Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Spring Fling Car Show & Backyard BBQ Cook-off is coming to White Springs on Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Suwannee Hardware & Feed,…
Category: Suwannee County
News pertaining to the Suwannee County area.
Jail Report
Lafayette County Jan. 12 Timothy Eplin, operate motorcycle without license, attach registration license plate not assigned, flee/elude LEO with lights siren active Jan. 14 Benito Domingo-Gaspar, operate motor vehicle without valid license…
UF/IFAS to host Walk Off the Holidays Food Drive
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Suwannee County Extension Office, in partnership with the Florida Department of Health, will host the Walk Off the…
North Florida PAWS: Stopping the suffering before it starts
Hailey Waldo editor@riverbendnews.org In rural North Florida, pet overpopulation is not a future concern; it’s a daily reality. Unplanned litters, outdoor animals and limited access to affordable veterinary care have created a…
SCSO locates 10-year-old child near Little River Springs
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) made a dramatic recovery on Friday, Jan. 9, with the rescue of a 10- year-old child near Little River Springs. The child was…
Branford council weighs county fire services proposal, votes to begin drafting agreement
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org The Branford Town Council met twice this month — during a workshop on Monday, Jan. 5, and again at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13 — to continue…
Wanted sexual predator turns himself in
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org Convicted sexual predator Samuel Dillon Free, who absconded from probation, turned himself in at the Suwannee County Jail on Friday, Jan. 16, at approximately 7:50 a.m. Free, 42, had…
MISSING SCSO continues to seek information on whereabouts of 13-year-old girl
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is continuing to investigate the disappearance of 13-year-old Live Oak resident Elizabeth Fortescue. Fortescue was reported missing on Thursday, Dec. 25, after last…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…