Regional

Rabies alert issued for Cooks Hammock

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, February 19, 2026
MAYO — Southwestern Lafayette County is on alert for rabies. The Lafayette County Health Department issued a rabies alert for Cooks Hammock on Friday. The alert is in effect for 60 days.

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Woman charged after toddler found in the road

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, February 19, 2026
A Live Oak woman was arrested after a toddler was found walking down the road last week. According to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies responded to Mitchell Road and 135th Circle just west of Live Oak at 7:16 p.m.

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Reed, Jefferson seeking District 1 seat

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Two candidates for the Live Oak City Council are officially in the race. District 1 Councilman Tommie Jefferson and challenger Robintina Reed, who previously served on the council, both qualified by petitions before the deadline Monday.
Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White said he thought it was a good idea for the county to create a list of what roads it maintains. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White said he thought it was a good idea for the county to create a list of what roads it maintains. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

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County settling ‘is this a road’ question

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Suwannee County is looking to solve a long, ongoing problem of identifying which roads are actually county roads.

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Man charged for sexually assaulting juvenile, recording it

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, February 19, 2026
HOUSTON — A Suwannee County man was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a child as well as recording the acts. Jonathan Browne, 38, was arrested on Sunday after an investigation that began in November after a friend alerted authorities about the child being sexually abused.
Suwannee County’s covid isolation building is currently under construction near the Suwannee County Fairgrounds. The 20,000-square-foot building will be hardened and can serve as a shelter. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County’s covid isolation building is currently under construction near the Suwannee County Fairgrounds. The 20,000-square-foot building will be hardened and can serve as a shelter. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

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Covid isolation building underway

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Work is underway on constructing a handful of new Suwannee County facilities. Crews have begun assembling the walls of a covid isolation building near the Suwannee County Fairgrounds, while site prep has begun on other projects, both in Live Oak and just north of Branford.
Suwannee County Attorney Adam Morrison warned the commissioners about a string of land deals the past few months that have left 14 property owners with non-conforming land that can’t be built on. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Attorney Adam Morrison warned the commissioners about a string of land deals the past few months that have left 14 property owners with non-conforming land that can’t be built on. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

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County advising buyers of non-conforming deals

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Some new Suwannee County landowners may be stuck with unusable land. During the Suwannee County Commission meeting Tuesday night, County Attorney Adam Morrison alerted the commissioners to some potential dirty land deals that have occurred in recent months.

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Lafayette County burn ban extended

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, February 19, 2026
MAYO — Lafayette County’s burn ban has been extended for another week. Originally issued on Feb. 10, the Lafayette County Commission extended the prohibition on outdoor burning an additional week through Tuesday, Feb. 24. The extension was due to the drought index from the U.S.
Raftelis Senior Vice President Henry Thomas speaks with the North Florida Water Utilities Authority board about its preliminary rate study. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Raftelis Senior Vice President Henry Thomas speaks with the North Florida Water Utilities Authority board about its preliminary rate study. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

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Utility board waiting to set rates

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
LIVE OAK — The North Florida Water Utilities Authority isn’t opening up the tap on new water and wastewater rates.