Howlands Honors Its Roots—One Tree at a Time
A crew cutting down the old pecan tree that stood at W.B. Howlands for the last century. -Photo by Lyn Fletcher
~For owner Lyn Fletcher, the tree is especially meaningful. “I remember that tree being here when I was just a kid,” he said. “It was a big tree even then.”
~To honor both the tree and the company’s long history, the Howlands are replacing it with another pecan tree—this one from their 1880 store and homestead location in Clayland.
This 1912 photo of W.B. Howland was taken in front of the 360 acre homestead in Clayland, located in the south west corner of CR 250 and 201st Road, nestled on the hill in the large pecan trees that are still thriving. Remnants of the home are still there today. The wagon trail ran east to west, basically through the front yard.
Standing L-R, WB’s mother Mary Ann Lamb Howland, WB Howland, Aunt Narcissa Lamb. Seated L-R, friend Jessie Goff, Walla Howland and Louise Howland Hines, mother of the famed Andy Hampton Hines war hero. -Photo Submitted by Lyn Fletcher
Live Oak Garden Club grants honorary membership
Carolyn Saft, Suwannee County’s UF/IFAS extension agent. -Photo: Submitted
Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, to Launch Only Carbon Ion Therapy Program in Western Hemisphere
–Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville is launching the first carbon ion therapy program in America and the only carbon ion therapy program in the Western Hemisphere.
MLK Day Live Oak Parade
MLK Live Oak parade, heading down U.S. Highway 129, Monday, January 19, 2026. -Courtesy Photo
Work begins on U.S. 129 / I-10 Interchange
Staff Reports
Live Oak - FDOT Resurfacing work on U.S. 129 (State Road 51) from north of U.S. 90 (State Road 10) to south of I-10 (State Road 8), and interchange operational improvements on U.S. 129 at I-10 in Suwannee County began this week.
2025 Year In Review
By Tami Stevenson
This last year saw many ups and downs in nearly every aspect of life, including the weather. People saw storms and temperatures beating records almost daily throughout the U.S., which left many asking what season they were in.
Incredibly, in the midst of all the other storms, the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season ended with no hurricanes making landfall in the U.S., the first time since 2015, despite a very active season.
Here are some of our top local highlights from 2025:
Painting the Sherman Tank
The 1958 M4 Sherman Tank sitting on the grounds of the Florida National Guard Armory in Live Oak was repainted, thanks to local business owner, Charles Bean for donating his time and money to see this project through. -Photo by Charles Bean
Lighted Christmas Parade - Live Oak
4H float in Live Oak’s Lighted Christmas Parade held Friday, December 12. - Photo by Rob Wolfe Photography
America 250 License Plate
FLHSMV - In honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary on July 4th, 2026,
No tax on tips/overtime
The IRS has published guidance for individuals who received tips or overtime during tax year 2025.
