Regional

Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels discusses plans for the North Florida Mega Industrial Park with FloridaCommerce officials on a recent visit. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels discusses plans for the North Florida Mega Industrial Park with FloridaCommerce officials on a recent visit. (COURTESY)

State officials visit NFMIP, Suwannee catalyst site

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — A handful of rural counties recently hosted special guests to highlight investments made to different local projects. According to a FloridaCommerce press release, Secretary of Commerce J.
A statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse appears in front of the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

A statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse appears in front of the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

Disney: DeSantis-appointed board failing to release public records

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
ORLANDO — Disney has filed a lawsuit claiming that the oversight government for Walt Disney World, which was taken over by appointees of Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year, has failed to release documents and properly preserve records in violation of Florida public records law.

Florida jobless rate up to 2.9%

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, December 22, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — While still near historically low levels, Florida’s unemployment rate inched up to 2.9% in November. The November rate was an increase from 2.8% in October and represented 324,000 people out of work from a labor force of 11.

Mayo nets $1.99M for sewer

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
MAYO — Ongoing deficiencies in the Town of Mayo’s wastewater system may soon be flushed. The town was awarded a water quality improvement grant for $1,990,340 by the state on Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office announced, for an advanced wastewater treatment facility upgrade project.
Gary Keyes and Johan Heijkoop and their families were honored as the Lafayette County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year at its Dec. 11 meeting. Pictured are Lafayette County Extension Ag Agent Emily Beach (from left), Gary Keyes, Kathy Keyes, Johan Heijkoop, Trisha Heijkoop, Jaylee Heijkoop, Julia Heijkoop and Jozef Heijkoop. Not pictured is Johanna Heijkoop. (COURTESY)

Gary Keyes and Johan Heijkoop and their families were honored as the Lafayette County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year at its Dec. 11 meeting. Pictured are Lafayette County Extension Ag Agent Emily Beach (from left), Gary Keyes, Kathy Keyes, Johan Heijkoop, Trisha Heijkoop, Jaylee Heijkoop, Julia Heijkoop and Jozef Heijkoop. Not pictured is Johanna Heijkoop. (COURTESY)

Keyes, Heijkoop named 2023 Lafayette Farm Family of the Year

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
MAYO — At the Lafayette County Farm Bureau meeting on Dec. 11, Gary Keyes and Johan Heijkoop and their families were the guests of honor in order to recognize them for being the Lafayette County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year.

Live Oak receives $2.65M for septic to sewer project

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
LIVE OAK — The City of Live Oak is receiving state assistance in convverting septic tanks to its sewer system. That project received a $2.65 million water quality improvement grant award Tuesday as part of a statewide announcement from Gov.