Regional

Georgia man killed walking on Interstate 75

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
JASPER — A Georgia man was killed Monday night when he was hit by southbound traffic on Interstate 75 in Hamilton County. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 26-year-old College Park man walked into the southbound lanes of I-75 near mile marker 445 around 10:30 p.m. Monday.
According to the Suwannee River Water Management District, February was 42% drier than the historical average for the month. (COURTESY)

According to the Suwannee River Water Management District, February was 42% drier than the historical average for the month. (COURTESY)

District reports February drier than normal

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
LIVE OAK — February was significantly drier than normal across North Florida.
Live Oak City Council President Matt Campbell said it is better for the city and, possibly, Suwannee County to find out about potential solutions to the traffic and parking problems in downtown than doing nothing. (FILE)

Live Oak City Council President Matt Campbell said it is better for the city and, possibly, Suwannee County to find out about potential solutions to the traffic and parking problems in downtown than doing nothing. (FILE)

Live Oak Council eyes ways to fix parking, traffic

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 14, 2025
LIVE OAK — The Live Oak City Council envisions a new look to downtown Live Oak.

Live Oak supports natural gas hedging

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 14, 2025
LIVE OAK — The City of Live Oak is “hedging” its risk on future natural gas costs. The Live Oak City Council unanimously approved letting City Manager Larry Sessions authorize a rolling hedge directive with the Florida Gas Utility.
Command Sergeant Major William Smith (third from left) presents a plaque designating Suwannee County as a Purple Heart County to Commissioners Don Hale (from left), Travis Land, Franklin White, Maurice Perkins and Leo Mobley at the board’s March 4 meeting. (COURTESY)

Command Sergeant Major William Smith (third from left) presents a plaque designating Suwannee County as a Purple Heart County to Commissioners Don Hale (from left), Travis Land, Franklin White, Maurice Perkins and Leo Mobley at the board’s March 4 meeting. (COURTESY)

Suwannee designated Purple Heart County

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 14, 2025
LIVE OAK — In a moment of deep appreciation for the sacrifices of America’s combat-wounded veterans, Suwannee County has officially been designated a Purple Heart County.

Senate panel OKs change to defamation law

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, March 14, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — A state Senate panel on Wednesday gave initial approval to a proposal that would change the state’s defamation laws, with critics of the measure calling it unconstitutional, vague and “counterproductive.” The proposal, sponsored by Sen.

Blake gets 50 years for Mayo murders

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
MAYO — A Mayo man was sentenced to 50 years in prison last week for killing four people in March 2024. Kenton Blake, 42, pleaded guilty to four counts of second degree murder while armed and killing of an unborn child by injury to the mother on March 4, according to Lafayette County Court records.
Lacey Brinson, a Live Oak native now living in Texas, will make her Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park debut on Saturday night. Her performance will raise funds for scholarships for students attending Suwannee River Ridge Technical High School. (COURTESY)

Lacey Brinson, a Live Oak native now living in Texas, will make her Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park debut on Saturday night. Her performance will raise funds for scholarships for students attending Suwannee River Ridge Technical High School. (COURTESY)

Brinson making SOSMP debut

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
LIVE OAK — After Hurricane Helene delayed her hometown debut performance, Lacy Brinson will finally step on the stage at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park this weekend. Brinson, a songwriter and country singer originally from Live Oak, will perform at the SOSMP’s Music Hall on Saturday.