Lawtey News

Bradford county candidates for sheriff left most of the digging to the workers trying to clear up a drainage issue near the rain-soaked park in Lawtey where the county's latest political rally was held July 12.

Folk art of the traditional kind makes for exhilarating viewing at the Coral Springs Museum of Art.

The Lawtey Recreation Department is please to announce that they will be hosting a Political Rally on Saturday, June 12 at the pavillion in Tatum Brother's Park. The rally will be held from 5pm til after last speaker has completed their presentation. The recreation department invites everyone to attend. There will be dinner items offered for sale prior to the start of the presentations. The funds raised from the dinner will go towards the Back to School Block Party planned for August 12. For more info on the rally and other events in Lawtey, please visit www.lawtey-fl.com

Even though she said she didn't do anything special, a local good Samaritan was honored by the Clay County Sheriff's Office on Monday.

For those of you that did not know this, even smaller communities are getting online nowadays! Since May of 2007, Lawtey has had a presence online at www.lawtey-fl.com. What started out as a small hobby, soon became almost like a part-time job for the site's webmaster. With the support of the city council, the Lawtey site has become a very nice online part of the community! Be sure to check it out sometime!

I wanted to input this story in to let others know of an amazing new coffee shop that opened in Waldo, only a 20 minute drive south. The Hwy 301 & 24 Coffee Shop has been open a few weeks already, but they hosted their grand opening event on Saturday, April 19. As part of the grand opening festivities, an art gallery was opened, which will be part of the shop's experience. One will be able to grab fresh brewed coffee and a sandwich or snack and browse the various art on display or relax in one of the various 'retro-styled' rooms. Many of us pass through Waldo frequently, when we do, now we have a place to stop for quality coffee and more. The business is located on Hwy 24 in downtown Waldo. It is on the corner of the second block after you merge of of US 301 onto Hwy 24. Check it out online here301 24 Coffee

“There were points where he was running other cars off the road”

Officers pursue carjacking suspect By LISE FISHER Sun staff writer Officers pursued a carjacking suspect through Clay and Bradford counties after an elderly woman was attacked in an Orange Park parking lot ... via Gainesville.com

The Lawtey Recreation Department gave the Easter bunny a bit of competition this year.On Saturday, March 22, the members of the Recreation Department all pitched in together and provided eggs galore for hiding, along with Easter baskets and plenty of candy. The children that showed up for the event definitely did not have any trouble's loading up on Easter eggs once they were turned loose to search Tatum Brother's Park for the hidden treats. Several plastic eggs held a special message inside indicating the holder won a chocolate bunny. As a fundraiser, the Recreation Department also raffled off five boy Easter baskets and five girl Easter baskets. The Easter Egg Hunt is an annual traditon held by the Lawtey Recreation Department. The committee that handles the events are all volunteers and are always eager for others to help out. For more information, you can visit us at www.lawtey-fl.com

“One of our staff members today, when we had our meeting, she said how she was her shining star. She was truly a wonderful lady”

Panel: UFPD can continue Taser use The University of Florida Police Department will still be able to use Tasers under recommendations presented Wednesday night Thieves operate with false kindness He's polite ... via Gainesville.com

The 2008 Trail Ridge Festival, held in downtown Lawtey, Florida was held this past weekend. Things looked good during this event. The crowds were good and the weather was excellent. There was a variety of vendors offering up crafts, household items, foods and more. The kids even had their own section set aside for fun times. On Sunday, various churches from the community gathered and provided a special worship service at the pavillion in the Tatum Brothers Park. Classic car owners from various areas dropped by to show off their cars for the car show festival. Saturday offered up several various classics and Sunday provided a few Model-T's. Plans are under way for the 2009 Trail Ridge Festival planned for the first weekend in March of 2009. For current information, please visit www.lawtey-fl.com

The City of Lawtey is hosting the 4th annual Trail Ridge Festival. This family themed event offers up various vendors with crafts and things as well as a kids play area. Music, food and more can be found. The Trail Ridge Festival has been drawing in crowds from all around the north-central Florida area. Mark your calendars and plan on attending.

The City of Lawtey, in attempts to improve itself, is holding various workshops during the first few city council meetings of 2008. These workshops are intended to gather input from the community as they city advances forward with various improvements. For those residents wishing to attend and voice their concerns or comments, the workshops are scheduled an hour before each regular city council meeting. Therefore, the workshops will be held the first Monday of the month at 6pm in the council chambers of Lawtey City Hall. For up to date information, visit www.lawtey-fl.com

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash in Bradford County this morning that left a Jacksonville woman dead and a Jacksonville man in critical condition. via The Florida Times Union

“People still believe we're living in teepees”

Even today you can still find cowboys and American Indians, even here on the First Coast. via Jacksonville.com

“But he showed us where he stood and where the bear was and there was a lot of distance between them. I don't think he was in any imminent threat. Even if it did scare him, you can't possess the trophies. It's illegal to possess any bear part.”

Putnam County authorities and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission arrested a Lawtey man Wednesday accused of shooting a black bear. via Palatka Daily News

Students raise money at 'fun run' Parents at Lawton Chiles Elementary School have come up with a way to raise money for the school that also encourages UF to charge for transcripts If you are applying for an ... via Gainesville.com

A Lawtey man has been charged with killing a Florida black bear. The bear is a threatened species, and killing one is a third-degree felony. via WTLV

“If they become habituated to the point where they are going to walk downtown, then we have to step in and do something”

Deal Offered in Missing Marine Case If a Marine wanted in the killing of a 20-year-old pregnant colleague is arrested in Mexico, he will not face lethal AP Top News at 6:45 a.m. EST Man accused of killing black ... via Gainesville.com

Starke man dies in accident By Karen Voyles Sun staff writer An 88-year-old Bradford County man died after apparently driving his car into the path of another driver Thursday morning near Hampton. via Gainesville.com

Around the Region Two critically injured in single-car accident Two men were critically injured Saturday night in a single-car crash in Levy County between Yankeetown and Inglis on County Road 40. via Gainesville.com