Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions said he was against raising any taxes ahead of an anticipated property tax relief measure in Tallahassee. The Live Oak Council can now only vote to reduce the millage rate from there. (FILE)

Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions said he was against raising any taxes ahead of an anticipated property tax relief measure in Tallahassee. The Live Oak Council can now only vote to reduce the millage rate from there. (FILE)

Live Oak Council opts to keep millage steady

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

LIVE OAK — City officials in Live Oak don’t plan to raise taxes for next year’s fiscal budget.

Local

NFWUA Director Shannon Roberts gave a brief overview of the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. (FILE)

NFWUA Director Shannon Roberts gave a brief overview of the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. (FILE)

Bigger budget potentially on deck for NFWUA

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
LIVE OAK — The North Florida Water Utilities Authority met for more than an hour discussing and...
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Around Columbia County

Lily Weaver gets the opportunity to hold an owl during the Columbia County 4-H Year Two session of the School of Life Skills for Magical Beings camp from June 22-26. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY 4-H)

Lily Weaver gets the opportunity to hold an owl during the Columbia County 4-H Year Two session of the School of Life Skills for Magical Beings camp from June 22-26. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY 4-H)

‘Magical’ camp teaches kids valuable lessons

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Magic returned to Columbia County 4-H during the third week of its summer day camp season as...
Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions said he was against raising any taxes ahead of an anticipated property tax relief measure in Tallahassee. The Live Oak Council can now only vote to reduce the millage rate from there. (FILE)

Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions said he was against raising any taxes ahead of an anticipated property tax relief measure in Tallahassee. The Live Oak Council can now only vote to reduce the millage rate from there. (FILE)

Live Oak Council opts to keep millage steady

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
LIVE OAK — City officials in Live Oak don’t plan to raise taxes for next year’s fiscal budget.
VIEW MORE

Sports

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Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions said he was against raising any taxes ahead of an anticipated property tax relief measure in Tallahassee. The Live Oak Council can now only vote to reduce the millage rate from there. (FILE)

Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions said he was against raising any taxes ahead of an anticipated property tax relief measure in Tallahassee. The Live Oak Council can now only vote to reduce the millage rate from there. (FILE)

Live Oak Council opts to keep millage steady

TONY BRITT
LIVE OAK — City officials in Live Oak don’t plan to raise taxes for next year’s fiscal budget.During the regularly scheduled Tuesday afternoon Live Oak City Council meeting, when city officials set the maximum millage rate, they voted in favor of keeping the millage rate the same as the previous…

Registration deadline approaches for voters

NEWS STAFF
The deadline for Columbia County residents to register to vote is fast approaching. Monday is the last day for residents to make any changes — such as updating names or addresses — or switch parties in order to vote in next month’s primary election. Changes can be made by visiting the…

Candidates invited to speak at forum

TONY BRITT
As this year’s political season continues to ramp up, local voters will have the opportunity to meet several of the the candidates vying in Columbia County and Lake City political and judicial races this weekend.The 2026 Candidate Forum Day will take place 5-7 p.m. on Saturday at New Mt. Pisgah AME…
Lily Weaver gets the opportunity to hold an owl during the Columbia County 4-H Year Two session of the School of Life Skills for Magical Beings camp from June 22-26. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY 4-H)

Lily Weaver gets the opportunity to hold an owl during the Columbia County 4-H Year Two session of the School of Life Skills for Magical Beings camp from June 22-26. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY 4-H)

‘Magical’ camp teaches kids valuable lessons

NEWS STAFF
Magic returned to Columbia County 4-H during the third week of its summer day camp season as magical beings gathered for the Year Two session of the School of Life Skills for Magical Beings. From June 22–26, participants embarked on a week of magical adventures that blended imagination with hands…

Branford residents plan back-to-school festival

TONY BRITT
BRANFORD — A group Branford residents is hoping to help children in the community kick-off the 2026-27 school year with a festival designed provide school supplies.Richard “Rabbit” Ball, a local Branford barbershop owner, is leading the charge fort the festival and hopes to attract as many vendors…
A dump truck’s bed sits in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 after hitting the County Road 795 overpass on Monday. (COURTESY FHP)

A dump truck’s bed sits in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 after hitting the County Road 795 overpass on Monday. (COURTESY FHP)

Truck bed causes I-10 lane closure

NEWS STAFF
A dump truck ended up dumping itself on Interstate 10. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, the truck, driven by a 36-year-old Jacksonville man, was traveling east on I-10 near mile marker 281 in the right travel lane Monday around 6:07 a.m. with its bed raised. The upright bed…
Lafayette County 4-H Camp USA campers display their patriotic crafts. Campers were able to learn about the rights, responsibilities and opportunities that come with being an American citizen. (COURTESY LAFAYETTE COUNTY 4-H)

Lafayette County 4-H Camp USA campers display their patriotic crafts. Campers were able to learn about the rights, responsibilities and opportunities that come with being an American citizen. (COURTESY LAFAYETTE COUNTY 4-H)

Lafayette 4-H Camp USA celebrates America’s 250th birthday

NEWS STAFF
By SHAWN JACKSONLafayette County Extension DirectorMAYO — This year’s 4-H Camp USA was especially memorable as campers celebrated the week leading up to our nation’s 250th anniversary. Throughout the week, youth discovered what it means to be an engaged American citizen while learning…

Branford man involved in fatal crash

NEWS STAFF
HIGH SPRINGS — A Branford man was involved in a fatal traffic collision involving two other vehicles. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, a 61-year-old Branford man was driving a Ford F-350 pickup truck Saturday around 12:44 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and NW 174…
A collection of 34 photographs from 14 different photographers in the Branford Camera Club will remain on display at the Suwannee Regional Library through July 31. (COURTESY)

A collection of 34 photographs from 14 different photographers in the Branford Camera Club will remain on display at the Suwannee Regional Library through July 31. (COURTESY)

Branford Camera Club debuts patriotic exhibit

NEWS STAFF
The emotions that go into patriotism are all on display, and all expertly captured, in photographs.The Branford Camera Club recently opened its first exhibition of the year at the Suwannee Regional Library. The exhibit will run through July 31 and remains open during regular library hours.The theme…
The renovation work on the Suwannee County Courthouse, undertaken by O’Neal Roofing, is nearing completion after beginning in May. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

The renovation work on the Suwannee County Courthouse, undertaken by O’Neal Roofing, is nearing completion after beginning in May. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

Courthouse renovations nearing completion

NEWS STAFF
Repairs to the Suwannee County Courthouse appear to be wrapping up right on time. Crews from O’Neal Roofing began working on the courthouse dome in early May after damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024 caused peeling of the copper structure. The work was expected to take 2-3 months to complete.…

NFC Foundation receives $50K grant

NEWS STAFF
MADISON — The North Florida College Foundation has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The funding will provide scholarships that help North Florida College students overcome financial barriers and continue…
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