Regional

Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers remarks during an unveiling ceremony for a statue of Alexander Hamilton at the Heritage Center in White Springs on Wednesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers remarks during an unveiling ceremony for a statue of Alexander Hamilton at the Heritage Center in White Springs on Wednesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

DeSantis stresses civics at Hamilton statue unveiling

WHITE SPRINGS — The party the Free State of Florida is throwing for the 250th birthday celebration of American came to this southern Hamilton County town on Wednesday, bringing lots of excitement, a crowd of visitors and a new statue of Alexander Hamilton.
Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd (left) stands with Bradley Cooley, the sculptor who created Alexander Hamilton statue unveiled on Wednesday at the Heritage Center in White Springs. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd (left) stands with Bradley Cooley, the sculptor who created Alexander Hamilton statue unveiled on Wednesday at the Heritage Center in White Springs. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Locals pleased with new Hamilton statue

WHITE SPRINGS — The historic unveiling of a statue in honor of Alexander Hamilton was the main attraction in this southern Hamilton County town on Wednesday.
During his eight years in the Florida House of Representatives, Chuck Brannan (middle) was assisted by staff members Seth Grubb (from left), Quay Neach, Jason Carter, Dan Hartley, Alisa Bergmann and Staz Guntek. Neach, Carter and Bergmann are Brannan’s’ current aides. (COURTESY)

During his eight years in the Florida House of Representatives, Chuck Brannan (middle) was assisted by staff members Seth Grubb (from left), Quay Neach, Jason Carter, Dan Hartley, Alisa Bergmann and Staz Guntek. Neach, Carter and Bergmann are Brannan’s’ current aides. (COURTESY)

Brannan: Thankful for ‘Privilege’ of serving District 10

TALLAHASSEE — Chuck Brannan’s path to the Florida House of Representatives began decades ago.
David and Ashleigh Pitzer were named the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year at the Chamber Gala on Saturday night. The Pitzers were honored by Julie Ulmer (left), the Chamber’s new president, and Executive Director Danielle Hampton. (DENVER JERNIGAN/Special to the Reporter)

David and Ashleigh Pitzer were named the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year at the Chamber Gala on Saturday night. The Pitzers were honored by Julie Ulmer (left), the Chamber’s new president, and Executive Director Danielle Hampton. (DENVER JERNIGAN/Special to the Reporter)

Pitzers named Citizens of the Year; Leak wins Trailblazer

Suwannee County’s Citizens of the Year and Trailblazer Award winner both have love to thank for their new hardware.
Tommy Reeves, the attorney representing Live Oak Investment 2 LLC on the annexation request, told the Live Oak City Council that there was no presentation of the plans for the property Tuesday night but it would likely have ‘substantial changes’ as compared to what was first shown last year. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Tommy Reeves, the attorney representing Live Oak Investment 2 LLC on the annexation request, told the Live Oak City Council that there was no presentation of the plans for the property Tuesday night but it would likely have ‘substantial changes’ as compared to what was first shown last year. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak Council tables vote on adding land to city

Plans to annex land into the City of Live Oak has been put on hold.
North Florida College student Lillian Clay, of Suwannee County, holds the winning check after winning the inaugural Sunshine State Debate. Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas stands to her left, holding the trophy Clay won. (COURTESY NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE)

North Florida College student Lillian Clay, of Suwannee County, holds the winning check after winning the inaugural Sunshine State Debate. Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas stands to her left, holding the trophy Clay won. (COURTESY NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE)

Voice of the Future: NFC’s Clay wins state debate title

MADISON — When Lillian Clay stepped into her first debate competition this year, she had no idea she would leave as the state champion.
Thomas Anderson, the president of the Professional Firefighters of Live Oak Local 2481, speaks to the Live Oak City Council about the benefits of moving to a 48-on, 96-off schedule for firefighters. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Thomas Anderson, the president of the Professional Firefighters of Live Oak Local 2481, speaks to the Live Oak City Council about the benefits of moving to a 48-on, 96-off schedule for firefighters. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak considers shifting firefighters’ schedule

The Live Oak City Council wants more information before it signs off on a plan to, hopefully, extinguish some health concerns and retention issues with the city’s firefighters.

Dog abuser sentenced to 10 years in prison

A Live Oak man will spend the next 10 years in prison for beating a puppy last year. Eric Roldan, 45, was sentenced March 6 to a decade in prison for aggravated animal abuse by Third Circuit Judge Mark Feagle. Roldan was convicted Jan. 28 following a one-day trial.

Ohio man arrested for nude photos of minor girlfiend

An Ohio man was arrested last week for sending obscene messages to his underage girlfriend. According to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies were contacted on Feb. 5 about a 13-year-old girl having videos on her phone of her having sex with an adult male.