Tiffany Quintero Contributor The Hamilton County School District is proud of Elijah Devore, a Hamilton County High School student who took his certified nursing assistant (CNA) licensing exam on Tuesday, Dec. 2,…
Category: Community News
Lafayette County Homeschool Co-Op brings fairy-tale justice to Judge Jackson’s courtroom
Mireya Burak Contributor The Lafayette County Homeschool Co-Op brought excitement and education together with a full mock trial held in Judge Jackson’s courtroom on Friday, Nov. 21. The case, State of Florida…
Suwannee County Historical Commission receives Branford Women’s Club tablecloth
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Suwannee County Historical Commission made strides in preserving the history of the Branford Women’s Club following its closure in 2021. When the club closed its doors to the…
“Line Dance King” Set to Headline Rhythm and Feast Festival in White Springs
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The “Cupid Shuffle” has been a dance craze throughout the nation and around the world since it was introduced to audiences in 2006. When the music hits, people stop…
Branford Greenway glows with Light Up Ceremony
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org Residents and visitors filled the Greenway in Branford on Thursday, Dec. 4, for a special Light Up Ceremony presented by Branford 4-H. As soon as the sun fell below…
Step into good health and step up for Suwannee
Kim Griffin Contributor As we welcome a new year, there’s no better time to reconnect with the outdoors and rediscover the powerful benefits of moving our bodies in nature. Outdoor exercise offers…
Cottage Food Law for Beginners course to be held
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is hosting a Cottage Food Law for Beginners course on Tuesday, March 18, 2026, from 9 a.m. to…
Slew of bills take aim at property taxes
Lazaro Aleman editor@riverbendnews.org A slew of tax-relief measures have thus far been filed in the Florida Legislature for the 2026 session, all of them aiming to reduce or eliminate property taxes. The…
Jail Report
Lafayette County Dec. 8 Juan Mendez Castellano, operate motor vehicle without valid license Arthur Cook, battery Dec. 10 Edy Omar Velazquez De Leon, operate motor vehicle without valid license Hamilton County…
Woman’s Club of Jasper to host Chili/Soup Cook-Off
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Woman’s Club of Jasper is hosting its annual Chili/Soup Cook Off on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the clubhouse, located at 403 NW 6th Ave., in Jasper. The number…
Local author pens children’s books
Rick Patrick editor@riverbendnews.org For many years, Mary Martha Santerfeit has worked with the written word. The former Postmaster in Lee, Fla., was also the Assistant Editor of the Mayo Free Press, where…
Homebuyers Education Online Classes coming in 2026
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has announced the return of its Homebuyer Education Online Classes. The classes, which are US Housing and Urban…
Suwannee Valley Unsolved, Inc. recognizes HCSO as Agency of the Year
Suwannee Valley Unsolved, Inc. Contributor On Friday, Dec. 5, the local cold case advocacy organization Suwannee Valley Unsolved, Inc. (SVU) recognized the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) as the 2025-26 Agency of…
Lafayette commissioners cancel second meeting in December
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org On Tuesday, Dec. 9, the Lafayette County Board of County Commissioners met for its regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting began with the board approving the minutes from the previous…
Town of White Springs bans gambling; discusses Telford Hotel
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The White Springs Town Council met for its regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9. At the meeting, the council members struck the final nail in the coffin regarding gambling,…
Hamilton County commissioners deny road closure
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org A group of Jasper residents came together during the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners’ regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, to oppose a proposed road closure. The proposal…
Jennings Police Department receives approval for new equipment
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Jennings Police Department (JPD) will soon receive new laptops and printers for its patrol vehicles. During the regular meeting of the Jennings Town Council on Tuesday, Dec. 2,…