Regional

The proposed expansion of the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency district would include vacant lands around Lowe’s on the north side of Live Oak, an area prime for commercial development. (COURTESY)

Suwannee County concerns put CRA expansion on hold

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

The expansion of Live Oak’s Community Redevelopment Agency district is on hold thanks to Suwannee County.Approval of the expanded CRA was pulled from the Live Oak City Council meeting on Aug. 11 and CRA Director Nicholas Frigiola told the CRA board during its meeting Tuesday that it stemmed from...

Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency Director Nicholas Frigiola said the CRA having money earmarked to help redevelop the rundown Live Oak Shopping Plaza is what the CRA ‘should be trying to highlight.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

CRA eyes shopping plaza for redevelopment

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

A rundown shopping plaza on the eastern side of Live Oak could get help in a makeover from the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency.During its meeting Tuesday night, the Live Oak CRA board tentatively approved its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a budget that includes approximately $225,000...

Branford, Mayo projects chosen for $60K in SRWMD funding

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Projects in both Lafayette County and southern Suwannee County received funding from the Suwannee River Water Management District earlier this month.At its meeting Aug. 12, the SRWMD governing board approved approximately $227,698 in local projects designed to enhance or address water resources in...

Marshall Rawson, speaking at the Columbia County Republican Party rally last month, won the primary for the Florida House District 10 seat. (FILE)

Rawson downs Brannan in D10 primary

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

A farmer from Bradford County defeated the son of current District 10 state Rep. Chuck Brannan in Tuesday’s Republican primary.In the race to fill the term-limited Brannan’s seat in Tallahassee, Marshall Rawson captured nearly 55% of the vote across the five-county district to top Chase Brannan,...

Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jacob Williamson shows nearly 30 people at the Suwannee River Regional Library’s Live Oak branch a Flock camera during Monday’s community meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County’s Flock camera use questioned

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Local residents showed no shortage of questions during a Monday meeting on Flock cameras.

Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White was authorized to send a letter to Columbia County rejecting its ultimatum on the North Florida Water Utilities Authority. (FILE)

Suwannee Commissioners reject ultimatum on utility board appointments

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Suwannee County will not be removing its commissioners from a regional utility board.During its meeting Tuesday night at Live Oak City Hall, the Suwannee County Commission unanimously approved Chairman Franklin White signing a letter to the Columbia County Commission that rejects the request to...

Hines, Bass elected to Suwannee school board

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

The Suwannee County School Board will have two new members.During Tuesday’s election, Malcolm Hines (District 3) and Aaron Bass (District 5) were elected to seats on the board. Bass defeated incumbent Ronald White to win his seat.

McCray, Folsom win Lafayette school board seats

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

MAYO — The Lafayette County School Board’ two new members are now known.During Tuesday’s election, Mary Anne Koon McCray edged Mark Beach by 160 votes to win the District 3 seat on the school board with Kristyn Folsom topping Ann Murphy by 280 votes for the District 5 seat.McCray, a retired...

Altman elected; Erixton heads to general for Hamilton BOCC

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

JASPER — There will be at least one new member on the Hamilton County Commission.Another incumbent barely advanced to November’s general election following Tuesday’s Republican primary race.In a universal primary for the District 2 seat on the commission, Republican Josh Altman defeated incumbent...

Congresswoman Kat Cammack and Mike McWaters, the president and CEO of SVEC and the chairman for the board of managers of Rapid Fiber Internet, are pictured at the Aug. 12 celebration of the Rapid Fiber service rollout completion. It is now available to all SVEC members. (COURTESY RAPID FIBER INTERNET)

Rapid Fiber rollout complete

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative’s $93 million plan to eliminate the digital divide in rural North Florida is complete.SVEC and its broadband internet subsidiary, Rapid Fiber Internet, celebrated the completion of its network to its more than 28,000 members last week.