Danny Federico [email protected] As May is observed as National Pet Month, a Hamilton County organization is benefiting from a statewide effort to reduce pet overpopulation through specialty license plate sales. North Florida…
Category: Community News
Payroll issues, contract votes dominate Live Oak City Council discussion
Danny Federico [email protected] During its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 12, the Live Oak City Council addressed a packed agenda. Discussions included payroll problems, a proposed tobacco and vape ban in public…
Hamilton County Commissioners lift mandatory burn ban
Rick Patrick Riverbend News During its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 19, the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners considered lifting the ban on all outside burning. The ban had been in…
White Springs Town Council passes multiple resolutions looking to the future
Christian Peterson [email protected] On Tuesday, May 12, the White Springs Town Council met for its regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting began with approval of the agenda. The only change that the council…
Lafayette County school start times to remain unchanged next year
Danny Federico [email protected] The Lafayette County School Board held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 19, with the evening beginning with recognitions of the district’s four Students of the Month. Each month,…
Selective Service registration is set to become automatic in December
Hailey Heseltine Riverbend News On the national stage, changes are planned for the Selective Service System (SSS). Historically, most American men between ages 18 and 25 have been required to register themselves…
Tennessee creates domestic violence offender registry – will Florida?
Hailey Heseltine Riverbend News Tennessee’s Savanna’s Law took effect in 2026. This new law established the state’s Persistent Domestic Violence Offender Registry, a searchable public registry by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation….
First Federal Bank dedicates building to founder John Flood
Christian Peterson [email protected] On Monday, May 18, First Federal Bank held a celebration and building dedication at the Live Oak branch. The reason for the celebration was to dedicate the building to…
Alleged cheater Michael Trail being investigated by St. Johns Sheriff’s Office
Christian Peterson [email protected] Michael Trail became a well-known name in Lafayette County in 2023. However, the story of his alleged cheating begins in 2022. According to the original arrest report from the…
Months-long investigation leads to meth arrest in Hamilton County
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Contributor The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Narcotics and Street Crimes Unit received numerous complaints regarding heavy traffic and suspected narcotics activity at a residence located in the…
Soak Up the FUN!
June 1 – June 3 Hamilton County 4-H Day camps, Bears, Panthers and Gators $15 per child, ages 5-9 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Register at 2026HamiltonCountyBearsPanthersGators.4honline.com June 1 – June 5…
SVEC raises over $2,000 for charity during annual cornhole tournament
Christian Peterson [email protected] Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) is constantly trying to help out the community. For the past eight years, one of the ways in which the co-op gives back is…
Missy’s Law and HB 1159 have been signed into state law
Hailey Heseltine Riverbend News On March 31, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Missy’s Law (HB 445) and HB 1159 into Florida Law, making them set to go into effect on Wednesday, July 1….
Letter to the Editor: Update on the Water First North Florida Project
Senator Corey Simon Florida Senate District 3 Dear Neighbor, I want to provide you with an important update regarding the Water First North Florida Project. After careful review and continued conversations with…
Bucs’ softball season ends in nine-inning regional thriller
Rick Patrick Riverbend News Branford High School’s softball season came to a heartbreaking end Wednesday night, May 13, but not before the Buccaneers delivered a battle worthy of the regional championship stage….
When motivation meets achievement
Chris Combass Contributor As testing season wraps up, teachers and students throughout the Hamilton County School District are celebrating more than scores. They are celebrating hard work, determination and a little creativity…
Spelling bee winners honored at school board meeting
Danny Federico [email protected] Two students were recognized for their spelling skills during the Suwannee County School Board’s regular meeting on Tuesday, March 24. Christian Davis, an eighth-grade student at Melody Christian Academy,…