Regional

Suwannee deputy OK after possible exposure to fentanyl

BRANFORD — A Suwannee County deputy was possibly exposed to fentanyl during a traffic stop Friday. Deputy Pete Merola, who was transported to Lake City Medical Center that night for observation and treatment for possible exposure to the dangerous drug, is back at work, Sheriff Sam St. John said.

O’Brien man shoots, kills son

O’BRIEN — Upset that his son wouldn’t help him with chores over a number of years, an O’Brien man took out his frustrations Tuesday afternoon.

LO man charged with sexual battery on child

LIVE OAK — A Live Oak man was arrested Friday on charges of sexually battering a child younger than 12 years old.

FPL bills going up due to fuel costs

TALLAHASSEE — State regulators Tuesday approved allowing Florida Power & Light to collect an additional $810 million from customers in 2022 amid higher-than-expected costs for natural gas that plays a key role in fueling power plants.

One critically injured in I-75 wreck

JASPER — A Marion County man was critically injured in a two-vehicle accident Sunday night on Interstate 75. The man, a 61-year-old from Citra, was driving north on I-75 in between the White Springs and Jasper exits when his sedan collided with an SUV in the center lane around 11:27 p.m.

Robbers cash out at arcades

LIVE OAK — Two Live Oak arcades were victims of robberies within the past week. According to the Live Oak Police Department, the Fun Zone Arcade, 1533 Ohio Ave., was robbed by an individual at around 3:30 a.m. Monday.

Jasper man caught after fleeing shooting

LIVE OAK — A Jasper man was captured Friday in Jacksonville after fleeing the scene of an afternoon shooting. According to a release from the Live Oak Police Department, officers responded around 1:30 p.m.

Simpson eyes local governments, pensions

TALLAHASSEE — Senate President Wilton Simpson this week backed a controversial proposal that could open local governments to more lawsuits, while also suggesting lawmakers might revisit a vetoed effort to end the state’s no-fault auto insurance system.

Time ticking as Dems strain to finish $2T bill

WASHINGTON — If President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion social and environment package was a Broadway show, its seven months on Congress’ stage could qualify it as a hit. But lawmaking isn’t show business, and many Democrats worry that with the curtain falling soon on 2021, time is not their friend.

DeSantis lays out plan to bolster National Guard

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.