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Suwannee board declares state of emergency for extreme cold

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 30, 2026
LIVE OAK — An extreme cold warning in effect for North Florida this weekend has caused a local state of emergency in Suwannee County. The Suwannee County Commission met in a brief special meeting Friday morning to declare the local state of emergency, which was unanimously passed 3-0.
Suwannee High senior Randy ‘Zakk’ Womble was honored Tuesday night at the Suwannee County School Board meeting for earning a Leaders for Life scholarship from Take Stock in Children and the Asofsky Family Foundation. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee High senior Randy ‘Zakk’ Womble was honored Tuesday night at the Suwannee County School Board meeting for earning a Leaders for Life scholarship from Take Stock in Children and the Asofsky Family Foundation. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

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Suwannee’s Womble receives ‘life-changing’ scholarship

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
A Suwannee High senior received an early graduation present. Randy “Zakk” Womble was named one of the six seniors across Florida to receive a Leaders for Life scholarship from Take Stock in Children and the Asofsky Family Foundation.
Curt’s Construction crews have begun work on parking improvements at the Heritage Square redevelopment area next to the Suwannee County Historical Museum. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Curt’s Construction crews have begun work on parking improvements at the Heritage Square redevelopment area next to the Suwannee County Historical Museum. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

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Heritage Square parking upgrades underway

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Heritage Square is taking shape, literally. Work began this month on the parking improvements at the Heritage Square redevelopment area just north of the railroad tracks in downtown Live Oak and east of U.S. Highway 129. Curt’s Construction is handling the $1.

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Brinson honored for pro bono work

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
A Live Oak attorney was one of 21 lawyers recognized last week by the Florida Bar for work on behalf of low-income and disadvantaged clients. The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Awards were presented at a Jan. 22 ceremony at the Supreme Court of Florida.

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Suwannee County buys 100 acres for future government campus

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Suwannee County now officially owns the land it plans to turn into a future county government campus. The county closed on a $1.199 million purchase of approximately 100 acres along U.S. Highway 129 just south of the Live Oak city limits on Jan. 15.
Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Danielle Hampton told the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency board that downtown revitalization efforts were boosted by a grant from the North Florida Economic Development Partnership. (FILE)

Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Danielle Hampton told the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency board that downtown revitalization efforts were boosted by a grant from the North Florida Economic Development Partnership. (FILE)

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Grant funding coming for revitalization

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Downtown revitalization efforts in both Live Oak and Jasper are receiving some regional help.

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Cops say threat made to ‘chop’ victim with machete

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
A Live Oak woman was arrested early Sunday morning after threatening to “chop” an amputee with a machete. Officers from the Live Oak Police Department responded to a Hamilton Avenue NE residence around 2:58 a.m.