Regional

Fair rides and attractions will be available to enjoy for nine days beginning Friday as the 108th annual Suwannee County Fair returns. (FILE)

Fair rides and attractions will be available to enjoy for nine days beginning Friday as the 108th annual Suwannee County Fair returns. (FILE)

Suwannee County Fair adds new derby

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
LIVE OAK — The 108th annual Suwannee County Fair will be the first in four years to offer its full assortment of goodies. The nine-day fair opens Friday at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. The fair runs through March 25 with gates opening at 6 p.m. daily.
Jerald Lee was approved as Live Oak’s new public works director by the City Council on Tuesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Jerald Lee was approved as Live Oak’s new public works director by the City Council on Tuesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Apartment project granted gas waiver by Live Oak City Council

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
LIVE OAK — Getting a pass on gas may connect additional housing for Live Oak residents. The Live Oak City Council unanimously agreed at its meeting Tuesday to grant a waiver to an apartment complex development along U.S.

Trump allies file ethics complaint against DeSantis

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — Allies of former President Donald Trump have filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics accusing Gov. Ron DeSantis, a leading potential 2024 primary rival, of violating campaign finance and ethics rules with a shadow run for the White House.
Live Oak Council President David Burch (center) responds to councilor Tommie Jefferson as fellow councilor Linda Owens looks on during Tuesday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak Council President David Burch (center) responds to councilor Tommie Jefferson as fellow councilor Linda Owens looks on during Tuesday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Curtis steps back to development manager position

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
LIVE OAK — Let the search begin for a new city manager in Live Oak — both on an interim and full-time basis. The Live Oak Council unanimously approved a resolution appointing current City Manager George Curtis back to his previous position of Development Manager at its meeting Tuesday.

Live Oak man charged for sexual assaults of minors

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 13, 2023
LIVE OAK — A Live Oak man faces multiple charges for sexual offenses against juveniles in the past. Jimmy Torres, 54, was arrested Friday for sexual assault of a minor, three counts of lewd and lascivious behavior with a minor and two different contributing to the delinquency of a minor charges.

Florida jobless rate falls slightly

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Monday, March 13, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — With service-related jobs topping employment gains, Florida’s unemployment rate dipped slightly as 2023 began. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity on Monday released a report showing the January jobless rate at 2.6%, down from a revised rate of 2.

Feds: FW man used dead teen’s identity

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 13, 2023
JACKSONVILLE — For more than a decade, a Fort White man has been using the identify of a deceased New York teenager to collect additional government benefits. Luis Alberto Villazon, 63, was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday in U.S.