Regional

Senate calls for property tax study

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
With Gov. Ron DeSantis pushing to reduce or eliminate property taxes, the Senate on Monday released a proposed tax package that would require a study detailing options for cutting property taxes — and potential implications.

Senate tax cut proposal expands

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
TALLAHASSEE —The Senate on Monday released a ratcheted-up package of proposed tax cuts, as it prepares for negotiations with the House, which has pitched a $5.43 billion measure that includes reducing the state’s sales-tax rate.
Trees in the Lake City Hall parking lot were knocked down by the destructive winds of Hurricane Helene last September. (FILE)

Trees in the Lake City Hall parking lot were knocked down by the destructive winds of Hurricane Helene last September. (FILE)

Lawmakers look to bolster hurricane plans

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, April 11, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — A measure to help with hurricane preparedness and response continued moving forward Thursday in the Florida House, a day after the Senate passed its version.
Live Oak police officers Andrew Cook (from left), Evelio Alvarez, Sgt. Gerald Butler III, Brandie Harden and Sgt. Mark Pierce were honored for their actions in pursuing and neutralizing murder suspect Dominic Caraway in February. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak police officers Andrew Cook (from left), Evelio Alvarez, Sgt. Gerald Butler III, Brandie Harden and Sgt. Mark Pierce were honored for their actions in pursuing and neutralizing murder suspect Dominic Caraway in February. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

LOPD officers recognized for actions in February murder suspect manhunt

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, April 10, 2025
LIVE OAK — An overflow crowd crammed into the Live Oak City Council chambers Tuesday to honor Live Oak police officers for their courage during a fatal shootout two months ago.
Blue Line Solutions’ David Bocchino said the automated speed detection system reduces speeding in school zones by 94%. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Blue Line Solutions’ David Bocchino said the automated speed detection system reduces speeding in school zones by 94%. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak targeting speeders in school zones

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, April 10, 2025
LIVE OAK — Speeders may soon need to smile for cameras in Live Oak school zones.
Sixteen teams of parishioners of First Baptist Church and Westwood Baptist Church canvassed the City of Live Oak on Sunday to pick up trash as a form of community service. (COURTESY FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH)

Sixteen teams of parishioners of First Baptist Church and Westwood Baptist Church canvassed the City of Live Oak on Sunday to pick up trash as a form of community service. (COURTESY FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH)

Churches team to ‘Love Live Oak’

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, April 10, 2025
LIVE OAK — Sitting in a Lift Up Live Oak initiative meeting, First Baptist Church Senior Pastor Kyle Weeks got an idea how his church could do just that.
Darrell Bridgett points at Live Oak Development Manager George Curtis while questioning whether the city treats all developers equally during the Live Oak City Council meeting Tuesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Darrell Bridgett points at Live Oak Development Manager George Curtis while questioning whether the city treats all developers equally during the Live Oak City Council meeting Tuesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak Council approves zoning changes in heated meeting

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, April 10, 2025
LIVE OAK — Two zoning requests and a subdivsion plat were approved by the Live Oak City Council on Tuesday, but not without accusations of unfair treatment for certain developers.
Richard Carroll, the owner of the Suwannee Valley RC Speedway, shows off a pair of the remote control cars that race at the small oval track in Live Oak once a month. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

Richard Carroll, the owner of the Suwannee Valley RC Speedway, shows off a pair of the remote control cars that race at the small oval track in Live Oak once a month. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

Living life in the (RC) fast lane

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, April 10, 2025
LIVE OAK — For months, the questions lingered while the Suwannee Valley RC Speedway was being constructed on 121st Road (Bass Road) on the south end of Live Oak. “That’s what everybody was asking,” said Jason Carroll, the son of track owner Richard Carroll, who helps organize the races.
Lynda Williams, a former Live Oak councilor, urged the council to move forward with the grant application to address housing in the city. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lynda Williams, a former Live Oak councilor, urged the council to move forward with the grant application to address housing in the city. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Live Oak Council moves forward with housing rehab grant application

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, April 10, 2025
LIVE OAK — More than 20 homes in the City of Live Oak could be destined for renovations through grant funding. The Live Oak City Council held the second public hearing for a Community Development Block Grant application for $1.5 million toward housing rehabilitation.