Regional

The entrance to Will’s Pumpkin Patch across 72nd Trace from the Publix in Live Oak. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

The entrance to Will’s Pumpkin Patch across 72nd Trace from the Publix in Live Oak. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Will’s Pumpkin Patch opens for fall fun

Fall fun can support a good cause this year in Live Oak.The Will Carpenter AYA Cancer Foundation’s Will’s Pumpkin Patch opened Tuesday and will operate daily through Oct. 31 across 72nd Trace from Publix.

Duval convicted of 2024 murder

A Live Oak man was convicted last week of murder charges for a brutal 2024 killing.Leroy Duval, 62, was found guilty Friday of second degree murder, aggravated child abuse and burglary with battery for the March 2, 2024, murder of Blake Reaves.
Sheilah Broughton has written a book on the history of the buildings in downtown Mayo, ‘Historic Downtown Mayo, Florida,’ which is raising funds for the Lafayette County Historical Society. (COURTESY)

Sheilah Broughton has written a book on the history of the buildings in downtown Mayo, ‘Historic Downtown Mayo, Florida,’ which is raising funds for the Lafayette County Historical Society. (COURTESY)

Book details histories of Mayo buildings

MAYO — The plan wasn’t to write a book.However, when the Writers Ink group asked Sheilah Broughton if she could provide the history to the building in downtown Mayo that the Lafayette County Historical Society is hoping to turn into a museum, she agreed.That simple request soon expanded into a...

Suwannee County Fire Rescue special ops team earns rescue honor

Suwannee County Fire Rescue’s Special Operations Team has officially been designated within the State of Florida Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) System as a Type 1 Technical Rescue Team, receiving the official designation TRT-201.This designation represents a significant milestone for SCFR and...
The Errol Buchanan family (Errol, Felecia, and Tanya) was named the Lafayette County Farm Family of the Year by the Lafayette County Farm Bureau. (COURTESY)

The Errol Buchanan family (Errol, Felecia, and Tanya) was named the Lafayette County Farm Family of the Year by the Lafayette County Farm Bureau. (COURTESY)

Buchanans named Lafayette County Farm Family of the Year

By EMILY BEACHLafayette County ExtensionThe 2026 Lafayette County Farm Family of the Year is the Errol Buchanan family.Errol Buchanan began his farming journey on his parents’ farm, where he grew tobacco, corn, watermelons, and peas. The family also raised beef cattle and broiler chickens.
A group of participants in the Pregnancy Care Center’s Walk/Run 4 Life in Live Oak pose for a photo following the run. (COURTESY)

A group of participants in the Pregnancy Care Center’s Walk/Run 4 Life in Live Oak pose for a photo following the run. (COURTESY)

Pregnancy Care Center 5K attracts support

The streets of Live Oak were busy with runners and walkers Saturday morning with both groups looking to pitch in and save unborn babies.The group trekking through town was participating in the annual Pregnancy Care 5K Walk/Run 4 Life fundraising event.The Pregnancy Care Center’s office in Live Oak...
Roger Busscher (left) takes the oath of office to serve on the North Florida Water Utilities Authority board during its meeting Monday. NFWUA Attorney Grady Williams (right) administers the oath. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Roger Busscher (left) takes the oath of office to serve on the North Florida Water Utilities Authority board during its meeting Monday. NFWUA Attorney Grady Williams (right) administers the oath. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

New utility board member questions inter-county conflicts.

LIVE OAK — The North Florida Water Utilities Authority’s newest board member took time throughout Monday’s meeting to try to get a better understanding of the group’s workings, as well as how its two county partners got here.Roger Busscher, who was sworn in by NFWUA Attorney Grady Williams at the...
Rowdy Johnston will be one of three young Elvis tribute artists performing Saturday night at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. That performance follows Jimmy Fields also performing Friday night as Elvis in a weekend centered around ‘The King’ at the Music Park. (COURTESY)

Rowdy Johnston will be one of three young Elvis tribute artists performing Saturday night at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. That performance follows Jimmy Fields also performing Friday night as Elvis in a weekend centered around ‘The King’ at the Music Park. (COURTESY)

Elvis tribute artists taking over SOSMP

LIVE OAK — It’s going to be an Elvis music weekend at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.The weekend will begin Friday with Jimmy Fields as Elvis and Kathy Stafford as Shania Twain followed Saturday evening by three young fantastic Elvis artists who will shake, rattle and roll the Music Hall...
The proposed map of the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency district. The light green portion in the northeast section of the city will be removed from the CRA. (FILE)

The proposed map of the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency district. The light green portion in the northeast section of the city will be removed from the CRA. (FILE)

Live Oak CRA agrees to amend expanded district

The expanded Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency district will be smaller than originally planned.The Live Oak CRA board agreed unanimously to remove 200-plus acres from the expansion on the northeast side of the city at its meeting Tuesday night following a presentation of concerns about the...
A $6.19 million septic-to-sewer conversion project in the City of Live Oak along U.S. Highway 90, Evelyn Avenue, Lime Street, Duval Street and 105th Road has been completed. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)

A $6.19 million septic-to-sewer conversion project in the City of Live Oak along U.S. Highway 90, Evelyn Avenue, Lime Street, Duval Street and 105th Road has been completed. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)

SRWMD helps Live Oak with septic-to-sewer project

A recently completed septic-to-sewer project in the City of Live Oak is helping protect groundwater by reducing nutrient pollution while providing reliable wastewater infrastructure for residents and allowing for future growth.The $6.19 million project is a joint effort between the Suwannee River...