Regional

Fla. voter turnout may near 1992 mark

NEWS STAFF

Monday, October 26, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Floridians might approach the highest voter-turnout rate for a general election in at least half a century, as more than 41% of eligible voters have already cast ballots in the Nov. 3 election.

Suwannee County officials with state legislators Chuck Brannan and Rob Bradley after receiving a check for $750,000 in state appropriations for a new fire station. (COURTESY Suwannee County Fire Rescue)

Suwannee receives $750K for fire station

JAMIE WACHTER

Saturday, October 24, 2020

LIVE OAK — There were some anxious moments in the final days — heck, even hours — of the state budget process for Suwannee County officials.

Covid claims 16th life in Lafayette

NEWS STAFF

Saturday, October 24, 2020

MAYO — A 16th person has died in Lafayette County after testing positive for covid-19, according to the Lafayette County Health Department. The health department announced the death Friday, which involved a 71-year-old man.

Toll road recommendations draw mixed reactions

NEWS STAFF

Saturday, October 24, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Recommendations approved this week about controversial toll-road projects planned to run through rural areas of Florida drew mixed reactions from two environmental groups that participated in task forces that reviewed the projects.

Trump, Biden clash in civil debate

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Thursday, October 22, 2020

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— After the first presidential debate was panned so widely that organizers introduced a mute button, Thursday’s second and final debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden was far more civil.

Branford woman sentenced two years for Irma fraud

NEWS STAFF

Thursday, October 22, 2020

JACKSONVILLE — A Suwannee County woman was sentenced to two years in federal prison Wednesday for disaster assistance fraud, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Deannajo White, a 39-year-old from Branford, was sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $15,331.

President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, right, participate in the first presidential debate in Cleveland in September. (SCOTT OLSON/Getty Images)

Face to face: Trump, Biden meeting for final debate

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden are set to square off in their final debate Thursday, one of the last high-profile opportunities for the trailing incumbent to change the trajectory of an increasingly contentious campaign.

State questioning covid death data

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — With reported covid-19 deaths of Florida residents topping 16,000 this week, the state Department of Health said Wednesday that information about fatalities needs a “more rigorous review.

Santa Claus visits with Evelyn, left, and Darcy Floyd at last year’s Christmas on the Square in Live Oak. The Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday the 36th annual festival will be held this year with safety protocols in place for the covid-19 pandemic. (SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT)

Christmas comes early: Live Oak’s annual Christmas on the Square festival is a go

JAMIE WACHTER

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

LIVE OAK — Tis the season for Christmas on the Square. The Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce officially announced Tuesday that the annual festival that serves as a kickoff to the holiday season will return Dec. 3-5.

Courts seek $16M to dig out of hole from pandemic

NEWS STAFF

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s state court system needs more than $16 million to address increased workloads caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a budget request submitted last week to the Legislature. The major portion of the request — more than $12.