Regional

Settlement eyed in state’s immigration fight

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Florida is attempting to settle a long-running legal battle with the federal government over immigration policies during the Biden administration, a court document filed Monday shows. The document, a joint motion filed by state and federal attorneys, asked the 11th U.S.
Trace Wilkinson and Alexa Hatcher-Wilkinson began dating in the eighth grade at Fort White Middle School. The 2015 Fort White High graduates are now married and have advanced degrees. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Trace Wilkinson and Alexa Hatcher-Wilkinson began dating in the eighth grade at Fort White Middle School. The 2015 Fort White High graduates are now married and have advanced degrees. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White grads are still writing their love story

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 20, 2025
FORT WHITE — For most, graduation photos serve as a snapshot from their teen days leaving high school.
Suwannee County was chosen last year to be a site of a regional storm shelter, similar to the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex in Pasco County. More than $4 million in funding was awarded toward the shelter in the upcoming budget. Florida TaxWatch is encouraging Gov. Ron DeSantis to pay close attention to hose appropriations as part of its budget turkey report. (FILE)

Suwannee County was chosen last year to be a site of a regional storm shelter, similar to the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex in Pasco County. More than $4 million in funding was awarded toward the shelter in the upcoming budget. Florida TaxWatch is encouraging Gov. Ron DeSantis to pay close attention to hose appropriations as part of its budget turkey report. (FILE)

No ‘turkeys’ but projects need extra scrutiny

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
There are no “budget turkeys” to hunt in Suwannee, Hamilton or Lafayette coun- ties this year, but a watch- dog group still wants extra consideration on a slew of local projects.

Suwannee hosting Babe Ruth state tourney

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
LIVE OAK – Suwannee Parks & Recreation is proud to announce it will host the 2025 Babe Ruth Baseball State Tournament for the 9U, 10U, and 18U age divisions at the First Federal Sportsplex in Live Oak.
Uncle Sam makes an appearance at a previous year’s Freedom Festival. (FILE)

Uncle Sam makes an appearance at a previous year’s Freedom Festival. (FILE)

Live Oak set for July Freedom Festival

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
LIVE OAK — The City of Live Oak plans to honor men and women who have provided the the freedom to celebrate the Freedom Festival next month. As part of the city’s July 4 festivities in downtown Millennium Park from 6-9 p.m., the city will recognize all Purple Heart recipients from Suwannee County.
Suwannee County Fire Rescue recently added its third Advanced Life Support engine to provide additional care to patients on medical calls. The ALS engines are equipped with the same equipment that is on ambulances. (COURTESY SUWANNEE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

Suwannee County Fire Rescue recently added its third Advanced Life Support engine to provide additional care to patients on medical calls. The ALS engines are equipped with the same equipment that is on ambulances. (COURTESY SUWANNEE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

SCFR adds ‘game changer’ to service

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
LIVE OAK — Suwannee County Fire Rescue has introduced another “game changer” in providing emergency medical services in Suwannee County. Last week, SCFR outfitted its third Advanced Life Support (ALS) engine to help pro- vide additional care to patients on emergency calls.