Regional

Bradley captures Senate primary

Seeking to succeed her husband in the Florida Senate, Jennifer Bradley took the first step Tuesday night. Bradley received nearly 60% of the vote to defeat Jason Holifield to win the Republican primary from Florida’s District 5.

Suspects sought from Busy Bee beating

Racially charged violence broke out at a local Busy Bee early Sunday morning, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report. The incident was initially believed to be a possible hate crime, but deputies later determined the victims may have “possibly enticed the fight,” the report says.

Two killed in area wrecks

An accident Monday morning on Interstate 10 was deadly, as was a fiery early-morning crash in White Springs. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a tractor-trailer and a sedan were both traveling west on I-10 around 11:20 a.m.

Corcoran: Use ‘surgical’ response to virus in schools

TALLAHASSEE — Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran is urging local school officials to be “very surgical, not sweeping” when responding to coronavirus cases, which he acknowledged are likely to occur as classes resume this month.

Two additional Columbia County covid-19 deaths reported

Two additional deaths linked to the covid-19 coronavirus were announced for Columbia County over the weekend. The Columbia County Health Department announced the death of a 74-year-old man and a 78-year-old woman Saturday after they contracted the virus.

Renovation nearly complete at Rum Island Park

FORT WHITE — Nearly a year after it closed for renovations, county officials say Rum Island Park is expected to reopen by the end of the month. Rum Island Park initially closed Sept. 9, 2019, for construction and renovation work. Since then the park has seen months of construction.

FGC fall semester begins Monday

Students from around the area will continue their pursuit of a college education when fall semester classes at Florida Gateway College begin Monday morning.

Three covid-19 deaths added in Columbia

Three more Columbia County residents have died from the covid-19 coronavirus. The Columbia County Health Department announced the deaths Friday of a 102-year-old woman, an 88-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man. There are now 24 deaths in the county linked to the virus.

Holtzclaw’s devotion to education recalled

O’BRIEN — James “J.M.” Monroe Holtzclaw worked for more than just peanuts. In addition to spending most of his life as a farmer, Holtzclaw also worked just as hard for students in Suwannee County, where he spent 32 years as a member of the Suwannee County School Board.

Cops: Man painted stolen truck to disguise it

LIVE OAK — A Live Oak man is facing several theft charges after authorities say he stole a pickup truck from the Enviro Waste facility at the Suwannee County landfill, disguised it with household paint and sold most of the tools he found on the truck for drugs or cash.