By Bryant Thigpen Riverbend News The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8095 in Hamilton County was recently recognized by the State of Florida for their excellence in community service. The members…
O’Brien Baptist food ministry powering through pandemic
By Bryant Thigpen Riverbend News The food ministry is still going strong at O’Brien Baptist Church despite the coronavirus pandemic that has significantly impacted the U.S. this year. According to Keith Jones,…
From pageant queen to farm girl: McCall Farm
By Ramsey Sullivan Riverbend News The 2017 National Forestry Queen and teacher at Anderson Elementary School, Shelbi McCall, isn’t like most other pageant queens; she isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty…
James Tucker and the wreck of the Madison
By Cole Davis Riverbend News It’s no secret that the Suwannee River has fostered plenty intriguing stories over its long history. For years, the tale of the piratical Lafitte Brothers of New…
Wyatte Leon O’Steen, Sr. August 31, 1932 – August 10, 2020
Wyatte Leon O’Steen, Sr., 87, went to his heavenly home on Aug. 10, 2020. He was born in Mayo, Fla. to Barney Grover O’Steen and Mildred Land O’Steen. Wyatte is predeceased by…
Letter to the Editor: A pivotal election is coming on November 3, 2020
There will probably never again be such a glaring difference between presidential candidates, than in this coming election. In one corner is Donald J. Trump the champion of private sector job creation…
I’m not a normal woman
The other day a friend and I were discussing yard work, planting flowers and crafts (and the fact that I do not like to do any of those things) and she brought…
Pioneer Day rescheduled
By John Willoughby Riverbend News More than a month before festivities were set to begin, Mayo’s premier event will not be taking place on Saturday, Oct. 10. The 41st annual Mayo Pioneer…
Riverbend News newspaper subscriptions delivered to mailboxes soon
By Bryant Thigpen Riverbend News Hundreds of local residents in Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette counties have subscribed to the Riverbend News and they will soon be receiving their weekly newspaper through the…
Business Spotlight: Outback Fence and Deck
Mickey Starling reporter3@greenepublishing.com If you’ve traveled the scenic coastline of Northeast Florida recently, you probably have seen some of the expert craftsmanship of Outback Enterprises. Since 1999, David Plummer and his crew…
Local faith leaders hold a countywide prayer rally
Dale Croft Contributor A deep concern for the dire spiritual condition of our nation prompted Lafayette County pastors and lay ministers to plan and lead a community prayer gathering in Mayo’s Veterans…
Healthcare Hero: Latia Lumpkin
Rick Patrick Riverbend News For Jasper, Fla., native Latia Lumpkin, Gentle Love and Care is not merely a name for her home care agency, it’s a way of life. “Knowing I’m making…
HCES holds kindergarten transition program
Ramsey Sullivan Riverbend News Each year, Hamilton County Elementary School (HCES) holds a free kindergarten transition program for all upcoming kindergarten students to jump start skills and concepts before entering school. HCES…
Back-to-School Trunk Bash helps over 300 students with school supplies
By Bryant Thigpen Riverbend News With the 2020-21 school year underway, the Suwannee County School District (SCSD) hosted a “Back-to-School Trunk Bash,” which helped over 300 students prepare for the new year…
Fostering: The Mathews’
Ramsey Sullivan Riverbend News In the United States alone, there are nearly 437,000 children in foster care. Roughly 30,000 of these foster youth age out of the system each year, without having…
Jasper coming to life with First Saturday Market Days
By Bryant Thigpen Riverbend News The community is invited to come out on Saturday, Sept. 5, to Central Avenue on the first Saturday of each month for Jasper’s First Saturday Market Days…
Save a life: Donate blood
Rick Patrick Riverbend News Every two seconds of every day, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. Maybe it’s a patient undergoing heart surgery. Maybe it’s a young child who…