Withlacoochee River back within range

By Rick Patrick Riverbend NewsOn Wednesday, Jan. 6, the Madison County and Hamilton County offices of the Florida Department of Health (DOH) issued a health advisory for those living along and near the Withlacoochee River. “Until further information is known regarding possible bacterial contamination of the river, residents and visitors in the area are urged to take precautions when in contact with the Withlacoochee River,” said Lisa Hayes with the Madison County DOH. “The Florida Department of Health is conducting water sampling.”On Friday, Jan. 8, bacterial levels had fallen back to acceptable levels. According to testing data from the Florida Department of Health, the fecal colifo