The Florida Legislature isn’t scheduled to meet again until January 2026, but already a familiar bill has been introduced for the session. House Bill 11, which State Representatives Chip LaMarca of Lighthouse…
Category: History
Local History regarding Hamilton, Lafayette and Suwannee counties.
Remembering Suwannee: Francis James Ross, Part 1
Florida’s history is full of interesting people. Since I discussed a hotel at Suwannee Springs last week, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss someone interesting who was associated with that…
Remembering Suwannee: Suwannee Springs
Eric Musgrove Contributor In past articles, I have spoken about the various resort hotels that were once located at Suwannee Springs (also known as Gadsden Springs, Lower Mineral Springs, and Suwannee Sulphur…
Get to know the Garretts, Suwannee County’s Farm Family of the Year
Jason Futch [email protected] During the Suwannee County Farm Bureau’s annual dinner on Thursday, Sept. 18, Joseph Garrett and his wife, Katie, were honored as the 2025 Suwannee County Farm Family of the…
Avoid getting stuck with sandspurs
Carolyn Saft Contributor Prevention is worth a ton of cure when it comes to keeping sandspurs (also known as sandburs or grassburs) out of your yard. Sandspurs are weeds that lie low…
Local rodeo with cash prizes coming to Jasper
Christian Peterson [email protected] Rodeos are everywhere these days. As the weather begins to cool, and the area heads into the fall and winter months, the fan favorite events start to pop back…
Lyons family announced as Lafayette County Farm Family of the Year
Riverbend News photo by Danny Federico, September 8, 2025 The Lyons family was announced as the Lafayette County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year during the Lafayette County Farm Bureau’s annual…
Remembering Suwannee: Convict leasing system, Part 10
Eric Musgrove Contributor This week, we complete our multi-part series on the convict lease system in Florida. Although Section 1 of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution allows “slavery” and…
Women have now been voting for 105 years
Kathy Egan [email protected] In 1787, the U.S. Constitution was drafted, establishing the government of the United States. By 1788, all the necessary states had ratified it, so, in 1789, it became effective,…
Fruits of their labor: Lyons family named Lafayette County’s Farm Family of the Year
Emily Beach Contributor Chris and Kelly Lyons, along with their four daughters and Chris’s brother, Dale, have built a farming operation rooted in faith, family and farming. Their dedication to the land…
Suwannee County Farm Bureau hosts annual Speech Contest
The Suwannee County Farm Bureau recently hosted its annual Speech Contest, where local students showcased their public speaking skills and agricultural knowledge. This long- standing event, held each year, provides an excellent…
Time to fly-tie: Fly tying bench donated to White Springs Public Library
Jason Futch [email protected] A generous donation to the White Springs Public Library in August has provided local anglers with an opportunity to take care of their fly-tying needs. It also provides a…
Celebrating the art of hunting and fishing
Jason Futch [email protected] Every year, on the fourth Saturday in September, hunters and fishermen from across the country engage in their favorite pastimes, hopeful the upcoming season will provide for them and…
Dalton Tyre family honored as Hamilton County Farm Family of the Year
Jason Futch [email protected] During the Florida Farm Bureau’s Annual Dinner in Hamilton County on Thursday, Sept. 4, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Hamilton (UF/IFAS) Hamilton County Extension…
Suwannee UF/IFAS announces Small and Beginner Grower Alliance
Christian Peterson [email protected] Are you the owner of a small farm? Did you just buy a new farm? Are you just beginning your farming career? Do you have a million questions about…
Lafayette County Farm Bureau announces new speech contest
Christian Peterson [email protected] Contests are a part of life; humans love to compete with each other. It is effective at helping every person better themselves. It also allows everyone the opportunity to…
Two-step trauma: The Dancing Plague of 1518
Mickey Starling [email protected] In my search for interesting moments in history to share, I may have stumbled upon the inspiration for the song “Dancing the Night Away,” which was a Leo Sayer…