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…
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Christian Peterson reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com Women’s History Month is celebrated during March each year, centering around March 8, which is International Women’s Day. The celebration, however, dates all the way back to 1978, when…
Trojans dominate Jefferson County in baseball
Christian Peterson reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com On Thursday, Feb. 27, the Hamilton County Trojans hosted the Jefferson County Tigers for a baseball showdown. The game started off hot for the Trojans, as they scored three…
Brice Criggall earns CSC Academic All-District team selection
Hiram College Contributor The College Sports Communicators (CSC) awarded Brice Criggall of O’Brien with 2024-25 Academic All-District honors following this past fall season. Criggall, a Biomedical Humanities major, qualified for the honor…
Lafayette Elementary students shine in annual 4-H Speech Contest
Danny Federico reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com Lafayette Elementary School (LES) students steeled their nerves on Thursday, Feb. 20, for the annual 4-H Speech Contest. The event was sponsored by Duke Energy and highlighted the public…
Sound of Suwannee students take performance to a new level
Christian Peterson reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com “The purpose of the North Florida Honor Band is to provide a consistent source of camaraderie for Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Gilchrist, Suwannee and Union Counties,” the North Florida Honor…
RIVEROAK holds annual Career Fair & Program Showcase
Jason Futch reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com RIVEROAK Technical College in Live Oak held its Eighth Annual Career Fair and Program Showcase at the school on Thursday, Feb. 13. It provided an opportunity for students to…
Stay updated on concealed carry laws
Hailey Heseltine reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com Laws regarding concealed carry vary from state to state, and those laws are subject to change. If you take advantage of concealed carry, staying up-to-date on gun laws nationwide…
Fifth Annual Live Oak Strawberry Festival hits the sweet spot
Danny Federico reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com Strawberry enthusiasts made their way down to the Suwannee County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Feb. 22 and Sunday, Feb. 23, for the Fifth Annual Live Oak Strawberry Festival. Upon purchasing…
Lost for words: Keep your chin up when it’s down to the wire
Mickey Starling reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com First coming to use in the 1800s, “keep your chin up” came to be a popular expression for encouraging people to press on through difficult circumstances and to never…
Suwannee County Jail receives fifth accreditation award
Jason Futch reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com The Suwannee County Jail recently received its fifth accreditation award from the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission (FCAC). Since 2004, the Suwannee County Jail, which is maintained by the Suwannee…
Lawrence “Bart” Lipps
Lawrence “Bart” Lipps passed away on Thursday, Feb. 6, at the age of 81. Bart was born in 1943 to Leonard and Vine (Petrie) Lipps in New Lyme, Ohio (Ashtabula County), living…
Carolyn B. Bishop
Carolyn B. Bishop, 74, of Alapaha, Ga., died on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at her residence. She was born on Feb. 5, 1951, in Orlando, Fla., to the late James Roscoe Brown…
Suwannee County School Board recognizes Branford Beta Club achievements
Danny Federico reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com During its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 28, held at Branford Elementary School, the Suwannee County School Board, led by Superintendent Ronnie Gray, took a moment to recognize the…
Lafayette Commissioners look at CDBG grant options
Christian Peterson reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the Lafayette County Board of County Commissioners met for its regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting began with the approval of the previous meeting’s minutes, followed…