Regional

During his eight years in the Florida House of Representatives, Chuck Brannan (middle) was assisted by staff members Seth Grubb (from left), Quay Neach, Jason Carter, Dan Hartley, Alisa Bergmann and Staz Guntek. Neach, Carter and Bergmann are Brannan’s’ current aides. (COURTESY)

David and Ashleigh Pitzer were named the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year at the Chamber Gala on Saturday night. The Pitzers were honored by Julie Ulmer (left), the Chamber’s new president, and Executive Director Danielle Hampton. (DENVER JERNIGAN/Special to the Reporter)

Tommy Reeves, the attorney representing Live Oak Investment 2 LLC on the annexation request, told the Live Oak City Council that there was no presentation of the plans for the property Tuesday night but it would likely have ‘substantial changes’ as compared to what was first shown last year. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

North Florida College student Lillian Clay, of Suwannee County, holds the winning check after winning the inaugural Sunshine State Debate. Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas stands to her left, holding the trophy Clay won. (COURTESY NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE)

Thomas Anderson, the president of the Professional Firefighters of Live Oak Local 2481, speaks to the Live Oak City Council about the benefits of moving to a 48-on, 96-off schedule for firefighters. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

The Live Oak City Council would like to lease the old Walt’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership for 10 years to house the city’s public works department. (FILE)

The entire Suwannee River Water Management District, and most of Florida, is experiencing extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s most recent report. (COURTESY)