Regional

Shannon Roberts, Suwannee County’s administrative associate, said the regional utility advisory committee needed to go ahead and take the next step of formalizing their relationship. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Shannon Roberts, Suwannee County’s administrative associate, said the regional utility advisory committee needed to go ahead and take the next step of formalizing their relationship. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Regional utility members consider interlocal agreement

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
A regional utility advisory committee could become an official authority next month.

Hospital districts eyed in House

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
A House panel Wednesday supported a proposal that would create a process for public hospital districts to convert to non-profit organizations and require districts to study the financial feasibility of converting to non-profits or selling to for-profit companies.
The Suwannee River Water Management District’s Hydrologic Conditions Report shows January was wetter than normal with areas in Hamilton and Suwannee counties receiving more than six inches of rain in the month. (COURTESY)

The Suwannee River Water Management District’s Hydrologic Conditions Report shows January was wetter than normal with areas in Hamilton and Suwannee counties receiving more than six inches of rain in the month. (COURTESY)

SRWMD: Wet weather continues in January

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
LIVE OAK — The start to the new year was a wet one, according to the Suwannee River Water Management District. The district released its Hydrologic Conditions Report for January this week, which noted the district’s 15-county area received an average of 4.

Monuments, flags bills could be dead

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — Controversial bills aimed at preventing local governments from removing historical monuments and restricting the types of flags flown at schools and other public buildings appear to be dead in the Florida Senate.
Rep. Lauren Melo is backing a bill that would provide college tuition waivers for people who dropped out of high school. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

Rep. Lauren Melo is backing a bill that would provide college tuition waivers for people who dropped out of high school. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

Proposal could give dropouts college aid

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — A bill that would allow people who have dropped out of high school to get tuition waivers to pursue diplomas and workforce credentials at Florida colleges got unanimous backing Wednesday from a key House committee.
Sen. Jim Boyd is sponsoring a bill that would lead to designating behavioral-health teaching hospitals. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

Sen. Jim Boyd is sponsoring a bill that would lead to designating behavioral-health teaching hospitals. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

Lawmakers OK behavioral health teaching hospitals

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — With the bill citing an “urgent need” to increase the number of doctors and other workers to care for people with mental-health and substance-abuse issues, the Florida Senate on Tuesday began moving forward with a $114 million plan that includes designating behavioral-health teaching...

Jasper man takes tractor from work, arrested

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
WHITE SPRINGS — At work with no ride home, a Jasper man decided his best option was to take one of his employer’s tractors. The joyride on a John Deere through Hamilton County ended with 36-year-old William Drury III facing grand theft and drug possession charges.