Regional

The Jefferson Smith Civic Center could be the future home of the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office depending how renting out the 15,000-square-foot facility goes over the next five years. The SCSO is one of various county agencies and departments that need new or larger offices. (FILE)

The Jefferson Smith Civic Center could be the future home of the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office depending how renting out the 15,000-square-foot facility goes over the next five years. The SCSO is one of various county agencies and departments that need new or larger offices. (FILE)

Tighter budget leads to $5.6M in contingency

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Suwannee County plans to carry more than $5.7 million in contingency funds as part of its budget next year thanks to uncertainty over future ad valorem tax revenue.

Suwannee County agrees to fund $145K for outside agencies

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
The Suwannee County Commission is funding 14 outside agencies in the upcoming fiscal year but maybe not beyond that.In a budget workshop Aug. 6, the commission unanimously consented to maintaining the current funding levels for 14 outside agencies to the tune of $145,000 total.
David Chandler, who was appointed by the Live Oak City Council to the city’s planning and zoning board on Tuesday, said he felt serving the city was a ‘civic responsibility.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

David Chandler, who was appointed by the Live Oak City Council to the city’s planning and zoning board on Tuesday, said he felt serving the city was a ‘civic responsibility.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Chandler appointed to Live Oak planning and zoning board

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Live Oak’s planning and zoning board has a new member.During its meeting Tuesday, the Live Oak City Council reappointed two board members to the planning board while also filling a vacancy by naming David Chandler to fill out the group.
Franklin White, the Suwannee County Commission chairman and the vice chairman of the North Florida Water Utilities Authority board, said he won’t ‘be told what to do’ after the Columbia County Commission issued an ultimatum Thursday to get elected officials off the authority board. (FILE)

Franklin White, the Suwannee County Commission chairman and the vice chairman of the North Florida Water Utilities Authority board, said he won’t ‘be told what to do’ after the Columbia County Commission issued an ultimatum Thursday to get elected officials off the authority board. (FILE)

Suwannee commissioners won’t be ‘told what to do’ on NFWUA

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 7, 2026
LIVE OAK — Columbia County may ask, but a pair of Suwannee County commissioners don’t plan on complying with the desire to stop serving on the regional utility board.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker, shown in Monday’s council meeting, said during a budget workshop Tuesday that spending $13,000 on a parade float was a ‘crazy idea.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker, shown in Monday’s council meeting, said during a budget workshop Tuesday that spending $13,000 on a parade float was a ‘crazy idea.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Parade float, Love Fest funding nixed

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
The Lake City Council is off to a contentious, if not productive, start to its budget process for the upcoming fiscal year. The council used a three-hour workshop Tuesday to hash out individual line items throughout its budget, as well as additional asks from local non-profits and council members.
The new community center being constructed at the Douglass Center is now officially known as the Maurice E. Perkins Community Center after the former Suwannee County Commissioner, who died last November following a bout with pancreatic cancer. (FILE)

The new community center being constructed at the Douglass Center is now officially known as the Maurice E. Perkins Community Center after the former Suwannee County Commissioner, who died last November following a bout with pancreatic cancer. (FILE)

Perkins, fallen heroes honored

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Three new community centers across Suwannee County officially have names.

Suwannee commission candidates outspend contributions

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
A pair of Suwannee County Commission District 2 candidates have spent more money on their campaigns than they’ve collected.According to campaign finance reports filed with the Suwannee County Supervisor of Elections office, both Stefan Blue and Shea Deloach are running their accounts in the red.

Primary voting begins Saturday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
The polls open for the primary election this weekend.Early voting for the Aug. 18 primary election begins around the area on Saturday. The early voting period runs through Aug. 15 with Election Day on Aug. 18.The deadline for people to request a vote-by-mail ballot is today.
The Cloverbuds also enjoyed a trip to the Santa Fe Zoo as part of their three-day summer camp, observing animals from around the world. (COURTESY LAFAYETTE COUNTY 4-H)

The Cloverbuds also enjoyed a trip to the Santa Fe Zoo as part of their three-day summer camp, observing animals from around the world. (COURTESY LAFAYETTE COUNTY 4-H)

4-H Cloverbuds enjoy learning, adventure

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
By Shawn JacksonLafayette County Extension Director and 4-H AgentLafayette County 4-H recently welcomed its youngest members for the annual three-day Cloverbud Camp.
Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White said the initial rates would have been like hitting ‘everybody with a sledge hammer.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White said the initial rates would have been like hitting ‘everybody with a sledge hammer.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee BOCC waits to approve increased utility rates

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
By JAMIE WACHTERjwachter@lakecityreporter.comApproval of increased utility rates will have to wait for further discussion by the Suwannee County Commission.