From Rural Roots to Record Results
–North Florida College Highest Graduation Rates in North Florida Region Four Years in a Row
Standing among fellow expectant graduates at the NFC Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony, Caroline Wynn smiles as she prepares to cross the stage and accept her diploma for an Associate in Arts Degree. -NFC Photo
School cell phone restrictions
-Photo Courtesy
By Tami Stevenson
When the 2025/26 school year begins, things will be a little different for Florida students. During the summer months,
Chick-fil-A opening in Live Oak
- Cows eat FREE opening day Thursday, July 17
The new Chick-fil-A location in Live Oak on Highway 129, near the interstate. -Photo: Submitted
Lake City Chamber director Graduates from Institute for Organization Management
Lake City – Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Director Joey O’hern, center. -Photo: Submitted
North Florida Performing Arts Academy
Submitted - North Florida Performing Arts Academy, in Lake City, is a private school that serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, providing a unique, arts-infused curriculum which gives students a winning edge both academically and socially. Dare to be different! Choose to be Great!
Governor DeSantis signs new, trimmed budget
By Tami Stevenson
On June 30, in Wildwood, Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025–2026, and a related tax cut package, HB 7031, Taxation, totaling $117.4 billion after $567 million in line-item vetoes. The budget passed by the Legislature totaled $117.9 billion, and following line-item and other vetoes, this budget is roughly only $10 million above the Governor’s Recommended budget from February and is about $3 billion less than last year. The budget also maintains $15.7 billion in reserves.
Some highlights of the new budget include a 2% raise for state workers and a 10% to 15% pay raise for state law enforcement along with $15.9 billion
NFC Live Oak Open House spotlights new bachelor’s degree program
Suwannee County residents learn about career-ready degrees and certificates at the Live Oak Location Open House. -Photo: NFC
Walt’s Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Celebrates Grand Opening
Last Friday, Walt’s Live Oak CDJR held their grand opening. Photo Center, GM Bryan Blair with Owner Liz Bryan cutting the ribbon, with son, Walter III and daughter Susie on either side of them. -Lake City Reporter Courtesy Photo
