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Today's News

  • Green Lodging Program streamlines process, changes requirements

    The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has restructured the Florida Green Lodging Program as of July 1, making changes to the application process, Best Management Practices, and some of the standards and requirements.

    The changes to program have been made to strengthen environmental performance and streamline customer service as well as to save state money while continuing to recognize the lodging industry’s achievements, according to Deas Bohn, DEP’s Director of Sustainable Initiatives.

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  • City retires $8,000 garbage debt, moves to make property owners responsible

    Cedar Key Commissioners made progress on the city’s ongoing overdue garbage bills Tuesday night, passing three separate motions in an effort to get a handle an the approximately $16,000 residential and business debt that has accumulated.

    “We need to get on this,” Mayor Sue Colson told commissioners. “And if we don’t solve this soon, it will be on the agenda every week until we do.”

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  • Family book clubs lead to academic success

    While attending high school graduation for my daughter recently a parent asked me what the secret is to raising children who are successful in school. I was caught a bit off guard. I was emotional as I always am when seeing developing minds recognized for their achievements. I didn’t have an answer ready.

    Of all the things that I could have mentioned, the first thing out of my mouth was to encourage a household culture of reading.

    I didn’t have time to explain what I meant.

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  • New satellite phones create communications web to aid disaster recovery

    The Levy County Emergency Management has filled a gap in the communications loop throughout the region this week with the arrival of eight new satellite phones, according to LCEM Director Mark Johnson.

    “This plugs a huge communications hole in Levy County,” Johnson said. “If the area is hit with a major storm and all other communications are down, the satellite phones create an emergency responder communications web. We’ll be able to know exactly what the needs of each community are.” 

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  • Still working to be part of the solution

    Last July, the Cedar Key Beacon's then-editor Jenna McKenna's mom passed away. She had donated her body to science. Here are some thoughts on that donation in a column that ran a week after her death.

    While her family and friends were celebrating her life and mourning her death last week, Mom was nowhere nearby.

    She was on her way (back) to college. Sometime around her third cancer surgery, Mom and her husband decided to will their bodies to science.

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  • Beckham files suit against city, chiefs, officers

    A Tasing incident that took place in Cedar Key on Dock Street last year has resulted in a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court, Northern District of Florida, Gainesville Division. The lawsuit filed July 22 demands damages and a jury trial.

    The suit alleges violations of civil rights, battery and false arrest.

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  • Not dangerous after all?

    Following a recommendation of city attorney David Coffey, Cedar Key City Commission agreed last week to reopen a dangerous dog hearing that took place in May.

    Coffey sent a letter dated July 16 to Mayor Colson and City Commissioners giving notice that the dangerous dog hearing that took place on May 19 may not have complied with Florida law.

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  • Tax notices hit mailboxes next week

    The U.S. Postal Service will begin delivering TRIM — Truth in Millage — notices to Levy County property owners next week.

        And the news in those 48,776 notices might not be what some folks expect, Oz Barker, Levy County Property Appraiser said.

        But before picking up the telephone or heading to Barker's office in a lather, he would like you to sit down with the tax bill, read a letter he has written explaining the property tax notice and any changes.

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  • Dock Master talks to boaters about Clean Marina

    “We want to keep our Clean Marina flag,” said Chuck Asbury, Cedar Key’s Dock Master. “We’re the only DEP certified Clean Marina in the entire Big Bend Area.”

    The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Clean Marina program addresses issues concerning emergencies, boat cleaning, storm water, waste water, hazardous waste, as well as habitats and species.

    Asbury spent last Saturday handing out important information and useful items to boaters to help spread the word about clean and safe boating.

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  • Tropical Storm Claudette forms in Gulf; TS Ana, TS Bill form in Atlantic Ocean

    Tropical Storm Claudette is located approximately 100 miles west-southwest of Levy County and is moving north-northwest at approximately 16 mph.

    The Storm is a relatively small system, said Charlie Paxton of the National Weather Service-Ruskin. Cedar Key can expect only a half to one foot above normal tide, he said.

    There is a 40 to 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms this afternoon for the Levy County coastal areas.

    “All the rain is off shore right now,” Paxton said. “As for this afternoon, nothing is certain right now.”

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