Union County Sheriff's Office

08/25/2026

***Buyer Beware: Door-to-Door Solar Solicitors***

The Union County Sheriff's Office would like to make residents aware that solar sales representatives are currently going door-to-door throughout our community soliciting business.
We have confirmed that the individuals and businesses we have been made aware of are legitimate businesses. However, legitimate does not necessarily mean that every statement made by a salesperson is accurate or that the company is affiliated with your local electric utility.

Residents should be aware that solar sales representatives may sometimes imply or state that they are working with, partnered with, or affiliated with a major power company or utility provider. If a solicitor makes this claim, we encourage you to independently verify it directly with your utility company before providing any information or entering into an agreement.

Please remember:
• You are not required to open your door or speak with a solicitor.
• Do not feel pressured to make an immediate decision or sign a contract at your doorstep.
• Ask for identification and the name of the company they represent.
• Independently verify claims regarding partnerships or affiliations with your electric utility.
• Never provide sensitive personal, financial, or account information to an unsolicited salesperson unless you have independently verified who you are dealing with.
• Consider displaying a “No Soliciting” sign if you do not wish to receive unsolicited sales visits.
• Doorbell and security cameras can also help document activity at your residence.

The presence of these solicitors in our community does not mean they are criminals or that they are necessarily engaged in illegal activity. Door-to-door solicitation may be lawful, subject to applicable local laws and regulations.

However, if a solicitor refuses to leave your property after you have clearly asked them to do so, do not confront or argue with them. Contact the Sheriff’s Office at 386-496-2501 and report the situation.

Our goal is simply to make residents aware of these sales visits so that you can make informed decisions and recognize that an unfamiliar person at your door does not necessarily have an affiliation with your power company.

When in doubt, take your time, verify independently, and never feel pressured to make a purchase at your front door.

Please share this information with family, friends, and neighbors—especially those who may be more vulnerable to high-pressure sales tactics.

08/19/2026

08/12/2026

***UNION CO SCHOOLS STARTS BACK TODAY, AUGUST 12, 2026***

Just a reminder as Union County public schools start back TODAY, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 12TH for everyone to stop and be aware of all your surroundings. Be aware of the increased traffic on SR121 and CR231 in and around the school zones, especially around 6:30am-8:15am and 2:00pm-3:15pm each day.

Traffic will be very heavy during the first few weeks of school.
Be aware of the school crossing guards helping to get our children across the roads. Be aware of the school buses throughout our county picking up children at each of our bus stops. Be aware of any possible suspicious vehicles and/or persons that might be around and report any unusual behavior to law enforcement immediately.

Please be safe and patient and remember to always slow your speed in the school zones areas. Increased law enforcement patrol will be available throughout our school zones, before and after school. If you are not dropping off students in Union County, it would be advised to avoid SR121 and CR231 area if at all possible, during the next week or two starting this Wednesday.
Also please make sure the school has the most current and accurate emergency contact information on file for your children. We frequently need to get contact parents/guardians for various reasons throughout the year. Teach your children to always CHECK FIRST before changing their plans before or after school. Teach your children to never leave school with anyone unless they CHECK FIRST with you or another trusted adult family member. The Sheriff's Office responds to numerous calls each year about missing children from our schools because of lack of communication with their travels after school and ways to get home.

Be aware of the security measures in place on each campus. Each school has a central sole point of entrance. Parents will need to be screened and checked in to the front office of each school when coming onto campus. We are here to make sure our schools and children remain safe at all times!

THOSE DROPPING CHILDREN OFF AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:
Please see the map in this post. Parents of 1st to 5th Grade Students will enter through the back gate along C.R. 231 and follow the designated path shown. 2nd thru 5th Grade Students will be dropped off along the LEFT side of the bus ramp area. Parents of Pre-K, K and 1st Grade will also enter through the back gate along C.R. 231 and will drop off along the RIGHT side of the bus ramp area. Staff will be there to direct the flow of traffic and help students out of vehicles. Please do not enter the teacher and staff parking area or the loop in front of the cafeteria to drop off students.

Praying for a great and safe school year

08/11/2026

***UNION CO SCHOOLS STARTS BACK WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2026***

Just a reminder as Union County public schools start back TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 12TH for everyone to stop and be aware of all your surroundings. Be aware of the increased traffic on SR121 and CR231 in and around the school zones, especially around 6:30am-8:15am and 2:00pm-3:15pm each day.

Traffic will be very heavy during the first few weeks of school.
Be aware of the school crossing guards helping to get our children across the roads. Be aware of the school buses throughout our county picking up children at each of our bus stops. Be aware of any possible suspicious vehicles and/or persons that might be around and report any unusual behavior to law enforcement immediately.

Please be safe and patient and remember to always slow your speed in the school zones areas. Increased law enforcement patrol will be available throughout our school zones, before and after school. If you are not dropping off students in Union County, it would be advised to avoid SR121 and CR231 area if at all possible, during the next week or two starting this Wednesday.

Also please make sure the school has the most current and accurate emergency contact information on file for your children. We frequently need to get contact parents/guardians for various reasons throughout the year. Teach your children to always CHECK FIRST before changing their plans before or after school. Teach your children to never leave school with anyone unless they CHECK FIRST with you or another trusted adult family member. The Sheriff's Office responds to numerous calls each year about missing children from our schools because of lack of communication with their travels after school and ways to get home.

Be aware of the security measures in place on each campus. Each school has a central sole point of entrance. Parents will need to be screened and checked in to the front office of each school when coming onto campus. We are here to make sure our schools and children remain safe at all times!

THOSE DROPPING CHILDREN OFF AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:
Please see the map in this post. Parents of 1st to 5th Grade Students will enter through the back gate along C.R. 231 and follow the designated path shown. 2nd thru 5th Grade Students will be dropped off along the LEFT side of the bus ramp area. Parents of Pre-K, K and 1st Grade will also enter through the back gate along C.R. 231 and will drop off along the RIGHT side of the bus ramp area. Staff will be there to direct the flow of traffic and help students out of vehicles. Please do not enter the teacher and staff parking area or the loop in front of the cafeteria to drop off students.

Praying for a great and safe school year.

08/07/2026

***MEMORIAL TREE DEDICATED AT LAKESIDE PARK***

Yesterday, our agency participated in a tree dedication at Lakeside Park in Lake Butler, Florida in honor and memory of all the Union County law enforcement deputies and correctional officers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. This living memorial that will stand for generations to come will remind everyone that we will never forget!!!

We would like to thank Protect Rural Florida, Commissioner Mac Johns, City of Lake Butler and all the families that participated in the dedication. It was a beautiful ceremony with a magnolia tree planted on the West side of Lakeside Park.

08/06/2026

***WE WILL NEVER FORGET-DEPUTY RENEE AZURE***

Today, and always, we remember the ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Renee Azure. She was killed in the line of duty on August 6, 2002 while responding to an emergency holdup alarm in Raiford, FL. shortly after midnight. Her name is forever inscribed on our local memorial wall at the Union County Courthouse and at the State Memorial walls in Tallahassee, located at Florida Sheriff's Association building and another memorial at the State Capitol, as well as the National Law Enforcement Memorial wall in Washington D.C.

The National Law Enforcement Memorial states it appropriately that “it is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived”. We remember today and always the sacrifice and service Deputy Azure and others gave to our agency and community.

We continue to stay in close contact with the Azure family and remember her ultimate sacrifice for our county! Thank you for your service!

We continue to be so proud of her daughter Faith, proudly serving as a Deputy with Leon County Sheriff’s Office.

08/05/2026

***SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS PRACTITIONERS***

The Union County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that both of our School Resource Officers, Corporal David Gladding and SRD Robert Fipps, have been recognized as School Resource Officer Practitioners, at the 2026 Florida Association of School Resource Officers Safety and Training Conference in Jacksonville, Florida.

To qualify as an SRO Practitioner, the SRO must complete 40 hours of certified School Resource Officer training, as well as an additional 200 hours of advanced FDLE juvenile based law enforcement instruction. Practitioners must have over three years experience as an SRO, be currently assigned to a school, and must attend Florida Association of School Resource Officers School Safety and Training Conferences.

There are currently 1600 School Resource Officers in the State of Florida. There were 1100 School Resource Officers in attendance at the FASRO 2026 convention and of those 1100 attendees, 23 were awarded the SRO Practitioner certificate throughout the State.

This designation is designed to recognize those School Resource Deputies who have excelled in the School Resource philosophy and to further distinguish themselves as committed to being professionals at their agency, in their community and the schools they serve.

Congratulations Corporal Gladding and SRD Fipps on this distinguished accomplishment

08/04/2026

***Welcome Back Teachers and Staff!***

2026–2027 School Year

Sheriff Brad Whitehead, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office, extend our warmest welcome to all teachers and school staff as the 2026–2027 school year begins.

Your dedication, resilience, and passion for education continues to shape the future of our community. We recognize the critical role you play in creating safe, supportive, and inspiring environments for our youth to grow and thrive.

As partners in service, we are honored to continue to stand with you to ensure a successful and safe school year. Let’s work together to make this year the best one yet!

Thank you for all that you do. Welcome back!

07/01/2026

***JULY 4TH CELEBRATION*** SATURDAY JULY 4th-LAKESIDE PARK

See attached flyer of all the events and for Saturday, July 4th Celebration at Lakeside Park.

INFORMATION FOR EVENTS AT LAKESIDE PARK – SAT. JULY 4th, 2026.

Tommy Spires Bass Fishing Tournament in the early morning hours

5K RUN will begin at 7:30AM. Registration is at Lake Avenue and N.W. 3rd Street (Lakeside Park). There will be road closures and detours throughout the city from 7:45am-9am.

Car Show. There will be road closers around Lakeside Park on N.W. 3rd Street during this time.

There will be vendors and food trucks setup around Lakeside Park offer foods, crafts and various items throughout the day.

Fireworks will be at DUSK at Lakeside Park. (AFTER 9PM)

There is very limited parking available around the park with additional parking around 1st Christian Church, Union County Courthouse, Lake Avenue and Main Street area.
N.W. 3rd Street and N. Lake Avenue (around the Lakeside Park) will become very congested and should be avoided throughout the day, especially as it gets closer to dark. Barricades and road closures for N.W. 3rd Street and North Lake Avenue will be in place.

Park rules: For Everyone's Safety: There will be no unauthorized fireworks or sparklers within the park. No Alcohol Beverages or Intoxicated person within the park (STRICTLY ENFORCED). Dogs are not allowed within the park area (Please see posted park rules at the entrances of the park).

No boats will be allowed to launch after 4:00pm on Saturday due to heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic around the boat ramp and boats cannot be retrieved before 10:00pm. Boat ramp is closed between 4pm-10pm.

UCSO Division of Emergency Management will be monitoring weather conditions all day to keep us up to date on weather alerts and any severe weather issues. As you know these conditions can change fast.

**Currently there is a 70% chance of rain on Saturday, between 4pm-8pm. Be Prepared!

Law Enforcement Deputies will be on hand throughout the park and area for any assistance that you may need. Please keep track of your children as they can easily go missing and wander off from you. Additional units will be on patrol throughout the night for DUI enforcement efforts.

***THE UCSO WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY DISORDERLY BEHAVIOR, NARCOTICS (DRUG) VIOLATIONS OR OPEN CONTAINERS OF ALCOHOL. ARRESTS WILL BE MADE. This is a family friendly event and we will ensure that it is a safe environment for everyone.

Fireworks at the lake at dusk