Regional

Sheriff Sam St. John answers questions Tuesday about the findings regarding his office that were identified in the audit by Powell and Jones. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Potential fraud among issues audit finds at Suwannee sheriff’s office

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

The Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office has deficiencies in its financial management according to the county’s independent auditor.

Turning Point USA miscommunication cleared up at SHS

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

A misunderstanding at Suwannee High School over the potential forming of a Turning Point USA chapter has been cleared up according to district officials. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a letter Oct.

Interim Suwannee County Administrator Jason Furry said the county needs to make sure and not wait 30 years to do another compensation study. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County bumping salaries, changing titles

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Lower paid Suwannee County employees are going to receive a pay increase.

Life sentences handed down for sexual assaults

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

A Live Oak man has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting children. Craig Ames, 60, was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences by Circuit Judge Mark Feagle on Oct. 16 after pleading guilty to charges for sexual battery of children under the age of 12.

Pair killed in fiery crash

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

WHITE SPRINGS — A pair of Illinois residents were killed early Sunday morning in a fiery crash on Interstate 75 near the White Springs exit. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a semi-trailer and a small SUV collided near mile marker 440 around 2 a.m.

Live Oak Fire Department and Suwannee County Fire Rescue crews battled a blaze at an abandoned house at the Hreen Avenue and Howart Street intersection Oct. 16. (COURTESY LIVE OAK FIRE DEPARTMENT)

No injuries in pair of Live Oak fires

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Two separate residential fires inside the City of Live Oak last week resulted in no injuries. On Oct. 16, crews from the Live Oak Fire Department and the Suwannee County Fire Rescure responded to two structure fires. The first occurred at 1:10 p.m.

Hamilton cardroom expansion headed to court

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

TALLAHASSEE — A Jacksonville cardroom operator is alleging that state gambling officials lacked the authority to allow a tiny parimutuel permit holder in Hamilton County to expand to open a new poker room.

Judge weighs medical marijuana licenses

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

TALLAHASSEE — A months-long hearing kicked off Monday in a fierce licensure battle over a rare opportunity to join the state’s medical-marijuana industry.

House serving up property tax cut options

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Friday, October 17, 2025

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House on Thursday rolled out a series of proposed constitutional amendments to cut property taxes, while looking to shield funding for schools and law enforcement. House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) outlined the menu of proposals, which came as Gov.

Bradley files decommissioned solar sites bill

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Friday, October 17, 2025

A local Republican state Senator filed a bill (SB 200) Wednesday that would allow counties to pass ordinances about the decommissioning of solar-energy facilities after the end of the facilities’ “useful life.