Regional

South Prong, a 2,400-acre timber and hunting property in Baker County, will be preserved for agricultural purposes after the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bought a $4.999 million conservation easement on the property. (COURTESY)

South Prong, a 2,400-acre timber and hunting property in Baker County, will be preserved for agricultural purposes after the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bought a $4.999 million conservation easement on the property. (COURTESY)

State pays $5M to protect Baker County plantation

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
A nearly 2,400-acre Baker County farm will remain an agriculture property. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Wednesday a $4.999 million conservation easement on South Prong, a working timber and hunting property south of Sanderson.

Live Oak max tax set at 9.5 mills

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
LIVE OAK — Live Oak property owners won’t be facing an increased tax rate next year. During its meeting Tuesday, the Live Oak City Council set its tentative maximum millage rate at 9.5 mills, the same rate property owners are paying this year. However that rate is also 2.

Lafayette County road could be cleared for new name

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
MAYO — Several Lafayette County residents could soon get a new address. During a brief meeting Tuesday morning, the Lafayette County Commission agreed to advertise a public hearing for August to consider changing the name of NW Matt Pickles Road near Day.

Branford man killed in Mayo wreck Saturday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
MAYO — A Branford man was killed early Saturday morning when his pickup hit a culvert east of Mayo. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, a pickup was traveling east on U.S. Highway 27 when it ran off the roadway around 2:48 a.m. Saturday.

State agencies grapple with cyberattacks

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — More than three months after a computer system serving as a backbone of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice was hacked, many contractors providing services to at-risk and troubled youths remain unable to access the network.

Molotov cocktail thrower arrested

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
JENNINGS — Throwing a Molotov cocktail into someone’s house has landed a Jennings man in jail. According to a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office report, a green bottle with a lit fuse coming out of it was thrown through a window at a residence around 8:20 p.m. Friday.
Most areas in North Florida received between 2-4 inches of rain in June, although some areas like northern Columbia County received less than 2 inches of rainfall. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)

Most areas in North Florida received between 2-4 inches of rain in June, although some areas like northern Columbia County received less than 2 inches of rainfall. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)

District: Dry June causes rainfall deficit

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
LIVE OAK — A dry start to summer has North Florida facing a rainfall deficit, according to the Suwannee River Water Management District.
The Suwannee County Historical Museum is operated out of the 1903 Atlantic Coast Line Freight Station, which may become property of Suwannee Parks and Recreation due to rising costs for the Suwannee County Historical Commission. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

The Suwannee County Historical Museum is operated out of the 1903 Atlantic Coast Line Freight Station, which may become property of Suwannee Parks and Recreation due to rising costs for the Suwannee County Historical Commission. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee historical museum gets $5K lifeline from county

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 5, 2024
LIVE OAK — The Suwannee County Historical Museum is not a part of history itself.
Damaged fishing boats pile up against each other after Hurricane Beryl at the Bridgetown Fish Market, Bridgetown, Barbados, on Monday. (Randy Brooks/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

Damaged fishing boats pile up against each other after Hurricane Beryl at the Bridgetown Fish Market, Bridgetown, Barbados, on Monday. (Randy Brooks/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

UN: Beryl dealt Caribbean economies massive blow

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
Friday, July 5, 2024
By Jacqueline Charles Miami Herald A day after a powerful Hurricane Beryl swept Jamaica’s southern coast, bringing floodwaters and ripping off rooftops, hundreds of thousands of Jamaicans remain without power and water, while others are trying to pick up the pieces of their shredded lives.