Regional

Wildflower displays welcome visitors to the Wildflower Festival at Heritage Park and Gardens last year. The festival returns May 10. A Chalk Art on the Trail will also be held this year on May 9. (COURTESY)

Wildflower displays welcome visitors to the Wildflower Festival at Heritage Park and Gardens last year. The festival returns May 10. A Chalk Art on the Trail will also be held this year on May 9. (COURTESY)

Wildflower Festival celebrates nature, creativity

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
LIVE OAK — Suwannee Festivals invites the community to join in the fun at the Wildflower Festival and Plant Sale on Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Heritage Park and Gardens, 1004 Helvenston St SE, Live Oak.
Live Oak City Councilman Tommie Jefferson said safety should be the top priority when it comes to speeding in school zones. (FILE)

Live Oak City Councilman Tommie Jefferson said safety should be the top priority when it comes to speeding in school zones. (FILE)

Speed detection cameras aimed on safety

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
LIVE OAK — Safety is the mission behind possibly implementing speed detection cameras in school zones in the City of Live Oak.
Retired law enforcement officers from around Suwannee County took firearm proficiency training last week at the Live Oak Police Department. Pictured with the retirees, who all passed, are Live Oak Police Capt. Jason Rountree (left), Chief Keith Davis (front middle) and Lt. Doug Hohman (right). (COURTESY)

Retired law enforcement officers from around Suwannee County took firearm proficiency training last week at the Live Oak Police Department. Pictured with the retirees, who all passed, are Live Oak Police Capt. Jason Rountree (left), Chief Keith Davis (front middle) and Lt. Doug Hohman (right). (COURTESY)

LOPD helps retirees show off proficiency

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
LIVE OAK — When he kept hearing the same problem mentioned over and over again, Live Oak Police Capt. Jason Rountree decided to find a solution.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker takes notes during one of the presentations at Tuesday’s North Florida Transportation Summit. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker takes notes during one of the presentations at Tuesday’s North Florida Transportation Summit. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Flooding mitigation grants top Walker’s priorities at Summit

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
LIVE OAK — Through the years, flooding has become a constant and persistent problem facing Lake City residents who live on the north side of town. Lake City Mayor Noah Walker believes that securing grant funds would provide a cost effective method for the city to address those needs.

Shoaf drops White Springs bill

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
The historic Town of White Springs isn’t going to be history after all. After temporarily postponing the second reading of HB 4079 — the bill that would abolish the town’s government and turn over all assets to Hamilton County — on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives on Friday, Rep.

FHP seeking info on fatal Jennings crash

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
JENNINGS — The Florida Highway Patrol is asking for assistance locating a hit-and-run driver from a fatal Hamilton County accident on April 19. According to an FHP release issued Monday, a 52-year-old Jasper woman was traveling westbound on State Road 143 (Hamilton Avenue) around 8:44 p.m.
Senate President Ben Albritton said lawmakers will not finish the budget in time to finish the legislative session Friday. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

Senate President Ben Albritton said lawmakers will not finish the budget in time to finish the legislative session Friday. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

Session won’t end on time, buget not ready

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, April 25, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — With the Senate and House unable to reach agreement on tax cuts and spending, lawmakers will not finish negotiations on a new state budget in time to end the legislative session as scheduled next week.

White Springs bill postponed on House floor

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 25, 2025
The bill that would abolish White Springs’ town government was temporarily postponed from its second reading on the floor of the Florida House on Friday. HB 4079 — sponsored by Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St.