Regional

White Springs Town Manager Vanessa George is escorted out of the Hamilton County Courthouse courtoom Monday during the county’s legislative delegation hearing. George was removed after repeatedly interrupting Sen. Corey Simon. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

White Springs Town Manager Vanessa George is escorted out of the Hamilton County Courthouse courtoom Monday during the county’s legislative delegation hearing. George was removed after repeatedly interrupting Sen. Corey Simon. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

State eyes dissolving White Springs charter

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
JASPER — As White Springs Town Manager Vanessa George was escorted out of the Hamilton County legislative delegation meeting Monday afternoon, Sen. Corey Simon said it was symbolic of why the White Springs town government may also be going away.
Hamilton County Clerk of Court Greg Godwin, talking with Rep. Jason Shoaf ahead of Monday’s delegation hearing, told the legislators that the courtroom would look different before they return thanks to state funding for renovations. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Hamilton County Clerk of Court Greg Godwin, talking with Rep. Jason Shoaf ahead of Monday’s delegation hearing, told the legislators that the courtroom would look different before they return thanks to state funding for renovations. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Hamilton courtroom ready for update

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
JASPER — Near the end of the Hamilton County legislative delegation hearing Monday, Hamilton County Clerk of Court Greg Godwin told the legislators they would never see the Hamilton County Courthouse courtroom look like it did right then.
Sen. Corey Simon said Monday he is working on a rural renaissance bill that will bring additional resources that ‘cover everything’ to support rural communities. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sen. Corey Simon said Monday he is working on a rural renaissance bill that will bring additional resources that ‘cover everything’ to support rural communities. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Simon filing bill to boost rural support

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
LIVE OAK — A rural renaissance really is coming to Florida.
Suwannee County Economic Development Director Jimmy Norris said the regional storm shelter planned for north of Live Oak is the county’s ‘big project.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Economic Development Director Jimmy Norris said the regional storm shelter planned for north of Live Oak is the county’s ‘big project.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee seeks funding for shelter

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
LIVE OAK — A big reward last year is now Suwannee County’s biggest focus moving forward.

Live Oak man killed in head-on collision

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
WELLBORN — A 22-year-old Live Oak man was killed in a head-on collision Saturday morning. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, a sedan – driven by the 22-year-old — and an SUV collided head first around 1:57 a.m. Saturday on County Road 49 near the intersection with Bulb Farm Road.

Suspect killed in Suwannee County shootout

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 7, 2025
LIVE OAK — A Gadsden County murder suspect was killed in a shootout with Live Oak police officers Friday morning. The suspect, who still had not been identified by Friday evening, fled from an armed robbery at a gas station in Quincy early Friday where he shot four people, killing two.
Suwannee County is considering whether to renovate the John Hale Community Center with $808,614 in state grant funding or to demolish and build a new facility. (COURTESY)

Suwannee County is considering whether to renovate the John Hale Community Center with $808,614 in state grant funding or to demolish and build a new facility. (COURTESY)

Suwannee eyes new building, not renovating Hale center

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 7, 2025
LIVE OAK — A Live Oak community center’s future may involve an entirely new facility. The Suwannee County Commission unanimously approved accepting an $808,614 Florida Commerce Multi-Purpose Community Facility grant agreement at its meeting Tuesday.
Lafayette County Supervisor of Elections Travis Hart speaks at the county’s legislative delegation hearing last week at the Lafayette County Courthouse. (COURTESY)

Lafayette County Supervisor of Elections Travis Hart speaks at the county’s legislative delegation hearing last week at the Lafayette County Courthouse. (COURTESY)

Hart seeks leeway on early voting locations

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
MAYO — Travis Hart just pointed over his shoulder last week while addressing Lafayette County’s legislators — Rep. Jason Shoaf and Sen. Corey Simon — to get his point across.

DeSantis proposes $115.6B budget

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis late Sunday proposed a $115.6 billion budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year that calls for increasing pay for state law-enforcement officers and firefighters, eliminating a commercial-lease tax and holding a new sales-tax “holiday” on guns and ammunition.