Regional

GOP leaders back Uthmeier at Supreme Court

TALLAHASSEE — Republican leaders from 17 other states Tuesday filed a brief at the U.S. Supreme Court backing Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s push to enforce a law targeting undocumented immigrants who enter Florida.

Settlement eyed in state’s immigration fight

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

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

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.

Shelter project reels in $4M from state

LIVE OAK - The regional storm shelter eyed for the north side of Live Oak has more than $4 million in state funding scheduled to help firm up those plans. The state’s $115.

Suwannee hosting Babe Ruth state tourney

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

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

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.

Suwannee teachers rank among state’s best

LIVE OAK — When someone sent Niche’s 2025 Best Schools and District Rankings to Suwannee County Superintendent Ronnie Gray earlier this month, he wasn’t surprised by what he saw. Rather, Gray said the rankings that showed Suwannee County teachers among the top 5 in the state were “reassuring.