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.
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
