Regional

Districts grapple with AP course confusion

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — School district leaders across the state are taking a patchwork of approaches to a college-credit psychology course, as many high-school students head back to class this week amid a dustup between Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and the College Board.

Gang member charged in 2020 hotel shooting

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
LIVE OAK — A Jasper gang member was arrested Monday in Suwannee County for shooting a man in a hotel robbery attempt three years ago. Tyquan Ivey, 20, was charged with armed robbery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and probation violation.

Florida DEP fighting federal power plant rules

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Department of Environmental Protection lashed out at a federal proposal aimed at reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from power plants, saying it “places the reliability, affordability and capacity of the nation’s energy supply at risk.
Authorities stand near barricades at the Fulton County courthouse Monday in Atlanta. The sheriff’s office is implementing various security measures ahead of a possible indictment against former President Donald Trump. (BRYNN ANDERSON/Associated Press)

Authorities stand near barricades at the Fulton County courthouse Monday in Atlanta. The sheriff’s office is implementing various security measures ahead of a possible indictment against former President Donald Trump. (BRYNN ANDERSON/Associated Press)

Atlanta bracing for potential new Trump indictment

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
ATLANTA — Donald Trump and officials in Atlanta are bracing for a new indictment that could come as soon as next week in a Georgia prosecutor’s investigation into the former president’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state.
Sen. Corey Simon (red shirt) and Rep. Jason Shoaf (blue shirt) present a ceremonial $4 million check to Suwannee County Superintendent Ted Roush on Tuesday for an expansion at RIVEROAK Technical College. Also present were Karin Hoffman from Key Innovative Solutions (from left), Suwannee County School Board Chairman Jerry Taylor, RIVEROAK Principal Mary Keen and former Sen. Rene Garcia. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sen. Corey Simon (red shirt) and Rep. Jason Shoaf (blue shirt) present a ceremonial $4 million check to Suwannee County Superintendent Ted Roush on Tuesday for an expansion at RIVEROAK Technical College. Also present were Karin Hoffman from Key Innovative Solutions (from left), Suwannee County School Board Chairman Jerry Taylor, RIVEROAK Principal Mary Keen and former Sen. Rene Garcia. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

RIVEROAK ready for $4M makeover project

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
LIVE OAK — While the oversized check was just ceremonial, the Suwannee County School District is eager to put $4 million in state funding to work. State Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St. Joe) and Sen.
Suwannee River Water Management District Executive Director Hugh Thomas was inducted into the National Association of Conservation Districts Southeast Region Conservation Hall of Fame on Monday. He was recognized by the district’s Governing Board on Tuesday for this accolade. (COURTESY SRWMD)

Suwannee River Water Management District Executive Director Hugh Thomas was inducted into the National Association of Conservation Districts Southeast Region Conservation Hall of Fame on Monday. He was recognized by the district’s Governing Board on Tuesday for this accolade. (COURTESY SRWMD)

SRWMD’s Thomas named conservation Hall of Famer

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
LIVE OAK — The head of the agency geared for protect water resources in North Central Florida has been honored for his conservation efforts Hugh Thomas, the executive director of the Suwannee River Water Management District, has been inducted into the National Association of Conservation Districts...
The Suwannee County Commission approved a new redistricting map for the county, the first time the lines have been redrawn in 30 years. (COURTESY)

The Suwannee County Commission approved a new redistricting map for the county, the first time the lines have been redrawn in 30 years. (COURTESY)

New Suwannee district map chosen

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 4, 2023
LIVE OAK — New district lines are coming to Suwannee County. The Suwannee County Commission unanimously approved a new district map for the county at its Tuesday meeting.

Trump pleads not guilty to trying to overturn election

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, August 4, 2023
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday to trying to overturn the results of his 2020 election loss, answering for the first time to federal charges that accuse him of orchestrating a brazen and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power.

DOT closing I-10 rest area for resurfacing

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 4, 2023
SANDERSON — Travelers heading east on Interstate 10 won’t be able to stop at the Baker County rest area, starting Monday. The Florida Department of Transportation is temporarily closing the I-10 rest area at mile marker 318, beginning Monday. The rest area, which is between the U.S.
Busy Bee is planning to construct a 75,000-square foot location in Columbia County. The Busy Bee Travel Center in Live Oak, pictured, is 20,000 square feet. (FILE)

Busy Bee is planning to construct a 75,000-square foot location in Columbia County. The Busy Bee Travel Center in Live Oak, pictured, is 20,000 square feet. (FILE)

County utilities stung by Busy Bee growth

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Columbia County is starting to feel the sting from Busy Bee’s planned expansion in Ellisville.