.....Advertisement.....
.....Advertisement.....

Local News

  • City residents may pay fire fee

    In the upcoming tax year, Williston residents may be subject to a fire assessment for the first time in the city's history.

    The City Council voted at its most recent meeting to implement a Resolution of Intent to fund fire and rescue services by the imposition of an annual fee on all property within the city limits of Williston.

    City Attorney Norm Fugate said that city residents pay no fire assessments to Levy County, as occupants of the unincorporated portions of the county do.

    Click here to read more...
  • Suspect in home invasion killed

    One suspect is dead and four others are under arrest after a home invasion early Wednesday.

    According to a news release, the invasion occurred in the 19000 block of Northwest County Road 335 in Marion County, just outside of the Williston area.

    Officials say two armed suspects unlawfully entered the residence, and as a result a homeowner "retrieved a firearm and shot and killed one suspect."

    The second suspect fled along with some others.

    The dead man was identified as Jonathan Gaal, 19, of Southeast 70th Loop in Ocala.

    Click here to read more...
  • Stretch of 441 to be name for Williston resident

    On Wednesday, July 9, a road sign was unveiled that honors a local hero; a stretch of U.S. 441 is now designated as the Lt. Colonel Robert T. Heagy Jr. Memorial Highway.

    Lt. Col. Robert T. Heagy Jr. resided in Williston before he died in 2005. He was born just outside of Archer in 1930. Lt. Col. Heagy Jr. became assistant to the base commander when he entered the Air Force. He soon became an officer. Lt. Col. Heagy Jr. served in the military for over 30 years. For 28 of those years he was a fighter pilot.

    Click here to read more...
  • Fallen son remembered

    Cpl. David Wayne Moss will be honored by a grateful city 20 years after his death in the line of duty. A memorial to Moss was erected several years ago in front of the Williston Police Department headquarters. Now, city council has directed that SW Main St., which runs from Noble Ave. to the public safety complex at SW 1st Ave., be renamed Cpl. David Wayne Moss St.

    The decision grew from an initial suggestion by Lt. Clay Connolly that the Linear Park be renamed in Moss' honor. Connolly had made the same request some years ago, but no action had been taken.

    Click here to read more...
  • Missing girl found

    Williston Police and Fire personnel, along with CERT volunteers searching for a local girl Monday morning were relieved when the girl was found after several hours of searching.

    Rachel Tiffany Blakely, 16, left her residence in the Williston Crossing RV Park at 3:30 p.m. Sunday and was not found until 10:15 a.m. Monday morning.

    Blakely reportedly left her residence after a disagreement with her younger brother. Originally from Washington State, she has only been in the area for two months, is home schooled, does not drive and is not familiar with the area.

    Click here to read more...
  • RV sites will become permanent fixtures

    A request by Goethe Trailhead Ranch to convert 37 of 73 recreational vehicle sites into stationary park trailers drew sharp criticism from neighbors before being approved by the Levy County Commission on Tuesday.

    The Ranch, located at 9171 Southeast Levy County Road 337 between Williston and Dunnellon, is a horse-themed resort with a lighted arena, convenience store, tack and feed store, the Chuck Wagon Diner, 96 box stalls for horses, and access to more than 120 miles of trails in Goethe State Forest.

    Click here to read more...
  • PSC approves need for nuke plants

    The public's opportunity to give the Levy County Commission their opinion on the proposed Progress Energy two-unit nuclear plant near Inglis will come at an informational hearing at 7 p.m. on August 7 in the Levy County Courthouse courtroom.

    The hearing, required as part of the plant's application process, would be the only one held by the Commission.

    Click here to read more...
  • Bronson questions fire chief's health

    BRONSON - A recent workers' compensation claim by Bronson Fire Chief Rick Lombardo has town officials wondering if he is healthy enough to perform his duties.

    Plus it has brought about the question, would a possible merger with Otter Creek put an added burden on his physical condition and affect the best interests of all concerned?

    The quandary surfaced at the July 7 monthly meeting when Town Lawyer Stephen Warm surprised council members when he revealed Lombardo's compensation claim history over the past couple of years.

    Click here to read more...
  • LARC challenges political candidates

    "Batter up" will be the cry at Strickland Park in Chiefland, on Saturday, Aug. 9 when the board of directors, staff, and consumers of the Levy Association for Retarded Citizens will play the candidates for political office in a softball challenge game.

    LARC has challenged all those currently seeking, or unopposed for, political office to step up to the plate and play two innings of softball.

    But LARC isn't stopping with just two innings.

    Click here to read more...
  • Schiefer says 'no' to job

    City finance director Mark Schiefer has declined the city council appeal that he become the new city manager. Schiefer has served as interim city manager since the council summarily fired James Coleman in early April.

    Council members have been unanimous in their praise for Schiefer's performance. When Schiefer accepted the interim appointment, the premise was that he would explore the responsibilities of the position and determine whether he thought he could successfully fulfill the city manager position, as well as whether he felt that the job was right for him.

    Click here to read more...

Copyright © 2013

The Williston Pioneer is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Levy County and Williston, Fl, and the surrounding area.