Regional

Moody appointed to U.S. Senate seat

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday named Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to succeed outgoing U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who was picked by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as secretary of state. Moody was elected attorney general in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

Cyclist hit, killed on U.S. 90

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, January 16, 2025
LIVE OAK — A cyclist was killed early Thursday morning after turning in front of a pickup on the west side of Live Oak. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 46-year-old Live Oak man was riding his bicycle west on the side of U.S.
New Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches President Maria Knapp (right) ‘takes the reins’ from President Emeritus Bill Frye ahead of her first official day on the job. (COURTESY)

New Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches President Maria Knapp (right) ‘takes the reins’ from President Emeritus Bill Frye ahead of her first official day on the job. (COURTESY)

Knapp named next Youth Ranches president

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
LIVE OAK — One of Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches’ own is taking the reins over for the organization. Maria Knapp was named the next president of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.
Rural Florida, including this shed in Madison County, sustained heavy damage in September’s Hurricane Helene. (MIKE EXLINE/News Service of Florida)

Rural Florida, including this shed in Madison County, sustained heavy damage in September’s Hurricane Helene. (MIKE EXLINE/News Service of Florida)

Hurricane aid sought for farmers

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Without a long-awaited update of the federal farm bill, relief won’t be available to all Florida farmers and ranchers faced with nearly $1 billion in damage from three hurricanes that hit the state last year, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said Tuesday.

New recreational pot proposal emerges

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Two months after a similar measure failed to garner enough voter support to pass, a political committee bankrolled by the state’s largest medical-marijuana company has launched a new effort to allow recreational pot in Florida.

Hall speaking at Suwannee event

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
LIVE OAK — Constitutional attorney KrisAnne Hall, the founder of the Liberty First Society, will be speaking Saturday at the Suwannee County Coliseum. Hosted by the American Patriots and the Suwannee County Republican Party, Hall will be speaking at 2 p.m.

DeSantis calls for special legislative session

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Saying the issue can’t wait for the regular legislative session in March, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he’s calling lawmakers into a special session this month to mesh Florida’s immigration policies with a crackdown planned by President-elect Donald Trump.
Kathryn ‘Katy’ Land is sworn in as a Third Judicial Circuit judge Friday by Judge Melissa Olin as her husband, Travis, holds the Bible. They are joined by their children Jack, Dylan and Tyler. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Kathryn ‘Katy’ Land is sworn in as a Third Judicial Circuit judge Friday by Judge Melissa Olin as her husband, Travis, holds the Bible. They are joined by their children Jack, Dylan and Tyler. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Land sworn in as circuit judge

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, January 10, 2025
LIVE OAK — The Third Judicial Circuit officially has its newest judge. Kathryn ‘Katy’ Land underwent her investiture ceremony Friday afternoon at the Suwannee County Courthouse, surrounded by friends, family and fellow judges.

Suwannee administration moves back downtown

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 10, 2025
LIVE OAK — The hub of government activity in downtown Live Oak now also includes Suwannee County’s administration. Early last month, the county’s administrative office was moved to the second floor of the county’s Building Department office, 224 Pine Ave.