News Archive

James M. “Jim” Mullins, 65, of Palatka, died Friday, April 11, 2008 at the Malcolm Randall V.A. Medical Center in Gainesville following an extended illness. A native of Whitewood, Virginia, he resided in Palatka for 37 years coming from Whitewood.  He was a U.S. Army Veteran of Vietnam.

DOZIER LEE KEEN, 78, of Cross City passed away Friday, April 11, 2008 at his home. He was a lifetime resident of Dixie County; a mechanic and a tow truck driver. He is survived by three sons; Gaston Keen and Larry Keen o Cross City, David Keen of Branford; four daughters: Terry Kight of Horseshoe Beach, Deloris Miller of Panama City, Carol Long of Old Town and Tracey Owen of Branford.

MRS. DORA ELIZABETH VALENTINE of Horseshoe Beach passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at her home.  She was 89 years old.  Mrs. Valentine was a lifelong resident of Dixie County.  She was a homemaker and mother and a retired nutritionist for the Alachua County School System.  She was Southern Baptist.
Mrs. Valentine is survived by children, Steven Valentine, Frayne “Smokey” Valentine and Evonne Cline all of Horseshoe Beach; brother, Blaine Butler of Jacksonville; and 8 grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 19 at 10:00 am at the pavillion at the Butler Cemetery.
Arrangements have been placed under the care of the Rick Gooding Funeral Home, Cross City, Florida 352-498-5400.

Kathy McKinney

Republican candidate John McCain has been catching holy you-know-what for saying that the smartest thing to do about the “mortgage crisis” is to leave it alone and let the banks who made stupid loans go under. He stated that “it is not the duty of government to bail out and reward those who act irresponsibly, whether they are big banks or small borrowers.” Not the most popular thing to say to taxpayers terrified by news loops every fifteen minutes threatening a looming recession. Clinton and Obama both offer “relief” packages to prevent foreclosures, both with hefty price tags: Clinton wants to spend $30 BILLION, Obama just $10 billion. To people late on their trailer payment, though, a possible government handout must sound like a godsend.