Local

Three Rivers’ Galione honored for pro bono work

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
A Gainesville attorney’s work with Three Rivers Legal Services is garnering him statewide recognition. William Galione will be among the 21 lawyers honored Thursday for their work on behalf of low-income and disadvantaged clients in a ceremony at the Supreme Court of Florida.
Columbia County Commission Chairman Tim Murphy assists Rose Pavey in casting her line off the new Harter Pier at Lake Montgomery on Friday afternoon. The pier officially opened Friday during a ribbon cutting ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commission Chairman Tim Murphy assists Rose Pavey in casting her line off the new Harter Pier at Lake Montgomery on Friday afternoon. The pier officially opened Friday during a ribbon cutting ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Montgomery fishing pier reeled in

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 10, 2025
The wooden pier at Lake Montgomery was torn down in 2017, creating what appeared to be a hole in the community.
Ron and Gwendolyn Williams laugh during Thursday’s retirement celebration in honor of Ron Williams’ 43 years as a county commissioner. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ron and Gwendolyn Williams laugh during Thursday’s retirement celebration in honor of Ron Williams’ 43 years as a county commissioner. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Williams’ historic service honored

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 10, 2025
In 1976, Ronald Williams ran for office as the county commissioner for District 1 and lost the election. But he wasn’t done by a long shot. Williams hadn’t yet called “an ace an ace and a spade a spade,” but five years later was appointed to the post and didn’t leave for more than four decades.
Mike Tatem, Pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, grabs a handful of supplies that will be used in the church’s cold weather shelter on Wednesday before opening the shelter for the evening. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Mike Tatem, Pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, grabs a handful of supplies that will be used in the church’s cold weather shelter on Wednesday before opening the shelter for the evening. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cold shelter open at Parkview

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 10, 2025
The recent sub-freezing temperatures that have settled across the North Central Florida area spurred Parkview Baptist Church to open its winter shelter.
Chris Coleman, the small group sales rep for the Tourist Development Council and Columbia County Sports Commission, said the county’s facilities sell themselves to tournament organizers. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Chris Coleman, the small group sales rep for the Tourist Development Council and Columbia County Sports Commission, said the county’s facilities sell themselves to tournament organizers. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Coleman aims to help ‘grow Columbia County as a whole’

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 10, 2025
While his job title technically says he is in sales, Chris Coleman said that is a bit misleading.

Olustee pageant deadline approaching

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 10, 2025
Contestants have less than two weeks to register to compete in the 2025 Olustee Festival Pageant. The deadline for entries for this year’s pageant is Jan. 24. Applications may be obtained at www.missolustee.com or by contacting Jennifer Freeman at 386-292-2921.
Jeff Woods, a disabled veteran, pleads through tears with Sen. Jennifer Bradley and Rep. Chuck Brannan to provide help with the misuse of handicapped parking spaces. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Jeff Woods, a disabled veteran, pleads through tears with Sen. Jennifer Bradley and Rep. Chuck Brannan to provide help with the misuse of handicapped parking spaces. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Veteran seeks state help

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
A stressed out and emotional disabled veteran didn’t just lay out the problems he faces every day to Columbia County’s legislative delegation Wednesday.
Columbia County Superintendent Keith Couey said communication is crucial for the school district iin order to safely take care of the students. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Superintendent Keith Couey said communication is crucial for the school district iin order to safely take care of the students. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Public safety is top priority for delegation

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
From schools to communication towers to legal assistance, public safety is a major emphasis for local officials and Columbia County’s legislative delegation. During Tuesday’s delegation hearing at Florida Gateway College, Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) and Rep.
Sen. Jennifer Bradley said she wants to see population thresholds increased when it comes to the state designating which counties are rural. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sen. Jennifer Bradley said she wants to see population thresholds increased when it comes to the state designating which counties are rural. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Bradley pledges support for rural designation

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Florida’s new Senate President Ben Albritton has promised a “rural renaissance” in the state. During Wednesday’s Columbia County legislative delegation meeting, county officials asked their delegation — Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) and Rep.