Regional

Rep. Chuck Clemons pointed to concerns about ‘discrimination’ against utility customers outside municipal boundaries. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE)

Rep. Chuck Clemons pointed to concerns about ‘discrimination’ against utility customers outside municipal boundaries. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE)

Water rate ‘discrimination’ bill draws debate

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — In an issue that could affect cities across the state, Florida House members Wednesday started moving forward with a proposal aimed at preventing municipalities from charging higher water and sewer rates to customers who live outside city boundaries.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is welcomed to a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives by House Speaker Paul Renner, left, and Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, right, to give his State of the State address in Tallahassee on Tuesday. (GARY MCCULLOUGH/Associated Press)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is welcomed to a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives by House Speaker Paul Renner, left, and Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, right, to give his State of the State address in Tallahassee on Tuesday. (GARY MCCULLOUGH/Associated Press)

DeSantis: ‘Stay the course’

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — With his presidential campaign in the background, Gov. Ron DeSantis used his annual State of the State address Tuesday to tout Florida’s accomplishments — while offering few new details of priorities for the 2024 legislative session.

Roush not seeking another term

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
LIVE OAK — Two terms as superintendent of schools is enough, according to Ted Roush. Roush, the Suwannee County superintendent, announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election this fall. Roush was first elected in 2016 before winning unopposed in 2020.

Brannan seeks to shield crime victims’ names

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
After the Florida Supreme Court ruled in November that a 2018 constitutional amendment does not shield the identities of crime victims, a House Republican on Tuesday filed proposals that would create a public-records exemption — including for police officers who say they are crime victims. Rep.

Power replaces Ziegler as state GOP chairman

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — Heading into the 2024 election year, the state Republican Party has a new party leader. The state Republican Party’s executive committee Monday removed embattled Chairman Christian Ziegler and elevated Vice Chairman Evan Power to lead the party into this year’s elections.
Haven Hospice Dementia Care program manager Anita Howard displays some of the resources provided by the program, including enrichment tools and educational materials for caregivers. The Plein Foundation awarded Haven with a grant in support of the program. (COURTESY)

Haven Hospice Dementia Care program manager Anita Howard displays some of the resources provided by the program, including enrichment tools and educational materials for caregivers. The Plein Foundation awarded Haven with a grant in support of the program. (COURTESY)

Haven Hospice dementia program gets $25K grant

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
GAINESVILLE — Used to providing support, Haven Hospice’s Dementia Care Program was on the receiving end recently. Haven received a $25,000 grant in support of its dementia program from the Thomas A. Plein Foundation, the Haven Hospice Foundation announced Monday.

Florida GOP ousts Ziegler as chairman

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Monday, January 8, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — The state Republican Party’s executive committee Monday removed embattled Chairman Christian Ziegler and elevated Vice Chairman Evan Power to lead the party as the 2024 election year gets underway. Power said after the meeting the party is “moving forward.

Brannan looks to declare ‘Hot Car Prevention Month’

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 5, 2024
Last July, a 10-month-old Baker County girl died when left in a car for hours. When the Florida Legislature opens its regular session Tuesday, a pair of local legislators will aim to honor Ariya Renee Paige’s memory. Rep. Chuck Brannan (R-Macclenny) and Sen.