Jason Futch: reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com The Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce joined T-Mobile as it celebrated its first anniversary on Monday, May 19. The event highlighted the store and shared with the community the…
Spring Sports
Maria Knapp eases into role as FSYR president
Jason Futch: reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com For the first time in its 68-year history, the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches (FSYR) has welcomed its first female president and first Suwannee County native to helm the historic…
What to know about tick bites and Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Christian Peterson: reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com Many people are educated about the dangers of a tick bite and Lyme disease. However, what many do not know is Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a bacterial disease spread…
Jail Report
Lafayette County May 19 Jacob Jones, loitering and prowling, armed trespassing, burglary, petit theft–more than $100 May 20 Carlton Deese, three counts probation violation Terry Kerr, simple assault May 21 William Richmann,…
Charles Ronald (Ronnie) Wagner
Charles Ronald (Ronnie) Wagner’s earthly journey is over, and he has finally made it home. Ronnie was born in Eatonton, Ga., on Aug. 26, 1946, and left us on May 20, 2025….
Ordinance tabled, Roberson sides on fence issue
Jason Futch: reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com The Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners met at the courthouse in Jasper on Tuesday, May 20, for its regular meeting. The Board discussed various topics, but two particular…
Suwannee Commissioners decide to rehire Jimmy Norris
Christian Peterson: reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com On Tuesday, May 20, the Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners met for its regularly scheduled meeting. Chairman Travis Land began by addressing public concerns he had overheard regarding…
Branford library expansion underway
Danny Federico: reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com The Suwannee River Regional Library, Robert Leonard Building, in Branford, is on track for a major expansion, thanks to a long-awaited state grant. During the Branford Town Council’s regularly…
Jasper City Council discusses code enforcement concerns
Christian Peterson: reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com On Thursday, May 15, the Jasper City Council met for its regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting began with the approval of the agenda for the evening. The Council then…
Live Oak City Council forgoes discussion on Oak Haven project
Jason Futch: reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com A packed Live Oak City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 13, had residents ready to share their concerns about the proposed Oak Haven project that has been hotly contested….
Early morning fight leads to arrest
Jason Futch: reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com A domestic violence incident led to the arrest of a Lake City man after he allegedly attacked a woman and her mother during an argument; part of the incident…
Public urged to act quickly on reporting missing persons
Jason Futch: reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office recently experienced situations in which missing persons reports were filed with the agency. The sheriff is now asking the public to act quickly when…
Double murder suspect’s case continued to August
Jason Futch: reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com A suspect who was arrested for allegedly killing two Live Oak residents in July of 2022 has been given a pretrial continuance until August. Benjamin Savage Ornes, 26, has…
Growing Through It: Keep going, it matters
“Those articles you wrote last week were [insert two fire emojis]…really good stuff and well written! Ya might want to do some more of that!” That little message from a friend came…
Living God’s Way: The value of working
Character is an important quality of a Christian. To the Ephesians, Paul has already talked about speaking the truth and not lying, along with controlling one’s anger. His next component of one’s…
Lessons That Stuck: “Go around the leaf”
I grew up in Tallahassee and was blessed to attend SAIL, one of the best high schools there. I won’t go into detail, but I credit the school for saving my life…
Florida officially second state to ban adding fluoride to water
Lazaro Aleman: reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com Florida has become the second state to ban fluoride in the drinking water, joining Utah, whose ban took effect on Wednesday, May 7. On Tuesday, April 29, the House…