Regional

Suwannee County Supervisor of Elections Jennifer Kinsey shows Live Oak City Councilman Tommie Jefferson the vote totals from Tuesday’s city election. Jefferson advanced to a runoff election for the District 1 seat. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Supervisor of Elections Jennifer Kinsey shows Live Oak City Councilman Tommie Jefferson the vote totals from Tuesday’s city election. Jefferson advanced to a runoff election for the District 1 seat. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Campbell re-elected to District 4 seat on Live Oak Council

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Live Oak’s City Council president will continue to serve for an additional four years.The council president pro tem, meanwhile, is headed to a runoff election.
Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White said sometimes it is necessary to protect people from themselves in support of extending the county’s burn ban. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White said sometimes it is necessary to protect people from themselves in support of extending the county’s burn ban. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Commission backs extending burn ban

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Outdoor burning remains prohibited in Suwannee County for at least two more weeks.Following Suwannee County Fire Rescue Deputy Fire Chief Tim White’s recommendation Tuesday night, the Suwannee County Commission unanimously approved extending the county’s burn ban.
Scaffolding has been erected in front of the Suwannee County Courthouse as crews from O’Neal Roofing ready to replace the damaged courthouse dome. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Scaffolding has been erected in front of the Suwannee County Courthouse as crews from O’Neal Roofing ready to replace the damaged courthouse dome. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Repairs begin on Live Oak courthouse dome

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
The top of the Suwannee County Courthouse will soon look like new.Crews from O’Neal Roofing have begun work on repairing the courthouse dome, which was damaged during Hurricane Helene in 2024. According to Marcus Durham, the county’s facilities director, the work is expected to take 2-3 months.
Suwannee County Emergency Management Director Sharon Hingson said she was humbled and grateful to be back leading the county’s emergency response. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Emergency Management Director Sharon Hingson said she was humbled and grateful to be back leading the county’s emergency response. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Hingson returns to Suwannee emergency management department

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Suwannee County’s new — and old — emergency management director is officially back on the job.
The Suwannee County Commission is pictured with Our Community Cares Coalition officials Bo Beauchemin and Befaithful Coker as well as children in the program. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

The Suwannee County Commission is pictured with Our Community Cares Coalition officials Bo Beauchemin and Befaithful Coker as well as children in the program. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Our Community Cares recognized for youth support in Suwannee

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
The Suwannee County Commission did not approve a tongue-in-cheek resolution honoring one of its own members Tuesday night, but it did honor a community organization.
Suwannee County Commissioner Travis Land leads a group of county residents and firefighters in pushing the new ladder truck into the Dowling Park station Wednesday morning. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Commissioner Travis Land leads a group of county residents and firefighters in pushing the new ladder truck into the Dowling Park station Wednesday morning. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

SCFR adds ladder truck at Dowling Park station

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
DOWLING PARK — A time-honored tradition was observed by firefighters, politicians and the public at Suwannee County’s Fire Station 4.
Members of the Suwannee High Key Club pose in front of a butterfly photo area at last year’s Wildflower Festival. (FILE)

Members of the Suwannee High Key Club pose in front of a butterfly photo area at last year’s Wildflower Festival. (FILE)

Wildflower Festival returns to Heritage Park

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
People can get wild at the Wildflower Festival at Heritage Park and Gardens this weekend.The festival is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the park, 1004 Helvenston Street SE in Live Oak, but the festivities begin Friday.Beginning at 5:30 p.m.