Regional

David and Ashleigh Pitzer were named the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year at the Chamber Gala on Saturday night. The Pitzers were honored by Julie Ulmer (left), the Chamber’s new president, and Executive Director Danielle Hampton. (DENVER JERNIGAN/Special to the Reporter)

David and Ashleigh Pitzer were named the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year at the Chamber Gala on Saturday night. The Pitzers were honored by Julie Ulmer (left), the Chamber’s new president, and Executive Director Danielle Hampton. (DENVER JERNIGAN/Special to the Reporter)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Pitzers named Citizens of the Year; Leak wins Trailblazer

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Suwannee County’s Citizens of the Year and Trailblazer Award winner both have love to thank for their new hardware.
Tommy Reeves, the attorney representing Live Oak Investment 2 LLC on the annexation request, told the Live Oak City Council that there was no presentation of the plans for the property Tuesday night but it would likely have ‘substantial changes’ as compared to what was first shown last year. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Tommy Reeves, the attorney representing Live Oak Investment 2 LLC on the annexation request, told the Live Oak City Council that there was no presentation of the plans for the property Tuesday night but it would likely have ‘substantial changes’ as compared to what was first shown last year. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Live Oak Council tables vote on adding land to city

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Plans to annex land into the City of Live Oak has been put on hold. After hearing from an attorney representing Live Oak Investment 2 LLC about annexing 13.
North Florida College student Lillian Clay, of Suwannee County, holds the winning check after winning the inaugural Sunshine State Debate. Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas stands to her left, holding the trophy Clay won. (COURTESY NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE)

North Florida College student Lillian Clay, of Suwannee County, holds the winning check after winning the inaugural Sunshine State Debate. Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas stands to her left, holding the trophy Clay won. (COURTESY NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Voice of the Future: NFC’s Clay wins state debate title

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
MADISON — When Lillian Clay stepped into her first debate competition this year, she had no idea she would leave as the state champion.
Thomas Anderson, the president of the Professional Firefighters of Live Oak Local 2481, speaks to the Live Oak City Council about the benefits of moving to a 48-on, 96-off schedule for firefighters. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Thomas Anderson, the president of the Professional Firefighters of Live Oak Local 2481, speaks to the Live Oak City Council about the benefits of moving to a 48-on, 96-off schedule for firefighters. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Live Oak considers shifting firefighters’ schedule

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The Live Oak City Council wants more information before it signs off on a plan to, hopefully, extinguish some health concerns and retention issues with the city’s firefighters.
The Live Oak City Council would like to lease the old Walt’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership for 10 years to house the city’s public works department. (FILE)

The Live Oak City Council would like to lease the old Walt’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership for 10 years to house the city’s public works department. (FILE)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Council seeks long-term lease to move public works to dealership

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The City of Live Oak’s interest in an old car dealership for a new public works home is back in gear. The Live Oak City Council approved a resolution Tuesday night to move forward with a lease agreement with Tara Mott on the old Walt’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership on U.S.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Dog abuser sentenced to 10 years in prison

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
A Live Oak man will spend the next 10 years in prison for beating a puppy last year. Eric Roldan, 45, was sentenced March 6 to a decade in prison for aggravated animal abuse by Third Circuit Judge Mark Feagle. Roldan was convicted Jan. 28 following a one-day trial.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Ohio man arrested for nude photos of minor girlfiend

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
An Ohio man was arrested last week for sending obscene messages to his underage girlfriend. According to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies were contacted on Feb. 5 about a 13-year-old girl having videos on her phone of her having sex with an adult male.
The entire Suwannee River Water Management District, and most of Florida, is experiencing extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s most recent report. (COURTESY)

The entire Suwannee River Water Management District, and most of Florida, is experiencing extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s most recent report. (COURTESY)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Suwannee water district board declares Phase II water shortage

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Due to continued drought conditions and a forecast that calls for lower than average rainfall in the months ahead, the Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board on Tuesday declared a Phase II Water Shortage.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Man charged with exposing himself at laundromat

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Pulling out something that wasn’t clothing at a laundromat led to charges of indecent exposure. A Live Oak Police Department report states 32-year-old James Bennett III was reportedly “acting unusual” when he entered a laundromat on U.S. Highway 90 west on March 6.
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez speaks to the media during the first day of the legislative session at the Florida State Capitol on Jan. 13 in Tallahassee. (MATIAS J. OCNER/Miami Herald)

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez speaks to the media during the first day of the legislative session at the Florida State Capitol on Jan. 13 in Tallahassee. (MATIAS J. OCNER/Miami Herald)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Major issues splitting House, Senate on budget

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
TALLAHASSEE — Lawmakers are again at a stalemate over the budget. Instead of negotiating the final details of the state spending plan for the next fiscal year, House and Senate leaders haven’t agreed to top line numbers.