Regional

W.B. Howland Company is hosting a centennial celebration on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The company opened its Live Oak location in 1926 on the same property that the current store is located at the roundabout. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

W.B. Howland Company is hosting a centennial celebration on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The company opened its Live Oak location in 1926 on the same property that the current store is located at the roundabout. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Howland’s hosting centennial celebration

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
The W.B. Howland Company is throwing a party 100 years in the making. The company’s centennial celebration is set for Saturday at its location for the past 100 years, 610 11th Street SW in Live Oak. The event will last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Miss Trunchbull, the headmistress at the school in ‘Matilda’ played by Lillian Sasser (left) scolds Matilda’s teacher Miss Honey, played by Jamylai Leon, during a scene from the Suwannee High theater troupe’s rehearsal for this weekend’s performances. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Miss Trunchbull, the headmistress at the school in ‘Matilda’ played by Lillian Sasser (left) scolds Matilda’s teacher Miss Honey, played by Jamylai Leon, during a scene from the Suwannee High theater troupe’s rehearsal for this weekend’s performances. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

SHS theater brings ‘Matilda’ to stage

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
A band of revolting children will descend on the Suwannee High School auditorium the next three days. The SHS theater troupe will put on its adaptation of “Matilda” for four performances, starting with a 7 p.m. show today that is open to the public.
Michelle Harrison, the Freedom Fest committee chair, said the America 250 patriotic historical living timeline parade will make the annual July 4 celebration something the community will never forget. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Michelle Harrison, the Freedom Fest committee chair, said the America 250 patriotic historical living timeline parade will make the annual July 4 celebration something the community will never forget. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Historical timeline parade added to Freedom Fest

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
The Live Oak Freedom Fest will be bringing history to life this July. Live Oak’s annual Fourth of July celebration will have some familiar faces taking part in the festivities in honor of the country’s semiquincentennial, including Paul Revere, Abraham Lincoln and the Statue of Liberty.
A map of potential projects identified in the draft Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency plan update. (COURTESY)

A map of potential projects identified in the draft Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency plan update. (COURTESY)

CRA plan update eyes new priorities

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
The draft of the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency plan update received strong support Tuesday night.
An example of a recent scam targeting individuals claiming to come from county courts regarding outstanding traffic and toll violations. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reminds residents that official government agencies do not request payment through QR codes, third-party links or unverified online platforms. (COURTESY)

An example of a recent scam targeting individuals claiming to come from county courts regarding outstanding traffic and toll violations. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reminds residents that official government agencies do not request payment through QR codes, third-party links or unverified online platforms. (COURTESY)

FLHSMV warns of new scam

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
People should proceed with caution if they receive court notices, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Suwannee County Fair Manager Lynn Touchton helps a child with an animal at a previous year’s Suwannee County Fair. The 111th annual fair opens Friday and will run for nine days, celebrating fair, family and freedom. (COURTESY)

Suwannee County Fair Manager Lynn Touchton helps a child with an animal at a previous year’s Suwannee County Fair. The 111th annual fair opens Friday and will run for nine days, celebrating fair, family and freedom. (COURTESY)

111th Suwannee Fair opens Friday, runs 9 days

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Fair, family and freedom will be celebrated at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds for nine days starting Friday night. The 111th annual Fair opens Friday at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds, 1302 11th Street SW in Live Oak, and runs through March 28. The gates open at 5:45 p.m.
Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White suggest the county and Barge Design Solutions share the burden for the dispute over a change order on the wastewater design. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Commission Chairman Franklin White suggest the county and Barge Design Solutions share the burden for the dispute over a change order on the wastewater design. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County aims to lessen change order fee

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Admitting Suwannee County’s own blame for the situation, the Board of County Commissioners is looking for a compromise on a costly change order request.
David Chandler, the president of the Lake City Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, said the patriotism on display for the country’s semiquincentennial is ‘incredible.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

David Chandler, the president of the Lake City Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, said the patriotism on display for the country’s semiquincentennial is ‘incredible.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Liberty Tree event kicks off 250th celebration

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, March 19, 2026
The Sons of the American Revolution will do more than plant a tree Saturday at Heritage Park and Gardens in Live Oak. They also will kick off Live Oak and Suwannee County’s American 250 celebration.