Local News

A small plane attempting to take off was severely damaged at the Williston Airport last Friday, when a fire erupted from both wheels.

According to the Williston Police Dept., the plane's trainee pilot, who was not identified, heard an unusual noise from the door and decided to abort his takeoff. After he entered a second runway, flames erupted from his right wheel.

Airport employees knocked down the flames until Williston Fire Rescue arrived and extinguished the fire.

By Pat Hibbs

For the Pioneer

City of Williston labor negotiators sat down last week with their counterparts from the Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents the sworn officers of the Williston Police Department.

Cpl. Kevin Sheppard and Sgt. Matthew Fortney represented the union, along with Clyde Jordan, a PBA staff representative from Tallahassee. Investigator James Bond and Officer Eliza Kolak also attended.

Residents and visitors and people simply passing through Williston this Christmas season will be delighted with sparkling new lights and decorations along Noble Avenue, from the top of the hill to the east city limits.

Thanks to a generous Community Redevelopment Association allocation of funds up to $24,000, the city will be able to replace some of its older, homemade decorations, which have gotten increasingly weather-beaten and shabby over the years. With new light poles in the East Williston area, decorations will extend along the entire Noble Avenue corridor through town.

Williston police officers have recovered a World War II-era Japanese machine gun as a result of a traffic stop which led to the arrest of two women on drug charges.

Abby Ross of the unit block of Regina Boulevard, Beverly Hills, and Traci Bower of the 11000 block of North Williams Street, Dunnellon, were charged initially with drug paraphernalia and illegal drug possession.