Regional

Taylor and Kayli McCathern hold bags of presents that God’s Hidden Angels collected for underprivileged children in Suwannee County. (COURTESY)

Taylor and Kayli McCathern hold bags of presents that God’s Hidden Angels collected for underprivileged children in Suwannee County. (COURTESY)

God’s Hidden Angels brighten Christmas for Suwannee kids

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
More than 400 Suwannee County children will have a merry Christmas thanks to God’s Hidden Angels. The group and the First Methodist Church of Live Oak distributed Christmas presents to 460 area children, the majority of which are in the homeless program in the Suwannee County School District.
Milton Smith and Darren Webb with GSMS Developers cut the ribbon in front of one of the new houses in the Canyon Vistas subdivision in Live Oak. GSMS evelopers was joined at the ribbon cutting by Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce represenatatives as well as Suwannee County and City of Live Oak officials. (MONJA SLATER/Lake City Reporter)

Milton Smith and Darren Webb with GSMS Developers cut the ribbon in front of one of the new houses in the Canyon Vistas subdivision in Live Oak. GSMS evelopers was joined at the ribbon cutting by Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce represenatatives as well as Suwannee County and City of Live Oak officials. (MONJA SLATER/Lake City Reporter)

GSMS Developers building out Canyon Vistas

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
New homes within walking distance of the major growth area of Live Oak were being shown off to the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce and interested residents earlier this month.
The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus in Pasco County is a 98,000-square-foot facility originally built as a regional shelter. Suwannee County has been selected as the host of a shelter for North Florida. (COURTESY FLORIDA SPORTS COAST)

The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus in Pasco County is a 98,000-square-foot facility originally built as a regional shelter. Suwannee County has been selected as the host of a shelter for North Florida. (COURTESY FLORIDA SPORTS COAST)

Suwannee shelter awarded $38M

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 19, 2025
Eighteen months after landing Project Summit, Suwannee County received the funding to make the regional storm shelter a reality.
Jason Furry, Suwannee County’s interim administrator, was selected for the full-time role. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Jason Furry, Suwannee County’s interim administrator, was selected for the full-time role. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County taps Furry for administrator

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Suwannee County plans to make its interim county administrator as the permanent head of county operations.
Phury Hunlock (left), 10, and Piper Hunlock, 13, volunteer their time arranging books that will be given as Toys for Tots Christmas gifts. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Phury Hunlock (left), 10, and Piper Hunlock, 13, volunteer their time arranging books that will be given as Toys for Tots Christmas gifts. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee Toys for Tots seeking more donations

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
WELLBORN — The Suwannee County Toys for Tots program, in the final days of toy distribution, is seeking additional donations from local residents and businesses. “We are in desperate need of toys this year,” Annita Leonard, Suwannee County Toys for Tots coordinator, said.
The renovated San Juan de la Cruz Catholic Mission in Branford reopened Sunday with a dedication Mass. The church had been closed since April 2023 for renovations. (COURTESY)

The renovated San Juan de la Cruz Catholic Mission in Branford reopened Sunday with a dedication Mass. The church had been closed since April 2023 for renovations. (COURTESY)

San Juan de la Cruz Mission reopens

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
BRANFORD — This past Sunday, the San Juan de la Cruz Catholic Mission community came together to celebrate the first Mass in their renovated church. It was the first Mass in their church since April 2023.
Vicki Waters said her property on 119th Road in Live Oak needs to be turned into a retention pond. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Vicki Waters said her property on 119th Road in Live Oak needs to be turned into a retention pond. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee commission seeks time on FEMA program

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
The Suwannee County Commission wanted more time to think before diving into a federal funding program to purchase flooded property.