Regional

Babysitter sentenced in child abuse case

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
A Suwannee County babysitter was sentenced to 10 years in prison following “one of the worst” cases of child abuse last year. According to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office release Tuesday, Heather Hogan was sentenced to 10 years after being convicted of child neglect and aggravated child abuse.
Law enforcement officials take part in Friday’s annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

Law enforcement officials take part in Friday’s annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

Torch Run takes first responders for a jog

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
LIVE OAK — Local law enforcement agencies in Suwannee County united in its signature event on Friday. The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run, which helps raise awareness and benefits athletes participating in the Special Olympics, passed through Live Oak’s city limits.

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.