Regional

Rashaun Jones, the former Columbia High star accused of killing his University of Miami teammate Bryan Pata in 2006, sits in a courtroom at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami on Monday. A mistrial was declared as the jury was deadlocked. (CARL JUSTE/The Miami Herald/TNS)

Rashaun Jones, the former Columbia High star accused of killing his University of Miami teammate Bryan Pata in 2006, sits in a courtroom at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami on Monday. A mistrial was declared as the jury was deadlocked. (CARL JUSTE/The Miami Herald/TNS)

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Mistrial declared in Jones’ murder case

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
A judge on Monday declared a mistrial in the case of Rashuan Jones, the former Columbia High and University of Miami football player accused of gunning down his star teammate in 2006, after the jury said it was deadlocked.

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Clay refunding capital credits

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 27, 2026
Clay Electric Cooperative members are receiving a refund. Clay Electric Cooperative’s Board of Trustees has declared a $12 million Capital Credits refund for members who received service from 1996 through 2024.
Lafayette High’s Harrison Jackson’s project on beef tallow biproducts was named the best overall project in the senior division last week at the Suwannee Valley Regional Science & Engineering Fair at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Lafayette High’s Harrison Jackson’s project on beef tallow biproducts was named the best overall project in the senior division last week at the Suwannee Valley Regional Science & Engineering Fair at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

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Lafayette’s Jackson takes science fair top accolades

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
A Lafayette High student took home top honors in last week’s Suwannee Valley Regional Science & Engineering Fair.
Nicholas Frigiola, the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency director, said soil issues at the Heritage Square site led to some changes that would cost an additional $$183,655, but that was within budget. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Nicholas Frigiola, the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency director, said soil issues at the Heritage Square site led to some changes that would cost an additional $$183,655, but that was within budget. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

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Heritage Square parking work hits soil problem

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
The first phase of the Heritage Square redevelopment got a little bit more expensive. During the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Tuesday night, CRA Director Nicholas Frigiola advised the board that the parking upgrades underway at Heritage Square had hit a snag.
A family poses for a pic at the photo station during last year’s Live Oak Strawberry Festival. This year’s festival begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds in Live Oak. (COURTESY)

A family poses for a pic at the photo station during last year’s Live Oak Strawberry Festival. This year’s festival begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds in Live Oak. (COURTESY)

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Live Oak Strawberry Festival returns this weekend

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
LIVE OAK — A family friendly event is berry excited to arrive in town. The sixth annual Live Oak Strawberry Festival is set to paint the town red this weekend. The event, hosted at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds at 1302 11th St. SW, runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Grahame Lesh, who will be performing at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park for the first time, will be among the headliners for Amp Jam, which is Thursday through Saturday. (COURTESY)

Grahame Lesh, who will be performing at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park for the first time, will be among the headliners for Amp Jam, which is Thursday through Saturday. (COURTESY)

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Amp Jam returns to SOSMP

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Suwannee Amp Jam returns to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park this week for its second fantastic year with awesome music on one of the most celebrated stages in the world.
The winners in the Lafayette County 4-H speech contest were Emilee Elizabeth Jackson (from left), Keelan Lamb and Karoline Beach. (COURTESY LAFAYETTE COUNTY EXTENSION)

The winners in the Lafayette County 4-H speech contest were Emilee Elizabeth Jackson (from left), Keelan Lamb and Karoline Beach. (COURTESY LAFAYETTE COUNTY EXTENSION)

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Students excel in Lafayette 4-H speech contest

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Lafayette County 4-H and the Lafayette County School District recently hosted its annual Speech Contest, powered by Florida Power & Light, celebrating youth voice, creativity and confidence.
The Live Oak Department received a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant to obtain Automated External Defibrillators to place in every patrol car as well as the police station. (COURTESY LIVE OAK POLICE DEPARTMENT)

The Live Oak Department received a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant to obtain Automated External Defibrillators to place in every patrol car as well as the police station. (COURTESY LIVE OAK POLICE DEPARTMENT)

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LOPD adds life-saving tools

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
The Live Oak Police Department has added one life-saving tools to their belts thanks to grant funding. The LOPD received grant funds to outfit every patrol car with an Automated External Defibrillator as well as a LifeVac airway-clearing device. “I’m excited for both of them,” said LOPD Capt.