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Local News

  • Shell Mound gets new signs from Refuge Hunters

    The Shell Mound Unit of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, just minutes away from Cedar Key, has a new entrance kiosk as well as new trailhead kiosks, thanks to the volunteerism of long-time Refuge sportsmen. A bulletin board with fishing information will be installed at the pier in 2009. Just up County Road 347 more educational signs are posted on the Refuge Nature Drive.

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  • CKS makes nation’s top high schools list

    For the second year in a row Cedar Key School was named one of the best high schools in the nation. The US News and World Report placed CKS in the bronze category for academic performance.

    “Our faculty and staff work very hard to be conscientious about providing an excellent education covering the Sunshine State Standards, and beyond that, providing enrichment,” Principal Sue Ice said.

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  • Cedar Key Garden Club works to eliminate Brazilian Pepper

    Last week marked the Cedar Key Garden Club’s season kick off for eradicating Brazilian Pepper on the islands, a project entering its 11th year.

    Since 1998, club members have been striving to rid Cedar Key of the noxious plant by meeting once a week December through April to pull, cut, and treat it with herbicide.

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  • Hastings proposes layoff alternative

    In the effort to reduce the operating budget by more than $1 million by the end of the current school year, Superintendent Bob Hastings is asking for the School Board’s and the union’s approval to take an unusual approach.

    Rather than eliminating approximately 50 jobs district-wide, as previously proposed, Hastings has found a more creative means.

    “We’re going to ask all employees to take three days off without pay,” Hastings told the Board.

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  • City streetlight survey nears completion

    A survey of Cedar Key’s 158 streetlights is 75 percent complete, Public Works Coordinator Josh Wilson reported at Tuesday evening’s City Commission meeting.

    The survey is looking at three factors: whether or not each light works, supplies appropriate illumination, and hangs at an effective height. Twelve to 15 percent of the lights surveyed so far require repair.

    The commission discussed lumen footprints, and the negative effects of light pollution.

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  • Is a cell phone tower in store for Cedar Key?

    A representative from Skyway Towers visited the Cedar Key Commission last week to propose the addition of a cell phone tower.

    Scott Behuniak focused on several key reasons why the Commissioners should partner with Skyway Towers, including the obvious improvement to community wireless coverage, the enhancement to current municipal communications such as emergency responders, and the revenue generated for the City.

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  • City Resolution 293 supports museum

    Last week the City Commission unanimously passed Resolution 293 supporting the “continued opening” of Cedar Key Museum State Park.

    The resolution states that the museum’s status as a tourism attraction that draws needed commerce to the area as well as the entertainment that it gives community members justifies keeping it open.

    "[I]n these difficult economic times, the City cannot afford to lose any tourist attraction," states the resolution.

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  • Rescue boat arrives in Cedar Key

    The Cedar Key Fire Department welcomed its newest addition last week with the arrival of Marine 75, a boat that will be used to rescue people on the water and fight coastline fires, according to Fire Chief Robert Robinson.

    “We’ve been trying to get a boat for ten years,” Robinson said. “This will be great for our community.”

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  • Cedar Key Museum faces possible closing

    To locals, it’s a major visitors’ attraction but to the state of Florida, it’s one of 19 state parks that doesn’t draw enough revenue to keep it open.

    The Cedar Key Museum has been proposed to temporarily close public access by the Department of Environmental Protection Division of Recreation and Parks.

    The proposal comes in the midst of the state’s current budget crisis. Gov. Charlie Crist has asked all state agencies to submit plans to reduce annual operating budgets by up to 10 percent.

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  • Cedar Key Chamber petitions Crist to keep Museum

    Last week the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce petitioned Governor Charlie Crist to take Cedar Key Museum State Park off of the list of possible state park closures in a letter dated Nov. 25.

    The letter cited the museum’s educational value and popularity with both residents and visitors.

    “This small museum is a focus point of the community of Cedar Key. It is extremely popular with both visitors and locals alike and is excellent for teaching children about the long history of this area and also the natural history,” it stated.

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The Cedar Key Beacon is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Levy County and Cedar Key Florida, and the surrounding area.