Regional

Last month was the driest November in North Florida since 1936. Only 0.13 inches of rain was received in the Suwannee River Water Management District in the month. (COURTESY)

Last month was the driest November in North Florida since 1936. Only 0.13 inches of rain was received in the Suwannee River Water Management District in the month. (COURTESY)

SRWMD: November nearly historically dry

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
November was nearly historically dry across North Florida. According to the Suwannee River Water Management District’s hydrologic conditions report for November, which was released Tuesday, the district’s 15-county area received an average rainfall of just 0.

‘Rural Renaissance’ bill gets go-ahead

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
A Senate committee Wednesday unanimously approved a wide-ranging proposal dubbed the “rural renaissance” bill, setting it up to go to the full Senate during the first week of the 2026 legislative session. The bill (SB 250), sponsored by Sen.

Festival of Lessons and Carols to be presented

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
LIVE OAK — A Festival of Lessons and Carols is returning to Covenant First Presbyterian Church this week. The service is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, at Covenant First Presbyterian Church, 421 White Ave. in Live Oak.
Sen. Corey Simon, whose district includes Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette counties, is the sponsor of the ‘Rural Renaissance’ bill that would boost health care, education, transportation and economic development in rural areas. The bill is expected to be voted on quickly in the Senate during the legislative session that begins Jan. 13. (FILE)

Sen. Corey Simon, whose district includes Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette counties, is the sponsor of the ‘Rural Renaissance’ bill that would boost health care, education, transportation and economic development in rural areas. The bill is expected to be voted on quickly in the Senate during the legislative session that begins Jan. 13. (FILE)

Albritton plans quick vote on ‘Rural Renaissance’

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
After the proposal died in the House during the 2025 session, Senate President Ben Albritton said Monday the Senate will take up his “rural renaissance” plan during the first week of the 2026 legislative session.
Sheriff Sam St. John said he understood if the county wanted to take over operations of emergency management and would work to make it a seamless transition during the next 90 days. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sheriff Sam St. John said he understood if the county wanted to take over operations of emergency management and would work to make it a seamless transition during the next 90 days. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee EOC Audit: $38M in potential grants missed

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 5, 2025
LIVE OAK — Mismanaging $38 million in potential grant funding — and possible fraudulent spending — are leading to changes in emergency management.
Maurice Perkins speaks during a previous Suwannee County Commission meeting. Perkins died Nov. 26. (FILE)

Maurice Perkins speaks during a previous Suwannee County Commission meeting. Perkins died Nov. 26. (FILE)

Perkins recalled for integrity, selflessness, love of community

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
A contractor by trade, Maurice Perkins built more than just homes. Perkins also built lasting friendships and built up Suwannee County and Live Oak, which now has lost a pillar of the community. Perkins, the District 2 county commissioner, passed away Nov. 26 after a bout with pancreatic cancer.
Tens of thousands of people flock annually to downtown Live Oak for Christmas on the Square. (FILE)

Tens of thousands of people flock annually to downtown Live Oak for Christmas on the Square. (FILE)

Christmas on the Square bringing ‘Christmas charm’ to downtown

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
A big celebration aims to bring “a little Christmas charm” to downtown Live Oak this weekend. The 41st annual Christmas on the Square festival is set to take over downtown Live Oak, beginning Thursday night.
Suwannee County School District officials and representatives from Scorpio held a topping out ceremony Monday on the new nursing building addition at RIVEROAK Technical College. (COURTESY TJ VICKERS/Suwannee County School District)

Suwannee County School District officials and representatives from Scorpio held a topping out ceremony Monday on the new nursing building addition at RIVEROAK Technical College. (COURTESY TJ VICKERS/Suwannee County School District)

RIVEROAK celebrates nursing building topping out

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
RIVEROAK Technical College’s new addition is on track to be ready for the next academic year. The school hosted a topping out ceremony with Scorpio, the construction manager on the $4 million nursing facility addition, on Monday, celebrating the placement of the final beam on the building.
EUTAW, Inc. studied the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency’s Heritage Square redevelopment area to determine the space needed for various developments as well as the infrastructure needed to support it. (COURTESY)

EUTAW, Inc. studied the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency’s Heritage Square redevelopment area to determine the space needed for various developments as well as the infrastructure needed to support it. (COURTESY)

Heritage Square needs $9M infrastructure upgrade

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Live Oak’s Heritage Square redevelopment area needs $9 million in infrastructure upgrades in order to become a reality. Lane Lucas with EUTAW, Inc. told the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency board at its Nov.
Elite Industrian & Refractory’s Bobby Cason said Live Oak made an ideal location for an office with access across Florida thanks to Interstates 10 and 75. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Elite Industrian & Refractory’s Bobby Cason said Live Oak made an ideal location for an office with access across Florida thanks to Interstates 10 and 75. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County welcomes Elite Industrial

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Suwannee County rolled out the red carpet for a new business and a familiar face.