Regional

Suwannee County Fire Chief Dan Miller said he doesn’t envision having to enact a burn ban after the Suwannee County Commission approved an ordinance that allows one to be put in place. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Fire Chief Dan Miller said he doesn’t envision having to enact a burn ban after the Suwannee County Commission approved an ordinance that allows one to be put in place. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

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Suwannee County approves ordinance, but ban not likely

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Suwannee County can now ban outside burning. However, Fire Chief Dan Miller told the Suwannee County Commission as it was deciding to approve an ordinance that would allow a burn ban to be implemented that he didn’t expect to have to take that step.

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$13M Suwannee sewer plant bid awarded

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, March 19, 2026
With five months left on a state grant to construct a wastewater treatment plant at the Catalyst Site industrial park, Suwannee County has awarded a bid to begin the work. The Suwannee County Commission unanimously approved awarding the $13.
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, a Lake City native (left), looks on at President Donald Trump in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 17, 2025, has been diagnosed with ‘early stage’ breast cancer. (Tom Brenner/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, a Lake City native (left), looks on at President Donald Trump in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 17, 2025, has been diagnosed with ‘early stage’ breast cancer. (Tom Brenner/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

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Lake City native Wiles diagnosed with breast cancer

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, a Lake City native, was diagnosed with “early stage” breast cancer, President Donald Trump announced on Monday. In a Truth Social post, Trump said Wiles is expected to start treatment “immediately” and will continue to work.
Robert Domingue, the Columbia County utilities superintendent for the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, told the board that keeping the same extended aeration system for the Ellisville wastewater plant was the best path forward. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Robert Domingue, the Columbia County utilities superintendent for the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, told the board that keeping the same extended aeration system for the Ellisville wastewater plant was the best path forward. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

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NFWUA supports $7M Ellisville upgrade

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
LIVE OAK — The North Florida Water Utilities Authority plans to add on to its existing wastewater treatment plant in Ellisville rather than retrofit that plant.
North Florida Water Utilities Authority member and Columbia County Commissioner Tim Murphy said he was fine with board members being paid, but not commissioners serving in that capacity. (FILE)

North Florida Water Utilities Authority member and Columbia County Commissioner Tim Murphy said he was fine with board members being paid, but not commissioners serving in that capacity. (FILE)

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Utility authority board places pay on back burner

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
LIVE OAK — Attempts to make a position on the North Florida Water Utilities Authority board more desirable, as well as widen the pool to lure from, will have to wait.

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District hosting Water First open house

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 13, 2026
LIVE OAK — The aquifer recharge project using reclaimed wastewater from Jacksonville will be the focus of a community open house next week. The Suwannee River Water Management District is hosting a Water First North Florida community open house from 6-8 p.m.
Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers remarks during an unveiling ceremony for a statue of Alexander Hamilton at the Heritage Center in White Springs on Wednesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers remarks during an unveiling ceremony for a statue of Alexander Hamilton at the Heritage Center in White Springs on Wednesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

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DeSantis stresses civics at Hamilton statue unveiling

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
WHITE SPRINGS — The party the Free State of Florida is throwing for the 250th birthday celebration of American came to this southern Hamilton County town on Wednesday, bringing lots of excitement, a crowd of visitors and a new statue of Alexander Hamilton.
Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd (left) stands with Bradley Cooley, the sculptor who created Alexander Hamilton statue unveiled on Wednesday at the Heritage Center in White Springs. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd (left) stands with Bradley Cooley, the sculptor who created Alexander Hamilton statue unveiled on Wednesday at the Heritage Center in White Springs. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

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Locals pleased with new Hamilton statue

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
WHITE SPRINGS — The historic unveiling of a statue in honor of Alexander Hamilton was the main attraction in this southern Hamilton County town on Wednesday. Several local residents celebrated America’s 250th birthday and a visit by Gov.
During his eight years in the Florida House of Representatives, Chuck Brannan (middle) was assisted by staff members Seth Grubb (from left), Quay Neach, Jason Carter, Dan Hartley, Alisa Bergmann and Staz Guntek. Neach, Carter and Bergmann are Brannan’s’ current aides. (COURTESY)

During his eight years in the Florida House of Representatives, Chuck Brannan (middle) was assisted by staff members Seth Grubb (from left), Quay Neach, Jason Carter, Dan Hartley, Alisa Bergmann and Staz Guntek. Neach, Carter and Bergmann are Brannan’s’ current aides. (COURTESY)

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Brannan: Thankful for ‘Privilege’ of serving District 10

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
TALLAHASSEE — Chuck Brannan’s path to the Florida House of Representatives began decades ago.