Regional

State budget group approves SCRAP, SCOP funding in Suwannee

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

TALLAHASSEE — A legislative panel has approved additional funding for road paving projects, including possibly the completion of a Suwannee County roadway.The state’s Joint Legislative Budget Commission approved without dissent Friday a request from the Florida Department of Transportation for...

Tailgate, swim-a-thon raising funds Friday

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Awareness and funds will hopefully be raised Friday for those affected by adolescent and young adult cancer.The Will Carpenter AYA Cancer Foundation is hosting a tailgate party at Langford Stadium before Suwannee High hosts Hamilton County on Friday night.

Winners in the Autum ArtFest, which is hosted by the Live Oak Artists Guild, Rachel Budwick (from left), April Phinazee, Jennifer Houston, Anda Chance, Mabel Gonzalez, Sharon Hester, Vaster Fryar, George Fryar and Mariena Craig. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

Chance captures Best in Show at Autumn ArtFest

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

There were a lot of smiles Saturday at the Suwannee River Regional Library in Live Oak. But it wasn’t from reading a thriller or romance. Instead, the atmosphere was abuzz about the Autumn ArtFest, the 28th annual fine arts exhibition put on by the Live Oak Artists Guild.

Live Oak City Councilman Adam Collins said an ‘absolute’ certainty in the United States of America has been ‘freedom,’ including from surveillance like is occurring with the Flock Safety cameras. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak canceling Flock contract

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Flock cameras are no longer welcome in the City of Live Oak.The Live Oak City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to cancel the city’s contract with Flock Safety for the eight license plate readers the city’s police department was utilizing on the main thoroughfares into and out of the city.

The Live Oak Fire Department will host its annual Patriot Day ceremony on Friday. (FILE)

Live Oak's 9/11 memorial planned for Friday

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Live Oak will remember the fallen on Patriot Day once again.The Live Oak Fire Department will host its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony Friday morning at the downtown fire station, 200 Duval St. NE.

CR 49 paving completion in line for $3.5M

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

State funding could be coming to complete work on a Suwannee County roadway.The Joint Legislative Budget Commission will meet Friday at 11 a.m. in Tallahassee to discuss a number of budget amendments for different state departments.

The City of Live Oak is on board with providing utilities to the North Florida Regional Emergency Shelter, a state-funded project that Suwannee County is developing just north of the city. (COURTESY)

Live Oak, county partnering on shelter utilities

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Suwannee County and the City of Live Oak plan to partner on providing the necessary infrastructure to support a regional emergency shelter.County Administrator Jason Furry told the Live Oak City Council on Tuesday that the county hoped to become a utility customer of the city at the North Florida...

Art installation by Corie Mattie, the LA Hope Dealer, whose work will be included at North Florida College’s National Voter Registration Day celebration Tuesday. (COURTESY)

NFC selected for Project Hope

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

MADISON — North Florida College has been selected to receive a 2026 National Voter Registration Day Community College Grant sponsored by Levi Strauss & Co. and is one of only 15 schools nationwide selected for Project Hope, an interactive public art installation created by acclaimed artist Corie...

Man charged with firing weapon at residence

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

A Live Oak man was arrested Sunday night after firing a weapon at a Live Oak residence.According to a Live Oak Police Department report, officers responded to the area of Beech Street and Rogers Avenue on the northwest side of the city around 9:50 p.m. Sunday when they received reports of someone...

Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions said it took ‘a lot of work’ to prepare the city’s budget. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

City hosting budget hearing today

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

The Live Oak City Council will meet today to tentatively approve its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.The council has a 5:30 p.m. budget hearing scheduled for today at Live Oak City Hall, 101 White Avenue SE.