Regional

Hamilton infrastructure projects included in budget

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Three projects within Hamilton County are in line for funding in the new state budget for less than $1 million total.The Florida Legislature is slated to vote Friday on the $114.46 billion spending plan after needing extra time to finalize a budget — the only thing it is required to do each year by...
Florida Gateway College’s Elisabeth Garcia-Gijon finished second in the state HOSA conference to qualify for the international conference in pathophysiology. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Florida Gateway College’s Elisabeth Garcia-Gijon finished second in the state HOSA conference to qualify for the international conference in pathophysiology. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

FGC student advances to international HOSA meet

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
A Florida Gateway College student has advanced to the international HOSA conference.FGC’s Elisabeth Garcia-Gijon finished second in pathophysiology at April’s state competition to earn the right to represent FGC and Florida at the international competition, June 17-20, in Indianapolis.“From a young...
The Suwannee River Water Management District’s Hydrological Conditions Report shows areas of Columbia and Suwannee counties received substantial rainfall in April but are still in heavy drought. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)

The Suwannee River Water Management District’s Hydrological Conditions Report shows areas of Columbia and Suwannee counties received substantial rainfall in April but are still in heavy drought. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)

Report: Heavy rains do little for overall drought

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
LIVE OAK — A good bit of recent rainfall isn’t enough to make up for the recent drought, according to the Suwannee River Water Management District’s April report.
Suwannee County Commissioner Travis Land said he was willing to hold the $3.8 million in donated funds at whatever bank the donor desired. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Commissioner Travis Land said he was willing to hold the $3.8 million in donated funds at whatever bank the donor desired. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Anonymous donor gifts $3.8M to Suwannee County

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
The Suwannee County Commission had 3.8 million reasons to agree to some stipulations Tuesday night.And the board was more than happy to agree on how to spend and where to store a donation from an anonymous county resident until it could identify the project to use the funding.The board unanimously...

Branford graduating 111 Friday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
BRANFORD — More than 100 Buccaneers will sail off into the next phase of their life Friday night.Branford High is holding its 2026 commencement ceremony at Buccaneer Stadium at 8 p.m. Friday with 111 graduation candidates.
Suwannee County Commissioner Don Hale was on board with others to have a conversation with the City of Live Oak and the Town of Branford about the distribution of gas tax revenue. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Commissioner Don Hale was on board with others to have a conversation with the City of Live Oak and the Town of Branford about the distribution of gas tax revenue. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Commission open to gas tax distribution discussion

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Suwannee County is on board with discussions about gas tax distributions.A week after the Live Oak City Council tabled a vote to extend the interlocal agreement with Suwannee County the Town of Branford on the distribution model currently in place, the Suwannee County Commission approved the...

Suwannee County Legion hosting Memorial Day ceremony

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
McALPIN — The annual Memorial Day ceremony will have a new venue Monday.The Harry C. Gray II Memorial American Legion Post 107 is hosting the annual ceremony, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., at its clubhouse, 10726 142nd Street in McAlpin.The ceremony will take place in front of the Post 107...
Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White said he was frustrated by the fact the North Florida Water Utilities Authority didn’t discuss Columbia County’s sewer plant before it was sold. The Suwannee board, though, still unanimously voted to continue supporting the joint utility group. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White said he was frustrated by the fact the North Florida Water Utilities Authority didn’t discuss Columbia County’s sewer plant before it was sold. The Suwannee board, though, still unanimously voted to continue supporting the joint utility group. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee commissioners still support Utility Authority

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Suwannee County is still fully behind the North Florida Water Utilities Authority.At least for now.Frustrated over Columbia County’s sale of a sewer plant to the City of Lake City without input or discussion on the matter from the NFWUA, Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White, who...
Suwannee County Attorney Adam Morrison told the County Commission that it had no discretion on the matter, it had to ratify the School Board’s desire to place the half-cent sales tax on the ballot for voters to decide. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Attorney Adam Morrison told the County Commission that it had no discretion on the matter, it had to ratify the School Board’s desire to place the half-cent sales tax on the ballot for voters to decide. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County half-cent sales tax ratified for ballot

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
The Suwannee County School District’s half-cent sales tax will appear on the November ballot.The Suwannee County Commission unanimously ratified the Suwannee County School Board’s vote to have a sales tax referendum placed on the ballot during its meeting Tuesday.County Attorney Adam Morrison told...