Kate Svagdis’ effort to present voters with a referendum to repeal the county’s Sunday liquor sales ban hit a roadblock this week as the Baker County Commission failed to act on the measure.

The Macclenny resident called the decision very disappointing, but revealing.

“There is a $1.6 million deficit in the proposed budget,” she said by e-mail the day after the commission’s meeting July 19. “How does this help the deficit? The real question is whether the people in the county should have the right to vote on this issue or just five commissioners.”

Ms. Svagdis called for the repeal on the grounds it could entice sit-down chain restaurants to locate here and broaden the county’s tax base.

Ryan Phillips

A multi-county manhunt ended early Monday in Lake City with the arrest of a Sanderson man for two home invasion robberies in neighborhoods off CR 127 north of Sanderson the afternoon of July 1.

In the second incident, he is accused of savagely beating an elderly couple and tying them up with TV cable cord.

Ryan Wayne Phillips, 25, surrendered without incident at the McDonalds restaurant near Interstate 75 when confronted about 12:35 am by Columbia County authorities who had been tipped off on his whereabouts.

He was returned to Macclenny about midday and booked on multiple felony charges. Mr. Phillips, who is also a convicted sex offender, made a first appearance on Tuesday and is being held without bond.