Regional

Lafayette County 4-H members that took place in the annual farm judging contest on Oct. 27 include Jaxon Murphy (from left), Lanae Colson, Jayda Hendrick, Lydia Lyons, Tinley Jackson and Justin Swinson Jr. Lafayette County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent Emily Beach and Lafayette County Extension Director Shawn Jackson are also pictured. (COURTESY)

Lafayette County 4-H members that took place in the annual farm judging contest on Oct. 27 include Jaxon Murphy (from left), Lanae Colson, Jayda Hendrick, Lydia Lyons, Tinley Jackson and Justin Swinson Jr. Lafayette County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent Emily Beach and Lafayette County Extension Director Shawn Jackson are also pictured. (COURTESY)

Lafayette hosts farm judging contest

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
On Friday, October 27, 2023 the Lafayette County Extension Office hosted the annual farm judging contest. There were 90 4-H and FFA members from Lafayette, Suwannee, Gilchrist, Taylor, Dixie, and Madison counties that came to participate in the contest.

Jasper shootout kills 1, injures 2

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
JASPER — Authorities continue to investigate a deadly late-night shootout Friday in Jasper. Three people were shot in the shootout, which took place at 11:19 p.m. Friday across U.S. Highway 41 (Hatley Street) between two groups gathered on opposite sides of the roadway, with one being killed.

Palm Beach deputy dies on hunting trip

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
A Palm Beach County deputy died Saturday of a medical emergency while hunting in Columbia County. A Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release Sunday said deputies were alerted around 10 p.m. Saturday by the deputy’s wife after she was unable to contact him.
County Manager David Kraus said the Columbia County Commission will still be meeting today and would respond to Fort White Attorney Lindsey Lander’s letter and concerns. (FILE)

County Manager David Kraus said the Columbia County Commission will still be meeting today and would respond to Fort White Attorney Lindsey Lander’s letter and concerns. (FILE)

Fort White not attending joint county meeting

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
A joint meeting between the Columbia County Commission and Fort White Town Council will have to wait again. While the commission called for a joint meeting today, set for 6 p.m. at the Duval Place executive conference room, 971 W. Duval Street, Fort White doesn’t intend to attend.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteers line up for supplies in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia in Columbia County. (COURTESY)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteers line up for supplies in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia in Columbia County. (COURTESY)

LDS donates $1 million check to Second Harvest

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, October 28, 2023
A regional food bank has gotten a big boost from a donation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Lafayette County Public Works Director Scott Sadler said a portion of extra funding the county received from the Florida Department of Transportation will be used on County Road 250. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette County Public Works Director Scott Sadler said a portion of extra funding the county received from the Florida Department of Transportation will be used on County Road 250. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette DRC extending stay

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
MAYO — Victims of Hurricane Idalia will have a little bit longer to apply for assistance in Lafayette County. During Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board unanimously approved keeping Lafayette’s Disaster Recovery Center open until Nov. 26.
Youth from Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties and their hens Oct. 19 at ‘The Quad-County Chick-Chain Show.’ (COURTESY)

Youth from Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties and their hens Oct. 19 at ‘The Quad-County Chick-Chain Show.’ (COURTESY)

Lafayette County 4-H youth shows grand champion hen

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
By Shawn Jackson Lafayette County Extension MADISON — Youth from four North Florida counties recently participated in an area chicken show held in Madison.

Johnson elected House speaker

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
WASHINGTON — Republicans unanimously elected Rep. Mike Johnson as House speaker on Wednesday, eagerly elevating a deeply conservative but lesser-known leader to the major seat of U.S. power and ending for now the weeks of political chaos in their majority.