Regional

State offers school chaplain guidelines

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Department of Education on Tuesday issued what it described as a “model policy” to help school districts carry out a controversial new law that allows volunteer school chaplains. Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr.

SCSO searching for suspect in stabbing

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
LIVE OAK — Suwannee County authorities are searching for a man wanted in a stabbing incident at a Live Oak bar early Sunday. According to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office release, an argument at the Racks and Rails Bar on U.S.

Live Oak man charged in March murder

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, August 18, 2024
A Live Oak man, already in custody for probation violation, has been charged for murdering a woman in March. The Live Oak Police Department announced Sunday morning that Leroy Duval Jr., 60, was being charged with second-degree murder, burglary with battery and child abuse.

Live Oak facing ‘lean year’ on budget

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 17, 2024
LIVE OAK — Significant raises aren’t coming for City of Live Oak employees. One year after the city provided 7% hikes across the board, this year’s city budget outlook is much different according to City Manager Larry Sessions during a budget workshop Monday.
Rum Island Park, pictured as it was set to open in 2020 following bank restoration work, is in need of repairs for that work following vandalism and high water. The Suwannee River Water Management District approved funding for that project Tuesday. (FILE)

Rum Island Park, pictured as it was set to open in 2020 following bank restoration work, is in need of repairs for that work following vandalism and high water. The Suwannee River Water Management District approved funding for that project Tuesday. (FILE)

Funding flows in for Rum Island repair

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 17, 2024
FORT WHITE — Five years after Rum Island Park was closed for upgrades, including a bank restoration, the park’s riverbank is in need of repairs once again.

Branford man dies in two-vehicle wreck in O’Brien

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, August 17, 2024
O’BRIEN — A Branford man was killed when a pickup rammed into the driver’s side of his pickup Thursday afternoon. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, a white Ford F-250 was traveling west on 216th Street around 3 p.m.

LO looking at storm plans moving forward

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 17, 2024
LIVE OAK — Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions is tired of having to depend on state assistance when disaster hits North Florida. After a second hurricane passed over Suwannee County in 11 months when Hurricane Debby made landfall Aug.

Fort White man arrested on child porn charges

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, August 17, 2024
FORT WHITE — A Fort White man has been arrested after an investigation spanning 11 months found he had child pornography on his home computer. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report, Peter Kendrick Payor, 65, was arrested Thursday for possession of the digital material.
A rendering of the Chick-fil-A restaurant planned for the U.S. Highway 129 corridor north of Live Oak. Plans have been submitted for the new restaurant. (COURTESY)

A rendering of the Chick-fil-A restaurant planned for the U.S. Highway 129 corridor north of Live Oak. Plans have been submitted for the new restaurant. (COURTESY)

Chick-fil-A coming to Live Oak

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
LIVE OAK — Live Oak and Suwannee County will soon have reason to “eat mor chikin.” Site plans and building plans for a Chick-fil-A along U.S. Highway 129 North have been submitted to the City of Live Oak’s planning and zoning department and undergoing reviews.