Regional

Bullock convicted of organized fraud

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
A Live Oak businessman will be sentenced early next year for defrauding customers out of more than $50,000. Jason Bullock, 32, was convicted Friday following a week-long trial on the charge of organized fraud of more than $50,000.
Jared and Harper Lee show off their world championship buckles won at the Ericsson Memorial trials in Texas. Harper Lee won the youth division with Rainbow, while Jared Lee won the futurity championship and open reserve with Kong. (COURTESY)

Jared and Harper Lee show off their world championship buckles won at the Ericsson Memorial trials in Texas. Harper Lee won the youth division with Rainbow, while Jared Lee won the futurity championship and open reserve with Kong. (COURTESY)

Lees dominate worlds again

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
JACKSBORO, Texas — Another year, another set of world championships for Suwannee County’s Lee HDC Ranching. At the Ericsson Memorial in Texas earlier this month, the Hangin’ Tree Cowdogs trained by Jared Lee and his family dominated the competition for the fourth straight year.
The Lafayette FFA Forestry Evaluation Team finished as national runner-up at the 98th annual National FFA Convetion & Expo in Indianapolis on Oct. 29-31. Team members were Levi Smith, Fhelix Hernandez, Caden Boatright and Boone Riley, who are pictured with Advisor Tori Lyons. (COURTESY)

The Lafayette FFA Forestry Evaluation Team finished as national runner-up at the 98th annual National FFA Convetion & Expo in Indianapolis on Oct. 29-31. Team members were Levi Smith, Fhelix Hernandez, Caden Boatright and Boone Riley, who are pictured with Advisor Tori Lyons. (COURTESY)

Lafayette forestry finishes national runner-up

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
INDIANAPOLIS — The Lafayette FFA Forestry Evaluation Team is the second best in the country. During the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis on Oct. 29-31, the Lafayette High team finished as national runner-up, earning “Gold Team” honors.
Lafayette Middle FFA won its fourth state forestry title in five years Nov. 6 at the Florida Forest Festival Grounds in Perry. State champion team members were Miles Jackson, Brock King, Alex Stewart at Madison Ward. They are pictured with FFA Advisor Tori Lyons. (COURTESY)

Lafayette Middle FFA won its fourth state forestry title in five years Nov. 6 at the Florida Forest Festival Grounds in Perry. State champion team members were Miles Jackson, Brock King, Alex Stewart at Madison Ward. They are pictured with FFA Advisor Tori Lyons. (COURTESY)

Lafayette Middle FFA wins state forestry title

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
PERRY — Lafayette Middle School’s forestry team are state champions once again. During the Florida FFA Forestry CDE state finals Nov. 6 at the Florida Forest Festival Grounds in Perry, Lafayette Middle topped the 12 district champions from across the state for the fourth time in five years.
A highlight of the FBLA State Leadership Conference in Daytona Beach for the Lafayette High chapter was the visit to the Daytona International Speedway where the students got to hear a keynote address from NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell. (COURTESY)

A highlight of the FBLA State Leadership Conference in Daytona Beach for the Lafayette High chapter was the visit to the Daytona International Speedway where the students got to hear a keynote address from NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell. (COURTESY)

Lafayette FBLA triumphs at state leadership conference

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
DAYTONA BEACH — The Lafayette High School FBLA Chapter sent 24 students (6th through 12th grades) to the 2025 Florida FBLA State Leadership Conference in Daytona Beach on Nov. 7-8. The chapter achieved significant recognition, earning honors for bringing the most students to the conference.
Rep. Jason Shoaf said once he sees a property tax reform plan from Gov. Ron DeSantis then the legislature can begin work on fixing the problem. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Rep. Jason Shoaf said once he sees a property tax reform plan from Gov. Ron DeSantis then the legislature can begin work on fixing the problem. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Legislators await tax plan

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
During a recent shopping trip, Sen. Corey Simon picked up more than just hardware. Rather the Tallahassee Republican also obtained more concerns from constituents about Florida’s property tax problem at that hardware store.