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Yulee recalled for love, passion for Live Oak

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
LIVE OAK — John Yulee’s impact on Suwannee County and the City of Live Oak is visible every single day at the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce office and Heritage Park & Gardens. Yulee, who served 16 years in two different stints on the Live Oak City Council, passed away Tuesday. He was 75.
Students in Rosa Davis’s class at Suwannee Riverside Elementary have been reading ‘The Energy Bus for Kids’ this week for the start of the school year. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY)

Students in Rosa Davis’s class at Suwannee Riverside Elementary have been reading ‘The Energy Bus for Kids’ this week for the start of the school year. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY)

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‘Smooth’ start to school year for Suwannee County School District

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
LIVE OAK — All things considered, this week’s start to the school year in Suwannee County has gone extremely well. Ronnie Gray, the superintendent of schools in Suwannee County, said Wednesday that the first few days of the academic year were “smooth.
The Live Oak City Council is wanting to install a ‘Welcome to Historic Live Oak’ city sign on U.S. Highway 129 north of town to welcome visitors, similar to the signs that are on U.S. 90 on the east and west sides of town, as well as U.S. 129 south and State Road 51. (STASI WACHTER/Special to the Reporter)

The Live Oak City Council is wanting to install a ‘Welcome to Historic Live Oak’ city sign on U.S. Highway 129 north of town to welcome visitors, similar to the signs that are on U.S. 90 on the east and west sides of town, as well as U.S. 129 south and State Road 51. (STASI WACHTER/Special to the Reporter)

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Live Oak eyes new welcome sign on 129N

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
By JAMIE WACHTER jwachter@lakecityreporter.com LIVE OAK — The City of Live Oak hoping to upgrade its welcome to visitors, particularly on the north side of town.
Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions said Development Director George Curtis was the right person to handle the responsility of approving subdivision plats, as mandated by new state law, for the city. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions said Development Director George Curtis was the right person to handle the responsility of approving subdivision plats, as mandated by new state law, for the city. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

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Curtis given plat approval authority

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
LIVE OAK — The development process is getting sped up, aided by the loss of control and oversight by local governing bodies.
Michael Douglas and the Harlem Legends will be performing Saturday at the Suwannee Coliseum. (COURTESY)

Michael Douglas and the Harlem Legends will be performing Saturday at the Suwannee Coliseum. (COURTESY)

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Harlem Legends visiting Suwannee Coliseum

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
LIVE OAK — A group of globetrotting hoopers will be making its way back to Suwannee County for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Standing among fellow expectant graduates at the NFC Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony, Caroline Wynn smiles as she prepares to cross the stage and accept her diploma for an Associate in Arts Degree. (COURTESY)

Standing among fellow expectant graduates at the NFC Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony, Caroline Wynn smiles as she prepares to cross the stage and accept her diploma for an Associate in Arts Degree. (COURTESY)

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NFC leads state in grad rate for fourth straight year

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
MADISON — When Caroline Wynn first stepped onto the campus of North Florida College, she brought more than determination, she brought generations of rural resilience.
Renee Shiska won first place in the painting division at last year’s Autumn Artfest for ‘The Witness.’ (COURTESY)

Renee Shiska won first place in the painting division at last year’s Autumn Artfest for ‘The Witness.’ (COURTESY)

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Artfest deadline approaching

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
LIVE OAK — The Live Oak Artists Guild and the Suwannee River Regional Library are looking for a few — or many — good artists. The LOAG and the library are presenting their annual Autumn Artfest fine arts exhibition next month. The deadline to enter is Aug. 22.

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Part of school book law ruled unconstitutional

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Siding with publishers and authors, a federal judge Wednesday ruled that a key part of a 2023 Florida law that has led to books being removed from school library shelves is “overbroad and unconstitutional.” U.S.
Jay Collins, a former Green Beret and decorated veteran, left, is sworn in as Florida’s new lieutenant governor by Florida Supreme Court Justice Jamie Grosshans on Tuesday in Tampa. He is joined by his wife, Layla, and their sons, Gabe and Colt. At right, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stands with his wife, Casey DeSantis. (DOUGLAS CLIFFORD/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

Jay Collins, a former Green Beret and decorated veteran, left, is sworn in as Florida’s new lieutenant governor by Florida Supreme Court Justice Jamie Grosshans on Tuesday in Tampa. He is joined by his wife, Layla, and their sons, Gabe and Colt. At right, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stands with his wife, Casey DeSantis. (DOUGLAS CLIFFORD/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

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Collins named lieutenant governor

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday appointed Sen. Jay Collins, a Tampa Republican and retired Army Green Beret, to the long-vacant position of lieutenant governor amid speculation that Collins could run for governor in 2026.