Local

County looks to clear late debris

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 3, 2025
A continuing problem greeted Columbia County officials in the new year. During the Columbia County Commission’s brief meeting Thursday morning, Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby said he is aware of 68 “loads” of storm debris still on county rights-of-way alongside roadways.

Area constitutional officers ready to take office

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 3, 2025
Newly elected constitutional officers in Columbia, Suwannee and Hamilton counties will officialy take office next week. Elected in 2024, their four-year terms begin in January, with the officer holders taking their oaths of office in swearing-in ceremonies at public venues.
Sen. Jennifer Bradley (left) and Rep. Chuck Brannan will meet with local officials and residents Wednesday at Florida Gateway College to hear any proposals or opinions on state issues heading into this year’s legislative session. (FILE)

Sen. Jennifer Bradley (left) and Rep. Chuck Brannan will meet with local officials and residents Wednesday at Florida Gateway College to hear any proposals or opinions on state issues heading into this year’s legislative session. (FILE)

Legislative delegation hearing set for Wednesday

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 3, 2025
Columbia County’s legislative delegation will meet next week prior to this year’s session in Tallahassee. The annual delegation hearing is set for Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 9 a.m. at Florida Gateway College in the trustees’ board room. The legislative delegation — which includes Rep.

Lake City pair killed after crashing into utility pole

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 3, 2025
A married couple were killed Thursday afternoon when their vehicle ran off SE Baya Drive and crashed into a utility pole. According to the Lake City Police Department, the vehicle veered onto the sidewalk and hit the pole near SE Perry Avenue as it was headed east on Baya Drive around 3:16 p.m.
Columbia County residents survey the damage to a home in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Helene made landfall on Sept. 26 before knocking out power for more than 99% of Columbia County residents. (FILE)

Columbia County residents survey the damage to a home in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Helene made landfall on Sept. 26 before knocking out power for more than 99% of Columbia County residents. (FILE)

Weather, elections top list of impactful events in 2024

NEWS STAFF
Monday, December 30, 2024
Both the familiar and unexpected were part of an action-packed 2024 year. From the unpredictability of election upsets and receiving impacts from a pair of hurricanes to the long-planned improvements to local schools and infrastructure, these were our top 10 stories from the past year.   1.
Meally Jenkins (from left), Christmas Dream Machine founder and director and Janet Stanford, Christmas Dream Machine treasurer and secretary, helped collect toys for 670 kids for Christmas this year. (FILE)

Meally Jenkins (from left), Christmas Dream Machine founder and director and Janet Stanford, Christmas Dream Machine treasurer and secretary, helped collect toys for 670 kids for Christmas this year. (FILE)

Dream Machine provides Christmas for 670

TONY BRITT
Monday, December 30, 2024
The Christmas Dream Machine recently finished its 36th Christmas by serving more than 600 local children for Christmas in 2024. “We did 670 children,” said Meally Jenkins, Christmas Dream Machine founder and director. “We had a very successful year. More children than we had last year.

Reporter schedule shifting this week

NEWS STAFF
Monday, December 30, 2024
The New Year’s holiday will mean a shift in production schedule for the Lake City Reporter. Readers will receive an edition today on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, and again on Saturday, Jan. 4. The shift in production schedule is due to the U.S.
Landon Harper conducts an inventory count on fireworks at the Columbia FFA program’s fireworks tent. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Landon Harper conducts an inventory count on fireworks at the Columbia FFA program’s fireworks tent. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FFA selling New Year’s Eve fireworks

NEWS STAFF
Monday, December 30, 2024
Local FFA Chapters are holding their annual fireworks fundraiser in the Walmart parking lot through the end of the 2024. The fireworks stand will be opened daily from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. from Saturday-Monday and will be opened from 9 a.m.-midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Pending the approval of its sale, Big Lots could keep between 200-400 stores open. (FILE)

Pending the approval of its sale, Big Lots could keep between 200-400 stores open. (FILE)

Big Lots sale could keep stores open

NEWS STAFF
Monday, December 30, 2024
Big Lots may not be going out of business after all. The company, which announced two weeks ago that its previously announced sale to Nexus Capital Management was not likely to be completed, has instead agreed to a sale with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, they announced late Friday.