Olustee Festival ignites patriot spirit - Celebrating America
City and county elected officials gathered with community leaders to officially kick off the 47th Annual Olustee Festival in Lake City this last weekend. Left is Tony Buzzella, commanding general of the Blue-Grey Army and host/emcee of the event. -SVT Photos by Tami Stevenson
Visitors enjoying the 47th Annual Olustee Festival. -SVT Photo
The North Florida Performing Arts Academy Choir sang patriotic songs for the Olustee Festival under the direction of Brittney Stevens. The theme this year was Celebrate America in honor of our nation’s 250th anniversary. -SVT Photo - MORE PHOTOS
Suwannee 4-H visits Florida Capitol
Suwannee County 4-H delegation enjoys Florida’s 4-H Day at the Capitol. -Photo: Submitted
This year, Suwannee County 4-H braved the frigid temperatures with 26 participants at the 2026 event on January 28th.
Clyde Fleming appointed by DeSantis to fill Commission vacancy
Clyde Fleming -Courtesy Photo
By Tami Stevenson
A familiar face is returning to the Suwannee County Commission after Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed a former commissioner to temporarily fill a vacant seat last week.
Florida Farm Bureau Establishes Disaster Relief Fund for Agriculture
Submitted by Rachael Smith
Florida Farm Bureau has created a disaster relief fund that will assist Florida farmers and ranchers
Statewide Commemoration of America’s 250th Birthday
Staff Reports
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, last week, Governor DeSantis announced a slate of statewide events, exhibits, and public initiatives.
Academic Excellence – President’s list of scholars
Staff Reports
North Florida College (NFC) announced its President’s List of academic scholars last week.
Two major healthcare bills moving through Florida House
In this 2026 session, two major healthcare bills are actively moving forward through the legislative process in the Florida House. These bills, if passed, would bring sweeping changes to the healthcare industry.
FREE Admission at State Parks
Staff Reports
As part of America’s 250th anniversary, Florida State Parks will offer FREE admission during George Washington’s birthday weekend, February 13 thru February 16, 2026.
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.
