Today's News

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.

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.

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.

Small, young voices, many with questions, filled the large place more used to mature conversation. One bemoaned that she could not get the thread into the eye of a needle. Another tried to fit her small finger into a large thimble before selecting another from the box of supplies.

Earlier in the day all had learned to sagely use scissors and cut material. Now they were threading needles and learning to make stitches of an even size, preferably small and not so tight their material puckered.