Fresh Stop Store #1407, located at 6886 Suwannee Plaza Ln, in Live Oak, held its grand opening on Friday, Dec. 12. Throughout the week of Monday, Dec. 15, the store held its…
Category: Community News
More information revealed in November HCSO drug bust
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), working in conjunction with its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, conducted two simultaneous search warrants in southwest Jasper. The search warrants, executed…
The Arc is coming to Mayo
Lafayette County is growing at a rapid pace, and with that growth comes the introduction of new, community-centered organizations. A group of local citizens has been working closely with The Arc to…
Hamilton County High School mourns the passing of Dean Morell
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org Hamilton County High School (HCHS) faculty and students recently mourned the loss of a beloved high school Spanish teacher. Dean Morell, who passed away on Sunday, Nov. 30, was…
What’s going on in your church?
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org Do you know of any upcoming church events happening in the tri-county area? Please share them with us! We want to cover your fundraisers, revivals, yard sales, luncheons, concerts…
A Festival of Lessons and Carols to be presented
Bill and Linda Poplin Contributor A Festival of Lessons and Carols will be presented at Covenant First Presbyterian Church, located at 421 White Ave., in Live Oak, at 6 p.m. on Sunday,…
Teacher’s union president speaks of challenges in state education
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org Andrew Spar is a veteran teacher, having taught students in Volusia County since 1994. Throughout his career, he had the opportunity to become a union leader, starting with the…
Christmas Hemming enshrined in state history
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org Christmas Hemming, born into slavery in the 1830s, rose to become one of the largest landowners in Suwannee County’s early history. After gaining his freedom, he purchased land in…
SVEC hosts another Touch-A- Truck event
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnewsnews.org The sun shone brightly on Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) on Saturday, Nov. 22. Early in the morning, unique vehicles from across the Suwannee Valley area filed onto the…
Mayo celebrates the beginning of the Christmas season
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnewsnews.org Mayo officially welcomed the Christmas season on Saturday, Nov. 29, beginning with the Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Hometown Holiday Market. Vendors from across Lafayette County set up…
Bulldogs’ baseball team holding 13-gun raffle to support upcoming season
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org The Suwannee High School baseball program is holding a 13-gun raffle as a fundraiser for its upcoming season. One firearm will be raffled off during every home baseball game…
Vivid Visions launches Holiday Gift Card and Donation Drive
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org Vivid Visions, Inc., the Suwannee County Domestic Violence Crisis Center and Shelter, has officially launched a holiday Gift Card and Donation Drive to support women and children receiving services…
Suwannee River Regional Library’s literacy department seeking volunteer tutors
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Suwannee River Regional Library’s (SRRL) literacy department is seeking volunteer tutors to help local students achieve their academic goals. The library system serves Hamilton, Madison and Suwannee Counties,…
US Postal Service announces recommended mailing dates
Hailey Waldo editor@riverbendnews.org Recently, the U.S. Postal Service announced the recommended mailing and shipping send-by-dates for expected delivery before Thursday, Dec. 25. 2025 holiday shipping dates for Contiguous U.S. (lower 48 states):…
Coffee With A Veteran scheduled for Dec. 12 in Mayo
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org CareerSource North Florida and Mayo Subs are teaming up to host “Coffee With A Veteran” on Thursday, Dec. 12. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 11…
Life, laughter, and love: Suwannee County remembers Carolyn, Sophia and Faith Ann
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnewsnews.org It was a cold morning in January 2018 when Carolyn Raper received a phone call from a friend. The friend knew of a couple that was having a…
One step closer: Progress on kennels at Hamilton County Animal Control
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org When the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) took over animal control from the county in October, the goal was to improve overall operations for county residents. Since taking over,…