Local

Vern Lloyd of Lake City hands a flag to a youngster who sprinted to catch up to the Military Officers Association of America float during the 2019 Veterans Day parade. (FILE)

Vern Lloyd of Lake City hands a flag to a youngster who sprinted to catch up to the Military Officers Association of America float during the 2019 Veterans Day parade. (FILE)

Veterans Day events set to take over Columbia, Suwannee

TONY BRITT
Friday, November 8, 2024
Veterans Day in Columbia and Suwannee counties will feature several opportunities for local residents to pay homage to military veterans for their services and sacrifices. In Suwannee County, the Veterans Day Parade will take place at 9 a.m. and a Veterans Day Ceremony will start at 11 a.m.
A metal pier sits on the banks of Lake Montgomery. The second phase of work at Campbell Park is expected to begin after delays caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A metal pier sits on the banks of Lake Montgomery. The second phase of work at Campbell Park is expected to begin after delays caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Pier project set to resume

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
The landscape and looks around Campbell Park at Lake Montgomery are expected to undergo significant changes in the next few weeks. Earlier this summer the Florida Fish and Fresh Water Conservation Commission hired a company to replace the wooden pier that was removed from the lake years ago.
A group of riders for the Toys For Tots Toy Run poses during the 2022 ride. (FILE)

A group of riders for the Toys For Tots Toy Run poses during the 2022 ride. (FILE)

Toys For Tots set to rev up donations

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
A large group of motorcyclists filled with the holiday gift giving spirit and looking to make a difference in the lives of local youths, will ride throughout the county this weekend during a benefit ride for the local Toys For Tots programs.
Kevin Parnell is all smiles as he looks at a computer screen at his house as vote totals were coming in Tuesday night. Parnell defeated 43-year incumbent Ron Williams for the District 1 County Commissioner seat. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Kevin Parnell is all smiles as he looks at a computer screen at his house as vote totals were coming in Tuesday night. Parnell defeated 43-year incumbent Ron Williams for the District 1 County Commissioner seat. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Parnell pulls off District 1 stunner

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
A handle of Jack Daniels sat on the kitchen countertop at Kevin Parnell’s residence, untouched. It may not have stayed that way for long after election results were finalized around 8 p.m.

County voters ready for LSHA to go away

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Columbia County voters support doing away with the Lake Shore Hospital Authority. During a non-binding straw poll resolution on Tuesday’s ballot, nearly 2/3 of the voters in Columbia County voted to support dissolving of the Authority.
Command Officer Walker, Mayor Witt, Commanding Sergeant Major Smith, Minuteman Scholarship and Army Reserve Cadet Victoria Coker, Command Sergeant Major Walden, and Sgt. Bolden participated in an Our Community Cares Coalition event designating several local cities, towns and counties as Purple Heart Communities. (COURTESY)

Command Officer Walker, Mayor Witt, Commanding Sergeant Major Smith, Minuteman Scholarship and Army Reserve Cadet Victoria Coker, Command Sergeant Major Walden, and Sgt. Bolden participated in an Our Community Cares Coalition event designating several local cities, towns and counties as Purple Heart Communities. (COURTESY)

Local areas designated Purple Heart communities

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Several area cities, towns and counties are now Purple Heart communities following a ceremony last month at American Legion Post 57 in Lake City.

Road work underway on U.S. Highway 441

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Repaving work is underway on U.S. Highway 441 north of Lake City. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, construction work on U.S. 441 from NW Bascom Norris Drive (State Road 100A) to Interstate 10 has begun. The $5.
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman explains the details necessary to amend the FEMA-approved Hurricane cleanup contract with county commissioners Thursday. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman explains the details necessary to amend the FEMA-approved Hurricane cleanup contract with county commissioners Thursday. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Debris cleanup cost up $400K

TODD WILSON
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Storm debris contractors in Columbia County will earn more money per load removed from roadsides and have incentives to move faster each day after the agreement between contractors and the county was amended Thursday morning. Contractors now will earn $14.
Sheila Carr, Gateway Art Gallery curator, is pictured with an Art League sign after they closed on purchasing their downtown building Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sheila Carr, Gateway Art Gallery curator, is pictured with an Art League sign after they closed on purchasing their downtown building Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gallery buys downtown building

TONY BRITT
Saturday, November 2, 2024
The Gateway Art Gallery now has even more to celebrate. Already highlighting a decade in its current location, the Gallery has now purchased the building, keeping it in downtown Lake City. The Art League of North Florida/Gateway Art Gallery closed on the deal to purchase the building at 168 N.