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Clay Brooker will be the featured performer at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park on Friday night. (COURTESY)

Clay Brooker will be the featured performer at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park on Friday night. (COURTESY)

Clay Brooker, Naturally Southern Band to take Music Park stage

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
LIVE OAK — The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is fixing to be a fun, festive and noisy destination this weekend. The party gets started tomorrow with Gainesville-based artist Clay Brooker performing country music.
Chris Washler, the president of the Florida State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, stands with other SAR members behind the liberty tree that was dedicated Saturday at Heritage Park and Gardens in Live Oak. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Chris Washler, the president of the Florida State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, stands with other SAR members behind the liberty tree that was dedicated Saturday at Heritage Park and Gardens in Live Oak. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

SAR dedicates liberty tree for Suwannee

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Spurred on by the spirit of liberty that led to the country’s founding 250 years ago, a tree took root in Heritage Park and Gardens last weekend.
W.B. Howland Company is hosting a centennial celebration on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The company opened its Live Oak location in 1926 on the same property that the current store is located at the roundabout. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

W.B. Howland Company is hosting a centennial celebration on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The company opened its Live Oak location in 1926 on the same property that the current store is located at the roundabout. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Howland’s hosting centennial celebration

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
The W.B. Howland Company is throwing a party 100 years in the making. The company’s centennial celebration is set for Saturday at its location for the past 100 years, 610 11th Street SW in Live Oak.
Miss Trunchbull, the headmistress at the school in ‘Matilda’ played by Lillian Sasser (left) scolds Matilda’s teacher Miss Honey, played by Jamylai Leon, during a scene from the Suwannee High theater troupe’s rehearsal for this weekend’s performances. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Miss Trunchbull, the headmistress at the school in ‘Matilda’ played by Lillian Sasser (left) scolds Matilda’s teacher Miss Honey, played by Jamylai Leon, during a scene from the Suwannee High theater troupe’s rehearsal for this weekend’s performances. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

SHS theater brings ‘Matilda’ to stage

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
A band of revolting children will descend on the Suwannee High School auditorium the next three days. The SHS theater troupe will put on its adaptation of “Matilda” for four performances, starting with a 7 p.m. show today that is open to the public.
Michelle Harrison, the Freedom Fest committee chair, said the America 250 patriotic historical living timeline parade will make the annual July 4 celebration something the community will never forget. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Michelle Harrison, the Freedom Fest committee chair, said the America 250 patriotic historical living timeline parade will make the annual July 4 celebration something the community will never forget. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Historical timeline parade added to Freedom Fest

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
The Live Oak Freedom Fest will be bringing history to life this July. Live Oak’s annual Fourth of July celebration will have some familiar faces taking part in the festivities in honor of the country’s semiquincentennial, including Paul Revere, Abraham Lincoln and the Statue of Liberty.
A map of potential projects identified in the draft Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency plan update. (COURTESY)

A map of potential projects identified in the draft Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency plan update. (COURTESY)

CRA plan update eyes new priorities

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
The draft of the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency plan update received strong support Tuesday night.
An example of a recent scam targeting individuals claiming to come from county courts regarding outstanding traffic and toll violations. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reminds residents that official government agencies do not request payment through QR codes, third-party links or unverified online platforms. (COURTESY)

An example of a recent scam targeting individuals claiming to come from county courts regarding outstanding traffic and toll violations. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reminds residents that official government agencies do not request payment through QR codes, third-party links or unverified online platforms. (COURTESY)

FLHSMV warns of new scam

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
People should proceed with caution if they receive court notices, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Suwannee County Fair Manager Lynn Touchton helps a child with an animal at a previous year’s Suwannee County Fair. The 111th annual fair opens Friday and will run for nine days, celebrating fair, family and freedom. (COURTESY)

Suwannee County Fair Manager Lynn Touchton helps a child with an animal at a previous year’s Suwannee County Fair. The 111th annual fair opens Friday and will run for nine days, celebrating fair, family and freedom. (COURTESY)

111th Suwannee Fair opens Friday, runs 9 days

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Fair, family and freedom will be celebrated at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds for nine days starting Friday night. The 111th annual Fair opens Friday at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds, 1302 11th Street SW in Live Oak, and runs through March 28.