Regional

Drought shows importance of Water Conservation Month

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
LIVE OAK — For the 28th consecutive year, the Suwannee River Water Management District has declared that the month of April be designated as Water Conservation Month. Water conservation is at the core of the district’s mission to ensure the sustainability of Florida’s water supplies.
Marley Gaskins and her mother, Tamara Hogue, are pictured with UCLA Dr. Donald Kohn during a visit to California to take part in a clinical trial to combat severe leukocyte adhesion deficiency-I in 2019. Gaskins was the first patient to enroll in the study. (COURTESY)

Marley Gaskins and her mother, Tamara Hogue, are pictured with UCLA Dr. Donald Kohn during a visit to California to take part in a clinical trial to combat severe leukocyte adhesion deficiency-I in 2019. Gaskins was the first patient to enroll in the study. (COURTESY)

Live Oak’s Gaskins cured after life-saving medical trial

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
When her daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that led to near-constant infections eight years ago, Tamara Hogue didn’t like the only option in front of them: a bone marrow transplant.
Will Carpenter’s true love was fishing, leading to the launch of the Will Carpenter Fishing for Hope tournament this weekend in Steinhatchee to support the Will Carpenter AYA Cancer Foundation in his honor. (COURTESY)

Will Carpenter’s true love was fishing, leading to the launch of the Will Carpenter Fishing for Hope tournament this weekend in Steinhatchee to support the Will Carpenter AYA Cancer Foundation in his honor. (COURTESY)

Carpenter tourney reeling in funds for AYA cancer victims

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The Will Carpenter AYA Cancer Foundation hopes to reel in more than just fish Saturday in Steinhatchee. The foundation’s inaugural Will Carpenter Fishing for Hope Tournament also aims to bring hope and support for other adolescents and young adults battling cancer like Carpenter.
Live Oak Mayor Frank Davis (right) presented a key to the city to W.B. Howland Company owner Lyn Fletcher (second from right), Barbara Howland and Bill Howland during the company’s 100-year celebration Saturday. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak Mayor Frank Davis (right) presented a key to the city to W.B. Howland Company owner Lyn Fletcher (second from right), Barbara Howland and Bill Howland during the company’s 100-year celebration Saturday. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

Howland’s celebrates 100 years in Live Oak

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
A 100-year celebration brought in hundreds more. The W.B. Howland Company parking lot at the roundabout in Live Oak was packed Saturday for the company’s anniversary celebration. The Live Oak store was established in 1926 by W.B. Howland and his brother, John Phillip Howland.
The winning team at the Branford Rotary Club’s annual golf tournament was Gavin Barnes (from left), Dylan Cannon and Jeffrey Barnes. (COURTESY)

The winning team at the Branford Rotary Club’s annual golf tournament was Gavin Barnes (from left), Dylan Cannon and Jeffrey Barnes. (COURTESY)

Branford Rotary hosts 120+ for golf tourney

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
On a beautiful first Saturday in March, the Rotary Club of Branford proudly hosted its annual charity golf tournament at Quail Heights Country Club in Lake City.

Voters League hosting Live Oak candidate forum

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The Suwannee County Voters League will host its Live Oak city election “Meet the Candidates” forum this month. The Voters League’s forum is scheduled for Monday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Live Oak City Hall in the council chambers, 101 White Ave. SE.
Dowling Park’s Joe First won the 2025 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest. He will be the headlining performer at the WWALS River Revue dinner in September. (COURTESY)

Dowling Park’s Joe First won the 2025 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest. He will be the headlining performer at the WWALS River Revue dinner in September. (COURTESY)

Suwannee Riverkeeper songwriting contest opens

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
VALDOSTA — The ninth annual Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest is now accepting submissions.
United Way of Suwannee Valley Executive Director Jennifer Anchors receives the $10,000 contribution from the Clay Electric Foundation from Jordan Wade, member relations representative (left), and District Manager Troy Adams. (COURTESY)

United Way of Suwannee Valley Executive Director Jennifer Anchors receives the $10,000 contribution from the Clay Electric Foundation from Jordan Wade, member relations representative (left), and District Manager Troy Adams. (COURTESY)

Clay Foundation donates $10K to United Way

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 27, 2026
The United Way of Suwannee Valley received a jolt of extra funding thanks to Clay Electric Cooperative. The Clay Electric Foundation presented the United Way a $10,000 contribution from its Operation Round Up program.
Lake City’s Jeanie Stanley Allinder (second from left), the daughter of Carter Stanley, is pictured with her cousins Ralph Stanley II and Lisa Stanley Marshall as their fathers, The Stanley Brothers, were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Friday alongside Tim McGraw (right) and Paul Overstreet. (COURTESY)

Lake City’s Jeanie Stanley Allinder (second from left), the daughter of Carter Stanley, is pictured with her cousins Ralph Stanley II and Lisa Stanley Marshall as their fathers, The Stanley Brothers, were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Friday alongside Tim McGraw (right) and Paul Overstreet. (COURTESY)

‘O Brother, where art thou?’ The Country Music Hall of Fame

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
The wait is finally over. After nearly two decades of pushing for her father and uncle to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Lake City’s Jeannie Stanley Allinder’s work has paid off.