Regional

Students who oppose masks could get vouchers

TALLAHASSEE — Florida students could soon use state-backed vouchers to transfer to private schools if they object to wearing masks in classrooms, as Gov. Ron DeSantis and state education officials argue that decisions about masks should be left up to parents during the covid-19 pandemic.

Hurricane season forecast ratcheted up

With Florida and other states entering the thick of the annual hurricane season, a federal forecast released Wednesday ratcheted up expectations of an above-average year for storms.

Head-on collision kills one

WELLBORN — One person was killed in a head-on collision Wednesday afternoon on U.S. Highway 90. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Davenport man was headed west on U.S. 90 when his SUV crossed the center line near 134th Place right after the Suwannee and Columbia County line.

Some school districts defy DeSantis, require masks

MIAMI — Despite a ban by Gov. Ron DeSantis, two Florida school districts have decided to require masks when children return to classrooms because of dramatic rises in coronavirus infections, with the state leading the country in hospitalizations.

Jennings teen killed in rollover

JENNINGS — Driving through a field in northern Hamilton County Friday evening, a Jennings teen lost control and was killed when his pickup overturned. A Florida Highway Patrol report states an 18-year-old Jennings man was driving west in a grass field near 2600 NW U.S. Hwy. 41 around 5 p.m.

Hospitals continue seeing covid-19 surge

TALLAHASSEE — The number of people hospitalized in Florida because of covid-19 continued at a record pace Monday, according to the Florida Hospital Association.

Logging some extra miles

An overturned log truck closed a section of County Road 137 for more than two hours Friday morning when its logs fell off the overturned trailer and blocked both lanes of travel. According to preliminary Florida Highway Patrol reports, authorities were dispatched at 8:32 a.m.

DeSantis says order will block mask requirements in schools

TALLAHASSEE --- Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday he will issue an executive order to prohibit school districts from imposing mask-wearing requirements as students return to classes in August.

Universities plan ‘normal’ operations amid covid spike

TALLAHASSEE --- State universities are staying on track for a return to normal “pre-pandemic” operations as the fall semester approaches, while Florida grapples with a surge in covid-19 cases. Classes begin Aug. 23 for most universities.

Florida pediatricians back masks in schools

A statewide group of pediatricians Thursday called for “universal” use of masks in schools as the academic year gets ready to start and as Florida deals with a surge in covid-19 cases.