CKNews 2021
NEW CKPOTTERY 2019
1842_DAILY_GRIND_2021_L

FLORIDA’S NATURE COAST CONSERVANCY
WELCOMES NEWEST BOARD MEMBER
 
THOMAS T. ANKERSEN
EMERITUS LEGAL SKILLS PROFESSOR
EMERITUS DIRECTOR, CONSERVATION CLINIC
 
Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy patiently waited several years for Tom Ankersen to join its board of directors. A brief look at his credentials, noted below, will tell the reader why the wait …a busy man is he. ..and so wll worth the wait. 
 
Ankersen has long and meaningful ties to Cedar Key. He was involved in Cedar Key’s initial Community Redevelopment Agency formation in 199. Among other accomplishments, is that agency that is responsible for the purchase of the Community Center and the Welcome Center and instrumental in revamping the city’s sewer system and eliminating septic tanks. …all critical, successfful efforts for the city as we know it today.
 
Today, Tom Ankersen continues to serve as the Community Redevelopment Agency Administrative Advisor, leading new and semi-experienced City of Cedar Key commissioners through the process of extending the original CRA until 2054.
 
Further ties to Cedar Key are Dr. Ankerson’s assistance to FNCC’s ongoing work seeking accreditation by the to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and his integral relationship with Cedar Key’s Nature Coast Biological Station.
 
JUNE 3 FNCC ANKERSON BARRY PIC
 
Pictured here is Dr. Savanna Barry congratulating UF Emeritus Professor Tom Ankersen on winning the 2022 Nature Coast Champion Award from the IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station (NCBS) in December of 2-24. The award recognizes his extensive work in supporting the conservation, restoration and management, protection of coastal and aquatic resources in Florida’s Nature Coast, an area that encompasses eight counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico along the Big Bend region.
 
Among his many credits with the University of Florida are the following.
• Professor Ankersen directed the University of Florida Conservation Clinic, the experiential learning arm of the College’s Environmental and Land Use Law Program.
• In the late 1990’s he helped to found the Mesoamerican Environmental Law Network, a consortium of non-governmental advocacy organizations.
• Internationally, his work has led to both domestic law reforms and international agreements in Africa and Central America as well as in the United Nations treaty system (World Heritage Convention Operational Guidelines).
• Ankersen has used his clinical experience to aid in the formation He serves as Florida Sea Grant’s statewide legal specialist.

A graduate of the University of Florida for his Juris Doctor and the University of South Florida for his M.A and B.A. degrees, Ankerson currently resides in Gainesville, Florida.
 
******

FLORIDA'S NATURE COAST CONSERVANCY
ANNUAL OYSTERCATCHER SHINDIG
AND MEMBERSHIP AFFAIRFNC 8534 xe1
 
On the comfortably cool afternoon of March 1, 2025, some eighty individuals gathered at the Island Hotel’s welcoming, breezy patio to recognize Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy’s thirty-second year as a land trust, celebrate conservation champions, and view the year ahead.
 
The group imbibed, feasted on Chef Kim’s shrimp, meatballs, and other hors d’ oeuvres, enjoying new and old friends’ good company. They tapped toes and danced to the musical entertainment provided by locals Mike and Mary Peterson, singing, strumming guitars, and playing harmonica.
 
FNC 8538 xeFNCC President Samantha Gibbs recognized eight people specifically, after thanking the many volunteers in the crowd.

• Recently relocated Dale Henderson for another major contribution.
• Russ and Peg Hall for a significant financial contribution and functioning as a fundraising brain trust for FNCC.
• Dan and Carol Wilcox for volunteering countless hours over the years and recently responding to hurricane damage.
• Savanna Barry for the University of Floria and Nature Coast Biological Station assistance.
• Phil and Mary Prescott for a significant property donation off East Pint Road.
 
Among the items on the FNCC wish list, Gibbs reported, are:
• Improve land management to keep FNCC properties open for public use
• Prepare to accept new properties coming through the Florida Communities Trust Paks and Open Spaces grant, which will require trails, benches, picnic tables, etc.
• Establish a contingency fund for hurricane damage response.
 
Gibbs also introduced FNCC Board Members, Jim Wortham, Rick Anthony, Mandy Offerle, and Tom Ankersen, as were FNCC Science Advisors Lisa Davenport and John Terborgh.
MARCH 2 FNCC BOARD MEMBERS PIC
 Pictured here are Mary and Mike Peterson, Sam Gibbs, Savanna Barry,  Rick Anthony, Jim Wortham, Tom Ankersen, Mandy Offerle.
 
  
********
 

WE’VE BEEN BUSY...
SOME FNCC RECENT ACTIVITIES YOU MAY ENJOY HERE…
 
 
Your FNCC volunteers and board of directors are engaged in myriad activities to forward our mission.
 
• Managing our 486 acres of property in the conservancy, much of it coastal marsh and submerged lands.
• Working to acquire more properties at a higher elevation to create wildlife corridors as a retreat for wildlife and plants as the sea level rises.
• Removing dangerous trees, performing trail maintenance, removing hurricane debris, and managing trash pickup.
• Dismantling and removing two house trailers, both suffering severe hurricane damage….one from Gulf Boulevard and one from Live Oak Street on Kiss Me Quick.
• Planting fifteen native red cedar trees on FNCC lands with the help of the University of Florida Gator Corps volunteers.
• Updating the Trestle Trail plant identification signs and making it virtual so that the signs don't wash away with the next hurricane. Thanks to John Terborgh for continuing that work.
• Partnering with the University of Florida Nature Coast Biological Station on the Living Shoreline and Cedar Key Shores resiliency projects.
• Working with the Community Foundation of North Central Florida to investigate ways to increase assets and leverage financial status.
• Writing a Florida Communities Trust Parks and Open Space grant for $588,923, an effort with the City of Cedar Key to expand open spaces.
• Collaborating with the University of Florida Nature Coast Biological Station and the City of Cedar Key to acquire the Stan Mayfield grant which would provide resilience opportunities on Third Street in Cedar Key.
 
We look forward to the summer and fall of activities to continue furthering our mission dedicated to acquiring land in trust for conservation and public access.
 
We’ll need your help, too. If you talk to your friends and family about the FNCC mission, if you can handle hedge clippers or stifle smilax, or if you can just be good company for those who can, we will appreciate your efforts. We’ll have more information forthcoming.
 
 
********
 

 LCSO

  ARREST REPORT
2025 June 2 
 
DISCLAIMER
The information provided below comes from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Jail Media Report.
The photographs and commentaries regarding the allegations against the persons identified herein
are copied from the report verbatim, without any editorial comment or revision by this newspaper.
 
 
 
   
  *******
 

WEC LOGO
WACCASASSA WATER AND WASTEWATER COOPERATIVE ALTERS LEADERSHIP,
MOVES FORWARD
2025 May 31
 
Editor’s Note:
In paragraph four, Dennis Davis’s title has been corrected.
 
 
The W3C met in Bronson on May 21, 2025, at 1 pm. With a very different board of directors. Replacing Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Board Member Joe Hand was former City of Cedar Key Mayor Sue Colson; she was seated in April 2025. Replacing then Bronson Mayor Robert Partin was Rachel Weeks; she was seated at this meeting.
 
CHAIR SELECTED
This meeting’s first order of business was the selection of a new chairperson, an item intentionally postponed until this meeting, when all members were present. Otter Creek’s Zim Padgett nominated Sue Colson as chair, citing her involvement with the project since its inception and even before its birth. Cedar Key Water and Sewer District’s Sue Colson nominated Bronson’s Rachel Weeks. Graciously acknowledging the promises of assistance from Colson and Padgett, Weeks accepted the nomination of chairperson. The resulting vote was unanimous.
 
The organization rests as follows:
• Rachel Weeks, Chair, representing the Town of Bronson
• Zim Padgett, Vice-Chair, representing the Town of Otter Creek
• Sue Colson, Secretary/Treasurer, representing the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District
• Sherrie Yost, Administrator, Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative'
 
PIPELINE PROJECT UPDATE
Dennis Davis, Senior Client Service Manager, with Wright-Pierce on behalf of the Dewberry Engineering team, presented a PowerPoint update of the pipeline progress.
 
 
The PowerPoint content was positively accepted by the audience. Many anxious questions were initially proffered, all were ably answered, and comments of appreciation were articulated. A person identifying herself as a former council member expressed appreciation for the clarification provided by Davis. Others echoed her sentiments.
 
Dewberry plans to present approximate retail costs of water in July of 2025.


IN ATTENDANCE
The full three-member board was in attendance: Chairperson Rachel Weeks representing Bronson; Zim Padgett Otter Creek Councilor; and Sue Colson representing Cedar Key Water and Sewer District.

Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative Attorney Norm Fugate and Beauchamp’s Sherrie Yost were in attendance.
Among those in attendance were: Bronson Town Councilpersons Bruce Greenlee and Reginald Stacy, former Bronson Mayor Robert Partin, Cedar Key Water Sewer District Commissioner Joe Hand, Economic Development Coordinator for Representative Kat Cammack, Jeannie Rickman. Suwannee River Water Management District Project Manager Kris Eskelin, and Cedar Key News Mandy and Frank Offerle.
 
The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:30 pm
 
 
*********
 

 
 CK CITY DECALCEDAR KEY
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPENT AGENCY
MET 20 MAY 2025
2025 May 30
 

The Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Agency met on May 20, 2025, at approximately 7 pm, after the regularly scheduled City Commission Meeting which began two hours earlier. In attendance were: Chair Jim Wortham, Nancy Sera, Jolie Davis, Jeff Webb, and Mel Beckham.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Commissioners approved minutes from the prior CRA meeting.
• After a lengthy discussion over wording on one page of the seven-page document, entitled “CITY OF CEDAR KEY…CRA BUSINESS RECOVERY, RESILIENCE AND REDEVELOPMENT GRANTS PROGRAM,” commissioners approved the document.
 
 
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm


*******

   fwc-banner

 FWC RED TIDE REPORT MAY 31, 2025

   VIEW MAP OF FLORIDA COUNTIES BY CLICKING ON "READ MORE" BELOW.  

 Current Conditions

Over the past week, the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected at background concentrations in one sample from Northwest Florida. We continue to use chlorophyll satellite imagery (USF, NOAA NCCOS) to help track nearshore and offshore conditions. We will continue to monitor closely.
 
Additional details are provided below.
 
In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.

In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected offshore of Okaloosa County.

Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.

 
HURRICANE AWARENESS /HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY
SERVES NEARLY ONE HUNDRED
2025 May 29
 

Clearly understood by Cedar Key Emergency Manager / Fire Chief Robert Robinson is the omnipresent truth that island living has many fine assets, but also carries with it responsibilities, for certain.

With that focus, Chief Robinson orchestrated Cedar Key’s Annual Hurricane Preparedness and Household Hazardous Waste Day on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 9am to noon. Everything necessary to ready one’s family and property for hurricanes and remove damaging toxins from the environment was manifest with a brief walk about the Cedar Key City Hall and behind it. Hot dogs, chips, and fruit cups were served by the Cedar Key Woman’s Club. Approximately ninety individuals were served.

According to prior Mayor Sue Colson, hazardous waste collection is required by ordinance. Years ago, Cedar Key commissioners decided that while collecting waste, they would use the opportunity for residents also to gather the latest hurricane information.

HURRICANE HELP
The Cedar Key Water and Sewer District’s General Manager John Rittenhouse and Board Member Sue Colson distributed information and answered myriad questions about the critical issues of safe water use and sewer capacities.
 
Approximately fifteen agencies were represented. Levy County Emergency Management, Levy County Department of Health, University of Florida, Nature Coast Biological Station, Levy County Mosquito Control, Wilson Gas, Central Florida Electric Coop, Waste Pro, and more were in attendance offering their expertise to better residents’ extreme weather experiences.
 
HAZARDOUS WASTE HELP
On City Hall’s north lawn/parking area, City Public Works staff collected from residents’ paints, poisons, adhesives, insecticides, batteries, aerosol cans, and a host of other unneeded household waste materials.

Their management of these articles means that they will not end up in the marsh or waters surrounding Cedar Key in the event of a storm. All will be recycled or disposed of properly.
 
THANKS TO CITY STAFF
Cedar Key News has been tracking Hurricane Preparedness / Hazardous Waste Day in Cedar Key since 2011, and even then, the Day had history. Not a simple event, the coordination of some fifteen agencies, making all feel welcome, and serving them a bite to eat is certainly an undertaking for staff. Fire Chief Robert Robinson has always been at the helm, ever so ably steering the event.
 
Citizens of Cedar Key appreciate the staff’s efforts to keep them informed and free from toxic materials.
 
 
******* 

 

CK CITY DECALHISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD WILL MEET...JUNE 4 AT 11 AM
  
2025  May 30
 
 
 
******
 

 
FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR
NIKKI FRIED HEARS CEDAR KEY’S CONCERNS
2025 May 27
 
Friday, May 16, Florida Democratic Party Chair, and previous Florida State Commissioner of Agriculture, visited Cedar Key in her mission to learn more about rural Floridian’s concerns and needs.
NIKKI FRIED 4102xe
 
They articulated their concern about recent federal and state government staffing changes and cuts. They are anxious that fewer public agents will be monitoring the waters, the hunting grounds, the public lands. They fear that less information will come to them regarding extreme weather, information so very vital to the area. In short, they fear degradation of the area. They also talked about the critical long and short-term water and wastewater needs of the area, and the plight of diminishing public school funding.
Chair Fried spent nearly an hour speaking with former Mayor Sue Colson about the area’s water needs and the Food Pantry concerns. Fried learned of the nascent Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative’s efforts to provide clean water and remove wastewater to a large part of rural North Forida. Colson relayed that the United States Department of Agriculture and corporate donations are lessening and may well be further jeopardized. Chair Fried also spent time learning about Cedar Key’s aquaculture from Leslie Sturmer. She toured a facility and met with water people who spoke to the issues of extreme weather, damage, and resilience.  
 
 
 
 
Nikki Fried 4162xeNikkiFried 4221 xe1
 
Despite the worried concerns articulated by Cedar Keyans, Chair Fried left town with a picture of the Cedar Key area that is working hard, working smartly, and that is, above all, resilient. Chair Fried fulfilled her mission and listened well.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
*******
 
 
 

OFCA CALL TO ARTISTS:
2026 OFCA  DESIGN CONTEST
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES – AUGUST 1, 2025
2025 May 29
 
Each year this Old Florida Celebration of the Arts (OFCA) chooses a theme for its Annual Design Contest and this year the theme is Stars of Cedar Key.
unnamed
 
 
The OFCA working committee hopes that this theme will inspire a creative design that will be used to promote the Spring Arts Festival in Cedar Key planned for April 11 & 12, 2026. The winning artwork will be used on posters, postcards, and other promotional items for the festival. The winning artist also has his/her application and booth fees waived for the festival.
 
Pictured:  2025 Design Contest Winner, Judi Cain's After the Storm
 
Entries for the Festival Design Contest are due by August 1, 2025. A maximum of 2 digital images per artist can be submitted via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..4

CKWC WOMANS CLUB2-25 May 25
CEDAR KEY WOMAN'S CLUB AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP
 
The Cedar Key Woman’s Club has awarded a $2,000 Scholarship to Carlie Brown of Cedar Key High School. She will be pursuing an education degree.

Congratulations, Carlie!
 
 
image0
 
 
Pictured: Robin Jocelyn, Scholarship Committee Chairman, is shown with Carlie.
 
 
*******
 
 

 
american flagCEDAR KEY SCHOOL STUDENTS HONOR MEMORIAL DAY
2025 May 27
 
On Memorial Day, May 26, 2025 the Cedar Key Future Farmers of America chapter stood proudly at the Cedar Key memorial service located at the Cedar Key Cemetery entrance on Gulf Boulevard at 11 am. They distributed fans, poppies, and flags to attendees.
 
 
FFA KIDS xe
 
 
 
Money donated goes directly to the Cedar Key Vets Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, comprised of military veterans in Cedar Key and the surrounding area.
*********
 

 
LSCKNWR FRIENDS NEWER LOGO
LOWER SUWANNEE AND CEDAR KEYS
NATIONAL  WILDLIFE REFUGES
MAY
 NEWS BRIEF

 ********

 

 
REFUGE SOLSTICE 74d038a6 0ca0 079e 7b9f 3828fa237ff2 LOWER SUWANNEE AND CEDAR KEYSNATIONAL  WILDLIFE REFUGESINVITES YOU TO SUMMER SOLSTICE...
SAVE YHE DATE...
JUNE 21

 2025  May 20


Friends of Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys NWRs invite one-and-all to celebrate Summer Solstice with us on Saturday, June 21st at the Tiki Bar in Cedar Key. We will gather, meet, and greet at 5:00. Friends’ member Dr. Ken Sassaman, the Hyatt and Cici Brown Professor of Florida Archaeology at the University of Florida, will speak about Summer Solstice at Shell Mound.

 
THE GREAT FLORIDA BIRDING AND WILDLIFE TRAIL WEBSITE LAUNCH
2025 May 19
 
FWC launches new Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail website:  
 
 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is proud to announce the launch of the newly redesigned Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail website. To explore the new website and plan your next wildlife adventure, visit FloridaBirdingTrail.com.

The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail is a longstanding FWC program that connects people to over 500 birding and wildlife watching locations statewide. The redesigned website offers an enhanced, streamlined experience for both residents and visitors to explore Florida’s best birding and wildlife watching opportunities.

CEDAR KEY NAMED ONE OF THE NATION’S "MOST ENDANGERED HISTORIC   PLACES"
2025 May 7
 
 
CLICK BELOW FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIA'S COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM ARTICLE.
 
 
******
 

CK CITY DECALNOTICE: 
JOB OPENING, CITY CLERK
2025 May 5
 
 
********

  1. elections jones
LEVY COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS ENCOURAGES VOTERS TO REQUEST VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS
2025 aPRIL 20
 
 
Tammy Jones, Supervisor of Elections for Levy County, encourages voters to request Vote-by-Mail ballots for 2026 elections. "Although the 2024 General Election concluded only a few months ago, we have already started our preparations for the 2026 elections," said Supervisor Jones. "I encourage voters to also start preparing by requesting your Vote-by-Mail today. This way, you can ensure you will receive your ballot for the 2026 Primary and General Elections."
All Florida voters have the option to vote by mail in each election.
 
The easiest way for voters to request their Vote-by-Mail ballots is by using the online tool at https://www.votelevy.gov/Request-a-Vote-by-
Mail-Update-Your-Request-Online.
 
Any voter who wants to vote by mail in the 2026 Primary or General Election needs to take action by submitting their Vote-by-Mail ballot request. A single request covers all elections through the end of 2026, so it will apply to any special elections that may occur between now and the 2026 Primary Election.
 
Due to a recent change in Florida law, all Vote-by-Mail ballot requests expired at the end of 2024. To ensure that voters are aware that their prior requests have expired and must be renewed, the Elections Office mailed over 4,000 notices to Levy County voters who had a Vote-by-Mail ballot request in 2024. This focused
outreach ensures that voters who have shown an interest in voting by mail have the information they need to continue to do so.
 
Voters with questions are encouraged to contact the Elections Office by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by phone at 352-486-5163
 

elections jones part 2

*******

 

 CKAC 2CEDAR KEY ARTS CENTER
MEMBERS ART SALE RETURNS
2025 April 25
 
The annual Members Art Sale offers one-of-a-kind fine art treasures at crazy good prices. Cedar Key Arts Center members participate in this beginning-of-summer fundraiser by offering fine art, crafts, art equipment and supplies. This is the really good stuff - there are no garage sale items or production items. Items are priced to sell and ready to go to their new homes!

The sale opens Saturday May 3rd and will close Saturday May 31st. The sale is on exhibit in the Cedar Key Arts Center Gallery which is upstairs from the Cedar Keyhole Artists Co-op located at 457 2nd Street, Cedar Key. The Keyhole and Gallery are open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm.

Don’t miss this opportunity to purchase items entered into the sale by members who are artists or art collectors who have acquired amazing collections.
 
Cedar Key Arts Center Members Sale
Great deals on art and art supplies

Saturday May 3 - May 31
10am – 5 pm / 7 Days week

457 2nd Street, Cedar Key 32625
(352) 543-5400

www.cedarkeyartscenter.org or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
 

********
 
Bottom Banner Sign