Columbia County Observer

Florida News 2017 (scroll down)

FL Risks Backsliding on Children's Health Coverage

Posted Sept 22, 2017 08:35 am | Public News Service

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida has done a lot to make sure more children have health insurance. But that progress may be in jeopardy if Congress doesn't act soon.

After Irma, Solar Power Helped Keep FL Shining

Posted Sept 19, 2017 08:05 am | Public News Service

TALLAHASSEE, FL - As Hurricane Irma plunged 6.7 million people into darkness, the moment was short-lived especially for those with solar panels that can work off the grid.

DeVos Avoids Visiting Public Schools in FL's Capital

August 30, 2017  07:10 am | Public News Service

TALLAHASSEE, FL - U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, a controversial champion of private schools, is causing a stir in Florida's capital city, since it appears she's bypassing any visits to traditional public schools.

Comment Period Ending for Offshore Drilling

Posted August 15, 2017  05:55 am | Public News Service

MIAMI BEACH, FL - Just a couple of days are left to comment on a plan by the Trump administration to undo Obama-era protections for the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. President Trump has vowed to take steps to reopen the ocean territories to oil and gas drilling, saying it would boost the economy and expand America's energy potential. 

Mental Health Experts: Punishment Not the Way to Stop Overdoses

Posted August 11, 2017  06:55 am | Public News Service

Show Support for FL's Manatees & Sea Turtles, Stick on a Decal

Posted July 25, 2017  05:05 pm

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – There are more manatees and sea turtles in Florida than in any other state. More than 6,000 manatees swim in its coastal waters, rivers and freshwater springs, and thousands of sea turtles nest and hatch on its Atlantic and Gulf coast beaches.

Suwannee River Water Mngt Dist Appoints Hugh Thomas New Executive Director

Posted July 12, 2017  04:15 am

LIVE OAK, FL – At their board meeting on July 11, the Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board appointed Hugh Thomas as its new executive director effective July 17.

In Florida, Hunger Doesn't Take a Summer Break

Posted July 11, 2017  09:20 am | Public News Service

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Across Florida, more schools, community centers and churches are serving summer meals for lower-income children, but the latest research says not enough families take advantage of these programs.

FL Wildlife Crossings Work for Animals & People

Posted July 3, 2017  06:30 am | Op-Ed

Think about how nerve-wracking it is for us to try to dodge traffic when we have to run across a highway – just imagine how confusing it is for a wild animal to be moving through the woods and suddenly confronted by a road with speeding cars everywhere.

Suw River Water Management District Adopts Emergency Rule for Outstanding FL Springs

June 29, 2017  03:59 am

LIVE OAK, FL – The Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) Governing Board recently adopted an emergency rule to establish minimum flows and levels (MFL) for four Outstanding Florida Springs: Falmouth Spring, Lafayette Blue Spring, Peacock Springs, and Troy Spring, as required by the Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act.

120,000 Florida Veteran's Health Benefits at Risk

Posted May 30, 2017  08:55 am | Public News Service

TALLAHASSEE, FL – While many Floridians honored the sacrifices of military members over the holiday weekend, some also are calling on Congress to honor the nation's promises to veterans, as the possibility looms for devastating cuts to their health benefits.

Suwannee Valley TA: Com/Admin Sessions, Not Sure Where the Money Comes From

Posted May 19, 2017  02:45 pm

COLUMBIA, HAMILTON, SUWANNEE COUNTIES – Wednesday, May 10, 2017, the Florida Commission for the Disadvantaged (CTD) Local Coordinating Board and the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council convened their annual public hearing. The Suwannee Valley TA administrator was unable to explain his agency's funding sources with any specificity.

Frank Artiles Resigns From Florida Senate

Posted April 21, 2017  08:15 pm

TALLAHASSEE, FL – This morning, after bringing attention to himself, his family, Florida, and the United States, Florida state senator Frank Artiles resigned for remarks made apparently while he was under the influence of alcohol.

FL House Approves Controversial State Retirement Changes

Posted April 14, 2017  12:30 am | Public News Service

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Public employees planning to spend their careers in Florida could see big changes to their retirement plans, the result of a controversial move by the Florida House. House Republicans pushed through a bill on Thursday that would default new hires into a 401(k)-style savings plan, rather than a traditional pension.

HAECO Ready in Col Cnty: "Moldin' Kids In a Certain Way to Provide a Workforce"

Posted April 7, 2017  10:52 am

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – For generations, economic development and workforce development in Columbia County have languished. Overcoming Columbia County's quintessential good ole' boy network and the County's challenged school district have inhibited economic growth until recently, when retail developers found a pool of retail development incentives and low cost workers to fulfill their retail and fast food expansion needs. Wednesday morning, April 5, 2017, during the County's monthly Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) meeting, County Commissioner Ronald Williams, one of the primary faces of Columbia County economic development for over three decades, explained how the County was going to solve the workforce needs of its major high tech employer, HAECO.

Equal Pay Still Years Away for Florida Women: "Cultural Shift Needed"

Posted April 4, 2017  08:55 am | Public News Service

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Many women across the country will rally today in support of equal pay, but a new report finds many obstacles to that goal in Florida and nationwide. According to the report, in 13 states, a woman born today would not see equal pay during her working life.

N Cent FL's Systemic Wkforce Dev Problems Has HAECO Reeling, Col Cnty in Confusion

Posted March 30, 2017 | Final posted March 31, 2017  07:45 pm

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Yesterday's Chamber luncheon featured HAECO VP Kip Blakely, who told the Chamber about HAECO, a major world wide corporation, and the problems its aircraft division, HAECO - formerly TIMCO, was having in Lake City/Columbia County with workforce development. It can't find qualified workers. This has been a systemic problem in Columbia County for decades, a county which has actively not pursued high quality, high paying jobs. Before Mr. Blakely spoke, Economic Development Director Glenn Hunter introduced him to the audience.

SVTA: Col Cnty Comm'rs Nash & Phillips Put Cnty Residents Last  – Again

Posted March 29, 2017  07:59 am

COLUMBIA, HAMILTON, SUWANNEE COUNTIES, FL – Monday's March 26, 2017 Suwannee Valley Transit Authority meeting once again had Columbia County Commissioners Nash and Phillips relegating Columbia County residents to the back of the bus by intentionally scheduling Suwannee Valley Transit Authority meetings to conflict with Columbia County's county-wide taxing district, the Lake Shore Hospital Authority.

Suw Valley TA Chief Drops Ball Again: Advertises Bd Mtng W/Out Giving Name of Auth

Posted March 27, 2017  02:30 pm

Tonight's Suwannee Valley Transit Authority Board meeting has been cancelled twice because of Com. Sessions's non-compliance with the laws regarding special districts. While Commissioner Sessions finally managed to get a legal advertisement published 7 days before tonight's meeting, he forgot to mention that it was the Suwannee Valley Transit Authority Board that was meeting.

Lawsuit  Seeks to Restore Former Felon's Voting Rights

Posted March 14, 2017  05:15 am

TALLAHASSEE, FL – A class action lawsuit seeks to automatically restore former felons’ voting rights and eliminate Florida’s arbitrary and opaque process for re-enfranchisement. The lawsuit was filed by the national voting rights organization, Fair Elections Legal Network, and law firm Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC on behalf of seven former felons.

House Speaker Richard Corcoran Keeps Winning: This Time It's the Florida Lottery

March 9, 2017 09:35 am | Watchdog.org

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran is winning – bigly. The Land O’Lakes Republican not only has Enterprise Florida, Inc. and Visit Florida — two taxpayer-supported public-private partnerships — on the ropes, but he just hit the jackpot against the Florida Lottery. It’s the latest victory in Corcoran’s “corporate welfare” crackdown.

SVTA Chief Fails at End Run Around Law.  Improperly Noticed Mtng Canceled at 12th Hr

March 7, 2017  11:59 pm | updated March 8  08:10 am | (1 comment)

COLUMBIA, HAMILTON, SUWANNEE COUNTIES, FL – The Suwannee Valley Transit Authority (SVTA) is an independent special district which serves the transportation disadvantaged in Columbia, Hamilton, and Suwannee Counties. It makes virtually no money; is fully supported by tax dollars; and is run by Suwannee County Commissioner Larry Sessions. In the past, Com. Sessions has shown that he is not pleased with Florida's meeting notice requirements.

45 Percent of Florida Families Are Working Poor

March 1, 2017  05:30 am | Public News Service

TALLAHASSEE, FL – While some sectors of Florida's economy are thriving, new data shows the number of people who are struggling to afford the basics of food, housing, transportation, child care and health care is on the rise.

Girls Got STEAM: Build Racecars

Posted February 24, 201  01:15 am

It's important for girls to embrace the exciting world of STEAM-related fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and math. See how Ford brought the awesomeness of car racing to hundreds of Girl Scouts from councils in New Jersey, Detroit, Miami and Dallas!

Floridians Speak Out Against Transgender Restrooms

Feb. 24, 2017  06:20 am | Public News Service

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Trump administration says it's handing over responsibility to states to decide how to handle restroom access for transgender students, and Florida activists are wasting no time in sending a message to state and local officials. 

As Immigrant Fears Rise, Rush to Citizenship Under Way

Feb. 13, 2017  05:00 am | Public News Service

LAUDERHILL, FL – With executive orders and deportation raids dominating the news, many immigrants now are taking steps to ensure they won't be separated from their families and lives.

Florida Pipeline Protests Grow as Construction Continues

Feb. 2, 2017  03:30 am | Public News Service

LIVE OAK, FL – As a small group holds vigil near the Suwannee River in north Florida, a growing chorus of voices across the state and online is speaking out against the proposed Sabal Trail Pipeline. 

NCFRPC Chair Rick Davis Nixes Rubber Stamp Approval of Exec Dir's Recommended Appointment

Posted January 28, 2017  08:59 am

LAKE CITY, FL – Thursday night, the main event at the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council (NCFRPC) occurred during the 6 pm Executive Committee meeting. After a Columbia County resident appeared before the Committee and expressed an interest in applying for an unadvertised position on a local transportation disadvantaged board, Chairman Davis recommended the item be pulled off the consent agenda and the position be advertised. The

Trump's Wall Builds Outrage, Fear Among Florida Immigrants

Posted January 27, 2017  04:45 am | Public News Service

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Donald Trump's campaign promise to take dramatic action on immigration has become a reality, and those who work with Florida's immigrant community say the actions carry a high moral and economic cost.

Iula Tribesman & Detector Dogs Help UF/IFAS/FWC Remove Pythons in FL

Posted January 25, 2017  09:15 am

Florida Moms Rally Against EPA Nominee

Posted January 13, 2017  10:15 am | Public News Service

MIAMI, FL – As confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees continue in Washington, D. C., his choice to run the Environmental Protection Agency is facing serious questions from parents in Florida.

Report: FL Women Worse Off Than Decade Ago

Posted January 5, 2017  01:10 am | Public News Service

TALLAHASSEE, FL – More Florida women are starting the new year in dire economic straits than in most parts of the country, according to new report on the status of women.