Regional

Adam Collins (right) listens as the results were delivered Tuesday night in the Live Oak District 1 runoff election. Collins won the election. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Adam Collins (right) listens as the results were delivered Tuesday night in the Live Oak District 1 runoff election. Collins won the election. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Collins unseats Jefferson in Live Oak District 1 race

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
The Live Oak City Council will have a new member.Adam Collins defeated incumbent Tommie Jefferson in Tuesday’s runoff election for the District 1 seat on the council.
The state budget approved by the legislature has more than $5 million appropriated toward master planning and design for the North Florida Regional Emergency Shelter, which will be located in Suwannee County just north of the Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 129 interchange. That funding is among the projects that Florida TaxWatch wants Gov. Ron DeSantis to scrutinize before deciding on what to veto or leave in. (COURTESY)

The state budget approved by the legislature has more than $5 million appropriated toward master planning and design for the North Florida Regional Emergency Shelter, which will be located in Suwannee County just north of the Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 129 interchange. That funding is among the projects that Florida TaxWatch wants Gov. Ron DeSantis to scrutinize before deciding on what to veto or leave in. (COURTESY)

TaxWatch wants Suwannee water projects flushed from budget

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
A state watchdog group sees a pair of “turkeys” headed to Suwannee County and a trio of other state-funded projects that need extra scrutiny, all totaling more than $7 million.As part of non-partisan Florida TaxWatch’s annual Budget Turkey Watch Report, which was released Monday, the group included...
Live Oak Councilwoman Vanessa Brown Robinson looks at last week’s Live Oak Reporter to reference the impact the city budget would experience from the proposed property tax cuts during Tuesday’s council meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak Councilwoman Vanessa Brown Robinson looks at last week’s Live Oak Reporter to reference the impact the city budget would experience from the proposed property tax cuts during Tuesday’s council meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak Council willing to discuss assistant manager position

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
The Live Oak City Council is considering adding help to its chief administrator.During Tuesday’s city meeting, the council expressed a willingness to consider the possibility of creating an assistant city manager position as part of its 2026-27 budget, pending a workshop to discuss the topic...

New principals named at three district schools

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Three Suwannee County schools will have new principals for next school year.A pair of school administrators moving to new positions at the Suwannee County School District office led to the domino effect that will have new head administrators at Branford High School, Suwannee Middle School and...

TaxWatch labels Hamilton County water projects as ‘turkeys’

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
All three of the projects funded for Hamilton County in the state budget are “turkeys,” according to a statewide watchdog group.As part of non-partisan Florida TaxWatch’s annual Budget Turkey Watch Report, which was released Monday, the group included funding for a wastewater plant lift station for...

Suwannee registered offender nabbed after online gaming chats

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
A Live Oak registered sexual offender was arrested last week for chatting with underage girls through social media and online gaming platforms months after being released from state prison.According to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office release, 47-year-old Donald Ray King was arrested June 3 for...
Live Oak City Council President Matt Campell said the board had its ‘hands’ tied on the planning and zoning appeal for three duplexes on Ohio Avenue. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak City Council President Matt Campell said the board had its ‘hands’ tied on the planning and zoning appeal for three duplexes on Ohio Avenue. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak planning and zoning denial reversed on appeal

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
The Live Oak City Council has overruled the city’s planning and zoning board on a site plan application.During its meeting Tuesday night, the Council granted an appeal to Omar Martinez after the planning and zoning board denied his site plan last month for a three-duplex development along Ohio...

Suwannee candidates all officially qualified

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
All the known candidates in Suwannee County races have qualified for this fall’s election.According to the Suwannee County Supervisor of Elections Office, Democrats Stefan Blue, Cynthia Robinson and Billy White Sr. have all qualified for the primary in the District 2 County Commission race.

TaxWatch: No ‘turkeys,’ but scrutiny needed on Lafayette projects

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
While Lafayette County’s potential state-funded projects are “turkey” free, some need extra scrutiny, according to a state watchdog organization.Florida TaxWatch, a non-partisan group, released its annual Budget Turkey Watch Report on Monday, its look at projects that violated sound budgeting...

Five Hamilton County candidates qualify for election

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
JASPER — Five candidates for office in Hamilton County have qualified for this fall’s elections.According to the Hamilton County Supervisor of Elections Office, District 4 County Commission candidate Annie Pinello has qualified as a Democrat for the November general election.Also qualifying, as of...