Raymond Balaguer Contributor Center pivot irrigation systems are a major investment, and when they aren’t working properly, the costs can add up fast. Worn nozzles, pressure problems, clogged sprinklers or misaligned towers…
Category: Community News
Hamilton County UF/IFAS Extension to host Lunch & Learn program on heart health
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org The Hamilton County UF/IFAS Extension will host a Lunch & Learn program focused on heart health on Friday, Feb. 27, in Jasper. The program will feature an interactive class…
Hamilton County Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Coalition to host golf tournament
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org The Hamilton County Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Coalition (HCAODPC) will host its 17th Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, March 27. The tournament will take place at Francis Lake…
Taylor County collision kills Branford woman, injures two others
Jason Futch Reporter2@riverbendnews.org A crash in Taylor County on Friday, Feb. 13, resulted in the death of a Branford woman, while a Branford man and a Perry man were taken to…
Fleming appointed to serve as District 2 Suwannee County Commissioner
Jason Futch Reporter2@riverbendnews.org On Friday, Feb. 13, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Clyde Fleming to serve on the Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners, representing District 2. The appointment follows…
A sad course of events
I am continually stunned by the crimes committed against the working class and the elderly. Let me be clear: all crime is atrocious. But there is a particular cruelty in targeting those…
Livin’ Like Larry Farm Sanctuary Micro Pet Food Pantries installed throughout region
Jason Futch Reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Livin’ Like Larry Farm Sanctuary has been installing Micro Pet Food Pantries through its Suwannee Animal Ambassadors, Volunteers and Educators (S.A.V.E.) program. The sanctuary has provided a regional…
Florida Run for the Fallen visits Suwannee County
Jason Futch Reporter2@riverbendnews.org All gave some, and some gave all. For those who gave their all, the men and women with the Florida Run for the Fallen remembered them as they…
Two Branford superstars earn Florida Dairy Farmers awards
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org Florida is an agriculturally based state, a fact that is especially evident in North Central Florida. One of the region’s most prominent industries is dairy farming, and many local farmers have come together to form the Florida Dairy Farmers organization. While the importance…
Filling storefronts
Katherine Allen Contributor Economic development and downtown revitalization are not new concepts to our community. Just ask Lee Harvard or Brantley Helvenston. They were part of the Pride in Action group that,…
February is Heart Health Month
Kim Griffin Contributor February is American Heart Health Month, a time to raise awareness about heart disease and encourage habits that protect our hearts. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death…
Community shines during inaugural Best of Riverbend Gala
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org Riverbend News was honored to formally recognize the people, businesses and organizations that make Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette Counties some of the best areas in North Central Florida on…
Water First North Florida brings hope and concerns to drought-stricken Suwannee River Basin
Jason Futch Reporter2@riverbendnews.org Water First North Florida is an upcoming project aimed at bringing relief to the drought-stricken Suwannee River Basin by pumping water from the St. Johns River. The project is…
Fundraiser being held for teen battling lymphoma
Jason Futch Reporter2@riverbendnews.org Briar Cribbs, a 16-year-old senior from Jasper, is currently undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Before Thanksgiving last year, Cribbs noticed a lump on his neck and brought it to…
Hamilton County School District announces Spelling Bee winners
Jason Futch Reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Hamilton County School District announced the winners of the 2025–26 School District Spelling Bee on Friday, Jan. 23. Participants included Timothy Fason, Jonas Houston, Angelica Martinez-Lopez, Matthew Trimble…
Hamilton County commissioners conduct business of the county
Jason Futch Reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners held its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the county courthouse in Jasper. During the meeting, commissioners touched on several topics…
Counties come together to celebrate Rural Counties Day
Jason Futch Reporter2@riverbendnews.org Rural counties throughout Florida had the opportunity to take part in Rural Counties Day at the Florida State Capitol. From spotlighting Hamilton County’s growth to the Lafayette County Chamber…