Regional

Suwannee Middle School staff and students are pictured after the aquaponics lab was installed for Megan Collins’ homesteading class. (COURTESY)

Suwannee Middle School staff and students are pictured after the aquaponics lab was installed for Megan Collins’ homesteading class. (COURTESY)

Aquaponics lab, gardens offering hands-on learning for SMS students

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
LIVE OAK — Dozens of Suwannee Middle School students will be getting hands-on lessons this year. The school has introduced a new elective offering this year, Intro to Agriculture, Food and Nutrition, or as Megan Collins, the class teacher, and the students are calling it: homesteading.
Live Oak City Council President Matt Campbell (right) looks on as County President Pro-Tem Tommie Jefferson speaks Tuesday during a budget workshop about the need for funding to pave streets in his district, including Spruce Street. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak City Council President Matt Campbell (right) looks on as County President Pro-Tem Tommie Jefferson speaks Tuesday during a budget workshop about the need for funding to pave streets in his district, including Spruce Street. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sessions: Better communication will lead to better productivity

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
LIVE OAK — As the city looks to finalize its fiscal year 2025-26 budget, Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions wants his staff removed from the “witness stand.”
Live Oak CRA Director Nicholas Frigiola said a revised plan for the group would allow it to ‘stay around for a long time.’ (FILE)

Live Oak CRA Director Nicholas Frigiola said a revised plan for the group would allow it to ‘stay around for a long time.’ (FILE)

Live Oak CRA seeks expansion, new plan

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
LIVE OAK — The Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency is looking to get a new governing plan and possibly an expanded district.

Live Oak man charged with aggravated child abuse

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
LIVE OAK — A Live Oak man was arrested Saturday following a two-month investigation into severe injuries sustained by a 1-year-old child in his custody. According to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office report, Tomas Cortes-Johnson, 24, called 911 in June due to the child having trouble breathing.
Members of Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165, Lori Watson (Lodge Grant Coordinator), Donald Watson (Past District Deputy) and Cathy Davis (Exalted Ruler) met at the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church Food Ministry in Falmouth on Saturday to present a $,6000 check from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Gary Watson, food ministry founder/manager, and his team of volunteers. (COURTESY)

Members of Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165, Lori Watson (Lodge Grant Coordinator), Donald Watson (Past District Deputy) and Cathy Davis (Exalted Ruler) met at the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church Food Ministry in Falmouth on Saturday to present a $,6000 check from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Gary Watson, food ministry founder/manager, and his team of volunteers. (COURTESY)

Elks provide $6K to food ministry

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
FALMOUTH — A western Suwannee County food ministry received a helping hand Saturday from the Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165. Members of Elks Lodge #1165 met Saturday at the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church Food Ministry to present a $6,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to the ministry.

Johns reappointed to SRWMD governing board

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
LIVE OAK — Virginia Johns will continue to serve on the Suwannee River Water Management District’s governing board. Johns was reappointed to the district board by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday.
Columbia County is seeking input from property owners on what changes need to occur in the comprehensive plan and land development regulations.

Columbia County is seeking input from property owners on what changes need to occur in the comprehensive plan and land development regulations.

County wants you to help determine land development regulations

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Columbia County is still seeking input from property owners on how to address and adapt its land development regulations for the future. The county hasn’t updated its comprehensive plan and land development regulations in years.