Regional

Merck’s new antiviral covid-19 medication, which U.S. health officials said Friday is effective but raises safety issues for pregnant women. (MERCK & CO.)

Merck’s new antiviral covid-19 medication, which U.S. health officials said Friday is effective but raises safety issues for pregnant women. (MERCK & CO.)

FDA: Merck covid pill effective

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, November 26, 2021
Federal health regulators say an experimental covid-19 pill from Merck is effective against the virus, but they will seek input from outside experts on risks of birth defects and other potential problems during pregnancy.

Biden sets restrictions on leasing of oil, gas

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, November 26, 2021
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Friday recommended an overhaul of the nation’s oil and gas leasing program to limit areas available for energy development and raise costs for oil and gas companies to drill on public land and water.
Antique tractors are on display at a previous year’s Old Tyme Farm Days event at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. (COURTESY)

Antique tractors are on display at a previous year’s Old Tyme Farm Days event at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. (COURTESY)

SOSMP celebrating Old Tyme Farm Days

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, November 25, 2021
LIVE OAK — The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is thankful for the return of the Old Tyme Farm Days and Swap Meet. The Old Tyme Farm Days is the longest-running event at the music park, this year marking the 32nd year for the event celebrating rural American life and heritage.

Branford woman killed after truck overturns

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, November 25, 2021
FORT WHITE — A Branford woman was killed Wednesday afternoon after the truck she was riding in overturned following a crash in southwestern Columbia County. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a pickup and a sedan were traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 27 when they collided around 1 p.m.

Three-vehicle accident claims High Springs pair

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, November 25, 2021
ALACHUA — Two people from High Springs were killed in a three-vehicle wreck Thanksgiving morning on Interstate 75. All three vehicles were traveling south on I-75 near mile marker 397 in Alachua when a sedan in the middle lane veered into the right lane and struck a tractor trailer around 10:40 a.
Ahmaud Arbery's mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, is hugged by a supporter after the jury convicted Travis McMichael in the trial of McMichael, his father, Greg McMichael, and neighbor, William "Roddie" Bryan, on Wednesday in Brunswick, Ga. (STEPHEN B. MORTON/Pool/Getty Images/TNS)

Ahmaud Arbery's mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, is hugged by a supporter after the jury convicted Travis McMichael in the trial of McMichael, his father, Greg McMichael, and neighbor, William "Roddie" Bryan, on Wednesday in Brunswick, Ga. (STEPHEN B. MORTON/Pool/Getty Images/TNS)

All 3 men charged in Ahmaud Arbery's death convicted of murder

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Ahmaud Arbery, the Black man who was running empty-handed through a Georgia subdivision when the white strangers chased him, trapped him on a quiet street and blasted him with a shotgun. The February 2020 slaying drew limited attention at first.
Rhodes Scholar Aimee Clesi said she feels a responsibility to represent both her school and her hometown of Branford “the best way” she can. (COURTESY)

Rhodes Scholar Aimee Clesi said she feels a responsibility to represent both her school and her hometown of Branford “the best way” she can. (COURTESY)

Scholarly work: Clesi named Rhodes Scholar

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Three days later, the news still hasn’t fully sunk in for Aimee Clesi. The University of Florida senior and Branford High graduate found out Saturday night that she will be returning to the United Kingdom next year.

U.S. to release 50 million barrels of oil from reserves

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday ordered a record 50 million barrels of oil released from America’s strategic reserve, aiming to bring down gasoline and other costs, in coordination with other major energy consuming nations including India, the United Kingdom and China. The U.S.

Pill-swiping nurse’s license suspended

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
LIVE OAK — A Lake City nurse has had her license suspended after stealing pills from patients. Joseph Lapado, the state surgeon general, ordered the emergency restriction of Nicole Jenkins’ license last week.