News

By Cindy Jo Ayers The Education Foundation of Gilchrist County held a Board Meeting on June 13. At the meeting they heard about how mini grant recipient Tanya Rood used her $500 grant to better the lives of her students. Rood reported that she had purchased a high quality printer, card paper as well as Velcro which she uses to ... Full Story »

Jones elected Area II Vice President By Lauren Roberts The Bell and Trenton FFA chapters received many prestigious recognitions and awards at the 90th annual Florida FFA convention and expo. Bell brought 16 members and Trenton carried 31 members to Orlando where the convention was held. Bell Middle and Trenton Middle were recognized as premier chapters. Trenton Senior was awarded ... Full Story »

By Cindy Jo Ayers Denny George of Trenton will be heading up Central Florida Electric which serves Gilchrist, Dixie and Levy Counties with electrical service. The position was advertised in February of this year. After an extensive process, George was chosen by the Board of Trustees. According to a news release from CFEC, Barbara Townsend of Bell and a longtime ... Full Story »

Summer will be busy for local 4-Hers as they attend a choice of six camps. 2018 4-H Summer Camps feature a Beginner Cooking Camp, Advanced Cooking Camp, Kabob Camp, 4-H Camp at Cherry Lake, All About Animals Camp, Crafty Creations Camp and 4-H University at the UF Campus. Most of the camps are already full but if you need additional ... Full Story »

Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz announces the arrest of 32-year-old Joshua Melvin Coots, date of birth June 28, 1985. Coots was arrested on Friday, May 31, 2018 in Fanning Springs, Florida for dealing in stolen property and being in possession of items from recent burglaries in Gilchrist County. Coots is also a suspect in other burglaries which have occurred within ... Full Story »

Local Farm Bureau President Roy Wilson shown on left presenting a check to Adam Smith of Trenton Senior FFA. Adam entered the 2018 Farm Bureau Youth Speech Contest. His speech was about the future of American agriculture in the year 2050. Adam stated that technology could make the difference in a starving nation and a well fed nation in the ... Full Story »

Joshua Lee Akins of Bell passed away on Saturday, June 9, after Akins went to a residence located at 7799 SE 30th Street, Newberry (in Gilchrist County). An individual at the residence and Akins got into an altercation. According to the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office the altercation led to shots being fired, Akins later died at the residence due to ... Full Story »

Local voters and candidates turned out for the Gilchrist Republican Candidate Meet and Greet last Thursday evening, May 31. Most of the 2018 local candidates came out to visit with voters and make a short speech about themselves, their abilities and experiences. The four County Commission candidates in the District 2 race were all at the Meet and Greet. Candidates ... Full Story »

Submitted Destroyed by the arson of a troubled youth on June 1, 2015, William T. Carlton Lodge No. 46 F&AM celebrated its Official Grand Opening on Saturday, May 19, 2018. Invited were Lodge members and their wives, local Masons and their wives, and donors who generously donated money, materials, and/or time to the rebuilding of the Lodge. The names of ... Full Story »

By Cindy Jo Ayers The Fallen Heroes Memorial Festival will be held on Saturday, June 23, at the Rodeo Arena. The event begins at 11 a.m. and lasts until 6 p.m. The whole family is invited to come out and enjoy a day of fun and fellowship at the festival. Some of the fun events planned for the festival are ... Full Story »