Local

Lake City’s Adam Sanders performed Wednesday night at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. It was Sanders’ first time performing at the Opry. (COURTESY)

Lake City’s Adam Sanders performed Wednesday night at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. It was Sanders’ first time performing at the Opry. (COURTESY)

From Lake City to the Grand Ole Opry

Adam Sanders continues checking off lifelong dreams from his to-do list. The country music star and Lake City native performed for the entire country music world to see Wednesday night when he took the fabled stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Jay Swisher, Columbia County’s Clerk of Court who lives off of NW Hackney Terrace, said any plans to put traffic onto the small two-lane road should be revisited. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Jay Swisher, Columbia County’s Clerk of Court who lives off of NW Hackney Terrace, said any plans to put traffic onto the small two-lane road should be revisited. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BJ’s land use change approved despite neighbors’ concerns

Development for a proposed BJ’s Wholesale Club has passed its first hurdle despite heavy public opposition. Five local residents — including Columbia County Clerk of Court Jay Swisher — weren’t enough to sway a majority of the county’s Planning & Zoning Board during its Thursday meeting.
Fireworks explode above Lake City during last year’s Independence Day celebration at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. In addition to fireworks, this year’s 250th celebration will include a laser show and hot air balloons. (FILE)

Fireworks explode above Lake City during last year’s Independence Day celebration at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. In addition to fireworks, this year’s 250th celebration will include a laser show and hot air balloons. (FILE)

Hot air balloons, laser show part of 250th celebration

Local organizers are in the final phases of preparation for the local United States 250th anniversary celebration.
The conceptual plan for the proposed BJ’s Wholesale Club on U.S. Highway 90 next to Publix shows where there would be entrances to the store, which would include a tire center and liquor store, from both U.S. 90 and from Hackney Terrace. The site also would have a pair of out parcels for other retail sales. (COURTESY)

The conceptual plan for the proposed BJ’s Wholesale Club on U.S. Highway 90 next to Publix shows where there would be entrances to the store, which would include a tire center and liquor store, from both U.S. 90 and from Hackney Terrace. The site also would have a pair of out parcels for other retail sales. (COURTESY)

BJ’s eyes Lake City

A warehouse club store is looking for a home in Lake City.BJ’s Wholesale Club is planned for a vacant parcel along U.S. Highway 90 near Publix and the Lake City Commons shopping plaza.CP Lake City LLC is seeking a future land use change on a portion of its property at the U.S.

Hall identified as Tuesday shooting victim

The man shot and killed Tuesday outside a Lake City apartment complex was identified Wednesday as a Lake City man.The Lake City Police Department said Wednesday that 24-year-old Jayveon Montroll Hall was the victim of the fatal shooting late Tuesday morning.
Lake City firefighters battle a blaze in a duplex on SE Brown Street on Wednesday. Nobody was injured in the fire although a dog perished. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Lake City firefighters battle a blaze in a duplex on SE Brown Street on Wednesday. Nobody was injured in the fire although a dog perished. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

City, county crews extinguish duplex fire

A duplex fire Wednesday morning remains under investigation after crews extinguished the blaze.According to the Lake City Fire Department, LCFD units, along with an automatic aid response from Columbia County Fire Rescue, responded to a structure fire on SE Brown Street around 10:35 a.m. Wednesday.
Coker (top left, clockwise), Haas, Lyons, Taylor, Washington and Wright

Coker (top left, clockwise), Haas, Lyons, Taylor, Washington and Wright

Six reappointed to NFC Board of Trustees

Six North Florida College trustees were reappointed to those posts late last week.Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the reappointments of Jon “Travis” Coker, Sandra Haas, Ricky Lyons, Adrienne Taylor, William “Billy” Washington and Lloyd “Gary” Wright to the NFC board last Thursday.
Campers participate in an activity ‘Escape the Vaults’ to unlock leadership knowledge locked deep in the vaults. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION OFFICE COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Campers participate in an activity ‘Escape the Vaults’ to unlock leadership knowledge locked deep in the vaults. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION OFFICE COLUMBIA COUNTY)

4-H youth complete magical leadership journey

By HEATHER FUTCHUF/IFAS Extension Office ColumbiaA special group of Columbia County 4-H youth recently completed a three-year journey of growth, learning, and leadership development through the Columbia County 4-H School of Life Skills for Magical Beings program.
The ‘Globe of Freedom,’ a welded art piece created by Columbia High welding students, won the Commissioner’s Choice award in the Statewide Welding and Fabrication Challenge to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The ‘Globe of Freedom,’ a welded art piece created by Columbia High welding students, won the Commissioner’s Choice award in the Statewide Welding and Fabrication Challenge to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s ‘Globe of Freedom’ wins statewide welding contest

The Columbia High welding program has cemented its place in the ‘arc’ of American history.