Allen “Bruce” Gardner, age 61, of Live Oak, Fla., passed away on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. He was born in Lake City on October 21, 1963, to Jackie Sapp and Early Bascom…
Spring Sports
Economic Development Director Jimmy Norris announces resignation at Suwannee commissioners’ meeting
Christian Peterson reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com On Tuesday, March 4, the Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners met for its regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting began with the approval of the minutes from the previous…
Jennings Town Council addresses various updates
Jason Futch reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com On Tuesday, March 4, the Jennings Town Council met for its regularly scheduled meeting. Besides a few updates and a motion to approve auditor services for the 2024 to…
It’s All About Literacy: Repositioning our conscious for continuous lack history celebration
Remembering the 2025 Black History Theme, “African Americans and Labor” prompts a consciousness of the innumerable and immense contributions of African Americans, i.e., Negro Slaves and unofficial “Freed-Negro Leaders.” Yet, still today,…
Around the Banks
A quote often attributed to those whose ancestry runs deep into South Carolina’s low country is: ” Charlestonians, like the Chinese, eat lots of rice and worship their ancestors.” The South, maybe as…
Buddy Phillips: Post-Script
It has been an honor to be able to retell the story of beloved lawman, J.M. “Buddy” Phillips. As an enthusiast of local law enforcement lore, I have been aware of Phillips’s…
Celestial events in March: Will you see the lunar eclipse?
Heather Ainsley reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com 2025 is shaping up to be a pretty active, astronomically speaking, with January and February a planetary parade, several different planetary and lunar conjunctions, a massive and beautiful…
Disturbance leads to indecent exposure arrest
Christian Peterson reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Officer K. Williams with the Live Oak Police Department (LOPD) was dispatched to the area of Silas Drive in response to a reckless driver and…
Jasper focuses on the future in its revitalization project
Jason Futch reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com The Hamilton County Development Authority (HCDA) is spearheading a transformative initiative to rejuvenate downtown Jasper. This ambitious project invites qualified buyers to submit proposals for four strategically located historic…
Blake sentenced to 50 years for Mayo triple homicide
Jason Futch reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com A Mayo man who was arrested last year on multiple homicide charges was found guilty on four counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to 50 years in prison. On…
SCI trainee arrested by Columbia County Drug Task Force
Jason Futch reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com A Suwannee Correctional Institute (SCI) trainee has been arrested by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Multijurisdictional Drug Task Force (MDTF) after a joint investigation with the Gainesville-Alachua County…
Hamilton County residents arrested for drugs in Columbia County
Jason Futch reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com Two Hamilton County residents were arrested in efforts coordinated by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) on Tuesday,…
Bill to dissolve White Springs Town Council officially filed
Danny Federico reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com House Bill 4079, a proposal seeking to dissolve the Town of White Springs government and transfer its “assets and legitimate liabilities to Hamilton County,” was officially filed on Friday,…
SCI trainee arrested by Columbia County Drug Task Force
Jason Futch Reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com A Suwannee Correctional Institute (SCI) trainee has been arrested by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Multijurisdictional Drug Task Force (MDTF) after a joint investigation with the Gainesville-Alachua…
Pastor Spotlight: Donnie Shinholser
Christian Peterson reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com Live Oak Church of God (LOCOG) has been in search of a pastor as of late. Luckily, its search seems to have come to an end with Donnie Shinholser’s…
Ash Wednesday observance begins the Lenten season
Danny Federico reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to…
Remembering Suwannee: African American institutes of higher learning in Suwannee County
Eric Musgrove Contributor February was Black History Month, and it is only fitting to discuss some of the accomplishments and contributions of African American citizens here in Suwannee County. Most people will…