Regional

Live Oak City Council President Matt Campbell (right) looks on as County President Pro-Tem Tommie Jefferson speaks Tuesday during a budget workshop about the need for funding to pave streets in his district, including Spruce Street. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak City Council President Matt Campbell (right) looks on as County President Pro-Tem Tommie Jefferson speaks Tuesday during a budget workshop about the need for funding to pave streets in his district, including Spruce Street. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sessions: Better communication will lead to better productivity

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
LIVE OAK — As the city looks to finalize its fiscal year 2025-26 budget, Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions wants his staff removed from the “witness stand.
Live Oak CRA Director Nicholas Frigiola said a revised plan for the group would allow it to ‘stay around for a long time.’ (FILE)

Live Oak CRA Director Nicholas Frigiola said a revised plan for the group would allow it to ‘stay around for a long time.’ (FILE)

Live Oak CRA seeks expansion, new plan

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
LIVE OAK — The Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency is looking to get a new governing plan and possibly an expanded district.

Live Oak man charged with aggravated child abuse

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
LIVE OAK — A Live Oak man was arrested Saturday following a two-month investigation into severe injuries sustained by a 1-year-old child in his custody. According to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office report, Tomas Cortes-Johnson, 24, called 911 in June due to the child having trouble breathing.
Members of Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165, Lori Watson (Lodge Grant Coordinator), Donald Watson (Past District Deputy) and Cathy Davis (Exalted Ruler) met at the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church Food Ministry in Falmouth on Saturday to present a $,6000 check from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Gary Watson, food ministry founder/manager, and his team of volunteers. (COURTESY)

Members of Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165, Lori Watson (Lodge Grant Coordinator), Donald Watson (Past District Deputy) and Cathy Davis (Exalted Ruler) met at the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church Food Ministry in Falmouth on Saturday to present a $,6000 check from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Gary Watson, food ministry founder/manager, and his team of volunteers. (COURTESY)

Elks provide $6K to food ministry

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
FALMOUTH — A western Suwannee County food ministry received a helping hand Saturday from the Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165. Members of Elks Lodge #1165 met Saturday at the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church Food Ministry to present a $6,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to the ministry.

Johns reappointed to SRWMD governing board

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
LIVE OAK — Virginia Johns will continue to serve on the Suwannee River Water Management District’s governing board. Johns was reappointed to the district board by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday. Johns, who is currently the district’s board chair, has been the president of John C.
Columbia County is seeking input from property owners on what changes need to occur in the comprehensive plan and land development regulations.

Columbia County is seeking input from property owners on what changes need to occur in the comprehensive plan and land development regulations.

County wants you to help determine land development regulations

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Columbia County is still seeking input from property owners on how to address and adapt its land development regulations for the future. The county hasn’t updated its comprehensive plan and land development regulations in years.
Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby talks to the County Commission about the revised hurricane response plan Thursday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby talks to the County Commission about the revised hurricane response plan Thursday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Commission OKs new hurricane response plan

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, August 22, 2025
Columbia County is getting its ducks in a row ahead of hurricane season. Columbia County Commissioners voted unanimously during their Thursday meeting to approve a new disaster preparedness plan.
Baker Correctional Institution in Sanderson is set to become an immigrant detention center thanks due its proximity to the Lake City Gateway Airport and the infrastructure already in place at the state facility. (KALEY MANTZ/Fresh Take Florida)

Baker Correctional Institution in Sanderson is set to become an immigrant detention center thanks due its proximity to the Lake City Gateway Airport and the infrastructure already in place at the state facility. (KALEY MANTZ/Fresh Take Florida)

‘Deportation Depot’ immigrant detention center stirs fears among neighbors

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
SANDERSON — Lucy Johnson didn’t know a shuttered prison down the road would soon hold as many as 2,000 immigrant detainees until a reporter told her.