Regional

NFWUA Chairman Rocky Ford congratulated Executive Director Shannon Roberts for his work thus far with the Authority. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

NFWUA Chairman Rocky Ford congratulated Executive Director Shannon Roberts for his work thus far with the Authority. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Utility Authority seeking $500K from counties

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
LIVE OAK — The North Florida Water Utilities Authority is looking for more than $500,000 from both Columbia and Suwannee counties to fund its 2025-26 operations.
NFWUA Executive Director Shannon Roberts said his goals for the upcoming year fit into three categories. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

NFWUA Executive Director Shannon Roberts said his goals for the upcoming year fit into three categories. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Roberts lays out yearly goals for NFWUA

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
LIVE OAK — Currently the North Florida Water Utilities Authority consists of a director, an attorney and consultants. That will change within the next few months if NFWUA Executive Director Shannon Roberts’ goals and objectives for the upcoming year are realized.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (left) and Secretary of State Cord Byrd applaud the unveiling of a statue of Thomas Jefferson in Jefferson County on Wednesday as part of a new initiative to acquire statues of different counties’ namesakes. (COURTESY)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (left) and Secretary of State Cord Byrd applaud the unveiling of a statue of Thomas Jefferson in Jefferson County on Wednesday as part of a new initiative to acquire statues of different counties’ namesakes. (COURTESY)

Statues planned for Florida counties

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
New monuments to America’s founders are set to pop up around the state over the next year. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday the launch of Florida’s America250FL campaign, which aims to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

Sanchez, Horn to headline SOSMP weekend shows

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground is gearing up to celebrate Independence Day. As part of America’s 249th birthday, the SOSMP is getting ready to host celebrations both Friday and Saturday nights.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a new state budget Monday. (LUIS SANTANA/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a new state budget Monday. (LUIS SANTANA/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

$117.4B budget approved with $567M in vetoes

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
​TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed what he said was a $117.4 billion budget for the fiscal year that will start Tuesday and issued $567 million in line-item vetoes, while saying the plan better prepares the state for potential economic downturns.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office received its reaccreditation status June 19 at the FLA-PAC Conference in Orlando. Receiving the recognition for the CCSO were Chief Deputy Katina Dicks (second from left), Sgt. James Cason (middle) and Sgt. Amy Geier (second from right). (COURTESY)

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office received its reaccreditation status June 19 at the FLA-PAC Conference in Orlando. Receiving the recognition for the CCSO were Chief Deputy Katina Dicks (second from left), Sgt. James Cason (middle) and Sgt. Amy Geier (second from right). (COURTESY)

CCSO receives reaccreditation designation

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 27, 2025
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has achieved reaccreditation. The reaccreditation designation was awarded to the CCSO on June 19 by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement at the summer FLA-PAC (Florida Police Accreditation Commission) Conference held in Orlando.
Columbia County Clerk of Court Jay Swisher, talking to the North Florida Water Utilities Authority board last year, is looking for the group to begin handling its own finances by this fall. (FILE)

Columbia County Clerk of Court Jay Swisher, talking to the North Florida Water Utilities Authority board last year, is looking for the group to begin handling its own finances by this fall. (FILE)

Swisher wants NFWUA to handle own finances

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 27, 2025
Now that the North Florida Water Utilities Authority has its executive director, it can begin handling its own finances, according to Columbia County Clerk of Court Jay Swisher.

Brannan: Budget includes $50M in Columbia funding

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 27, 2025
The state budget that is set to take effect next week pending the governor’s signature will have more than $50 million in funding for Columbia County, according to Rep. Chuck Brannan (R-Macclenny). The budget, which must be signed by Gov.