Christian Peterson [email protected] On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners met for its regularly scheduled meeting. The board began by approving the minutes from the previous meeting, followed by a call for public comment, to which…
Category: Community News
Honoring the area’s 2025-26 Teachers and School-Related Employees of the Year
Jason Futch [email protected] Each year, Riverbend News is honored to share with the community each school district’s Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year for the 2025-26 school year….
Apostolic Lighthouse Church of Live Oak to host Ladies Retreat
Christian Peterson [email protected] Winter is coming to an end, and with warmer weather beginning to return, many churches are preparing for their annual retreats. The Apostolic Lighthouse Church of Live Oak is no different, as it has scheduled its 2026 conference for…
Suwannee County celebrates Florida Arbor Day
Christian Peterson [email protected] Arbor Day is celebrated around the nation, but some states observe the holiday at different times of the year. In Florida, Arbor Day is celebrated in January. This year, it was celebrated on Friday, Jan. 17….
Hamilton County High School hits historic graduation rate
Jason Futch [email protected] Hamilton County High School (HCHS) has a lot to celebrate following news of a significant spike in graduation rates for the Class of 2025. The achievement marks the first…
Honoring the musical legacy of Stephen C. Foster
Jason Futch [email protected] Stephen Collins Foster left an enduring mark on American music despite his short life. His creative influence even reached Florida, where he wrote the song “Old Folks at Home.”…
HCHS Beta Club competes at state conference
Jason Futch [email protected] The Hamilton County High School (HCHS) Senior Beta Club earned high marks at the Beta Club state conference, which was held at the Signia by Hilton at Bonnett Creek…
LCHS student receives opportunity of a lifetime
Jason Futch [email protected] Adaya Plummer is a junior at Lafayette County High School and a member of the school’s band, something she has been passionate about for many years. When band director…
Lafayette Extension Office to offer advice to timber landowners
Christian Peterson [email protected] Lafayette County is well known as an agricultural community. Many people think of common areas of agriculture, dairy, corn, wheat, barely or wool. However, an often – overlooked product is timber. Luckily for local timber farmers, the Lafayette County UF/IFAS Extension Office has…
Suwannee County honors King’s legacy with day of events
Jason Futch [email protected] The Suwannee County Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Committee came together for its annual day of events on Monday, Jan. 19. The theme this year was “Building a community,…
Country Strong Gym set to host Valentines Day Market
The ever-popular romantic holiday of Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. With the annual celebration of sweethearts approaching, plenty of businesses and organizations are offering opportunities for couples to celebrate together. One of those places is Country Strong Gym in Mayo. The gym will host…
Former White Springs councilwoman’s compensation sparks debate
Jason Futch [email protected] During the regular meeting of the White Springs Town Council on Tuesday, Jan. 13, debate ensued over whether the town would request wages paid to former Councilwoman Shirley…
Weathering the elements
Heather Ainsley [email protected] While Florida is not exactly known for it’s snowstorms and blizzards, for those who are built for our temperate winters and searing-hot summers, winters in Florida can feel quite…
Lighting for every room in the home
Metro Contributor Lighting in a home is easily overlooked. But power outages serve as a stark reminder of the importance of lighting, which adds to the safety, functionality and aesthetic appeal of…
LCSO to support students through Lonny Hempstead Memorial Scholarship Fund
Jason Futch [email protected] The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) recently announced that the Lonny Hempstead Memorial Scholarship Fund will be able to support two more students from Lafayette High School (LHS) who…
Branford High School Beta Club walks away with multiple awards
Jason Futch [email protected] The Branford High School Senior Beta Club earned high marks at the state convention, which was held at the Signia by Hilton at Bonnett Creek in Orlando. The convention…
Miss Olustee Scholarship Pageant coming to Lake City
Jason Futch [email protected] For more than 40 years, the Miss Olustee Scholarship Pageant has supported young women from the surrounding counties by providing scholarship opportunities, developing interview skills, building self- esteem, and…