Regional

Judge set to decide on school mask rule

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Saturday, October 23, 2021
TALLAHASSEE — An administrative law judge will have up to two weeks to issue a decision after a hearing ended Friday in a challenge by six school boards to a state Department of Health rule designed to prevent student mask requirements.

Teen shot during illegal hunt

TONY BRITT
Thursday, October 21, 2021
FORT WHITE — A 19-year-old Lake City woman was shot in the hand Wednesday morning in an illegal hunting accident. Kylie B. Shumaker was taken to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to her hand as a result of the incident, in which she and three companions attempted to illegally shoot a deer.
Suwannee Health and Rehabilitation Center filed for bankruptcy last week along with its parent company, Gulf Coast Health Care. (SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT FILE)

Suwannee Health and Rehabilitation Center filed for bankruptcy last week along with its parent company, Gulf Coast Health Care. (SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT FILE)

Suwannee Health files for bankruptcy

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
LIVE OAK — A Live Oak long-term care facility, and its parent company, have filed for bankruptcy protection. The Suwannee Health and Rehabilitation Center is one of 62 associated cases that filed for bankruptcy Oct. 14 in U.S.
The FDA gave the go-ahead for mixing covid vaccines on Wednesday, backing Moderna, J&J boosters.

The FDA gave the go-ahead for mixing covid vaccines on Wednesday, backing Moderna, J&J boosters.

FDA OKs mixing covid vaccines; backs Moderna, J&J boosters

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
WASHINGTON — U.S.regulators on Wednesday signed off on extending covid-19 boosters to Americans who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine and said anyone eligible for an extra dose can get a brand different from the one they received initially.

Live Oak council raises stakes on arcades

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
LIVE OAK — Operating internet cafes or electronic sweepstakes may soon get more expensive in the City of Live Oak. The Live Oak City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance at its Oct. 12 meeting implementing guidelines over the gaming establishments.

HCI officer arrested for false imprisonment

NEWS STAFF
Monday, October 18, 2021
JASPER — Forcing a new hairdo on three inmates has led to charges against a former correctional office. According to a report from the Florida Department of Corrections - Office of Inspector General released Monday, three inmates claimed Sgt. Tanaysha Harris, 35 of Lake Park, Ga.
Wallace and Weaver

Wallace and Weaver

Couple on the run arrested on felony warrants

NEWS STAFF
Monday, October 18, 2021
LIVE OAK — A Suwannee County couple tried a number of things to avoid capture Saturday on felony warrants: speeding away in a vehicle, fleeing on foot and even trying to swim across the Suwannee River.
In this Dec. 16, 2000 file photo, President-elect Bush smiles as he introduces retired Gen. Colin Powell (left) as his nominee to be secretary of state during a ceremony in Crawford, Texas. Powell, former Joint Chiefs chairman and secretary of state, has died from covid-19 complications. In an announcement on social media Monday, the family said Powell had been fully vaccinated. He was 84. (DAVID J. PHILLIP/Associated Press)

In this Dec. 16, 2000 file photo, President-elect Bush smiles as he introduces retired Gen. Colin Powell (left) as his nominee to be secretary of state during a ceremony in Crawford, Texas. Powell, former Joint Chiefs chairman and secretary of state, has died from covid-19 complications. In an announcement on social media Monday, the family said Powell had been fully vaccinated. He was 84. (DAVID J. PHILLIP/Associated Press)

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell dies from covid complications

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, October 18, 2021
WASHIINGTON — Colin Powell, the trailblazing soldier and diplomat whose sterling reputation of service to Republican and Democratic presidents was stained by his faulty claims to justify the 2003 U.S. war in Iraq, died Monday of COVID-19 complications. He was 84.
Live Oak native Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Polite said he joined the navy to provide a better life for his kids. (Spc. 1st Class AMANDA RAE MORENO/U.S. Navy)

Live Oak native Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Polite said he joined the navy to provide a better life for his kids. (Spc. 1st Class AMANDA RAE MORENO/U.S. Navy)

Live Oak’s Polite serves in Navy’s ‘Silent Service’

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, October 16, 2021
KINGS BAY, Ga. — A Live Oak native is stationed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, homeport to all East Coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines. Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Polite, a 2006 Suwannee High School graduate, joined the Navy 14 years ago.
Participants in the fourth annual Suwannee Valley Cornhole Tournament play their matches on Saturday during the event. (COURTESY)

Participants in the fourth annual Suwannee Valley Cornhole Tournament play their matches on Saturday during the event. (COURTESY)

Suwannee Valley Cornhole Tournament raises $5,700 for United Way charity

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, October 14, 2021
LIVE OAK — The fourth annual Suwannee Valley Cornhole Tournament hosted by Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative raised $5,737 for the United Way of Suwannee Valley. This year’s tournament, held Saturday, featured a total of 25 teams divided into competitive and novice brackets.