By Danny Federico Riverbend News First Baptist Church of Branford held their monthly Senior Fun Day on Tuesday, July 20, for seniors in the Branford area ages 50 and over to get…
RIVEROAK Technical College hosts Pharmacy Technician graduation ceremony
By Sydney Holder Riverbend News RIVEROAK Technical College held the 2020-2021 Pharmacy Technician Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, July 29, at 6 p.m., at the Community Presbyterian Church, located at 830 Pinewood Dr….
Community mourns End of Watch of Lt. Hempstead
By Lee Trawick Riverbend News The term “hero” is often overused; rarely does someone embody the definition of the word “hero.” Not everyone was Lt. Lonny Hempstead. On Tuesday, Aug. 10, the…
Tri-county area sees more flooding from substantial rainfall
By Danny Federico Riverbend News Residents of the tri-county area are continuing to experience flooding and damage from the substantial rainfall received at the beginning of August. County Road 534 in Lafayette…
Suwannee local wins nationals
By Halie Wetherington Riverbend News Upcoming senior at Suwannee High School (SHS), Karis Smith, traveled with her Pines Softball team to Gulf Shores, Ala., to begin playing in the United States Specialty…
Charles Darrell Summers
Charles Darrell Summers, 67, of Branford, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Lake City Medical Center in Lake City. He was born and raised in Lake City and had been…
JoAnn Adams Shotwell
JoAnn Adams Shotwell, 68, of White Springs, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 7, at Capital Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee after a brief illness. She was born in Memphis, Tenn., on April…
Around the Banks: Surprise
“Surprise!” How often do we hear that expression when someone painstakingly plans and prepares for a celebration, birthday, anniversary or retirement? Folks do enjoy the expressions of wonder on faces ranging in…
Emerald’s Gem Box: It was party time!
Two weeks ago, on Thursday, Aug. 5, we held our 1st birthday party, to celebrate the milestone of starting the Riverbend News and becoming a part of this community. What a fun…
Former HCI officers plead guilty to violating inmate’s civil rights
By Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office Contributor Ethan Burkett (25, Live Oak, Fla.), Coty Michael Wiltgen (31, Live Oak, Fla.) and William Story Shackelford (24, Valdosta, Ga.) have pled guilty to…
Suwannee County citizens to see solid waste taxes more than double
By Susan K. Lamb Riverbend News Suwannee County Commissioners are struggling with a solid waste problem and taxpayers will soon have to pay more assessment money to try and correct it. This problem…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Newspapers are small businesses too
Every day, all day, journalists across this nation are delivering news that matters at an unprecedented, vital time. I am so grateful for the work they are doing – especially our staff…
Around the Banks: Dr. Frederick T. Mickler
As time progresses and populations become more diverse, it seems some services are part of a different age and, rather than becoming more personalized, become more impersonal. I will provide a couple…
Sharing the spotlight
Everyone knows first responders are the most important positions held by our community members. When you see those flashing lights, no matter the color, you know it’s another community hero doing their…
Six tips for fall gardening
At this point, summer vegetable crops have been harvested for the most part, so it’s time to gear up for fall planting! Now is the time to get your garden area ready…
Home sick home: indoor air quality issues
In Florida, where we utilize air conditioning to cool occupants and de-humidify the air, builders are encouraged to build tight homes. Many people assume that energy efficient homes that are tightly built…
“Come on people”
I just read the front page article titled, “Live Oak City Councilman accused of using profanity towards Councilwoman.” Perhaps it was mistitled. Because Linda Owens seems to think, by her own quoted…