Regional

The Suwannee River Water Management District’s Hydrological Conditions Report shows areas of Columbia and Suwannee counties received substantial rainfall in April but are still in heavy drought. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)

The Suwannee River Water Management District’s Hydrological Conditions Report shows areas of Columbia and Suwannee counties received substantial rainfall in April but are still in heavy drought. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)

Report: Heavy rains do little for overall drought

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
LIVE OAK — A good bit of recent rainfall isn’t enough to make up for the recent drought, according to the Suwannee River Water Management District’s April report. According to the SRWMD’s Hydrologic Conditions Report for last month, the district received an average rainfall of 0.
Suwannee County Commissioner Travis Land said he was willing to hold the $3.8 million in donated funds at whatever bank the donor desired. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Commissioner Travis Land said he was willing to hold the $3.8 million in donated funds at whatever bank the donor desired. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Anonymous donor gifts $3.8M to Suwannee County

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
The Suwannee County Commission had 3.8 million reasons to agree to some stipulations Tuesday night.And the board was more than happy to agree on how to spend and where to store a donation from an anonymous county resident until it could identify the project to use the funding.

Branford graduating 111 Friday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
BRANFORD — More than 100 Buccaneers will sail off into the next phase of their life Friday night.Branford High is holding its 2026 commencement ceremony at Buccaneer Stadium at 8 p.m. Friday with 111 graduation candidates. Seniors are to arrive for graduation by 7:15 p.m.

Suwannee County Legion hosting Memorial Day ceremony

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
McALPIN — The annual Memorial Day ceremony will have a new venue Monday.The Harry C. Gray II Memorial American Legion Post 107 is hosting the annual ceremony, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., at its clubhouse, 10726 142nd Street in McAlpin.
Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White said he was frustrated by the fact the North Florida Water Utilities Authority didn’t discuss Columbia County’s sewer plant before it was sold. The Suwannee board, though, still unanimously voted to continue supporting the joint utility group. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White said he was frustrated by the fact the North Florida Water Utilities Authority didn’t discuss Columbia County’s sewer plant before it was sold. The Suwannee board, though, still unanimously voted to continue supporting the joint utility group. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee commissioners still support Utility Authority

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Suwannee County is still fully behind the North Florida Water Utilities Authority.At least for now.
Suwannee County Attorney Adam Morrison told the County Commission that it had no discretion on the matter, it had to ratify the School Board’s desire to place the half-cent sales tax on the ballot for voters to decide. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Attorney Adam Morrison told the County Commission that it had no discretion on the matter, it had to ratify the School Board’s desire to place the half-cent sales tax on the ballot for voters to decide. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County half-cent sales tax ratified for ballot

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
The Suwannee County School District’s half-cent sales tax will appear on the November ballot.The Suwannee County Commission unanimously ratified the Suwannee County School Board’s vote to have a sales tax referendum placed on the ballot during its meeting Tuesday.
The U.S. Drought Monitor map released last week still shows Suwannee County in exceptional drought, the highest intensity level of droughts. (COURTESY)

The U.S. Drought Monitor map released last week still shows Suwannee County in exceptional drought, the highest intensity level of droughts. (COURTESY)

Suwannee burn ban lifted thanks to recent rainfall

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Thanks to recent rainfall, the burn ban is permanently lifted in Suwannee County.Ratifying the move by Suwannee County Fire Chief Dan Miller late last week, the County Commission unanimously approved to lift the burn ban that had been in place since April 21.