Regional

Suwannee County Fire Rescue and the Branford Volunteer Fire Department respond to a late-night fire at The Gathering Cafe Wednesday evening. (COURTESY)

Suwannee County Fire Rescue and the Branford Volunteer Fire Department respond to a late-night fire at The Gathering Cafe Wednesday evening. (COURTESY)

Branford Gathering closed after late-night rooftop blaze

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, January 13, 2022
BRANFORD — A long-time Branford fixture will be closed for the foreseeable future. The Gathering Cafe, located on Suwannee Avenue, caught fire Wednesday night with Suwannee County Fire Rescue and Branford Volunteer Fire Department responding around 10:45 p.m.
This artist sketch depicts lawyer Scott Keller standing to argue on behalf of more than two dozen business groups seeking an immediate order from the Supreme Court to halt a Biden administration order to impose a vaccine-or-testing requirement on the nation's large employers during the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Supreme Court in Washington, Jan. 7, 2022. (DANA VERKOUTEREN/Associated Press))

This artist sketch depicts lawyer Scott Keller standing to argue on behalf of more than two dozen business groups seeking an immediate order from the Supreme Court to halt a Biden administration order to impose a vaccine-or-testing requirement on the nation's large employers during the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Supreme Court in Washington, Jan. 7, 2022. (DANA VERKOUTEREN/Associated Press))

Supreme Court halts covid-19 vaccine rule for U.S. businesses

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, January 13, 2022
WASHINGTON  — The Supreme Court has stopped a major push by the Biden administration to boost the nation’s covid-19 vaccination rate, a requirement that employees at large businesses get a vaccine or test regularly and wear a mask on the job.
The Suwannee County School District Resource Center will be open Mondays through Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. to offer assistance to parents, students. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

The Suwannee County School District Resource Center will be open Mondays through Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. to offer assistance to parents, students. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee schools offer evening help

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
LIVE OAK — The Suwannee County School District is looking to help parents and students make the grade, even after hours. The District Resource Center, 305 Pinewood Drive SW, will be open Mondays through Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. on school days through May 13.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, right, answers questions from reporters after addressing a joint session of a legislative session, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, right, answers questions from reporters after addressing a joint session of a legislative session, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

‘Free state’ of Florida: DeSantis touts freedom, decries covid mandates

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made it clear in his State of the State speech Tuesday that he likes teachers, first responders and freedom and he doesn’t like Dr. Anthony Fauci, critical race theory, abortion, illegal immigration and Burmese pythons.

District changes part of Session agenda

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, January 10, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — In two months’ time, Florida House District 10 will have a new look. As will the rest of the Florida House of Representatives and Senate districts. As part of the 60-day Session that begins today, the Florida Legislature has to craft new legislative districts based on the 2020 U.S.

GOP immigration proposal emerges

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Monday, January 10, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — In one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ priorities for this year’s legislative session, two Republican lawmakers have filed a proposal that seeks to ratchet up immigration enforcement. In the state. Sen. Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) and Rep.

Feds OK state plan for education money

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, January 7, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — The U.S. Department of Education has approved Florida’s plan for how the state intends to spend billions of dollars in federal aid for schools, after money was withheld because of a delay in the state submitting the proposal.

DeSantis downplays assault on U.S. Capitol

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, January 6, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday downplayed aspects of the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol, adding he didn’t intend to watch “nauseating” media-driven, one-year anniversary remembrances.