with one visiting journalist, he mentioned that Levy County, like Gilchrist County and Dixie County, is one of the 28 remaining Florida counties where there is a population that is not so dense on a per-capita basis that those counties qualify for more than one county judge.
     In those smaller counties, those judges rule on matters in several matters requiring them to adjudicate.
     These include:
     ● Civil (Circuit and County) – On occasion in these smaller counties, which are part of the 20 judicial circuits (although some circuits are so big that they include only one or two counties), the county judges preside over non-criminal disputes; Circuit Civil handles claims exceeding $50,000, while County Civil handles claims from $8,001 to $50,000.
     ● Family (Domestic Relations) – Here, the judge presides over domestic matters such as divorce (dissolution of marriage), paternity, child custody, and injunctions for domestic violence.
     ● Probate – The judge manages the administration of estates, wills, and trusts.
     ● Guardianship – The judge handles cases involving the legal protection of minors or incapacitated adults.
     ● Juvenile Delinquency – The judge deals with cases where children who are younger than 18 years old who have violated criminal laws.
     ● Juvenile Dependency – The judge must review and act on case of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
     ● Small Claims: A division of County Court for civil disputes involving amounts up to $8,000. (The $8,000 cap in county court excludes court fees, interest and other costs. This monetary cap applies to the amount a plaintiff can seek in Florida’s small claims court, making it suitable for resolving minor disputes without the need for more extensive legal procedures.)
     ● Traffic Citations – When a person contests an assertion by a law enforcement officer that a driver, or passenger, of a vehicle has violated a traffic law (click it, or ticket – move over – don’t speed or run red lights or stop signs, etc.), then a judge must decide if the facts and evidence when applied to the law show the alleged offender is guilty or not.
     Beyond the facts of duties of any of the great 28 smaller county judges, this judge has reached out to help young people and their parents to demystify the local justice system. He helps people understand their rights as well as their responsibilities in this country that is a nation of laws, not of whims of people in power.
     The judge has taught child advocacy classes at Bronson Middle High School, as well as helping students understand the laws more at Cedar Key School, Chiefland Middle High School and Williston Middle High School, he said.
     He wants to “reach people outside the bench,” where they might be learning via the actual application and execution of civil and criminal laws that result in one side “winning” one side “losing,” even if from a universal view all of civilization can win or lose, too.
     The judge said he enjoys letting children know the answer to “Can I be a lawyer?” is “Yes.” He lets them know that certainly they can choose to follow a path toward any other trade or profession, but if they desire to do what it takes to earn what is required to serve people as an attorney, the answer is “Yes.”
     Among the many visitors that evening were a couple of people who moved from Dixie County to Levy County recently, and they wanted to meet the candidate for Levy County judge, and a former Dixie County judge who lives in Levy County who wanted to speak with the candidate as well.
     This event gave Judge Bustamante the chance to speak with everyone who wanted to speak with him and find answers to questions as they decided upon which candidate to choose when they vote.
     Currently, according to records in the office of Levy County Supervisor of Elections Tammy Jones, there is one other candidate for this elected non-partisan post.
     Darla Whistler is the only other candidate seeking to be elected to this position other than Bustamante as of the official records on Jan. 29. 
     Darla Whistler is a dedicated legal professional and community advocate running for the position of Levy County Court Judge, as noted in some of her campaign material. She grew up in Chiefland, and has more than 18 years of experience as an assistant state attorney, with a strong commitment to serving her community, her campaign material notes.
     “Darla is married to Lt. Scott Tummond, who has served with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office for 32 years,” it is noted, “and she is actively involved in local outreach efforts and the legal profession.”
Other Levy County Judge Candidates
     In addition to Bustamante and Whistler, there can be more candidates in this race for Levy County judge, according to state election laws.
     The actual qualifying dates for county judges in any of Florida’s counties where there is an election slated in 2026 for those seats is from noon (12 p.m.) on April 20 through noon on April 24. All people who are seeking federal, state, county, municipal, circuit or district elected positions are responsible for knowing what is required to seek votes from people for those positions.
     It has been noted for candidates to conduct the research required and complete what is needed long before the final days of qualifying.
Tri-County Area Races
     There are more than just county races in the election cycle of 2026; however, here are the current standings according to information for county offices -- from the offices of Levy County Supervisor of Elections Tammy Jones, Dixie County Supervisor of Elections Darbi Chaires and Gilchrist County Supervisor of Elections Lisa Darus.
     Other sources of information include Florida Statutes, the Florida Constitution and the Florida Secretary of State’s Division of Elections Office.
Levy County
     As noted, the people of Levy County will choose between the incumbent or one or more candidates for county judge. THIS DECISION will be final in the primary election on Aug. 18.
     It is important for all voters to know that if there are two candidates in the same party – Republicans, for instance – and they are seeking election in a partisan race, such as for county commissioner, then that choice will be final in the primary election – Aug. 18.
     If there are three Republicans running for county commission, then the top two vote-getters will move on the general election.
     The people other than Bustamante and Whistler who both want to be the county judge in Levy County so far are noted below.
● County Commissioner, District 2
     The two candidates as of Jan. 29 who said they intend to qualify during the period for School Board or County Commission offices during the qualifying period – noon on June 8 through noon June 12, for Levy County Commission, District 2 are Emily Casey (ECO) and Wesley Langston (REP).
     Notice, the June 8-12 qualifying period is after the time for county judge candidates to qualify, and those dates are County Commission, School Board and Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the three counties.
     Casey is a registered voter in the Ecology Party of Florida (ECO). The ECO is a registered minor political party in the state of Florida. The party was established in 2008, initially to provide an easy ballot line for Ralph Nader’s presidential candidacy in Florida. The party is dedicated to environmental preservation, government accountability, and “peaceful revolution,” according to records.
     The issues that the ECO have actively opposed are the development of nuclear power plants (specifically in Levy County), phosphate mining, and the use of fluoride in public drinking water. The headquarters for this political party is in Fort Lauderdale, according to records.
     As noted, Langston is a Republican (REP), one of two dominant parts in the United States of America. The other dominant party is Democrat (DEM). The Tri-County Area has seen zero or few Democrats willing to run for county offices for several years now.
● County Commissioner, District 4
     Noting their intent to qualify for the post of Levy County Commissioner as of Jan. 29 are incumbent Tim Hodge (REP) and 
David Sharpe (REP).
● School Board, District 1 (non-partisan)
     So far, the only candidate seeking to be elected to non-partisan post of Levy County School Board, District 1, is incumbent Cameron Asbell.
● School Board, District 3 (non-partisan)
     Neither incumbent Levy County School Board Member (District 3) Ashley Clemenzi nor any other person is shown as having filed an intent to qualify for election for that post as of Jan. 29. Again, qualifying is not until June. Hence, this may change.
● School Board, District 5 (non-partisan)
     Neither incumbent Levy County School Board Member (District 5) Devin Whitehurst nor any other person is shown as having filed an intent to qualify for election to that post as of Jan. 29.
● Levy County Soil and Water Conservation District, Districts 1, 3 and 5
     There may be an election by voters to choose the individuals in these seats on Aug. 18. As of Jan. 30, it is unclear about if the district will exist then.
     More is planned for a future story about this. Research is active now to find answers.
Dixie County
● County Commission, District 2
     As of Jan. 29, incumbent Daniel Wood III (REP) is the only person noting he intends to qualify for this race.
● County Commission, District 4
     As of Jan. 29, incumbent Jamie Storey (REP) is the only person noting he intends to qualify for this race.
● School Board, District 2 (non-partisan)
     As of Jan. 29, incumbent Amanda Mills NesSmith has noted she intends to seek reelection to the Dixie County School Board, and candidate Claude Sidney Smith Jr. has noted he plans to qualify for this seat in this non-partisan race.
● School Board, District 3 (non-partisan)
     As of Jan. 29, there is no person noting they plan to qualify for this seat in this non-partisan race.
School Board, District 5 (non-partisan)
     As of Jan. 29, there is no person noting they plan to qualify for this seat in this non-partisan race.
● County Court Judge (non-partisan)
     As of Jan. 29, the only candidate noting that she is seeking to fill this seat on the bench in this non-partisan race is Natasha Munkittrick Allen.
     For Dixie County voters, there are two special districts with elections. They are the Suwanee Soil and Water District, with seats in districts 1, 3 and 5 currently slated for the ballot; and the Suwannee Water and Sewer Board -- with seats in districts 2 and 3.
Gilchrist County
● County Commissioner District 2
     Incumbent William “Bill” Martin (REP) has completed the pre-qualifying steps to note his intent to seek reelection.
● County Commissioner, District 4
     Incumbent Tommy Langford (REP) has completed the pre-qualifying steps to note his intent to seek reelection.
● School Board, District 1 (non-partisan)
     Incumbent David Biddle has completed the pre-qualifying steps to note his intent to seek reelection.
● School Board, District 3 (non-partisan)
     Incumbent Roy has completed the pre-qualifying steps to note his intent to seek reelection.
● School Board, District 5 (non-partisan)
     Charlotte Kearney is the only person as of Jan. 29, who has completed the pre-qualifying steps to note her intent to seek election to this non-partisan post.
     Gilchrist County Soil and Water Conservation Districts 1, 3 and 5 are up for voters to decide who will be in those seats.
     There is more research in the process currently to learn more about this organization and if there will be an election related to it in August.

Petitions signed in favor
of Gilchrist County Museum
Resident hears road update

Geneva Cornwell tells the four members of the Gilchrist County Commission at the special meeting on Thursday (Jan. 15) about people who want a museum for Gilchrist County’s history.

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © Jan. 16, 2026 at 5 p.m.
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     TRENTON -- Gilchrist County Museum President Geneva Cornwell told the four members of the Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners present for the special meeting on Thursday (Jan. 15) about the 1,062 people who signed petitions in favor of the museum.
     Chairman Darrell Smith, Vice Chairman Bill Martin and commissioners Sharon Langford and Tommy Langford listened as Cornwell spoke during the “public participation” part of the agenda items.
     Gilchrist County Commission Kenrick Thomas, who very rarely misses a meeting, was so ill that he was absent from the only meeting set for that county commission this month. Usually, the Gilchrist County Commission meets the first and third Monday of the month starting at 4 p.m.
     With Monday, Jan. 5, being so close to Jan. 1, and Jan. 19 being a federal holiday to honor slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Jan. 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968), the commissioners voted previously to advertise and hold the only meeting on Jan. 15 this year.
     Although there is no structure designated yet for the Gilchrist County Museum, Cornwell said the people have donated 50 artifacts for placement in a museum if it comes to fruition.
     Vice Chairman Martin said he thinks it is “a great idea to keep history alive in Gilchrist County” and that he is excited for the potential museum to come to fruition at some point in the future. 
Resident Reassured

Capt. William Rhan speaks to the County Commission about an approved road project where he lives.

     Captain William Rhan was next at the lectern during the one meeting this month. Captain Rahn is better known simply as "Captain Rahn" and that is how he introduced himself for the record, however his first name is William. He is a retired merchant mariner, and formerly helped in the United Methodist Church Disaster Recovery efforts.
     Gilchrist County Administrator Bobby Crosby said bids on the Dixie Grade paving project are due in the coming week, after Rhan asked when work would begin.
     After that, it will be another four to six months until construction starts, Crosby said.
     Commissioner Sharon Langford said everyone on the commission is glad to see this road is being paved in the coming months. 
     Due to the need to relocate electrical utility poles, Crosby said, there will be a slight delay added. After construction begins, he added, it should be completed 160 days after starting the project. 
     There will be fence removals required to work on drainage that is required to meet Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) standards, Crosby said.
     This road be a road that will have a foundation and paving that meets FDOT quality. This will not be a chip-and-seal quality of road, or just millings, it will be a full-fledged paved road.
     After Rahn asked if the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office would enforce speed limits when the road is paved, Sheriff Bobby Schultz said it will. Rahn said people in the area feel some people speed now on the road and when it is paved, they fear it will be worse.
     The road path that exists today will be the same route that the paved road will follow, Rahn was told when he misunderstood the term “paved in place.” 
     After learning about the road, Rahn said he wanted to speak about one more matter.
     Code Enforcement Officer Jennifer Joyner, Rahn said, does an excellent job and he thinks she should get an increase in her pay.
     Joyner resolved “a terrible situation” on 53rd Terrace, Rahn said, and he commended her for helping the area get over the code violation issues there.

FSE offers 3 college scholarships
Deadline is March 6
Information Provided
By Levy County Supervisor of Elections Tammy Jones
Published Jan. 5, 2026 at 11 a.m.
     BRONSON -- The Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE) Association announced its 2026 scholarship program, offering three scholarships of $1,200 each to outstanding Florida college students.
Eligibility Requirements
     Applicants must:
     • Be a registered Florida voter;
     • Have resided in Florida for at least the past two years;
     • Be majoring in Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or Journalism/Mass Communication;
     • Be enrolled or accepted as a junior or senior at an accredited Florida college or university;
     • Maintain a minimum “C” average for the previous school year; and
     • Demonstrate financial need.
Application Details
     Applications and complete eligibility requirements are available online by clicking HERE or visiting the Levy County Supervisor of Elections Office, located at 421 S. Court St., in Bronson.
     All applications must be submitted by March 6.
     “This scholarship program is an excellent opportunity to support students preparing for careers in public service, business, journalism, and leadership,” Levy County Supervisor of Elections Tammy Jones said. “We encourage all eligible students to apply.”
     Applications must be submitted to the Supervisor of Elections Office in the county where the applicant is registered to vote.
     Each county will select one finalist to forward to the FSE Scholarship Committee for final consideration.
     For more information, call 352-486-5163.
 

First Published Feb. 1, 2011 at 8 a.m.
     On Feb. 1, 2011, HardisonInk.com came into existence on the Internet. On All Saints Day - Nov. 1, 2011, The Christian Press section on The Life Page of HardisonInk.com started, which was about nine months after the start of the daily news website. The name "The Christian Press" was derived from an encounter a decade earlier in 2001 in St. Petersburg, when and where a man mentioned to a journalist that this particular journalist must work for "The Christian Press." Although the presumption by the man about that journalist was incorrect and misplaced, the name sounded good. And the journalist said that if he could work for The Christian Press, then that certainly would be the publication to serve.
     Since Nov. 1, 2011, The Christian Press section of this page has run daily devotionals from several individuals who contributed over the past years. There were two days in 2018 when the daily devotional did not run due to a journalist requiring emergency orthopedic surgery on broken bones in his left arm and wrist. That surgically added metal, though, makes that part of that arm even more able to withstand forces. Many daily devotionals are pulled from Strength for Service to God and Country (Whitmore & Stone © 1942; Renewed 1969 by Norman E. Nygaard; Second revised edition © 2002 Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, Providence House Publishers). The journalist who is the sole proprietor and owner of HardisonInk.com (Jeff M. Hardison) notes his appreciation for the use of those devotionals from that now-defunct publishing company, and for the many other contributors who have helped people over the past decade-plus now. Strength for Service to God and Country's daily devotionals include many from a time when the United States of America was a partner in a World War, both WWI and WWII. This journalist welcomes contributions of daily devotionals. Daily devotional authors are asked to please send only their original works to hardisonink@gmail.com. Americans are reminded that all religions, having no religion and or being a person who endorses anti-religion are all protected as part of the freedoms from government intervention, as are other benefits from being an American.
 

Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 at 5:45 a.m. Eastern Standard Time

YOUR LIFE, A GIFT OF GOD

Read 2 Timothy 1:6-8

     Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
– 2 Timothy 1:6 (KJV)

     We all have unexplored riches within ourselves. Our Christian faith asserts that an individual is of value even to God. What powers are there unexplored? What possibilities lie there unexpressed? If we regard ourselves as “heels,” we imprison these potentialities.
     If we are willing to get by with mediocre effort, we have narrowed the channel of our service. Whatever may be one’s condition in life, environment is not all there is to possibilities. There is the unmined ore of the inner life that may yield the gold of brilliant achievement and sturdy quality. These gifts are from God. Stir up the gift that is within you.
     O GOD, who dost know us better than we know ourselves, teach us to trust Thy faith in us, that daily we may stir up the gift within which Thou hast made to us with such generosity. Amen.
The Rev. Dr. Milton M. McGorrill
(Milton McGorrill was the first Fountain Street Church preacher to begin broadcasting his sermons on the radio in the 1930s.)
Fountain Street Baptist Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Strength for Service to God and Country
(Whitmore & Stone © 1942; Renewed 1969 by Norman E. Nygaard; Second revised edition © 2002 Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, Providence House Publishers)
 

Outdoor Truths
By Gary Miller © Feb. 9, 2026 at 9:45 a.m. Eastern Standard Time