Regional

The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus in Pasco County is a 98,000-square-foot facility originally built as a regional shelter. Suwannee County has been selected as the host of a shelter for North Florida. (COURTESY FLORIDA SPORTS COAST)

The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus in Pasco County is a 98,000-square-foot facility originally built as a regional shelter. Suwannee County has been selected as the host of a shelter for North Florida. (COURTESY FLORIDA SPORTS COAST)

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Suwannee shelter awarded $38M

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 19, 2025
Eighteen months after landing Project Summit, Suwannee County received the funding to make the regional storm shelter a reality. During a press conference Thursday in Sebring to award $311 million toward infrastructure improvements across the state, Gov.
Jason Furry, Suwannee County’s interim administrator, was selected for the full-time role. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Jason Furry, Suwannee County’s interim administrator, was selected for the full-time role. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

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Suwannee County taps Furry for administrator

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Suwannee County plans to make its interim county administrator as the permanent head of county operations.
Phury Hunlock (left), 10, and Piper Hunlock, 13, volunteer their time arranging books that will be given as Toys for Tots Christmas gifts. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Phury Hunlock (left), 10, and Piper Hunlock, 13, volunteer their time arranging books that will be given as Toys for Tots Christmas gifts. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

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Suwannee Toys for Tots seeking more donations

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
WELLBORN — The Suwannee County Toys for Tots program, in the final days of toy distribution, is seeking additional donations from local residents and businesses. “We are in desperate need of toys this year,” Annita Leonard, Suwannee County Toys for Tots coordinator, said.
The renovated San Juan de la Cruz Catholic Mission in Branford reopened Sunday with a dedication Mass. The church had been closed since April 2023 for renovations. (COURTESY)

The renovated San Juan de la Cruz Catholic Mission in Branford reopened Sunday with a dedication Mass. The church had been closed since April 2023 for renovations. (COURTESY)

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San Juan de la Cruz Mission reopens

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
BRANFORD — This past Sunday, the San Juan de la Cruz Catholic Mission community came together to celebrate the first Mass in their renovated church. It was the first Mass in their church since April 2023.

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$1M-plus Heritage Square parking contract awarded

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Parking improvements are coming to the Heritage Square redevelopment area. The Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency unanimously approved awarding a bid to Curt’s Construction to handle the parking improvements project at Heritage Square, which is just north of the railroad tracks and east of U.
Vicki Waters said her property on 119th Road in Live Oak needs to be turned into a retention pond. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Vicki Waters said her property on 119th Road in Live Oak needs to be turned into a retention pond. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

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Suwannee commission seeks time on FEMA program

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
The Suwannee County Commission wanted more time to think before diving into a federal funding program to purchase flooded property.
Suwannee County Airport Manager John Duhaime said the written rules and regulations were needed to provide guidance to keep people operating correctly at the airport. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter_

Suwannee County Airport Manager John Duhaime said the written rules and regulations were needed to provide guidance to keep people operating correctly at the airport. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter_

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Rules, regulations approved for Suwannee airport

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
A written set of rules and regulations is ready for takeoff at the Suwannee County Airport. During its meeting Tuesday night, the Suwannee County Commission unanimously approved rules and regulations at the airport as well as minimum standards for commercial aeronautical activities at the airport.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses the state’s 2026–27 budget proposal during a news conference at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando on Wednesday. (RICH POPE/Orlando Sentinel/TNS)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses the state’s 2026–27 budget proposal during a news conference at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando on Wednesday. (RICH POPE/Orlando Sentinel/TNS)

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DeSantis: Budget will cover rural property tax losses

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
ORLANDO — Gov. Ron DeSantis rolled out his “Floridians First” budget proposal Wednesday in Orlando, saying his $117 billion spending plan includes funding to offset property tax losses for rural, fiscally constrained counties.
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)

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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.