Regional

Shoaf bill aims to keep HCDA

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, February 27, 2023
JASPER — The first step toward the re-establishment of the Hamilton County Development Authority developed Monday. Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St.

Suwannee board hot over elections office repairs

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 24, 2023
LIVE OAK — The Suwannee County Supervisor of Elections building’s need for repair is unopposed. However, how the county addresses those repairs in the renovated building that opened in late 2019 could be a hotly contested race.

Suwannee BOCC looks to halt RV issues

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, February 23, 2023
LIVE OAK — Suwannee County officials are hoping to unclog an overflowing problem with recreational vehicles. At Tuesday’s Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board unanimously approved a change to the county’s Land Development Regulations in regards to RVs.
Sen. Jason Pizzo (D-Hollywood) filed a constitutional challenge after Florida flew migrants from Texas to Massachusetts in September. (COLIN HACKLEY/News Service of Florida)

Sen. Jason Pizzo (D-Hollywood) filed a constitutional challenge after Florida flew migrants from Texas to Massachusetts in September. (COLIN HACKLEY/News Service of Florida)

Migrant flights lawsuit dismissed after changes

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
TALLAHASSEE ­— A Leon County circuit judge Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit filed after Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration sparked a controversy in September by flying about 50 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.

SCOTUS refuses to block execution

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to block Thursday’s scheduled execution of convicted murderer Donald David Dillbeck, setting the stage for Florida to put an inmate to death for the first time since 2019.
Whitney Mosley (right) won the Lafayette County 4-H Florida Power and Light Speech Contest. Placing second was Bristol Land (center) with Lane Colson (left) finishing third. (COURTESY)

Whitney Mosley (right) won the Lafayette County 4-H Florida Power and Light Speech Contest. Placing second was Bristol Land (center) with Lane Colson (left) finishing third. (COURTESY)

Mosley wins Lafayette public speaking contest

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
MAYO — Lafayette County 4-H understands the importance of providing local youth opportunities to learn skills necessary for a lifetime of success. One of these opportunities is public speaking.
Jo Dee Messina performs on the final night of the 2022 Suwannee River Jam. Festival officials announced Wednesday the 2023 festival was being postponed to September. (DONNY WEATHERFORD/Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park)

Jo Dee Messina performs on the final night of the 2022 Suwannee River Jam. Festival officials announced Wednesday the 2023 festival was being postponed to September. (DONNY WEATHERFORD/Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park)

Suwannee River Jam postponed to fall

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
LIVE OAK — The 30th annual Suwannee River Jam will arrive a bit later than normal. Teena Peavey, general manager of the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, announced Wednesday that the country music festival was being moved from April 19-22 to Sept. 20-23.

Brannan’s permit-less carry bill ready in House

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday backed a proposal that combines allowing people to carry concealed firearms without licenses and efforts to improve school safety, despite Democratic arguments that easing gun restrictions would increase violence.