Article Archives

Joint committee reaches consensus
Baker County Standard | June 8, 2004, 2006
The Joint Committee that has been working for the past five months on ways to bring the local governing bodies together while dealing with growth related issues took a bold step last Thursday.

Impact fees over 100K
Baker County Standard | June 8, 2006
Business is brisk at the county building, zoning and planning department offices. Fears that the imposition of impact fees might slow the tide of new home construction have been dispelled... 

About Baker County Today
Webmaster
March of 1980 was when Glen St Mary became my new home. More...

Searching for a new Council on Aging site
Baker County Standard | May 25, 2006
Baker County has committed to providing a new Council on Aging facility. They recently delegated the task of scouting out potential sites ....

He turned a lost job into a life-changing'space-age' career
Baker County Press | May 18, 2006
The county’s search for a manager is down to five candidates – three from Florida, one from Pennsylvania and one from Michigan, but none from Baker County.

Camp Racket Tennis Camp
Summer Activities
Baker County High School Tennis Courts June 19-22. More...

Tennis Tournament & Kids Free Tennis Carnival
Summer Activities
Baker County High School Tennis Courts July 21-22. More...

Schools focus on joint growth commitee
Baker County Standard | May 18, 2006
Representatives from both city municipalities along with the county and the school board are working on ways to mitigate the impact of the booming residential influx on the local infrastructure.

Make a difference, become a mentor
Children's Home Society
The Children's Home Society needs volunteers to mentor a child between the ages of 4-15. Make a difference and offer a child the gift of your time and friendship.

County to Dupont: do better than that
Baker County Press | May 18, 2006
Baker County commissioners are playing hardball with the huge Dupont corporation, rejecting the company’s offer to pay $210,000 for permission to extend its titanium mining operations across Deerfield Estates Road and CR 228.

Growth council learns toward "mini" DRI fees
Baker County Press | May 18, 2006
In 1998, local authorities called Arnold Clayton one of the largest crack cocaine suppliers in Baker County.

City fire crew deployed to fight Florida wildfires
Baker County Standard | May 11, 2006
The lack of significant rain and high winds in Central Florida triggered the first major mobilization of the fire season Sunday afternoon...

Driver Education/Traffic Safety July 2006
A few spots remain open for the Driver Education and Traffic Safety July 2006 summer class that is being offered by the Baker County Schools. Call 259-0403.

34 applicants vie for county manager job
Baker County Standard | May 4, 2006
Colin Baenziger and Associates were hired by the Board of County Commissioners to oversee the process of hiring a new county manager.

District Champs!
Baker County Standard | May 4, 2006
The Baker County Wildcats captured the District 3-4A title against Santa Fe last Friday night, with a dominating 5 to 0 victory.

Whitt honored with Jeanine Harvey award
Baker County Standard | May 4, 2006
Jeanine Harvey was a caring, committed volunteer who donated countless hours in service to her community. Following her untimely death several years ago, a memorial volunteer award was created in her honor to recognize a local who exemplifies the same spirit of compassionate giving.

Department of State promotes Florida Memory Project
Baker County Standard | April 27, 2006
Have you ever wondered what became of Reedy Creek or how severely the Hurricane of 1920 devastated the Keys?

Pain at the pump
Baker CountyStandard | April 27, 2006
Americans are in love with their automobiles. With nearly 500 miles of dirt roads, folks in Baker County are passionate about their trucks and SUVs. But that addiction is starting to cause pain at the pumps.

Writing on FCAT better for 3rd year in a row
Baker County Press | April 27, 2006
Baker County students’ writing scores increased across the board for the third straight year, but still lag behind state averages. 

Saying 'no' sometimes the best way
Baker County Press | April 27, 2006
A state expert on growth management told local elected leaders Tuesday night they’ll have to learn to say “no” to development when there’s not enough money available.

Over the river and through the wood, but not to Grandmas
Baker County Standard | April 27, 2006
Just across the state line, along the meandering shores of the Saint Mary’s River is a well kept secret.

County Leaders Discuss New Tax
Members of an interagency committee formed to prepare for the county’s growth kicked around a few ideas on how to pay for the services that will be needed – including a half-cent sales tax, higher property taxes and a temporary moratorium on new construction.
(See: Baker County Press Article. 4/12/06)

Macclenny, County will Split Costs to Update 23A 
The simmering issue of who will foot the bill for improvements to County Road 23A nearly boiled over Tuesday night, but the respective leaders of Baker County and the city of Macclenny backed off before it became overheated. As a result, representatives from the two governing bodies will get together to decide what needs to be done and how the costs will be apportioned.
(See: Baker County Press Article. 4/12/06)

COA Remains Priority to Commissioners
Letter to the Editor from Alex Robinson, Chairman
Dear Editor... For those who really have no clue as to the relationship of the Board of County Commissioners with Council on Aging and the many things that our Board does for our Seniors... (See: The Standard. 4/20/06)

Cedar Creek DRI First to File
Community to have variety of residential, retail, office and recreation spaces - For more than a year now, at every government meeting all the talk and planning has centered around handling the projected massive growth that was heading for Baker County.
(See: The Standard 4/13/06)

Conservancy buys acreage to protect unspoiled St. Marys River
States focus on beautiful river before development can adversely affect it - The liquid line between northeastern Florida and Georgia is actually a pristine blackwater river system that winds 148 miles from the swamps of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to the estuaries of the Atlantic Ocean. (See: The Standard. 4/13/06)

Glen Lets Bid on Water Extension
The Glen St. Mary council awarded the bid for Phase II of their US 90 water main extension project that will provide service for the remainder of the south side of town. (See: The Standard. 4/13/06)

Who's Running and Who's Talking
The off year elections are continuing to draw interest from both potential candidates and concerned voters. Eager candidates are actively getting a jump on pre-qualifying activities.  (The Standard. More... 4/6/06)

Program will Register all Livestock
Florida will pilot new program for identifying/tracking animals As part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard animal health, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiated the implementation of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) in 2004. (The Standard. More ... 4/6/06)

LCCC Summer Classes
Registration for Lake City Community College Summer Classes
(See:  LCCC website)

Dialysis Center Coming Soon
Physicians Renal Care (PRC) and their partners Nephrology Group of North Florida are building a 4,712 square foot dialysis center across from Ed Fraser Hospital. (The Standard. More ... 3/29/06)

Emily Taber Library Expansion
he Executive Director of the Emily Taber Public Library, April Teel received approval to proceed with application for a $500,000 state grant request.  (The Standard. More ... 3/29/06)
(Emily Taber Library - Note:  The library has been housed in the old courthouse since 1970. The structure was originally built in 1908, therefore any work done on the current facility must conform to stringent requirements mandated by the building being listed on the National Historic Registry.)

Talkin’ Turkey... Turkey hunting, that is; a passion unabated for Paul Rhoden, 91
Paul Rhoden loves turkey season in Florida. Although he looks forward to the annual hunting of gobblers, he is a conservative hunter by choice and usually claims only two of the magnificent birds during the season, which in North Florida runs from March 19 to April 24.  (Baker County Press. More... 3/30/06)

Walmart Continues Generosity to Community
Vince McDuffie from the local chapter of the Lyons Club accepted a donation from Walmart on March 26, 2006. Jeff Howard of Walmart presented the $3000 check. The Lyons Club will use the money to assist those individuals who cannot afford eye exams and eye glasses.  In a second donation, Walmart Distribution Center's General Manager, Bobby Steele presented YMCA's Shawn Eastman and Anna Lewis a check for $2500 in which $2000 will go toward the completion of the YMCA pool project and $500 will go to the YMCA general fund. (The Standard - 3/22/06)

Seeking Photos, Images to Round Out Barber's History
Dickie Ferry fondly remembers his first encounters with the late Gene Barber when he was a third grader at Macclenny Elementary School. (Baker County Press. More... 3/23/06)

Darbyville Grand Opening March 25th
The Grand Opening of Darbyville at Baker County Heritage Park will be Saturday, March 25th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Both the Darby family the McClenny family will be attending.  Events will include cane grinding, syrup making, fried fatback bacon sampling, barrel train rides for children, demonstrations on medicinal uses of herbs.  All museum buildings will be open for viewing.  (Hometown Journal - 3/24/06)

Baker County YMCA
The Baker YMCA is gearing up for spring break with a 2006 Youth Day Camp in addition to their regular program of super sports and community events.

Loves Baker County 'Lifestyle'
The cows don’t know when it’s Christmas morning, or your wife’s birthday and your child’s birthday.
So goes a time-honored saying among dairymen – a saying they believe sums up what it takes to be in the business. (Baker County Press. More... - 3/23/06)

Chamber to Kick Off Membership Drive
Check out the Baker County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, March 30th. You may see some strange sights. There is a reason for the craziness; the Chamber is seeking new members! (The Standard. More... 3/23/06)