Regional

DeSantis lays out plan to bolster National Guard

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Gov. Ron DeSantis outlined plans Thursday to ask lawmakers to increase funding for the Florida National Guard, as he seeks to expand the number of armories and re-establish a civilian volunteer force that would be directly under his control.

Florida farmers grapple with transportation woes

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Thursday, December 2, 2021

TALLAHASSEE — While global supply chain issues are reportedly easing, Florida farmers told lawmakers Thursday that perishable items with short shelf lives continue to struggle in being moved from fields to markets.

Stephen Quinn, a country singer from Jacksonville, is set to perform tonight at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak. Marie’s Kids will perform Saturday at the park. (COURTESY)

Quinn, Marie’s Kids to play at SOSMP

NEWS STAFF

Thursday, December 2, 2021

LIVE OAK — The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park welcomes Stephen Quinn and Marie’s Kids back to the front porch. Quinn is scheduled to perform today with Marie’s Kids entertaining Saturday, both from 7-10 p.m. on the front porch at the SOS Cafe.

State raking in tax collections

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

TALLAHASSEE — With Gov. Ron DeSantis ready to release a 2022-2023 budget proposal next week, Florida continues raking in more tax dollars than expected. A new report said the state brought in $435.5 million more in general revenue in October than had been projected in an August forecast.

Bill: Sue government if regulations hurt business

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

TALLAHASSEE — In a proposal drawing heavy fire from local governments, a Senate committee Tuesday approved a measure that could lead to cities and counties facing lawsuits because of decisions that lead to reduced revenue or profits for businesses.

HCA building hospital in Gainesville

NEWS STAFF

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

HCA Healthcare, which operates 47 hospitals in Florida including the Lake City Medical Center and Suwannee ER, said Tuesday it will build additional hospitals in Gainesville, The Villages area and Fort Myers.

DeSantis pitches law enforcement pay increase

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Monday, November 29, 2021

TALLAHASSEE — Promoting Florida as “greener pastures” for law-enforcement officers, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday teased a plan for salary increases and bonuses as part of his upcoming budget proposal.

New variant cause for concern, not panic, Biden tells U.S.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Monday, November 29, 2021

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden called the new coronavirus variant omicron a cause for concern but “not a cause for panic” Monday and said he was not considering any widespread U.S. lockdown.

In one of the House of Representatives’ redistricting proposals released Monday, Suwannee County would move into District 9 for the next decade from District 10. (COURTESY)

New state maps impact Suwannee

NEWS STAFF

Monday, November 29, 2021

TALLAHASSEE — After the Florida Senate tweaked its proposed new congressional maps, the House on Monday rolled out its first efforts for the once-a-decade redistricting process. Both the Senate and the House proposals could lead to a change in representation for Suwannee County residents.

Omicron variant latest covid threat

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Friday, November 26, 2021

BRUSSELS — Nearly two years into the covid-19 pandemic, the world raced Friday to contain a new coronavirus variant potentially more dangerous than the one that has fueled relentless waves of infection on every continent.