Regional

North Florida Water Utilities Authority Attorney Grady Williams talks to the board about the policy on how staff will select engineers on continuing services contracts for future projects. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

North Florida Water Utilities Authority Attorney Grady Williams talks to the board about the policy on how staff will select engineers on continuing services contracts for future projects. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Utility group approves contract award process

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
LIVE OAK —The North Florida Water Utilities Authority has a five-pronged approach for awarding projects to firms on continuing services contracts.
NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE Senate President Ben Albritton’s ‘rural renaissance’ plan will not be funded for a second straight year. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE)

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE Senate President Ben Albritton’s ‘rural renaissance’ plan will not be funded for a second straight year. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE)

Senate drops ‘rural renaissance’ funding

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, May 15, 2026
TALLAHASSEE — The Senate dropped funding requests for a series of programs tied to Senate President Ben Albritton’s “rural renaissance” plan Thursday.

Lafayette graduates all college or career accelerated

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
MAYO — The Lafayette High School Class of 2026 is ready to walk into its future. All of the students doing so are walking in with a head start. LHS is slated to host its 2026 graduation ceremony Friday at Dale Walker Field, 160 NE Hornet Drive in Mayo, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

South Canal Fire near fully contained

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
MAYO — The wildfire in southern Lafayette County is almost completely contained.The Florida Forest Service said Wednesday in a release that the South Canal Fire, which began May 4, was now 93% contained. The fire covered 2,200 acres.
Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions’ contract was renewed until next January by the Live Oak City Council on Tuesday. The council also ratified his raise. (FILE)

Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions’ contract was renewed until next January by the Live Oak City Council on Tuesday. The council also ratified his raise. (FILE)

Sessions’ contract renewed with raise

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Live Oak’s city manager has a renewed contract with a raise.The Live Oak City Council approved by a 4-1 vote to renew its contract with City Manager Larry Sessions through January during its meeting Tuesday. Councilwoman Vanessa Brown Robinson cast the dissenting vote.

Live Oak man pleads guilty to postal crimes

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
A Live Oak man has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal postal keys, theft of postal keys and postal robbery and assault.John Heekin, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty plea from 33-year-old Antrell Hillard on Monday.
Stephen Quinn, a Nashville artist who hails originaly from Jacksonville, will play Friday at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. (COURTESY)

Stephen Quinn, a Nashville artist who hails originaly from Jacksonville, will play Friday at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. (COURTESY)

Quinn, Snake Blood Remedy performing this weekend

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
LIVE OAK — The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park’s Music Hall will be rocking all weekend long when Stephen Quinn and Snake Blood Remedy entertain.Quinn, a Nashville country artist who hails from Jacksonville, will perform Friday from 7-10 p.m.
Nick Patel, Sen. Corey Simon as well as Suwannee County officials and representatives from Feasterco Construction, Florida Commerce, the City of Live Oak and First Federal Bank break ground on the new Hampton Inn & Suites in Live Oak. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Nick Patel, Sen. Corey Simon as well as Suwannee County officials and representatives from Feasterco Construction, Florida Commerce, the City of Live Oak and First Federal Bank break ground on the new Hampton Inn & Suites in Live Oak. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Hampton Inn & Suites coming to Live Oak

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White lived up to his pledge.Four years ago White told Lake City Hotels chief operating officer Nick Patel that if he made a “gorilla” of a hotel on the north end of Live Oak a reality that he would be there with a shovel to help start digging.