Regional

Steven Dicks, an at-large member to the North Florida Water Utilities Authority board, questioned why an alternative utility budget was presented to the Columbia Cunty Commission before the NFWUA board. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Steven Dicks, an at-large member to the North Florida Water Utilities Authority board, questioned why an alternative utility budget was presented to the Columbia Cunty Commission before the NFWUA board. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

NFWUA requesting $520K from counties

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
LIVE OAK — Sent back to the drawing board after a workshop last week, the North Florida Water Utilities Authority is seeking to limit the impact on customers in Columbia and Suwannee counties.In return, the two counties are being asked to foot the same bill for balancing the authority’s budget in...
Lily Weaver gets the opportunity to hold an owl during the Columbia County 4-H Year Two session of the School of Life Skills for Magical Beings camp from June 22-26. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY 4-H)

Lily Weaver gets the opportunity to hold an owl during the Columbia County 4-H Year Two session of the School of Life Skills for Magical Beings camp from June 22-26. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY 4-H)

‘Magical’ camp teaches kids valuable lessons

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Magic returned to Columbia County 4-H during the third week of its summer day camp season as magical beings gathered for the Year Two session of the School of Life Skills for Magical Beings.

Branford residents plan back-to-school festival

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
BRANFORD — A group Branford residents is hoping to help children in the community kick-off the 2026-27 school year with a festival designed provide school supplies.Richard “Rabbit” Ball, a local Branford barbershop owner, is leading the charge fort the festival and hopes to attract as many vendors...
Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions said he was against raising any taxes ahead of an anticipated property tax relief measure in Tallahassee. The Live Oak Council can now only vote to reduce the millage rate from there. (FILE)

Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions said he was against raising any taxes ahead of an anticipated property tax relief measure in Tallahassee. The Live Oak Council can now only vote to reduce the millage rate from there. (FILE)

Live Oak Council opts to keep millage steady

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
LIVE OAK — City officials in Live Oak don’t plan to raise taxes for next year’s fiscal budget.During the regularly scheduled Tuesday afternoon Live Oak City Council meeting, when city officials set the maximum millage rate, they voted in favor of keeping the millage rate the same as the previous...
A dump truck’s bed sits in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 after hitting the County Road 795 overpass on Monday. (COURTESY FHP)

A dump truck’s bed sits in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 after hitting the County Road 795 overpass on Monday. (COURTESY FHP)

Truck bed causes I-10 lane closure

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
A dump truck ended up dumping itself on Interstate 10. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, the truck, driven by a 36-year-old Jacksonville man, was traveling east on I-10 near mile marker 281 in the right travel lane Monday around 6:07 a.m. with its bed raised.
Lafayette County 4-H Camp USA campers display their patriotic crafts. Campers were able to learn about the rights, responsibilities and opportunities that come with being an American citizen. (COURTESY LAFAYETTE COUNTY 4-H)

Lafayette County 4-H Camp USA campers display their patriotic crafts. Campers were able to learn about the rights, responsibilities and opportunities that come with being an American citizen. (COURTESY LAFAYETTE COUNTY 4-H)

Lafayette 4-H Camp USA celebrates America’s 250th birthday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
By SHAWN JACKSONLafayette County Extension DirectorMAYO — This year’s 4-H Camp USA was especially memorable as campers celebrated the week leading up to our nation’s 250th anniversary.
A collection of 34 photographs from 14 different photographers in the Branford Camera Club will remain on display at the Suwannee Regional Library through July 31. (COURTESY)

A collection of 34 photographs from 14 different photographers in the Branford Camera Club will remain on display at the Suwannee Regional Library through July 31. (COURTESY)

Branford Camera Club debuts patriotic exhibit

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
The emotions that go into patriotism are all on display, and all expertly captured, in photographs.The Branford Camera Club recently opened its first exhibition of the year at the Suwannee Regional Library.
The renovation work on the Suwannee County Courthouse, undertaken by O’Neal Roofing, is nearing completion after beginning in May. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

The renovation work on the Suwannee County Courthouse, undertaken by O’Neal Roofing, is nearing completion after beginning in May. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

Courthouse renovations nearing completion

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Repairs to the Suwannee County Courthouse appear to be wrapping up right on time. Crews from O’Neal Roofing began working on the courthouse dome in early May after damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024 caused peeling of the copper structure. The work was expected to take 2-3 months to complete.