Regional

U.S. poised to approve Patriot missile battery for Ukraine defense

WASHINGTON — The U.S. is poised to approve sending a Patriot missile battery to Ukraine, finally agreeing to an urgent request from Ukrainian leaders desperate for more robust weapons to shoot down incoming Russian missiles, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

DeSantis seeks grand jury investigation of covid-19 vaccines

MIAMI — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that he plans to petition the state’s Supreme Court to convene a grand jury to investigate “any and all wrongdoing” with respect to the covid-19 vaccines.

Head-on collision kills Live Oak man

LIVE OAK — A Live Oak man was killed in a head-on collision Tuesday afternoon just east of the city limits. A Florida Highway Patrol report states a pickup was headed north on County Road 49 when it collided head-on with a garbage truck in the southbound lanes around 12:26 p.m.

Head-on collision kills LO man

LIVE OAK — A Live Oak man was killed in a head-on collision Tuesday afternoon just east of the city limits. A Florida Highway Patrol report states a pickup was headed north on County Road 49 when it collided head-on with a garbage truck in the southbound lanes around 12:26 p.m.

Former police chief arrested for sexual battery of child

LIVE OAK — A former Central Florida police chief was arrested in North Florida on Friday for charges of sexual battery of a child. According to a release from the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, SCSO investigators assisted the U.S.

Lawmakers aim to aid ailing home insurance market

TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers began moving quickly Monday to pass major property-insurance changes, with supporters saying the plan would stabilize the troubled system and critics saying it would hurt consumers. Sen.

State’s $3M from Klausner on hold

The state’s attempt to recoup $3 million that it provided for a Suwannee County sawmill project has been put on hold after a company filed for bankruptcy protection this week. Klausner Holding USA, Inc.

Scott eager for ‘challenge’ as Suwannee interim

LIVE OAK — After 34 years as the director of Suwannee County Parks and Recreation, Greg Scott now has an unexpected new title. Scott was named interim county administrator Tuesday night at the Suwannee County Commission meeting after the board terminated its current administrator, Randy Harris.

Nutrien donates $150K, tractor to HCHS Ag program

JASPER — Hamilton County High School reaped the benefits of Nutrien’s roots in the North Florida community. At a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday morning at HCHS, a $150,000 donation from Nutrien was announced to support the school’s ag program.

Three vie for Hamilton judge seat

JASPER — The Third Judicial Circuit’s chief assistant public defender and a Lake City attorney are among the three candidates to be Hamilton County’s next judge. After interviews and deliberation Friday, James Willingham Jr.