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Bird Creek Beach Park opens
Southern Levy County
coastal recovery continues

Ron Graef of Dunnellon sits on his sturdy rollator that is built for beach visits, and he has a fishing pole. Meanwhile, Benni the dog looks away. Benni had been frolicking in the water earlier as Kathy Graef was gathering other items from the couple’s truck for their beach visit. She loves that little black dog, by the way.

Story, Photos and Video By Jeff M. Hardison © April 18, 2025 at 10 a.m.
     LEVY COUNTY – The April 16 announcement by the Levy County Board of County Commissioners that Bird Creek Beach Park is now open to the public reflects that places like Horseshoe Beach and the community of Suwannee in Dixie County, as well as Cedar Key in Levy County and Yankeetown in Levy County are among the whole set of places where people are striving to rebuild after hurricanes hit Florida coming in from the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean.

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     Inland cities, towns and unincorporated areas of the state have residents and visitors striving to improve the quality of life there, too, after disastrous events.
     Human ignorance and evil leads to deaths as well as shown in Tallahassee more recently as bullets took the lives of two and injured six on the campus of Florida State University. But that is a different story.
     In the meantime, a brief visit southern to southern Levy County on Maundy Thursday (April 17) showed residents and visitors enjoying a relatively warm spring day.
     While the Levy County park’s beach area is officially open, some areas are still under renovation, and some amenities, including the new pavilions being constructed closer to the boat ramps, remain closed. 
     “We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as work continues to enhance the facility,” Levy County commissioners noted via a press release on April 16.


Workers from Coastal Builders Inc. walk toward one of the pavilions being built near to the boat ramp. The orange netting seen on some of the lumber indicates the construction zone, where pedestrians and trucks with boat trailers pass by next to it during the recreational activities happening while labor occurs to improve facilities for leisurely pursuits.


One of the two floating docks remains closed at the boat ramp.


The captain of a pontoon boat waits to put his vessel on a trailer at the ramp early Thursday afternoon.


Two grackle birds discuss some of the finer points of Bird Creek being named for the various forms of their fellow feathered friends in that part of Levy County.


People use the one functioning floating dock next to the boat ramp not only for exiting and entering Gulf-going vessels, but also for fishing.


A boater prepares to put his boat in the water.


This video shows a boat being launched at the Bird Creek Public Boat Ramp at the end of Levy County Road 40 West (aka Follow That Dream Parkway). An electric-powered saw being operated by Coastal Builders Inc. can be heard in the background. A grackle bird provides a fly-by for the boater entering the Gulf of Mexico on Maundy Thursday (April 17, 2025) from this free boat ramp that is used by many residents of, and visitors to, Levy County. The big Ford truck’s engine and a relatively gentle breeze blowing are captured by the microphone used to create this short video are heard, as well. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison - All Rights Reserved


A pontoon boat is brought onto the ramp as it prepares for a trip on dry land via a trailer.


Another boater makes his way toward the ramp as a few boats go in and out on the ramp feeding into the Gulf of Mexico from Yankeetown. At least three boats landed or launched within 15 minutes at this free public boat ramp in Levy County.

     Having visited several of the businesses that are members of the Withlacoochee Gulf Area Chamber of Commerce’s Tour of the Towns, one inviting choice for lunch that afternoon was Brooks Dockside Seafood.
     To see the Feb. 23, 2025 story, photo and video from the Fourth Annual Tour of the Towns, click HERE.
     The choice this patron on that Thursday afternoon (April 17) visit was the grouper sandwich basket with the fish being fried (grilled or blackened were other choices). French fries and coleslaw were the two sides (where black beans and rice, baked beans, Mexican Street Corn or hush puppies were other options). 
     The coleslaw was fresh and enjoyable. The French fries were bigger than the traditional version and were amazingly enjoyable. The serving was plentiful and delicious. The fried grouper filet sandwich with lettuce and tomato was among the best ever enjoyed by this Florida native, who personally knew formerly locally famous Phantom Diner of Sumter County who was published in the Sumter Journal a few decades ago.
     The $18 meal with a $2 can of Coca-Cola was a pleasant $20 luncheon treat at this Inglis busienss. Brooks Dockside Seafood has plenty more to offer and is worth visiting for people who like seafood.
     The food truck is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The menu includes hamburgers, chicken, desserts and more.
     Cruising away from that delightful Inglis location toward Yankeetown, there was one stop along the way -- to take some pictures of a two-story stone structure next to Levy County Road 40 West (aka Follow That Dream Parkway).

The two-story building made from rocks is abandoned now, and some of its windows are broken while other windows are plywood. The very old building was like this before Hurricane Helene hit.

     Then, sauntering along the air-conditioned dark blue 2013 Nissan Juke on Follow That Dream Parkway, there was a left turn to see the A.F. Knotts Public Library, the Yankeetown-Inglis Woman’s Club and Thrift Shop.
     The women in southern Levy County are movers and shakers who like their counterparts in Cedar Key and elsewhere are resilient and unstoppable.

The A.F. Knotts Public Library in Yankeetown remains closed until further notice as a result of damage from Hurricane Helene. The building is owned by the Yankeetown-Inglis Woman’s Club. The Levy County government provides a library manager. Until it is restored and is issued a certificate of occupancy by the county, it cannot be used as a public library. In Cedar Key, that public library is closed until further notice, too. Levy County’s three other public libraries -- the Bronson Public Library, the Williston Public Library and the Luther Callaway Public Library in Chiefland are open.


Yankeetown-Inglis Woman’s Club members Catherine Allman (left) and Judy Snyder serve as volunteers at the Club’s Thrift Shop, which like the clubhouse has reopened in Yankeetown now.


Beautiful salt marshes are noticed along Follow That Dream Parkway between the mainland and the Gulf of Mexico. 

     Passing by salt marshes next to the Follow That Dream Parkway and crossing over some bridges where people were fishing as they tried not to get their lines tangled in some nearby utility wires, anticipation grew.
     Arriving at the parking lot for the boat ramp, several pickup trucks with boat trailers were seen parked there. People were moving boats out as they launched into the Gulf of Mexico. People were moving boats back to land from the Gulf of Mexico.
     It was NOT a ball of confusion (people moving out, people moving in), but instead everyone worked well within the confines of the narrow area for passage of vehicles.
     Meanwhile, workers from Shore Builders Inc. constructed pavilions and other structures at the existing boat ramp.
     One man who said he had lived in Yankeetown for 77 years mentioned that he planned to move. He did not want to provide his name. Like some other people, he believes Florida is becoming too developed and too populated with people. And so, he said he is moving a less densely populated state.
     As for this quick brush of a southern Levy County tour, a U-turn from the boat ramp lead Thursday afternoon’s sojourner over to the park. That visit revealed the long-lost bathrooms of years ago are still boarded up. Central water and sewer service are not available at the beach park.
     There are a couple of portable toilets at the far end of the big asphalt parking lot next to the grassy, and relatively thin strip of sandy beach.
     At least a few people and at least a couple of dogs enjoyed the beach that Thursday afternoon.


The big parking lot for the Bird Creek Beach Park has a few vehicles on it during the early afternoon part of the day after it was reopened by Levy County Parks and Recreation.


Some people know there used to be a bathroom and pavilions with picnic tables at the park – before hurricanes swept it all away. With no central sewer system serving the park, bathrooms are not feasible now. 

     There are no pavilions or picnic tables at the beach park like existed there in years past. The pavilions of the future are being built near to the boat ramp next to the Withlacoochee River and the Gulf of Mexico.
     As for the boat ramp parking lot, it still has asphalt humps in areas that are noticeable on foot or in a vehicle. The humps may have formed from the powerful water surge pushed by hurricane winds.
     The five-member Levy County Board of County Commissioners is doing what it can to restore recreation and library services it provides to the residents and visitors of southern Levy County, just like in the other parts of the county.
     The Yankeetown-Inglis Woman’s Club, owners of the public library building, as well as the municipal leaders and business interests in Inglis and Yankeetown all are working together with one other to help improve the quality of life there as they recover, still, from hurricanes.
     At the same time, people in several other coastal and inland parts of Florida keep working to recoup as best as possible from past hurricane disasters.
     The next hurricane season starts in a couple of months – on June 1. Before then, some Florida visitors plan to return to Vermont, Wisconsin and other states as well as to other countries like Canada, England and the elsewhere.

City moves forward with PUD verbiage

Members of the Chiefland Planning Board pause during the time between them meeting as that board and before they sat as the Chiefland City Commission on Monday night (April 14) in the Chiefland City Commission Meeting Room of the Hardy R. Dean Municipal Building (aka Chiefland City Hall). Seen here are (from left) City Commissioner Norman Weaver, City Commissioner LaWanda Jones, Vice Mayor Lewrissa Johns, City Commissioner Kim Bennett and Mayor Chris Jones.
 
Story and Photos
By Jeff M. Hardison © April 15, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     CHIEFLAND – First meeting as the Chiefland Planning Board and then as the Chiefland City Commission on Monday night (April 14), the five people elected to lead the city approved an ordinance to amend the city’s comprehensive growth management plan.     First as a Planning Board and then as a City Commission, both times on a motion by Vice Mayor Lewrissa Johns and seconded by City Commissioner Norman Weaver, with City Commissioner LaWanda Jones, City Commissioner Kim Bennett and Mayor Chris Jones all voting in favor as well, the new ordinance essentially allows for a Planned Unit Development (PUD).
     There was zero input from the public during the two public hearings – first at the Planning Board meeting and then at the City Commission meeting.


Chiefland City Manager Laura Cain holds up a map showing the property annexed into the city and designated as a Planned Unit Development. The plan for this property over the next 50 years is to construct housing and business structures there.


Chiefland City Commisisoner Norman Weaver expresses himself during the Planning Board meeting and Vice Mayor Lewrissa Johns hears him.

     During the Planning Board meeting, Commissioner Weaver asked if golf carts are going to be allowed in this development.
     City Manager Laura Cain reminded Weaver that the City Commission previously adopted codes to allow golf carts on almost all city streets.
     Weaver asked if this PUD would include regulations to reduce light output as he said astronomers in a subdivision near to this area to be developed prefer to keep skies dark.
     City Manager Cain reminded Weaver that the City Commission previously adopted specific language for this development, to which the developer agreed, to exercise practices accepted as best practices for dark skies in urban developments.
     To see and hear the story, photos and video from the story titled Williams Legacy PUD progresses in Chiefland after three, 4-1 votes, click HERE.

FDOT announces Levy County roadwork 

This map provided by the Florida Department of Transportation shows the project involves State Road 345 from Northwest 50th Street going north past the Crossroads Convenience store at Levy County Road 347 (aka Northwest 60th Street) all the way around Dead Man's Corner – near Barnhill Garden Center, where the project continues to go east on SR 345 (aka Southwest Fourth Avenue) past the Chiefland Citgo station at U.S. Highway 19 (Main Street) all the way to U.S. Alt. 27 (State Road 500).

Story and Map Provided
By Florida Department of Transportation
Published April 10, 2025 at 8 p.m.
     LEVY COUNTY – Construction is set to begin later this month on resurfacing improvements to State Road 345 from County Road 345 to State Road 500 in Levy County.     The project includes milling and resurfacing to improve the road surface, shoulder widening for added safety, base work to strengthen the road foundation, shoulder treatment, sidewalk and driveway construction to enhance pedestrian access, guardrail installation for safety, and new highway signage.
     The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) awarded the $4.9 million contract to Anderson Columbia Inc. Completion is estimated for spring 2026, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting.
     Drivers can expect daytime lane closures from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. No lane closures will be allowed between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday to minimize traffic disruptions.

Gilchrist County elections supervisor
preps for new website

Gilchrist County Supervisor of Elections Lisa Darus speaks to the Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners on April 7.

Story and Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © April 9, 2025 at 2 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     TRENTON – Gilchrist County Supervisor of Elections Lisa Darus found a 5-0 vote of approval when she presented information about her preference for a website vendor to the Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday evening (April 7).
     As noted in a previous story, Darus - like all 67 counties’ supervisors of elections - needs to find a new website host, and some must even have new websites created after a previous vendor threw in the towel as far as continuing to provide that service.
     Revize, which notes itself as “The Government Website Experts,” seeks a payment of $9,700 to create the website for Supervisor of Elections Darus, according to records.
     There is a $3,400 annual fee for hosting and maintenance this first year, and then another $3,400 for the same service in the two subsequent years.
     Darus said she has conducted research and finds Revize to be the best company at the price for this service.
     Commission Sharon Langford made the motion to approve the cost for the creation of the website and the annual fee. Commissioner Darrell Smith seconded the motion, which was approved by a 5-0 vote.
     This funding will come from the reserve budget, because it was not in the budget for the current fiscal year.
     Gilchrist County commissioners asked Darus about funds paid for the current calendar year. She said that it has been paid to the predecessor of Revize, and therefore she has zero dollars in the budget for this new need.
     While the current vendor is serving the supervisor of elections until Dec. 1, the time need to transfer data and establish the new website demands that work start now.
     The County Commission then had discussed security for all of the county constitutional officers’ websites, as well as one employee’s planned retirement and what his heir apparent will be doing at that point.