Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org A wildfire that began as a 100-acre blaze in southern Lafayette County has since grown into a 2,200-acre firefighting operation deep within the Rawhide Sog and Mallory Swamp Wildlife…
Category: Farm & Outdoors
FWC approves holistic management approach for spotted seatrout
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Contributor At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved new management regions and regulations for spotted seatrout as a part of…
Madison Hosts State Land Judging Competition
Rick Patrick editor@riverbendnews.org On Friday, March 27, the Madison Soil and Water Conservation District served as the host of the 68th Annual State Land Judging Competition. The event took place on Roland…
Paw-sitive Adoption Spotlight: Woody
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org Woody, only 4-months-old, may be the last of his litter, but his story and spirit make him impossible to overlook. This sweet German Shorthaired Pointer mix puppy was bottle-fed…
Celestial events in May
Hailey Heseltine editor@riverbendnews.org For those who like to keep eyes on the skies, May has some interesting activity in store. • For most of the month, Venus and Jupiter will be visible…
Suwannee High FFA Annual Banquet scheduled for May 8
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org The school year is coming to a close, and with that comes the celebration of most of the extracurricular activities that go on throughout the school year. On Friday,…
Tree appreciation today for a better tomorrow
Riverbend News Staff editor@riverbendnews.org “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” – Greek Proverb April 25 is National Arbor Day. Arbor Day is…
Catfish Festival hooks crowd in Branford
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org The Branford community gathered once again on Saturday, April 11, to celebrate the annual Catfish Festival. Hosted by American Legion Post 59 in Branford, the annual festival raises funds…
Local youth go hog wild at the Suwannee Valley Youth Livestock Show and Sale
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org Students from all corners of the tri-county area converged on the Bob Holmes Arena in Live Oak for the 2026 Suwannee Valley Youth Livestock Show and Sale. This five-day…
Farm Bureau establishes disaster relief fund for agriculture
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org Florida Farm Bureau has created a disaster relief fund that will assist Florida farmers and ranchers who have suffered significant agricultural losses or expenses because of weather-related events and…
SRWMD declares Phase II Water Shortage
Suwannee River Water Management District Contributor Due to continued drought conditions and a forecast that calls for lower than average rainfall in the months ahead, the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD)…
Plants, art and community: Wild Roots Collective opening March 21
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org A new plant nursery and creative gathering space is preparing to put down roots in Suwannee County. Wild Roots Collective, a plant nursery, apothecary and creative studio, is set…
Annual livestock show and sale coming soon
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org It’s that time of year again – the annual Suwannee Valley Youth Livestock Show and Sale (SVYLSS) is gearing up to take place from Monday, March 23, through Friday,…
Kaleb Kelly awarded Distinguished Service Award
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org In the Suwannee Valley area, the University of Florida plays an important role in the community, especially through the UF/IFAS Extension Offices that dot the landscape of North Florida and through the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC). Because…
National FFA Week is around the corner
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org The Future Farmers of America (FFA) is an active and popular organization in the Suwannee Valley area. Many students across local high schools are members and participate in a wide range of activities. On top of all…
Keep your pivot in shape to conserve water and protect yields
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…
Suwannee County celebrates Florida Arbor Day
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org 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….