Regional

DeSantis places focus on vaccinating seniors

TALLAHASSEE — The first wave of covid-19 vaccinations in Florida went primarily to people under age 65, as Gov. Ron DeSantis says the state is pivoting to give the vast majority of shots to seniors due to their increased risk of illness and death from the coronavirus.

Trump assails covid relief bill; suggests he may not sign it

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is assailing the bipartisan $900 billion pandemic relief package that Congress just passed and is suggesting that he may not sign it.

House passes covid relief bill

WASHINGTON — The House easily passed a $900 billion pandemic relief package Monday night that would finally deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in covid-19 cases and deaths. Lawmakers tacked on a $1.

Thompson appointed to fill SRWMD vacancy

LIVE OAK — A Lake City businessman was appointed to the Suwannee River Water Management District board last week. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Larry Thompson to the board on Friday.

Pfizer, Moderna vaccines rolling into state

TALLAHASSEE — Florida is receiving a shipment of about 120,000 covid-19 vaccine doses from Pfizer this week and will get another 360,000-plus doses of a vaccine from Moderna, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday.

Pedestrian hit, killed late Thursday

LIVE OAK — A Live Oak man was struck and killed Thursday night while walking along U.S. Highway 90. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 42-year-old man was hit by a pickup heading east near County Road 49 around 10:30 p.m.

White Springs weigh stations undergoing improvements

WHITE SPRINGS — A $1.64 million facelift for the Interstate 75 weigh stations near White Springs have begun. The Florida Department of Transportation project will include enhanced lighting, electrical improvements and other incidental construction at both the northbound and southbound stations.

Area unemployment rate continues to increase

For the second straight month, the number of unemployed workers rose in the Suwannee Valley. According to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Columbia County’s jobless rate increased to 5.7% in November, while Suwannee County’s reached 5.2% in the month.

U.S. clears Moderna vaccine for covid-19

WASHINGTON — The U.S. added a second covid-19 vaccine to its arsenal Friday, boosting efforts to beat back an outbreak so dire that the nation is regularly recording more than 3,000 deaths a day.

EPA grants Florida permitting authority

TALLAHASSEE — In a relatively rare move, the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection on Thursday announced approval of a plan to hand over federal permitting authority to Florida for projects that affect wetlands.