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Fort White’s FFA chapter was named one of ‘Florida’s Finest’ as well as winning the ‘Premier Chapter’ and a Supervised Agricultural Experience Award at last week’s 97th Florida FFA State Convention in Orlando. (COURTESY)

Fort White’s FFA chapter was named one of ‘Florida’s Finest’ as well as winning the ‘Premier Chapter’ and a Supervised Agricultural Experience Award at last week’s 97th Florida FFA State Convention in Orlando. (COURTESY)

Fort White FFA named ‘Florida’s Finest’

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
With three individual state champions, Fort White FFA proved to be one of “Florida’s Finest” and a “Premier Chapter.

FGC hosting One-Stop Enrollment Day

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Potential students will find all the help they need to enroll at Florida Gateway College in one place Thursday. The college is hosting its One-Stop Enrollment Day for the fall semester on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Wilson S. Rivers Library and Media Center.
4-H campers Lumen Jimenez (from let), Amelia Mears, Kenleigh Markham, Carter Jordan, Emerson Coleman, Penelope Regar and Heaven Marton have broom practice in preparation for playing Quadball. (PHOTOS COURTESY UF/IFAS COLUMBIA COUNTY EXTENSION)

4-H campers Lumen Jimenez (from let), Amelia Mears, Kenleigh Markham, Carter Jordan, Emerson Coleman, Penelope Regar and Heaven Marton have broom practice in preparation for playing Quadball. (PHOTOS COURTESY UF/IFAS COLUMBIA COUNTY EXTENSION)

4-H camp blends fantasy, real life skills

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
By Heather Futch UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension For one imaginative week this June, Columbia County 4-H transformed into a school for young wizards — where the wonders of potions, herbology, and quadball merged seamlessly with real-world skills like teamwork, responsibility and critical...
Marc and Paul Vann, co-owners, cut the ceremonial ribbon to celebrate the grand re-opening of Vann Carpet One Floor and Home on Thursday. The Vann’s are joined by family, friends, employees, Lake City and Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce officials. (COURTESY LAKE CITY-COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE)

Marc and Paul Vann, co-owners, cut the ceremonial ribbon to celebrate the grand re-opening of Vann Carpet One Floor and Home on Thursday. The Vann’s are joined by family, friends, employees, Lake City and Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce officials. (COURTESY LAKE CITY-COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE)

Vann Carpet celebrates new location, 78 years in business

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 20, 2025
More than 100 people paced, plodded and pranced their way through the Vann Carpet One Floor and Home store on Friday afternoon.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Travis Edwards, right, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing incoming commander, receives the 379th AEW guidon from Maj. Gen. David Shoemaker, 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) deputy commander, during the 379th AEW Change of Command Ceremony within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 9, 2025. (Staff Sgt. Sean Moriarty/U.S. Air Force)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Travis Edwards, right, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing incoming commander, receives the 379th AEW guidon from Maj. Gen. David Shoemaker, 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) deputy commander, during the 379th AEW Change of Command Ceremony within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 9, 2025. (Staff Sgt. Sean Moriarty/U.S. Air Force)

Going through the ‘change’ of command

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Sean Moriarty and Senior Airman Dieondiere Jefferies 379th Air Expeditionary Wing U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND — Brig. Gen. Travis L. Edwards, who grew up in Lake City, assumed command of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing from Brig. Gen. Richard R.
A federal appeals court gave the go-ahead to requirements aimed at protecting manatees in the Indian River Lagoon. (COURTESY)

A federal appeals court gave the go-ahead to requirements aimed at protecting manatees in the Indian River Lagoon. (COURTESY)

Court refuses to halt manatee protection requirements

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — A divided federal appeals court Tuesday refused to halt a district judge’s order that requires the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to take steps to protect manatees in the northern Indian River Lagoon, including temporarily preventing new septic tanks in the area.

CCSO stoked for ‘Summer Slam’ hoops program

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Local youngsters with a penchant for playing basketball will have an opportunity to take their games to another level through a program offered by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Unit’s Summer Slam program will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.