From our desks at The Baker County Press...
Welcome back to The Loop, this week your dear writer is recovering from a 'Big Apple' expedition... aka she feels like a zombie, is concerned her tennis shoes have been infected with something, and is kind of craving yet another bagel.
 Here's a photo I took of George Washington's face. |
Meanwhile, it seems as though Baker County is still trying to douse the dumpster fire that is the county budget; more housing got approved because obviously we have the resources to handle it🤷, and Flock cameras are the proverbial horse everyone's still beating, that may not be dead??
 You said it, Han. |
💌 Want The Loop in your inbox?
Reading it on the website is great. Getting it delivered straight to your inbox is even better — like it was made just for you.
A local news love letter landing right in your mailbox.
Free. Local. Slightly sarcastic. Delivered weekly.
In the Loop
💸The county budget is dipping into savings again
Baker County commissioners are considering a budget that would use reserves to cover county operations for the second year in a row.
The proposed fiscal 2027 budget discussed at a Sept. 14 workshop would start with about $18.63 million in the general fund and end around $14.28 million — a projected drop of about $4.36 million.
Over two budget years, the county’s general fund balance could fall by nearly $8.7 million.
So the county isn't necessarily broke. But the savings account is doing a lot of unpaid emotional labor.
Commissioners had been looking at millions in possible cuts, but agreed to restore several items, including 4% employee raises, money to keep a health insurance increase from being passed on to participating employees, economic development funding and support for the Council on Aging.
They also kept a sheriff’s office technology upgrade that would help with records, 911 addressing and other county services.
The problem? Costs are rising, FEMA reimbursements are wildly unpredictable (and move like turtles through peanut butter), and officials say the county may need to look at special assessments or other revenue options next budget cycle.
Acting board Chair Tyler Mobley put it plainly: “We’ve either got to cut or we’ve got to raise. And I think we’ve got to do both.”
 |
🏘️ More homes approved for Macclenny II, but neighbors have... questions
Plans for 35 more homes in the Macclenny II neighborhood got unanimous approval from the county’s Land Planning Agency on Sept. 10, despite residents raising concerns about flooding, rough roads and limited emergency exits.
The proposed expansion covers about 190 acres near Crepe Myrtle Street, Raintree Drive and Hickory Street. It includes a mix of 1-acre, 5-acre and 10-acre lots, with private septic systems, some city water connections and some private wells.
But neighbors said the area already has problems that should be addressed before more homes are added (as in some homes become oceanfront property during a summer shower).
Residents described repeated flooding, patched and pothole-filled roads, and worries about getting out during a wildfire, hurricane, or other emergency. One Raintree Drive resident put it bluntly: “If 121 is shut down, there’s no way in and out of our neighborhood except by airplane.”
 ... should we run drills? |
Either way, that is a very memorable sentence and also not exactly the evacuation plan anyone is hoping for.
The project engineer said the development cannot increase harmful runoff onto neighboring properties and that the drainage plan will be reviewed by the St. Johns River Water Management District and county engineers.
Some residents supported the project, calling it a responsible approach to growth because of the larger lots. Others said existing infrastructure needs attention first.
Bottom line: the development cleared one hurdle, but the bigger issue sounds familiar: Baker County growth keeps running into Baker County roads, drainage, and emergency-access concerns.
The subdivision still has to go before county commissioners for final plat approval.
📷 License plate readers are paused, not gone
Because apparently this story needed a sequel, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office clarified that its license plate readers are "temporarily inactive" — not permanently gone.
Cameras on state rights-of-way are being removed at no cost to the county, while other cameras will stay in place but remain turned off for now.
So, yes: the cameras are still there. Just sitting. Waiting. Possibly claiming this in a few months...
 |
Undersheriff Randy Crews said the pause is about preventing misuse and making sure clear guidelines are in place — not because the agency believes the cameras violate the Fourth Amendment.
The sheriff’s office still says LPRs are a valuable public safety tool, but for now, the cameras are in bureaucratic timeout while lawmakers and law enforcement work on the rulebook.
We’ll keep following it, because evidently the license plate reader saga has not yet chosen peace.
☀️ Lighten The Loop
🏐 Wildcats volleyball is on a tear
The Wildcats volleyball team has been making things very uncomfortable for regional opponents lately.
As of this fine Tuesday evening, the varsity girls had stacked up five straight wins, including back-to-back-to-back 3-0 shutouts over Orange Park, West Nassau, and Hamilton County, pushing their overall record to 7-3.
That is not a winning streak. That's a world domination streak.
 |
The JV girls are somehow even more dramatic about it, sitting at 11-0 on the season. Head Coach Ashley Holton-Tyson said the wins have given her a chance to test different lineups and get a look at the future of the program.
“We’re winning, which is always a good thing,” she said.
Strong coaching quote. Hard to argue.
 |
She also said team chemistry is in a good place, with players working well together on the court while still focusing on individual improvements in practice.
The girls were set to face Suwannee on Sept. 15 before getting a little rest, then returning home Monday, Sept. 21, against Hilliard.
So yes, the scoreboard has been notified because Baker County volleyball is literally on fire right now (not in the same way the county budget is...oop).
✍️ Also worth your time
If you've never read 'My Side of the Matter' by the one and only Bob Gerard, this week is THE week to do so. It had me giggling, and I truly hope that one day we see Mr. Bob grace the TikTok stage- what a day. What a moment. Read his ruminations here.
📣 SOUND OFF
👉 Got something to say? Feel free to leave us your anonymous thoughts on anything (um, within reason).
Tell it to the judge, I mean... Sound Off form:
 |
⚡ Loop Around Town
🧹 Tobacco Free Baker Annual Park Clean-Up
Monday, Sept. 21 · 9 a.m.–noon · Duck Pond / Memorial Park
Tobacco Free Baker is hosting its annual park clean-up at the Duck Pond, giving community members and partners a chance to help keep one of Macclenny’s public spaces clean, healthy and tobacco-free.
It’s a simple way to do something good for the community, get outside and feel productive before lunch.
A rare Monday win.
 We can put you in 2x mode so you seem more productive ;) |
Good for: volunteers, community partners, service groups, fresh-air people and anyone who likes leaving a place better than they found it. Kids are out of school- great character building!
🍁 Harvest & Hometown Festival
Saturday, Sept. 19 · 10 a.m.–3 p.m. · Baker County Fairgrounds, Macclenny
 (we declare as we set our thermostat to 68 in hopes to feel something) |
It doesn't feel like a Hallmark movie outside yet, but maybe you can decorate your way into convincing yourself.
🎪 Carnival for a Cause
Saturday, Sept. 26 · 2–6 p.m. · Baker County Fairgrounds
Isaiah 117 House Baker County is bringing back Carnival for a Cause, with food, games, a cake walk, a corncob-eating contest (always a good time), and more.
They're also looking for volunteers. That somebody can be you. Festive growth.
Volunteer or sponsorship sign-up: https://forms.gle/iGgHrmVn1b58Rurf7
 Do it for the children. Literally. |
Good for: families, volunteers, local businesses, carnival-game enthusiasts and anyone who believes a good cause is even better with snacks and a cake walk.
🚗 Worth the Drive
For those willing to venture outside county lines...
🐾 Jacksonville Barkfest
Sunday, Sept. 20 · 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · Riverside Artist Square, Jacksonville. A free event for dogs, dog people, and anyone who believes a bandana shows your pets' emotional depth.
Jacksonville Barkfest is bringing vendors, food, contests, music and kid activities under the bridge for a day of whole-pack fun.
So yes, you can browse booths, grab food, watch dogs socialize better than most adults and pretend you are only going “for the kids” when we all know the dog is the main event.
📚 Jax Book Fest (not to be confused with prior event)
Saturday, Sept. 19 · 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. · Main Library, 303 N. Laura St., Jacksonville. Jacksonville Public Library’s big book bash is back with 100+ local authors, family fun, crafts, a photo booth, and major author events.
Readers can bring their book hauls and meet authors including John Patrick Green, Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Emma Straub. Our very own Dr. Nancy will be there as well- so be sure to say howdy to her (she'll know you're from Baker that way).
Translation: this is the kind of event where saying “I’m just going to look” is legally meaningless. You will leave with books. That is between you, your tote bag and your bookshelf’s structural integrity.
🏃 Halsema Trailhead parkrun
Saturday, Sept. 19 · 7:30–8:30 a.m. · Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail, Halsema Road Trailhead. A free timed 5K run/walk for runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators.
The start/finish line is at the Halsema Trailhead, and first-timers should register at parkrun.us and bring a barcode.
A casual Saturday morning 5K is a great idea for people who like fresh air, community, and feeling superior before most of us have located coffee.
 |
📣 Got an event? Tell us.
We want to fill this section with more Baker County events — markets, fundraisers, school happenings, church events, local business pop-ups, live music, club meetings, kid stuff, grown-up stuff, weirdly specific stuff. Especially the weirdly specific stuff.
 |
Send the date, time, location, details, and a flyer or photo to sales@bakercountypress.com so we can help spread the word.
Sponsored Content
 |
⚡ Loop Tea Loop
The time Macclenny got directions by paper shavings
This Baker County story puts us on a direct route from New York to Jacksonville- and little ole' Macclenny made the news as a most prestigious stop on "The Glidden Tour." (In other words, something I'd never heard of until today.)
According to Gene Barber, writing years later in The Baker County Press, but referencing the Oct. 13, 1911 issue of The Baker County Standard, had some big news on the front page: the Glidden Tour was coming through Macclenny.
The Glidden Tour was a caravan of early automobiles traveling from New York City to Jacksonville- what a spectacle!
Understandable. In 1911, a long-distance car trip was less “road trip” and more “let’s see if these machines survive the concept of roads.”
The tour passed through Macclenny on Oct. 26, the final day of the run. Gene wrote that Macclenny’s mayor received a letter from the AAA of New York explaining that the route would be marked through town by a trail of paper shavings to guide the drivers.
Which raised several questions in my mind, beginning with: “What if there was a breeze?”
Before GPS, before Waze, before your phone yelled “recalculating” while you panicked in Jacksonville traffic, drivers were apparently following a paper trail that sounds more like office confetti.
The newspaper listed several Florida men in the tour, many driving Cadillacs, along with early car makes like Cole, Locomobile, Flanders and White Gas — which sounds less like a vehicle lineup and more like a wealthy board game.
The biggest front-page news out of Baker County in 1911 included cotton, a newly built house, and other matters of the day — but a caravan of automobiles traveling from New York to Jacksonville? That would honestly still make the front page today.
 |
The cars were brave. The roads were questionable. The directions were biodegradable.
And Macclenny was, surprisingly, on the route.
📚 What I’m Reading
Would you guys care if I added a "What I'm reading" section? I mean, you are currently reading... perhaps you'd like to know the words I consume when I'm not writing them out?
 |
This week --> I just started 'A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor' by Darci Hannah.
I am not usually a murder mystery gal, but my thirst for fall has driven me to it. It was sold to me as if Tim Curry's Clue had a foodie sister. I will report back!!
Alright folks, that wraps it up!! Got thoughts? Stories? Feedback? Shoot it to me at sales@bakercountypress.com. Go ahead, I can take it.