Regional

DeSantis balks at Air Force proposal

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday objected to a proposal by the U.S. Air Force that would transfer a Florida Air National Guard squadron to the U.S. Space Force. DeSantis sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, the U.S.

Florida challenges gun seller rule

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit challenging a new Biden administration rule that will require more gun sellers to be licensed and run background checks on buyers.
Wave Armor owner Rick Johanneck (second from left) and President Jennifer Johanneck-Eystad (third from left) toss shovels of dirt along with fellow Wave Armor representatives and Florida State Senator Corey Simon (right) during a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday in Suwannee County. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Wave Armor owner Rick Johanneck (second from left) and President Jennifer Johanneck-Eystad (third from left) toss shovels of dirt along with fellow Wave Armor representatives and Florida State Senator Corey Simon (right) during a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday in Suwannee County. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Breaking ground, making waves in Suwannee County

FALMOUTH — Three years of communication, hard work and persistence paid off Tuesday morning when 16 golden shovels hit dirt in western Suwannee County. The symbolic groundbreaking marked the next step in the development of Rhino Inc.
A plane is engulfed in flames after crashing during takeoff Saturday from the Little River Airstrip in McAlpin. Nobody was hurt in the crash. (COURTESY SUWANNEE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

A plane is engulfed in flames after crashing during takeoff Saturday from the Little River Airstrip in McAlpin. Nobody was hurt in the crash. (COURTESY SUWANNEE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

Nobody hurt in Suwannee plane crash

McALPIN — A single-engine plane was destroyed Saturday after crashing during takeoff from an airstrip in southern Suwannee County. A Beech F35 crashed shortly after takeoff in a field Saturday around 1:20 p.m. and caught on fire in McAlpin, according to a Federal Aviation Administration report.

DeSantis touts break on park fees

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday touted initiatives that he said are part of an effort to help Floridians enjoy the outdoors. During an appearance in Naples, DeSantis announced that admission fees will be waived at state parks over the Memorial Day weekend, from May 24 to May 27.

Land garners judicial seat

LIVE OAK — A family tradition of public service will continue in the Third Judicial Circuit. Kathryn “Katy” Land was the lone candidate to qualify for Third Judicial Circuit Judge during the qualifying period that ended at noon Friday.