Local

Judy Tatem, the Columbia County School District’s coordinator of Safe Schools, said the district is in compliance with state regulations. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Judy Tatem, the Columbia County School District’s coordinator of Safe Schools, said the district is in compliance with state regulations. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Tatem: Columbia schools are safe

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Columbia County Schools are safe and handling that aspect of operations well.
Florida Gateway College officials and donors break ground Tuesday morning on the Grace & Al Harter Center for Innovation on the Lake City campus. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Gateway College officials and donors break ground Tuesday morning on the Grace & Al Harter Center for Innovation on the Lake City campus. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC breaks ground on STEM II

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The next era of expansion at Florida Gateway College officially began Tuesday morning when college officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Grace & Al Harter Center for Innovation. More than 80 people attended the ceremony, which began at the Barney E. McRae Jr.
Summers Elementary’s VPK program earned a perfect score for the second straight year on the Classroom Scoring System (CLASS). The program is led by VPK teacher Karen McDonald (left) and assistant Kelsie Rodriguez (middle), who are pictured at the Columbia County Schools Teacher of the Year banquet in November with Summers Principal Robert Cooper. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SCHOOLS)

Summers Elementary’s VPK program earned a perfect score for the second straight year on the Classroom Scoring System (CLASS). The program is led by VPK teacher Karen McDonald (left) and assistant Kelsie Rodriguez (middle), who are pictured at the Columbia County Schools Teacher of the Year banquet in November with Summers Principal Robert Cooper. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SCHOOLS)

Summers VPK gets perfect score again

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Once might’ve been a fluke. But twice? That’s just confirmation for one local elementary school. Summers Elementary has scored top marks in Florida’s annual VPK assessment, garnering a perfect 7 in the Classroom Scoring System (CLASS).
Four Columbia High School JROTC Cadets hold old flags set to be destroyed during the JROTC’s Flag Retirement Service on Thursday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Four Columbia High School JROTC Cadets hold old flags set to be destroyed during the JROTC’s Flag Retirement Service on Thursday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Honoring the flag: Columbia JROTC holds disposal ceremony

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 21, 2025
The Columbia High School JROTC program held a flag retirement service Thursday morning where cadets honorably disposed of five United States flags in honor of the school’s Fighting Tiger battalion. The event served as the inaugural flag disposal for the cadets with a formal ceremony.
Dr. Charles Hall laughs during his retirement celebration at Florida Gateway College in 2015. Hall, accompanied by his wife, Robin, had served as the college president for 18 years. (FILE)

Dr. Charles Hall laughs during his retirement celebration at Florida Gateway College in 2015. Hall, accompanied by his wife, Robin, had served as the college president for 18 years. (FILE)

Hall recalled for vision in leading college

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 21, 2025
A visionary educator, who was known for fostering personal relationships and who helped take the local community college to state college status, retired Florida Gateway College President Dr. Charles ‘Chuck’ Hall died on Thursday. Arrangements for Hall’s funeral were not finalized by press time.
Columbia County Commission Chairman Tim Murphy said the county would do everything it can to try to stop Live Local Act developments from occurring here. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commission Chairman Tim Murphy said the county would do everything it can to try to stop Live Local Act developments from occurring here. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County: No tax break, but no 'say'

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 21, 2025
The Live Local Act should actually have been dubbed the Bypass Local Act according to Columbia County officials.

Rural bill includes ‘big win’ for area counties

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 21, 2025
A bill aimed at boosting Florida’s “rural renaissance” includes a “big win” for Columbia County. Filed by Sen. Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) on Wednesday, the Rural Renaissance bill includes $197.4 million in increased funding for programs aimed at helping rural counties grow and develop.