Regional

LifeSouth: It’s OK to donate with vaccine

People vaccinated from covid-19 are still safe to donate blood. According to LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, all eligible donors are still urged to support their local blood supply.

Florida gains seat in House

TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s surging population growth is expanding the state’s reach over the nation’s political landscape, giving it one more congressional seat and greater influence on the path to the presidency.

SOSMP adds pair of venue vets to weekend lineup

LIVE OAK — Even with this weekend’s Suwannee Country Live Golf Cart Drive-In music festival on the docket, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground is carrying on with another act in the works.  LeeAnn Purvis, a 15-year-old Jacksonville native, will make another appearance at the SOSMP.

Siegmeister pleads not guilty

JACKSONVILLE — The Third Judicial Circuit’s former state attorney pled not guilty in federal court Thursday.

Panel urges J&J covid vaccine restart

U.S.health advisers on Friday urged resuming covid-19 vaccinations with Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose shot, saying its benefits outweigh a rare risk of blood clots — in line with Europe’s rollout.

Ocala woman arrested for stealing cell phone

Not wanting police to be called Thursday afternoon, authorities said an Ocala woman took matters into her own hands, swiping the cell phone out of the victims hands and taking off.

The Gathering coming to Live Oak Commons

LIVE OAK — Cooking up a restaurant for the Live Oak Commons shopping plaza, its developer is looking for the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency to help with the groceries.

Binderholz deal saves county grant funds

LIVE OAK — Left holding the bag on grant funding at its catalyst site, Suwannee County is getting a helping hand from its new sawmill owner.

Activists hope Chauvin convictions are start to real change

MINNEAPOLIS — “One down, three to go!” went the chant just minutes after Derek Chauvin was convicted in George Floyd’s death — a reference to three more fired officers who are awaiting trial.

Jobless rate climbs in March

The unemployment rate was unchanged across the state in March, but climbed slightly locally. According to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Columbia County’s March unemployment rate jumped up 0.4% from February to 4.9%.