Regional

Rabies alert issued west of Live Oak

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Western Suwannee County is on alert for rabies.The Suwannee County Health Department issued a rabies alert for the Live Oak area off west U.S. Highway 90 on Aug. 26.
Lafayette County 4-H teens built a 6-by-8-foot tiny house during the sixth annual Build It Camp this summer. The tiny house will be raffled off during Pioneer Day on Oct. 10 to raise funds for 4-H programs in the future. (COURTESY LAFAYETTE COUNTY 4-H)

Lafayette County 4-H teens built a 6-by-8-foot tiny house during the sixth annual Build It Camp this summer. The tiny house will be raffled off during Pioneer Day on Oct. 10 to raise funds for 4-H programs in the future. (COURTESY LAFAYETTE COUNTY 4-H)

Tiny house, big purpose: Lafayette 4-H raffling off house at Pioneer Day

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
By Shawn JacksonLafayette County Extension DirectorLafayette County 4-H is turning hard work, hands-on learning, and community support into an opportunity to help provide even more experiences for local youth.A 6-by-8-foot tiny house constructed by Lafayette County 4-H teens during the sixth annual...

Suwannee County holding tentative budget hearing Thursday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
The Suwannee County Commission will hold its tentative budget hearing today at the Judicial Annex.The hearing is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. at the Annex, 218 Parshley Street SW in Live Oak.During the budget hearing, the board will tentatively approve the tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year as well...

Suwannee school board to approve budget, millage Tuesday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
The Suwannee County School Board will adopt its tax rate and operating budget Tuesday.The board’s final budget hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the district’s administrative office, 1740 Ohio Avenue S, in Live Oak.The board will consider the final millage rate for the 2026-27 school year which...
Krista Turner(right) and Judee Mundy look over plants in the Edible Ornamental Landscaping area at Hearthstone Botanical Gardens in Wellborn. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Krista Turner(right) and Judee Mundy look over plants in the Edible Ornamental Landscaping area at Hearthstone Botanical Gardens in Wellborn. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Buzzing with funds: Target donates to bee bug houses at Hearthstone

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
WELLBORN — A local botanical garden plans to add a more artistry-related plant setting and new bug houses after receiving grant funds from a local corporate neighbor.Hearthstone Botanical Gardens recently received $3,000 in grant funds from the Target Distribution Center for upcoming projects at...
State Sen. Corey Simon and Suwannee County Superintendent Ronnie Gray cut the ribbon on the nursing addition building at RIVEROAK Technical College last Thursday. (MONJA SLATER/Lake City Reporter)

State Sen. Corey Simon and Suwannee County Superintendent Ronnie Gray cut the ribbon on the nursing addition building at RIVEROAK Technical College last Thursday. (MONJA SLATER/Lake City Reporter)

New nursing building represents ‘investment in the community’

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Three years after delivering a ceremonial giant check, Sen. Corey Simon was back at RIVEROAK Technical College last week to see exactly what that $4 million turned into.It is more than just the 8,520-square-foot addition to the nursing building at RTC, according to the Tallahassee Republican.“It...
The Suwannee County Fire Rescue Honor Guard stand at attention as Fire Chief Dan Miller prepares to speak at the grand opening of Station 6 on Aug. 19. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

The Suwannee County Fire Rescue Honor Guard stand at attention as Fire Chief Dan Miller prepares to speak at the grand opening of Station 6 on Aug. 19. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee opens northern fire station

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
It wasn’t always smooth sailing but Suwannee County finally secured its newest fire station and first north of the railroad tracks that cross the county.After opening Station 6, which is located in a former church building along U.S. Highway 129 north of Interstate 10, earlier this year, Suwannee...
Live Oak Finance Director Tammy Girard said the city has added more than $5 million in funds to its upcoming budget to start the process of infrastructure improvements and repaving of Helvenston Street. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak Finance Director Tammy Girard said the city has added more than $5 million in funds to its upcoming budget to start the process of infrastructure improvements and repaving of Helvenston Street. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Street, utility repairs targeted in Live Oak budget

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
The City of Live Oak is planning on addressing some major infrastructure upgrades.During a brief budget workshop Tuesday afternoon, Live Oak Finance Director Tammy Girard told the Live Oak City Council that she had added $5.2 million in funds to address Helvenston Street as part of a concerted...
A picture of the Suwannee River from the Suwannee River Water Managment District’s Swift Creek tract in Hamilton County. The picture is the district’s photo of the month for August in its 2026 calendar. (COURTESY MIKE HANKEY)

A picture of the Suwannee River from the Suwannee River Water Managment District’s Swift Creek tract in Hamilton County. The picture is the district’s photo of the month for August in its 2026 calendar. (COURTESY MIKE HANKEY)

SRWMD calendar photo contest is open

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
In a continued effort to showcase the beauty and significance of outher region’s natural resources, the Suwannee River Water Management District is now accepting submissions for its annual photography competition.

Suwannee Co. man arrested for inappropriate texts, pictures

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
A Suwannee County man was arrested Tuesday for sending inappropriate pictures and texts to a minor.According to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office report, 60-year-old Robert Young admitted to an SCSO investigator on Tuesday that he had known the victim for nearly 10 years, but said that her...