Regional

The Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency district may be expanded or have additional districts created. The current district runs from the north end of the city to the south along Ohio Avenue (U.S. Highway 129) and includes the bulk of downtown Live Oak. (COURTESY CITY OF LIVE OAK)

The Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency district may be expanded or have additional districts created. The current district runs from the north end of the city to the south along Ohio Avenue (U.S. Highway 129) and includes the bulk of downtown Live Oak. (COURTESY CITY OF LIVE OAK)

Live Oak considering expanding CRA

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 31, 2025
LIVE OAK — Live Oak’s Community Redevelopment Agency district could soon grow. During the Live Oak CRA board meeting Tuesday, Councilwoman Vanessa Brown Robinson broached the topic of expanding the current CRA boundary. The CRA board previously voted to explore an expansion last June.
Sen. Corey Simon said during Thursday’s legislative delegation hearing in Lafayette County that he is focused on policy and the important things to the families in his district, not the political fighting over the immigration bill passed by the legislature this week. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sen. Corey Simon said during Thursday’s legislative delegation hearing in Lafayette County that he is focused on policy and the important things to the families in his district, not the political fighting over the immigration bill passed by the legislature this week. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Simon focused on policy, not politics

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 31, 2025
MAYO — Don’t expect Corey Simon to get involved with the in-fighting among Florida Republican leaders over the new immigration legislation.

DeSantis to take fight to GOP primaries

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, January 31, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Upping the ante in an increasingly acrimonious feud with House and Senate Republican leaders over immigration issues, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday vowed to channel “huge sums” of money to candidates he backs in next year’s GOP gubernatorial and legislative primary elections.

Governor readies budget proposal

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, January 31, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis will release a proposed budget this weekend that includes calling for a pay hike for Florida Highway Patrol troopers and reducing state debt, he said during an appearance Friday in Destin.

Suwannee eyes great 'several years' of growth

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
LIVE OAK — The new year has brought some new interest in Suwannee County from potential businesses. That has Jimmy Norris, the county’s economic development director, hopeful not just for a great 2025 but for a great stretch of years coming up. “We’re positive in our mindset,” Norris said.

Suwannee, Hamilton legislative hearings postponed

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Residents of Suwannee and Hamilton counties will have to wait to publicly address their state legislators. The legislative delegation hearings for those two counties, originally set for Tuesday, have been rescheduled after a special session was called for this week in Tallahassee.
The Suwannee River Water Management District recognizes January as Prescribed Fire Awareness Week and said it reduces intensity of possible wildfires. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)

The Suwannee River Water Management District recognizes January as Prescribed Fire Awareness Week and said it reduces intensity of possible wildfires. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)

SRWMD touts benefits of prescribed fire

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
LIVE OAK — Maintaining North Florida’s natural resources and reducing the risk of wildfires is a priority of the Suwannee River Water Management District.

Suwannee, Hamilton legislative hearings rescheduled

NEWS STAFF
Monday, January 27, 2025
Residents of Suwannee and Hamilton counties will have to wait to publicly address their state legislators. The legislative delegation hearings for those two counties, originally set for Tuesday, have been rescheduled after a special session was called for this week in Tallahassee.