Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org Community leaders came together in Jasper on Wednesday, Jan. 14, to watch Dr. James and Jennifer Watson finally break ground on a new facility that has been years in…
Category: Counties
Florida Arbor Day
Hailey Waldo editor@riverbendnews.org In places like Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette Counties, trees are more than a part of the scenery, they help us in our daily life. From the towering pines that…
Century Pioneer Family Farms Program honors Florida’s multi-generational farms
Florida Department of Agriculture Contributor The Century Pioneer Family Farm Program, initiated in 1985 by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, honors families who have maintained continuous family farm ownership…
Behind every prescription: Celebrating National Pharmacist Day
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org National Pharmacist Day falls on Sunday, Jan. 12. The goal of the day is to honor the contributions of pharmacists everywhere. The role of a pharmacist isn’t on many…
Buccaneers fight hard but suffer two basketball losses
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org On Tuesday, Jan. 6, the Branford High School Buccaneers basketball teams hosted two schools. The evening opened with the girls team facing down their county rivals the Suwannee High…
Hornets celebrate soccer seniors while battling Bulldogs
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org On Thursday, Jan. 8, the Lafayette High School Hornets’ boys and girls soccer teams hosted the Taylor County Bulldogs in two soccer showdowns. While the competition was fierce, the…
Remembering Suwannee: Reflections on a new year, Part 2
Eric Musgrove County Historian Last week, to start 2026 off, I began a discussion on how to preserve your family’s records and photographs. Today, I’ll complete that discussion before we continue with…
Local food pantries help feed those in need
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org Life happens and, sometimes, it gets hard to make ends meet. In times such as these, it helps to know many churches and organizations in the area have ministries…
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office hosts inaugural Blessing of the Badges
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org For the first time in Hamilton County, law enforcement and emergency services personnel came together for the county’s first annual Blessing of the Badges. The event was held on…
LCSO deputy earns employee of the year honors
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Deputy Chase Buchanan was recognized as the agency’s employee of the year during its annual Christmas party on Thursday, Dec. 11. Buchanan, who began…
Third District American Legion Riders announce 2026 Bike for a Veteran recipient, Applications for next opportunity open until Feb. 28
Butch Deihl Contributor The American Legion Third District Riders announced the winner of their Bike for a Veteran giveaway during their bi-monthly district meeting on Saturday, Dec. 6, at American Legion Post…
Jail Report
Lafayette County Jan. 6 David Retalic, driving while license suspended second subsequent offense Marvin Velazquez DeLeon, operating motor vehicle without valid license Jan. 8 John Anderson, violation of probation Jan. 11 Xavier…
Florida leads new wave of SNAP junk food restrictions as 18 states prepare changes in 2026
Hailey Waldo Contributor This year, Florida secured approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for certain “junk food” items beginning…
White Springs Town Council votes to forfeit Aldridge’s seat
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The White Springs Town Council met for a special-called meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, to determine the future of the council seat occupied by Shirley Aldridge, who was appointed…
Jennings Police Department urges for EMS service in Jennings
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Jennings Town Council held its first meeting of the year on Tuesday, Jan. 6. During the meeting, Jennings Police Department (JPD) Lt. Shawn Raggins addressed the council on…
Tensions rise during Live Oak City Council meeting
Ady Hammock editor@riverbendnews.org The Live Oak City Council’s Tuesday, Dec. 9, meeting opened with approval of the agenda before City Manager Larry Sessions invited council members to the front of the room…
Elks Lodge donates money and toys for Christmas
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org The Live Oak Elks Lodge is dedicated to supporting the local community, and during the Christmas season its focus turns to helping the area’s children. Each year, the Elks…