Regional

Aerial view of structures including gigantic tents built at the recently opened migrant detention center, Alligator Alcatraz, located at the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee on Friday. (PEDRO PORTAL/Miami Herald/TNS)

Aerial view of structures including gigantic tents built at the recently opened migrant detention center, Alligator Alcatraz, located at the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee on Friday. (PEDRO PORTAL/Miami Herald/TNS)

Groups say state, feds partners in ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Detention Center

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — As they urge a U.S. district judge to halt an immigrant-detention center in the Everglades, environmental groups are pushing back against Trump administration arguments seeking to distance the federal government from responsibility for the project.

Supreme Court refuses to halt Bell execution

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to halt next week’s scheduled execution of Michael Bell in the 1993 murders of two people outside a Jacksonville bar, as the state continues moving toward a modern-era record for executions in a year.
NFWUA Chairman Rocky Ford congratulated Executive Director Shannon Roberts for his work thus far with the Authority. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

NFWUA Chairman Rocky Ford congratulated Executive Director Shannon Roberts for his work thus far with the Authority. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Utility Authority seeking $500K from counties

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
LIVE OAK — The North Florida Water Utilities Authority is looking for more than $500,000 from both Columbia and Suwannee counties to fund its 2025-26 operations.
NFWUA Executive Director Shannon Roberts said his goals for the upcoming year fit into three categories. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

NFWUA Executive Director Shannon Roberts said his goals for the upcoming year fit into three categories. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Roberts lays out yearly goals for NFWUA

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
LIVE OAK — Currently the North Florida Water Utilities Authority consists of a director, an attorney and consultants. That will change within the next few months if NFWUA Executive Director Shannon Roberts’ goals and objectives for the upcoming year are realized.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (left) and Secretary of State Cord Byrd applaud the unveiling of a statue of Thomas Jefferson in Jefferson County on Wednesday as part of a new initiative to acquire statues of different counties’ namesakes. (COURTESY)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (left) and Secretary of State Cord Byrd applaud the unveiling of a statue of Thomas Jefferson in Jefferson County on Wednesday as part of a new initiative to acquire statues of different counties’ namesakes. (COURTESY)

Statues planned for Florida counties

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
New monuments to America’s founders are set to pop up around the state over the next year. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday the launch of Florida’s America250FL campaign, which aims to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

Sanchez, Horn to headline SOSMP weekend shows

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground is gearing up to celebrate Independence Day. As part of America’s 249th birthday, the SOSMP is getting ready to host celebrations both Friday and Saturday nights.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a new state budget Monday. (LUIS SANTANA/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a new state budget Monday. (LUIS SANTANA/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

$117.4B budget approved with $567M in vetoes

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
​TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed what he said was a $117.4 billion budget for the fiscal year that will start Tuesday and issued $567 million in line-item vetoes, while saying the plan better prepares the state for potential economic downturns.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office received its reaccreditation status June 19 at the FLA-PAC Conference in Orlando. Receiving the recognition for the CCSO were Chief Deputy Katina Dicks (second from left), Sgt. James Cason (middle) and Sgt. Amy Geier (second from right). (COURTESY)

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office received its reaccreditation status June 19 at the FLA-PAC Conference in Orlando. Receiving the recognition for the CCSO were Chief Deputy Katina Dicks (second from left), Sgt. James Cason (middle) and Sgt. Amy Geier (second from right). (COURTESY)

CCSO receives reaccreditation designation

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 27, 2025
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has achieved reaccreditation. The reaccreditation designation was awarded to the CCSO on June 19 by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement at the summer FLA-PAC (Florida Police Accreditation Commission) Conference held in Orlando.