Regional

The 12-story oceanfront Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside is shown on Friday. A large portion of the building collapsed very early Thursday morning. (AMY BETH BENNETT/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/TNS)

The 12-story oceanfront Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside is shown on Friday. A large portion of the building collapsed very early Thursday morning. (AMY BETH BENNETT/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/TNS)

Condo collapse could lead to laws

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Monday, June 28, 2021
TALLAHASSEE — State and federal legislation could be proposed to address construction or engineering issues after the deadly condominium-building collapse in Surfside, where crews continued to search the rubble Monday. Addressing reporters, Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Rep.

Handyman charged with defrauding elderly

NEWS STAFF
Monday, June 28, 2021
FALMOUTH — Enlisted to help an elderly couple at their house, a handyman instead exploited them, according to law enforcement. The Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office said Anthony Ward Jr.
Suwannee County Fire Rescue crews respond to a burning van on Interstate 10 west just after midnight Monday morning. (COURTESY)

Suwannee County Fire Rescue crews respond to a burning van on Interstate 10 west just after midnight Monday morning. (COURTESY)

Van catches fire on I-10

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, June 28, 2021
LIVE OAK — Mechanical issues sparked a fire in a passenger van early Monday morning on Interstate 10 in Suwannee County. Suwannee County Fire Rescue responded to the burning vehicle around 12:29 a.m. Monday and found the van fully involved near mile marker 292.

Budget, bevy of laws set to take effect

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Monday, June 28, 2021
TALLAHASSEE — More than 100 new laws passed during the 2021 legislative session will hit the books this week, ranging from a record $100 billion state budget to a ban on covid-19 vaccine “passports” and an expansion of school vouchers.
Suwannee County Fire Rescue purchased 26 body armor vests with grant funding. (COURTESY/Suwannee County Fire Rescue)

Suwannee County Fire Rescue purchased 26 body armor vests with grant funding. (COURTESY/Suwannee County Fire Rescue)

SCFR ‘granted’ body armor vests

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 25, 2021
LIVE OAK — Grant funding recently added another tool to help keep Suwannee County first responders safe. Suwannee County Fire Rescue obtained a grant from the North Central Florida Health Care Coalition that allowed for the purchase of 26 body armor vests.
The new Ichetucknee Alliance website includes several interactive features, including a virtual 'story map' tour of the Ichetucknee Springshed and Ichetucknee Trace. (COURTESY)

The new Ichetucknee Alliance website includes several interactive features, including a virtual 'story map' tour of the Ichetucknee Springshed and Ichetucknee Trace. (COURTESY)

‘Beloved Blue River’ website launched

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 25, 2021
The Ichetucknee Alliance has launched a new website, “Ichetucknee: Beloved Blue River,” that documents what the springs and river have meant to people over the years. The site may be viewed at: https://belovedblueriver.org/.