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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to the U.S. Congress by video to plead for support as his country is besieged by Russian forces. (J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/Associated Press)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to the U.S. Congress by video to plead for support as his country is besieged by Russian forces. (J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/Associated Press)

Zelenskyy pleads for help in impassioned speech to Congress

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy summoned memories of Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11 terror attacks Wednesday in an impassioned live-video plea to Congress to send more help for Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
A pair of musicians with the Jon Stickley Trio perform at the SOSMP in 2021. (COURTESY)

A pair of musicians with the Jon Stickley Trio perform at the SOSMP in 2021. (COURTESY)

Suwannee Spring Reunion set for SOSMP

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
LIVE OAK — The Suwannee Spring Reunion is back. The Spring Reunion festival returns to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park today through Sunday with some of the best bluegrass and Americana music anywhere. Fans from all across the U.S.
The first-place team of David Derringer (from left), Ray Merrit and Ronnie Richardson. (COURTESY)

The first-place team of David Derringer (from left), Ray Merrit and Ronnie Richardson. (COURTESY)

Rotary Club of Branford hosts annual charity golf tournament

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
BRANFORD — The Rotary Club of Branford hosted its annual charity golf tournament at Quail Heights Country Club on March 5 in Lake City. A team scramble consisting of 18 holes of golf drew 105 players. The annual golf tournament serves as one of the club’s primary fundraisers.

Budget bringing big bucks

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
The state’s record budget includes significant funds flowing around the Suwannee River valley. The $112.1 billion budget that garnered approval from both the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate on Monday is funding $8.

Live Oak woman killed in Hamilton crash

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
JASPER — A Live Oak woman was killed Tuesday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash in western Hamilton County. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, the 67-year-old Live Oak woman was headed westbound on County Road 146 at about 3 p.m.

DeSantis signs bill to change student testing

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — Current standardized testing in Florida public schools will be replaced with assessments taken throughout the year to better gauge individual student progress under a bill Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Tuesday.

Senate, House pass $112B budget

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, March 14, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers on Monday passed a $112.1 billion state budget containing pay raises for state workers and a gas tax suspension, striking a bipartisan agreement that closed a session characterized by high-profile partisan battles.
Big Bend Brass will perform Saturday, March 19, at the Covenant First Presbyterian Church in Live Oak. (COURTESY)

Big Bend Brass will perform Saturday, March 19, at the Covenant First Presbyterian Church in Live Oak. (COURTESY)

Big Bend Brass to perform in Live Oak

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 14, 2022
The Friends of Music Concert Series concludes its 2021-22 season by presenting Big Bend Brass, a quintet of members who are doctoral candidates at Florida State University in Tallahassee. The concert will take place on Saturday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m.

Florida ends legislative session marked by culture wars

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, March 14, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Legislature had 60 days to accomplish two things: pass a budget and approve new political maps. Lawmakers didn’t finish the budget on time and it looks like they’ll come back in a special session to keep working on a congressional map.

DeSantis reiterates veto vow on redistricting

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Monday, March 14, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday reiterated his intention to veto a congressional redistricting plan that he contends is unconstitutional. Lawmakers, who passed the plan this month, have not formally sent it to DeSantis, and congressional redistricting is now the subject of two lawsuits.