Regional

The elevator at the Lafayette County Courthouse could get an upgrade after the BOCC said it may be looking for bidders for the project. (FILE)

The elevator at the Lafayette County Courthouse could get an upgrade after the BOCC said it may be looking for bidders for the project. (FILE)

Lafayette courthouse preparing for elevator repair

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
MAYO —  A lift for the Lafayette County Courthouse elevator is coming. The Lafayette County Board of County Commissioners approved requesting bids for modernizing the courthouse elevator at its meeting Tuesday morning.
The Lake City Council approved seeking grant funding for the wetland project back in February. (COURTESY)

The Lake City Council approved seeking grant funding for the wetland project back in February. (COURTESY)

SRWMD backs $11.3M wetland project

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
LIVE OAK — Another Lake City spray field could become a treatment wetland. The City of Lake City’s Recharge Wetland South $11.3 million project was among five alternative water supply projects recommended for funding Tuesday by the Suwannee River Water Management District’s governing board.

Teachers unions challenge new law

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — Teachers unions have quickly filed a constitutional challenge to a new Florida law that places additional restrictions on public-employee unions, describing the measure as political retaliation by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Twenty-three area students took part in the SkillsUSA National Signing Day on Thursday, pledging to continue their career and technical education at RIVEROAK Technical College. (COURTESY)

Twenty-three area students took part in the SkillsUSA National Signing Day on Thursday, pledging to continue their career and technical education at RIVEROAK Technical College. (COURTESY)

SkillsUSA students sign at RTC

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
LIVE OAK — Nearly two dozen local students will be attending RIVEROAK Technical College to pursue their career and technical education.

Bill could help Gwinn, others get pot licenses

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — Black farmers who didn’t make the cut last year could have another opportunity to vie for medical-marijuana licenses, under a bill approved by lawmakers in the final days of the 2023 legislative session. The bill, which awaits a decision by Gov.

Cell phones, TikTok barred in schools

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — Saying that social media does “more harm than good,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed education changes that include prohibiting students from using cell phones during class time and curtailing use of the social-media platform TikTok on school grounds.

Suwannee hires Retail Strategies to help growth

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 5, 2023
LIVE OAK — Suwannee County is bringing in a new partner to help produce additional growth. At its meeting Tuesday, the Suwannee County Commission unanimously approved a three-year contract with Retail Strategies to help attract additional commercial growth for the entire county.
The Lafayette FFA Ag Mechanics team, which includes Camden Buchanan (from left), Pearson Bass, Evan Buchanan and Trey Galbraith, placed second in the state. (COURTESY)

The Lafayette FFA Ag Mechanics team, which includes Camden Buchanan (from left), Pearson Bass, Evan Buchanan and Trey Galbraith, placed second in the state. (COURTESY)

Lafayette finishes state runner-up in ag mechanics

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
PERRY — When it comes to agricultural technology and mechanical systems, Lafayette FFA is nearly the best in the state.