Regional

UF, FSU ranked in top 20 public universities

NEWS STAFF
Monday, September 14, 2020
TALLAHASSEE — The University of Florida and Florida State University remained ranked among the top 20 public universities in the country Monday, as U.S. News & World Report released annual ratings that have become a closely watched scorecard for colleges.

Bars, breweries back on tap

NEWS STAFF
Friday, September 11, 2020
TALLAHASSEE — Florida bars can open the taps again Monday. Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears announced Thursday he was rescinding an emergency order that prevented onsite consumption of alcohol at bars amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Appointments needed for Suwannee testing

NEWS STAFF
Friday, September 11, 2020
LIVE OAK — The Suwannee County Health Department is continuing to offer free covid-19 testing. However, the September drive-thru testing events at the Suwannee Coliseum will be by appointment only.

Report details state’s financial woes

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, September 10, 2020
TALLAHASSEE — State legislative budget chiefs anticipate “short-term challenges” during the next legislative session as economists project a $2.7 billion shortfall because of the coronavirus-fueled recession. The shortfall would be in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, which will start July 1.
Josh Wehinger, (from left) Lake City Fire Department assistant chief and Andy Mangrum, a Lake City Police Department investigator, fold the American Flag after a brief 9/11 memorial ceremony rehearsal Wednesday afternoon at the city’s Public Safety building. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Josh Wehinger, (from left) Lake City Fire Department assistant chief and Andy Mangrum, a Lake City Police Department investigator, fold the American Flag after a brief 9/11 memorial ceremony rehearsal Wednesday afternoon at the city’s Public Safety building. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

'We don't ever forget': First responders plan 9/11 memorial service

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
The Lake City police and fire departments will hold a memorial 9/11 service Friday in honor of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

DeSantis vetoes raising smoking age to 21

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
TALLAHASSEE — Saying the proposal would have driven Floridians “to the hazardous black market,” Gov. Ron DeSantis late Tuesday vetoed a measure that would have banned the sale of nearly all flavored electronic-cigarette products and raised the state’s smoking age from 18 to 21.

Regan recalled for love of Suwannee County, Democrat

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
LIVE OAK — Barely two months after Live Oak and Suwannee County lost its newspaper, the community lost another institution in longtime former Suwannee Democrat publisher Myra Regan. Regan, 64, passed away Monday in Jacksonville after an extended illness.

Father, son duo charged in dispute

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
A father and son both face criminal charges in the aftermath of a domestic dispute on Main Boulevard early Monday morning, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report.
A truck sits in the middle of Branford Fitness and Tanning after ramming into the gym late Monday night. Nobody was injured in the crash. (COURTESY BILL PROCKO)

A truck sits in the middle of Branford Fitness and Tanning after ramming into the gym late Monday night. Nobody was injured in the crash. (COURTESY BILL PROCKO)

Shredded workout: Drunk driver crashes into Branford gym

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
BRANFORD — Instead of crashing after a trip to the gym, a Branford man crashed into the gym late Monday night, according to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office.