Regional

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions from the media in the Florida Cabinet following his State of the State address during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives on March 7 at the state Capitol in Tallahassee. (AP FILE)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions from the media in the Florida Cabinet following his State of the State address during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives on March 7 at the state Capitol in Tallahassee. (AP FILE)

Florida GOP passes 6-week abortion ban; DeSantis signs it

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, April 13, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — The Republican-dominated Florida Legislature on Thursday approved a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, a proposal signed into law later in the day by GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis as he prepares for an expected presidential run.

Live Oak Council chooses Sessions as interim

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
LIVE OAK — The head of the Suwannee Valley Transit Authority will now try to provide a steady hand at the wheel for the City of Live Oak. The Live Oak City Council, with no discussion, unanimously approved Larry Sessions as its interim city manager at Tuesday’s council meeting.
Commissioner Mason Byrd asked about holding another workshop on RV sites and campgrounds as he has more questions now than before the previous workshop. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Commissioner Mason Byrd asked about holding another workshop on RV sites and campgrounds as he has more questions now than before the previous workshop. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette continues blocking RV permits

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
MAYO — No new RV campgrounds or single sites will be coming to Lafayette County for several months. During a brief meeting Tuesday morning, the Lafayette County Commission extended a moratorium on permits for RV sites until its second meeting in July.
Kevin Sharpe, a renowned pianist, will perform Friday, April 21, for the season finale of the Friends of Music Concert Series. (COURTESY)

Kevin Sharpe, a renowned pianist, will perform Friday, April 21, for the season finale of the Friends of Music Concert Series. (COURTESY)

Sharpe to perform for Friends of Music

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
LIVE OAK — The Friends of Music Concert Series will conclude its 2022–2023 season next week. The final performance, a concert by pianist Kevin Sharpe, will take place Friday, April 21, at Covenant First Presbyterian Church, 421 White Avenue in Live Oak, at 7:30 p.m.
Crews with Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative’s Rapid Fiber Internet have begun stringing fiber lines along the co-op’s network. (COURTESY)

Crews with Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative’s Rapid Fiber Internet have begun stringing fiber lines along the co-op’s network. (COURTESY)

DeSantis uploads $5M for SuwCo internet

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
LIVE OAK — Suwannee Valley Electric’s efforts to expand broadband through Rapid Fiber Internet got another boost Monday. SVEC’s plan for providing high-speed internet access in Suwannee County was one of eight projects that Gov.
Lt. Cmdr. Gregory J. Royal Sr. credits his upbringing in Live Oak to his 30-year successful Naval career. (COURTESY)

Lt. Cmdr. Gregory J. Royal Sr. credits his upbringing in Live Oak to his 30-year successful Naval career. (COURTESY)

Royal credits Live Oak for success in Navy

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
MILLINGTON, Tenn. — A native of Live Oak serves the U.S. Navy with Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFPAC) located in San Diego, California. Lt. Cmdr. Gregory J. Royal Sr. joined the Navy 30 years ago. “I joined the U.S.

Driveway sparks concern for new Suwannee fire station

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 7, 2023
LIVE OAK — The plans for Suwannee County’s first fire station north of Interstate 10 have hit a speed bump. Greg Bailey, the president of North Florida Professional Services, told the Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday that the building plans for the new station off of U.S.
The bridge leading from Fort Myers to Pine Island is seen heavily damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on Pine Island on Oct. 1. (GERALD HERBERT/AP File)

The bridge leading from Fort Myers to Pine Island is seen heavily damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on Pine Island on Oct. 1. (GERALD HERBERT/AP File)

Study: Warming may push more, worse hurricanes toward Florida

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, April 7, 2023
Changes in air patterns as the world warms will likely push more and nastier hurricanes up against the United States’ east and Gulf coasts, especially in Florida, a new study said.