Regional

Bright Futures revamp put on hold

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
TALLAHASSEE — A controversial Senate proposal that would cut state-backed Bright Futures scholarships for students in degree programs that don’t “lead directly to employment” has been put on hold and is expected to undergo changes. Sponsored by Sen.

SCSO: O’Brien man tries to run down family member twice

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 8, 2021
O’BRIEN — A family dispute turned serious Saturday when an O’Brien man allegedly tried to hit a family member with his vehicle before chasing him with a knife. According to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, 27-year-old Anthony Perkins argued with the victim around 1:20 p.m.
Afternoon partiers crowd the outdoor area of Cafe Ibiza in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday as spring break is starting to ramp up on Fort Lauderdale beach and nearby bars. (MIKE STOCKER/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS)

Afternoon partiers crowd the outdoor area of Cafe Ibiza in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday as spring break is starting to ramp up on Fort Lauderdale beach and nearby bars. (MIKE STOCKER/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS)

Spring-break partying falls victim to covid-19 crisis

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, March 8, 2021
FORT LAUDERDALE — Goodbye, sunshine. Hello, study sessions.  Colleges around the U.S. are scaling back spring break or canceling it entirely to discourage partying that could spread the virus and raise infection rates back on campus.
President Joe Biden speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House on Saturday in Washington. The Senate approved a sweeping pandemic relief package over Republican opposition on Saturday, moving Biden closer to a milestone political victory that would provide $1,400 checks for most American and direct billions of dollars to schools, state and local governments, and businesses. (ALEX BRANDON/Associated Press)

President Joe Biden speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House on Saturday in Washington. The Senate approved a sweeping pandemic relief package over Republican opposition on Saturday, moving Biden closer to a milestone political victory that would provide $1,400 checks for most American and direct billions of dollars to schools, state and local governments, and businesses. (ALEX BRANDON/Associated Press)

Biden, Dems prevail as Senate OKs $1.9T virus relief bill

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, March 6, 2021
WASHINGTON — An exhausted Senate narrowly approved a $1.9 trillion covid-19 relief bill Saturday as President Joe Biden and his Democratic allies notched a victory they called crucial for hoisting the country out of the pandemic and economic doldrums.
Siegmeister was indicted by a grand jury Feb. 24. (FILE)

Siegmeister was indicted by a grand jury Feb. 24. (FILE)

Siegmeister ordered back to Florida in U.S. Marshal custody

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 5, 2021
Labeled a flight risk, Jeff Siegmeister was denied bond Thursday in federal court in Arizona. Siegmeister, the former state attorney for Florida’s Third Judicial Circuit, was also ordered to appear in the Middle District of Florida — he is to be transported back to Florida in custody of the U.S.

BOCC nixes deals with city on utilities

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 5, 2021
County officials, unable to get on the same page with city officials regarding utility needs,  terminated an interlocal agreement with the city as well as rescinded a former motion that would have annexed a county industrial park into city limits.

Fort White issuing request for proposals on providing water

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 5, 2021
FORT WHITE — The small town at the southern end of the county has unexpectedly become the apple of the other local governmental entities’ eye, as the City of Lake City and Columbia County appear set to battle to be the Town of Fort White’s water provider.

House poised to pass business liability protections

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Thursday, March 4, 2021
TALLAHASSEE — The House moved one step closer Thursday to shielding businesses from lawsuits related to covid-19, teeing up for passage a bill that would give Florida businesses some of the broadest protections in the country But a House panel earlier in the day also moved forward with a separate...