Regional

Austin Harrouff, center, wearing stripes, accused of brutally killing a Tequesta couple in 2016, appears Aug. 2, 2019, at the Martin County Courthouse in Stuart. (AP File)

Austin Harrouff, center, wearing stripes, accused of brutally killing a Tequesta couple in 2016, appears Aug. 2, 2019, at the Martin County Courthouse in Stuart. (AP File)

Judge accepts insanity plea for man in face-biting case

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, November 28, 2022
FORT LAUDERDALE — A judge accepted a plea deal Monday for a man who randomly killed a Florida couple in their garage six years ago and then chewed on one victim’s face that will send him to a mental hospital for treatment.
Former Honda of Lake City General Manager Kelly Meggs (second from right) sits alongside Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes (second from left) in this courtroom sketch during a seditious conspiracy trial. (AP File)

Former Honda of Lake City General Manager Kelly Meggs (second from right) sits alongside Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes (second from left) in this courtroom sketch during a seditious conspiracy trial. (AP File)

Jury deliberates for 2nd day in Oath Keepers sedition case

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, November 28, 2022
WASHINGTON — A federal jury weighed seditious conspiracy charges against Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and four associates for a second day without reaching a verdict Monday in a high-stakes trial stemming from the U.S. Capitol attack.
Freight train cars sit in a Norfolk Southern rail yard on Sept. 14, 2022, in Atlanta. Business groups are increasing pressure on lawmakers to intervene and block a railroad strike before next month’s deadline in stalled contract talks. (AP File)

Freight train cars sit in a Norfolk Southern rail yard on Sept. 14, 2022, in Atlanta. Business groups are increasing pressure on lawmakers to intervene and block a railroad strike before next month’s deadline in stalled contract talks. (AP File)

Biden calls on Congress to head off potential rail strike

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, November 28, 2022
OMAHA, Neb.  — President Joe Biden on Monday asked Congress to intervene and block a railroad strike before next month’s deadline in the stalled contract talks, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers would take up legislation this week to impose the deal that unions agreed to in September.
After possible record crowds at last year’s Christmas on the Square, Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce officials are execting ‘bigger’ this year as they are completely sold out of vendor spaces. (FILE)

After possible record crowds at last year’s Christmas on the Square, Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce officials are execting ‘bigger’ this year as they are completely sold out of vendor spaces. (FILE)

Suwannee Chamber expects huge crowds for sold-out event

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, November 25, 2022
LIVE OAK — The 38th edition of the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas on the Square really may be bigger than ever.

Deadly Ian marks storm season

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, November 25, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — With the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season ending next week, state officials are looking at potential changes after Florida got hit by its deadliest storm in nearly nine decades.
Ted “TeddyMac Elvis” McMullen will conclude the Dec. 10 show of the TeddyMac Elvis and Friends’ Country Christmas Show with a performance in full Elvis costume. (COURTESY)

Ted “TeddyMac Elvis” McMullen will conclude the Dec. 10 show of the TeddyMac Elvis and Friends’ Country Christmas Show with a performance in full Elvis costume. (COURTESY)

TeddyMac Elvis Christmas show returns

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 25, 2022
LIVE OAK — The long-awaited return of the TeddyMac Elvis and Friends’ Country Christmas Show is about over. After a long road through covid-19 to get back on stage, TeddyMac Elvis and the other artists will be back at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park on Dec. 9-10.
Crafts vendors, as well as food and coffee vendors, will be set up around the Lafayette County Courthouse square on Saturday for the second Downtown Christmas festival in Mayo. (COURTESY)

Crafts vendors, as well as food and coffee vendors, will be set up around the Lafayette County Courthouse square on Saturday for the second Downtown Christmas festival in Mayo. (COURTESY)

Downtown Christmas festival returns to Mayo on Saturday

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, November 24, 2022
MAYO — Christmas is coming early to Lafayette County. The Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce’s second Downtown Christmas festival arrives at the Lafayette County Courthouse square in downtown Mayo on Saturday.
The Lafayette County Courthouse has some rotten wood on the front that needs addressed before it gets washed and repainted. (FILE)

The Lafayette County Courthouse has some rotten wood on the front that needs addressed before it gets washed and repainted. (FILE)

Repairs needed before Lafayette courthouse gets cleaning

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, November 24, 2022
MAYO — The Lafayette County Courthouse needs some repairs before it can get a new shine. During a workshop Tuesday morning, the County Commission planned to discuss the lone bid it had received to pressure wash and paint the courthouse.
Earnest Jones was named the Lafayette County Commission’s new chairman during Tuesday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Earnest Jones was named the Lafayette County Commission’s new chairman during Tuesday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Jones named new BOCC chair

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, November 24, 2022
MAYO — Not only does the Lafayette County Board of County Commissioners have a new member, but it also has a new chair. During a brief reorganizational meeting Tuesday morning, the board unanimously approved Earnest Jones serving as the board chairman for the next year.