Regional

Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White suggest the county and Barge Design Solutions share the burden for the dispute over a change order on the wastewater design. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White suggest the county and Barge Design Solutions share the burden for the dispute over a change order on the wastewater design. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County aims to lessen change order fee

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Admitting Suwannee County’s own blame for the situation, the Board of County Commissioners is looking for a compromise on a costly change order request.
David Chandler, the president of the Lake City Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, said the patriotism on display for the country’s semiquincentennial is ‘incredible.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

David Chandler, the president of the Lake City Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, said the patriotism on display for the country’s semiquincentennial is ‘incredible.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Liberty Tree event kicks off 250th celebration

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, March 19, 2026
The Sons of the American Revolution will do more than plant a tree Saturday at Heritage Park and Gardens in Live Oak. They also will kick off Live Oak and Suwannee County’s American 250 celebration.
The eighth annual Suwannee Spring Reunion starts today and runs through Sunday at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. (COURTESY)

The eighth annual Suwannee Spring Reunion starts today and runs through Sunday at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. (COURTESY)

Spring Reunion returns to Music Park

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, March 19, 2026
The eighth annual Suwannee Spring Reunion at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park takes place today through Sunday.
Suwannee County Fire Chief Dan Miller said he doesn’t envision having to enact a burn ban after the Suwannee County Commission approved an ordinance that allows one to be put in place. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Fire Chief Dan Miller said he doesn’t envision having to enact a burn ban after the Suwannee County Commission approved an ordinance that allows one to be put in place. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County approves ordinance, but ban not likely

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Suwannee County can now ban outside burning. However, Fire Chief Dan Miller told the Suwannee County Commission as it was deciding to approve an ordinance that would allow a burn ban to be implemented that he didn’t expect to have to take that step.
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, a Lake City native (left), looks on at President Donald Trump in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 17, 2025, has been diagnosed with ‘early stage’ breast cancer. (Tom Brenner/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, a Lake City native (left), looks on at President Donald Trump in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 17, 2025, has been diagnosed with ‘early stage’ breast cancer. (Tom Brenner/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

Lake City native Wiles diagnosed with breast cancer

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, a Lake City native, was diagnosed with “early stage” breast cancer, President Donald Trump announced on Monday. In a Truth Social post, Trump said Wiles is expected to start treatment “immediately” and will continue to work.
Robert Domingue, the Columbia County utilities superintendent for the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, told the board that keeping the same extended aeration system for the Ellisville wastewater plant was the best path forward. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Robert Domingue, the Columbia County utilities superintendent for the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, told the board that keeping the same extended aeration system for the Ellisville wastewater plant was the best path forward. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

NFWUA supports $7M Ellisville upgrade

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
LIVE OAK — The North Florida Water Utilities Authority plans to add on to its existing wastewater treatment plant in Ellisville rather than retrofit that plant.
North Florida Water Utilities Authority member and Columbia County Commissioner Tim Murphy said he was fine with board members being paid, but not commissioners serving in that capacity. (FILE)

North Florida Water Utilities Authority member and Columbia County Commissioner Tim Murphy said he was fine with board members being paid, but not commissioners serving in that capacity. (FILE)

Utility authority board places pay on back burner

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
LIVE OAK — Attempts to make a position on the North Florida Water Utilities Authority board more desirable, as well as widen the pool to lure from, will have to wait.