Regional

Courts getting rid of covid-19 protocols

TALLAHASSEE — The chief justice of Florida’s Supreme Court says the state’s justice system will soon be allowed to resume in-person court proceedings without masks and social-distancing rules put in place last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lake Butler girl competing for $10K at international pageant

LAKE BUTLER — Julia Miller’s outfits may have done it for the judges over Memorial Day weekend at Lake Buena Vista. The not-quite-2-year-old pageant contestant’s teal and pink clothes with matching suspenders or her red, white and blue bell bottom ensemble could have swayed them.

NFC recognizes top students at convocation

As part of its annual honors convocation ceremony, North Florida College recognized 29 outstanding students across 33 academic and student leadership areas. Six Suwannee County residents and two Hamilton County students were among the Sentinels honored during the virtual event.

DeSantis signs pair of bills aiding military

TALLAHASSEE — Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills Friday aimed at helping veterans transition to the civilian workforce and a third that helps children of active military members adjust to new schools.

State sees revenue increase in April

TALLAHASSEE — As federal stimulus checks gave Floridians more money to spend, the state’s April revenue collections topped an economists’ forecast by nearly 24%.

Wellborn man arrested after pushing senior

WELLBORN — Roles reversed during Memorial Day weekend when a middle-aged man told a senior citizen to get off his lawn.

LO man arrested on gun charge

LIVE OAK — The kickoff for Memorial Day weekend nearly turned deadly when law enforcement officials say a man pointed a loaded firearm at several people Saturday afternoon.

NFC Foundation awards scholarships for 2021

MADISON — The North Florida College Foundation recently announced 55 NFC High School Seniors Scholarship awardees for 2021, including 21 from Columbia, Hamilton and Suwannee counties.

DeSantis vetoes $1.5B out of record budget

TALLAHASSEE — While pointing to an economic resurgence amid the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday used his line-item veto power to slash $1.5 billion as he signed a record $100 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Wellborn man arrested for clubbing victim

WELLBORN — Club sandwiches, not seals. Or, in this case, people too.  Todd Jay Brown, 51, was arrested Memorial Day evening around 6:53 p.m. after law enforcement officials say Brown hit a victim over the head with a club.