Regional

Will Rutherford with Clemons Rutherford & Associates presents the Lafayette County Commission with a plaque commemorating the Lafayette County Courthouse renovations. County Clerk Steve Land (second from left), Chairman Earnest Jones and Commissioner Lance Lamb look on. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Will Rutherford with Clemons Rutherford & Associates presents the Lafayette County Commission with a plaque commemorating the Lafayette County Courthouse renovations. County Clerk Steve Land (second from left), Chairman Earnest Jones and Commissioner Lance Lamb look on. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Historic Lafayette clock tower renovation gets recognition

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
MAYO — The time was right for a clock tower renovation last year. Now, visitors can appreciate those who made it happen in a timeless manner.
The Lafayette FFA High School Meat Evaluation Team won the state title at the Florida FFA Meats Evaluation State Finals on Saturday. Team members are advisor Case Emerson (from left), Harrison Jackson, Regina Camarillo, Camden Boatright, Jack Peterson and Seth Greaves. (COURTESY)

The Lafayette FFA High School Meat Evaluation Team won the state title at the Florida FFA Meats Evaluation State Finals on Saturday. Team members are advisor Case Emerson (from left), Harrison Jackson, Regina Camarillo, Camden Boatright, Jack Peterson and Seth Greaves. (COURTESY)

Lafayette FFA meat judging teams sweep state

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
GAINESVILLE — The best meat evaluators in Florida come from Lafayette County. Lafayette FFA’s high school and middle school teams swept the 2023 Florida FFA Meats Evaluation State Finals on Saturday at the University of Florida’s Meats Laboratory.

Live Oak man convicted of child molestation

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
LIVE OAK — A Live Oak man faces life in prison following a guilty verdict for sexual battery of a child. State Attorney John Durrett announced the verdict against Lucas Hodge, 43, on Wednesday, for three counts of sexual battery of a child under 12 years of age.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis talks with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Wednesday as part of a four-nation trade mission trip. (COURTESY Office of the Governor)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis talks with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Wednesday as part of a four-nation trade mission trip. (COURTESY Office of the Governor)

DeSantis talks trade with South Korean officials

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
SEOUL, South Korea — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held trade talks with South Korean officials in Seoul on Wednesday, on the second leg of his four-nation trip, as the possible rival to Donald Trump seeks to build his diplomatic profile ahead of a widely anticipated presidential campaign launch.
The entrance to Walt Disney World in Orlando. Disney has filed a federal lawsuit against the state for ‘retaliation,’ saying its First Amendment rights were violated and business was harmed. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

The entrance to Walt Disney World in Orlando. Disney has filed a federal lawsuit against the state for ‘retaliation,’ saying its First Amendment rights were violated and business was harmed. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Disney sues state for ‘retaliation’

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — Mostly silent on the issue for the past year, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit arguing its First Amendment rights were violated and business harmed by a “relentless campaign” of retribution orchestrated by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials.
A rendering of the storefront of the multi-tenant building at Suwannee Crossings, a retail development at the Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 129 interchange in Live Oak. (COURTESY)

A rendering of the storefront of the multi-tenant building at Suwannee Crossings, a retail development at the Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 129 interchange in Live Oak. (COURTESY)

Suwannee Crossings development underway

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
LIVE OAK — Three major brands will be setting up shop in a Suwannee County retail development before the year ends. Suwannee Crossings, located at the U.S. Highway 129 and Interstate 10 interchange in Live Oak, will feature a stand-alone building and a four-suite development.

Additional meeting set for flood maps

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
ALACHUA — Property owners in the Santa Fe River Watershed have one more chance to publicly voice their opinion on revised flood risk maps. The Suwannee River Water Management District is facilitating a meeting today in the James A.
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott speaks to reporters during a round table discussion at the Sun Towers Retirement Community on Feb. 10 in Sun City Center. (Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott speaks to reporters during a round table discussion at the Sun Towers Retirement Community on Feb. 10 in Sun City Center. (Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

Scott bill would fund armed officers in all U.S. schools

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Money earmarked for thousands of new IRS employees would be transferred to a grant program allowing schools nationwide to hire armed law enforcement personnel under legislation outlined Tuesday by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida.