Regional

Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions said he was against raising any taxes ahead of an anticipated property tax relief measure in Tallahassee. The Live Oak Council can now only vote to reduce the millage rate from there. (FILE)

Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions said he was against raising any taxes ahead of an anticipated property tax relief measure in Tallahassee. The Live Oak Council can now only vote to reduce the millage rate from there. (FILE)

Live Oak Council opts to keep millage steady

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
LIVE OAK — City officials in Live Oak don’t plan to raise taxes for next year’s fiscal budget.
A dump truck’s bed sits in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 after hitting the County Road 795 overpass on Monday. (COURTESY FHP)

A dump truck’s bed sits in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 after hitting the County Road 795 overpass on Monday. (COURTESY FHP)

Truck bed causes I-10 lane closure

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
A dump truck ended up dumping itself on Interstate 10. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, the truck, driven by a 36-year-old Jacksonville man, was traveling east on I-10 near mile marker 281 in the right travel lane Monday around 6:07 a.m. with its bed raised.
Lafayette County 4-H Camp USA campers display their patriotic crafts. Campers were able to learn about the rights, responsibilities and opportunities that come with being an American citizen. (COURTESY LAFAYETTE COUNTY 4-H)

Lafayette County 4-H Camp USA campers display their patriotic crafts. Campers were able to learn about the rights, responsibilities and opportunities that come with being an American citizen. (COURTESY LAFAYETTE COUNTY 4-H)

Lafayette 4-H Camp USA celebrates America’s 250th birthday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
By SHAWN JACKSONLafayette County Extension DirectorMAYO — This year’s 4-H Camp USA was especially memorable as campers celebrated the week leading up to our nation’s 250th anniversary.

Branford man involved in fatal crash

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
HIGH SPRINGS — A Branford man was involved in a fatal traffic collision involving two other vehicles. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, a 61-year-old Branford man was driving a Ford F-350 pickup truck Saturday around 12:44 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and NW 174 Ave.
A collection of 34 photographs from 14 different photographers in the Branford Camera Club will remain on display at the Suwannee Regional Library through July 31. (COURTESY)

A collection of 34 photographs from 14 different photographers in the Branford Camera Club will remain on display at the Suwannee Regional Library through July 31. (COURTESY)

Branford Camera Club debuts patriotic exhibit

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
The emotions that go into patriotism are all on display, and all expertly captured, in photographs.The Branford Camera Club recently opened its first exhibition of the year at the Suwannee Regional Library. The exhibit will run through July 31 and remains open during regular library hours.
The renovation work on the Suwannee County Courthouse, undertaken by O’Neal Roofing, is nearing completion after beginning in May. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

The renovation work on the Suwannee County Courthouse, undertaken by O’Neal Roofing, is nearing completion after beginning in May. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

Courthouse renovations nearing completion

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Repairs to the Suwannee County Courthouse appear to be wrapping up right on time. Crews from O’Neal Roofing began working on the courthouse dome in early May after damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024 caused peeling of the copper structure. The work was expected to take 2-3 months to complete.

NFC Foundation receives $50K grant

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
MADISON — The North Florida College Foundation has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
A tree snapped in front of a Lake City house during Hurricane Helene in September 2024. (FILE)

A tree snapped in front of a Lake City house during Hurricane Helene in September 2024. (FILE)

Storm season eyed as ‘well below normal’

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Storm forecasters have further downgraded predictions a little more than a month into the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which has so far produced a single named tropical system.
Suwannee County Attorney Adam Morrison said any ban or moratorium on data centers would be void because of a state law passed in 2025 that restricts changes to Land Development Regulations. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Attorney Adam Morrison said any ban or moratorium on data centers would be void because of a state law passed in 2025 that restricts changes to Land Development Regulations. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee data center ban would be void

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
There won’t a ban or moratorium on data centers in Suwannee County because any move would be null and void.