Regional

Special Seven Springs meeting set by SRWMD

LIVE OAK — The Suwannee River Water Management District governing board has no plans to address the Seven Springs Water Company’s permit renewal at next week’s meeting.

FHP checking driver licenses

The Florida Highway Patrol will be conducting driver license checkpoints later this month. From Feb. 11-17, FHP will be checking driver licenses on County Road 252 east of Birley Avenue in Columbia County.

Suwannee County Fair canceled again

LIVE OAK — After a century of providing food, fun and games, the Suwannee County Fair has been sidelined once again. The Suwannee County Fair Association has announced for the second straight year the cancellation of the fair.

Trump lawyer: Impeachment case ‘undemocratic,’ ill-advised

WASHINGTON — Democrats are using the upcoming Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump as a political “weapon” to bar the former president from seeking office again, and are pursuing a case that is “undemocratic” and unconstitutional, one of his lawyers said Monday night.

SRWMD touts benefits of controlled burning

LIVE OAK — Prescribed fire is utilized by the Suwannee River Water Management District as part of its strategy to maintain natural resources and reduce the risk of wildfires.

DOH warns Withlacoochee may be contaminated

JASPER — The health department in Hamilton and Madison counties is advising people to stay clear of the Withlacoochee River. A joint health advisory was issued by the two agencies Friday of a potential bacterial contamination of the North Florida river with elevated indicators of fecal bacteria.

Statewide vaccine preregistration website launched

TALLAHASSEE — Florida launched a statewide system Friday for residents 65 and older and frontline medical workers to preregister for coronavirus vaccine appointments.

Tourism officials eye expansion of marketing efforts

TALLAHASSEE — While leaders push back against a federal recommendation to close bars and halt indoor restaurant dining, Florida’s tourism-marketing agency is looking west as the industry continues trying to rebound during the covid-19 pandemic.

DeSantis proposes $96.6B budget

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday proposed a record $96.6 billion state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, offering a more upbeat picture of Florida’s finances than lawmakers who will have to stitch together a spending plan as the covid-19 pandemic continues to hamper the economy.

Covid-19 protections sought for workers

TALLAHASSEE — As the Republican-led Legislature moves quickly to provide broad covid-19 liability limits for businesses, some lawmakers say additional protections should be provided for “essential” and front-line employees showing up for work.