Regional

Suwannee County Economic Development Director Jimmy Norris said with Plant Path opening a processing plant in the county, the goal is to make the county the ‘stevia capital of the world.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Economic Development Director Jimmy Norris said with Plant Path opening a processing plant in the county, the goal is to make the county the ‘stevia capital of the world.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee seeks to be ‘stevia capital of the world’

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
A Suwannee County development agreement could be the start to North Florida becoming “the stevia capital of the world.” The Suwannee County Commission unanimously approved a development agreement with Plant Path Inc. on Tuesday that would give the company 68.

City voters can meet candidates at forum

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Live Oak voters can meet and hear from candidates for the City Council next week. The Suwannee County Voters League is hosting a “Meet the Candidates” forum Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Live Oak City Hall in the council chambers at 101 White Avenue SE.
HCA Healthcare leadership is joined with Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce and local elected officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the new state-of-the-art CT scanner at HCA Florida Suwannee Emergency. (COURTESY)

HCA Healthcare leadership is joined with Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce and local elected officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the new state-of-the-art CT scanner at HCA Florida Suwannee Emergency. (COURTESY)

HCA Suwannee ER celebrates advanced CT installation

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
HCA Florida Suwannee Emergency, a part of HCA Florida Lake City Hospital, proudly celebrated the installation of its new, state-of-the-art computed tomography (CT) scanner with a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday in partnership with the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce.
Suwannee County Attorney Adam Morrison said preliminary talks with Bryant Miller Olive representatives provided ‘infinite possibilities’ for structuring bond agreements, leading to the need to retain the company for additional work. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Attorney Adam Morrison said preliminary talks with Bryant Miller Olive representatives provided ‘infinite possibilities’ for structuring bond agreements, leading to the need to retain the company for additional work. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee hires bond counsel

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Suwannee County officially has a bond attorney on retainer.

Pickup runs light; O'Brien woman killed

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
An O’Brien woman was killed Friday afternoon after a pickup ran a red light and smashed into her car in southern Suwannee County. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 49-year-old woman, who was heading north on County Road 49 at approximately 12:30 p.
Mark Durham, Suwannee County’s facilities director, recommended the board reject all bids on repairing the Suwannee County Courthouse dome, instead opting to go with a piggyback contract to address the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Mark Durham, Suwannee County’s facilities director, recommended the board reject all bids on repairing the Suwannee County Courthouse dome, instead opting to go with a piggyback contract to address the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee courthouse dome repairs approved on piggyback

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
The Suwannee County Courthouse dome is finally ready for its repairs.

Domestic incident leads to arson charges

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
JASPER — A domestic incident early Thursday led to an arrest on arson charges after the suspect started a fire in a Hamilton County apartment. According to a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office release, a 911 call was received around 2 a.m.

Drought shows importance of Water Conservation Month

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
LIVE OAK — For the 28th consecutive year, the Suwannee River Water Management District has declared that the month of April be designated as Water Conservation Month. Water conservation is at the core of the district’s mission to ensure the sustainability of Florida’s water supplies.