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U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Val Demings greet each other before a televised debate on Tuesday. (THOMAS CORDY/Palm Beach Post via AP)

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Val Demings greet each other before a televised debate on Tuesday. (THOMAS CORDY/Palm Beach Post via AP)

Rubio, Demings face off in lone Senate debate

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
MIAMI — Democratic U.S. Rep. Val Demings went on the attack Tuesday in her first debate against Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, castigating him as a serial liar, while Rubio criticized her for supporting President Joe Biden’s economic agenda. Each accused the other of being an extremist on abortion.

Report: Hurricane Ian farm loss could reach $1.56B

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
ST.PETERSBURG — Agriculture losses in Florida from Hurricane Ian’s high winds and drenching rains could reach $1.56 billion, with citrus, cattle, vegetable and melon operations among the hardest hit, the University of Florida reported Tuesday in a preliminary estimate.
A trio of fishers display their catches at the eighth annual Hooked on Heroes fishing event. (ROB WOLFE/Special to the Reporter)

A trio of fishers display their catches at the eighth annual Hooked on Heroes fishing event. (ROB WOLFE/Special to the Reporter)

Hooked on helping vets

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, October 17, 2022
STEINHATCHEE — What it may have lacked in size, Saturday’s Hooked on Heroes fishing trip made up for with good times. Ron Cadle, the organizer of the event and founder of the non-profit organization that puts on the veterans fishing trips, said a little more than 100 veterans took part Saturday.

Georgia woman killed walking on I-75

NEWS STAFF
Monday, October 17, 2022
JENNINGS — A Georgia woman was killed early Sunday morning when she was struck walking on Interstate 75. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a tractor trailer was headed south on I-75 at 4:46 a.m.
A boat cruises through a marina in rebuilt Mexico Beach on Oct. 11. Destroyed by Hurricane Michael, the Florida Panhandle community is still rebuilding four years later. (JAY REEVES/Associated Press)

A boat cruises through a marina in rebuilt Mexico Beach on Oct. 11. Destroyed by Hurricane Michael, the Florida Panhandle community is still rebuilding four years later. (JAY REEVES/Associated Press)

Hurricane Michael lessons applied to recovery from Ian

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, October 17, 2022
FORT MYERS — Four years before Category 4 Ian wiped out parts of southwest Florida, the state’s Panhandle had its own encounter with an even stronger hurricane, Michael. The Category 5 storm all but destroyed one town, fractured thousands of homes and businesses and did some $25 billion in damage.
A video of then-President Donald Trump speaking is displayed as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds a hearing on Thursday. (ALEX WONG/Pool Photo via AP)

A video of then-President Donald Trump speaking is displayed as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds a hearing on Thursday. (ALEX WONG/Pool Photo via AP)

Jan. 6 panel subpoenas Trump

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, October 13, 2022
WASHINGTON — The House Jan.

Suwannee Chamber to honor businesses over dinner

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, October 13, 2022
LIVE OAK — The wait is over. The Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce can once again fully celebrate the best businesses within Suwannee County. The Chamber’s Business of the Year Dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at the Suwannee County Coliseum, 1302 11th Street in Live Oak.

Local budget projects cut

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Thursday, October 13, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — By not taking action, Gov. Ron DeSantis effectively blocked $175 million that lawmakers directed to nearly 240 projects and programs across the state, including projects in Hamilton and Suwannee counties. But legislative budget leaders this week didn’t criticize DeSantis.
The Lafayette High School marching band performs in front of a crowd Saturday in Veteran’s Memorial Park during the 42nd annual Pioneer Day. (ERIKA CLESI/Special to the Reporter)

The Lafayette High School marching band performs in front of a crowd Saturday in Veteran’s Memorial Park during the 42nd annual Pioneer Day. (ERIKA CLESI/Special to the Reporter)

Thousands flock to Mayo’s Pioneer Day

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
MAYO — If you throw it, they will come. The 42nd annual Pioneer Day, organized by the Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, drew a big turnout to Veteran’s Memorial Park on Saturday.