Regional

Suwannee County Commissioner Don Hale wants the commission to discuss possibly slowing down the North Florida Water Utilities Authority’s move to handle utility operations in Suwannee and Columbia counties. (FILE)

Suwannee County Commissioner Don Hale wants the commission to discuss possibly slowing down the North Florida Water Utilities Authority’s move to handle utility operations in Suwannee and Columbia counties. (FILE)

Brakes getting pumped on utility group

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 30, 2025
LIVE OAK — A year after officially launching, the North Florida Water Utilities Authority is set to finalize a contract with its initial director.
Suwannee County’s Guy Larson won a $3 million Florida Lotto jackpot. (COURTESY FLORIDA LOTTERY)

Suwannee County’s Guy Larson won a $3 million Florida Lotto jackpot. (COURTESY FLORIDA LOTTERY)

Wellborn man wins $3M lotto jackpot

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 30, 2025
A late March visit to Murphy USA in Lake City paid off in a big way for a Suwannee County man. The Florida Lottery announced Wednesday that 58-year-old Guy Larson, who lives near Wellborn, won a $3 million Florida Lotto jackpot from the March 29 drawing.
Former Florida State University President and House Speaker John Thrasher died Friday after a battle with cancer. (COURTESY)

Former Florida State University President and House Speaker John Thrasher died Friday after a battle with cancer. (COURTESY)

‘Gentleman warrior’ Thrasher dies

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, May 30, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Former Florida State University President and House Speaker John Thrasher, whose career in politics and public service spanned more than three decades, died Friday after a battle with cancer, his family announced.

School cell phone restrictions signed

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, May 30, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill that will expand a restriction on cell-phone use in Florida schools. The bill (HB 1105), which was approved by the Legislature on May 2, revises law that has prevented students from using cell phones during instructional time.

Snapchat snaps back on state law

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, May 30, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — The company that operates Snapchat asked a federal judge this week to put on hold — or reject — a lawsuit filed by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier alleging violations of a 2024 state law aimed at keeping children off some social-media platforms. Attorneys for Snap Inc.
A tree leans over State Road 47 near SW Walter Ave. after Hurricane Helene passed through Columbia County in September. (FILE)

A tree leans over State Road 47 near SW Walter Ave. after Hurricane Helene passed through Columbia County in September. (FILE)

Federal help questioned ahead of hurricane season

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — With another potentially active Atlantic hurricane season on the horizon, Florida is preparing for the possibility the federal government won’t respond like it has in the past. After the state was hit by three hurricanes in 2024, Gov.
Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency Chairman Matt Campbell (right) grimaces as he looks over petitions submitted by Board Member Tommie Jefferson (left) in support of a privacy fence around J&W Auto Sales. Jefferson, who collected the petitions on city letterhead, also said during Tuesday’s CRA meeting that he wasn’t seeking any CRA approval. Campbell then asked why was it being discussed at that board’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency Chairman Matt Campbell (right) grimaces as he looks over petitions submitted by Board Member Tommie Jefferson (left) in support of a privacy fence around J&W Auto Sales. Jefferson, who collected the petitions on city letterhead, also said during Tuesday’s CRA meeting that he wasn’t seeking any CRA approval. Campbell then asked why was it being discussed at that board’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

CRA stays clear of fence dispute

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
LIVE OAK — The Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency is not getting in the middle of a dispute between a commercial property and a residential neighbor.
Rosemary Ivie with the Live Oak Garden Club prepares to place a wreath at the veterans memorial during the Memorial Day observance Monday at the Live Oak Cemetery. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Rosemary Ivie with the Live Oak Garden Club prepares to place a wreath at the veterans memorial during the Memorial Day observance Monday at the Live Oak Cemetery. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County remembers the fallen on Memorial Day

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
LIVE OAK — For more than 250 years, Suwannee County men and women have fought to protect their rights and freedom, even before there was a United States of America. On Monday, during the American Legion Harry C.