Regional

A record 1,101 manatee deaths were reported in Florida last year, a jump from the 625 average annual deaths the prior five years. (COURTESY)

A record 1,101 manatee deaths were reported in Florida last year, a jump from the 625 average annual deaths the prior five years. (COURTESY)

Deal reached on manatee habitat protections

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Thursday, June 2, 2022
TALLAHASSEE —Environmental groups and federal wildlife officials have reached a deal to upgrade habitat protections for manatees, which suffered a record number of deaths last year in Florida waters. The agreement, announced Wednesday, requires the U.S.
White House Covid-19 Response Coordinator Ashish Jha speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington on Thursday. (SUSAN WALSH/Associated Press)

White House Covid-19 Response Coordinator Ashish Jha speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington on Thursday. (SUSAN WALSH/Associated Press)

White House: 1st shots for kids under 5 possible by June 21

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, June 2, 2022
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration said Thursday that children under 5 may be able to get their first covid-19 vaccination doses as soon as June 21, if federal regulators authorize shots for the age group, as expected.

NFC Foundation honors area scholarship recipients

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
MADISON — More than 40 area students received a graduation present from the North Florida College Foundation. The foundation awarded scholarships to 68 graduating high school seniors — including 16 from both Suwannee and Lafayette counties and 11 from Hamilton County — worth more than $50,000.

SVEC returns $1M+ to members

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
LIVE OAK — Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative members will receive a pleasant shock: a check back from SVEC or a slightly reduced bill. The Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees recently elected to return $1.

It’s camp season for Lafayette 4-H

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
MAYO — Starting with a Clover Bud Camp for younger children, Lafayette County 4-H is sprouting plenty of youth activities this summer. Starting next week and lasting through late July, the UF/IFAS Lafayette County Extension Office and 4-H are offering eight different summer camps.

Seven running for five seats in Lafayette County

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
MAYO — With the qualifying period nearing, seven candidates have filed to run for Lafayette County office this fall. According to the Lafayette County Supervisor of Elections office, three of the five seats up for election this year currently feature incumbents running unopposed.
A stash of weapons found at the residence of Dustin and Greg Eward was siezed by authorities during their investigation. (COURTESY)

A stash of weapons found at the residence of Dustin and Greg Eward was siezed by authorities during their investigation. (COURTESY)

Suwannee father, son remain in federal custody

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
JACKSONVILLE – The Suwannee County father and son arrested by federal agents last month remain in custody after being deemed threats to the public by a federal judge.
Retired Brigadier General Paul ‘Trey’ Chauncey III speaks at a Memorial Day ceremony Monday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Retired Brigadier General Paul ‘Trey’ Chauncey III speaks at a Memorial Day ceremony Monday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Honoring the sacrifice, cost of freedom

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, May 30, 2022
LIVE OAK — As nice as Monday’s solemn ceremony was, it wasn’t enough, said retired Brigadier General Paul “Trey” Chauncey III.