Local

Rep. Chuck Brannan, who speaks during last year’s legislative delegation meeting in Columbia County, will chair the judiciary committee the next two years in the Florida House. (FILE)

Rep. Chuck Brannan, who speaks during last year’s legislative delegation meeting in Columbia County, will chair the judiciary committee the next two years in the Florida House. (FILE)

Brannan named part of House leadership

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Vowing not to be a “back bencher” when he was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives, Chuck Brannan now has a role front and center. Daniel Perez (R-Miami), who will officially become the Speaker of the House when the post-election organization session begins at 11 a.m.
Lake City Elks Lodge 893 members Noah Walker (from left), Exalted Ruler Bill Roberts and Stephen Witt show off a proclamation declaring Nov. 9, 2024, as Lake City Elks Lodge 893 Anniversary Celebration Day. The lodge held a celebration on Saturday night acknowledging 120 years of providing service to Columbia County. (COURTESY)

Lake City Elks Lodge 893 members Noah Walker (from left), Exalted Ruler Bill Roberts and Stephen Witt show off a proclamation declaring Nov. 9, 2024, as Lake City Elks Lodge 893 Anniversary Celebration Day. The lodge held a celebration on Saturday night acknowledging 120 years of providing service to Columbia County. (COURTESY)

Elks celebrate 120 years of service to community

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
The Lake City Elks Lodge #893 celebrated its anniversary Saturday night. The Lodge, which began 120 years ago, hosted a celebration Saturday at the downtown Lake City location on the banks of Lake DeSoto.
Westside Elementary School’s Shelly Teel speaks to the crowd after winning the Columbia County Teacher of the Year award. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Westside Elementary School’s Shelly Teel speaks to the crowd after winning the Columbia County Teacher of the Year award. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Teel takes top teacher

TONY BRITT
Friday, November 8, 2024
For more than a decade, Shelly Teel has been honing her skills as an educator.
Donald Trump praises his campaign senior adviser Susie Wiles during election night. (CHIP SOMODEVILLA/Getty Images/TNS)

Donald Trump praises his campaign senior adviser Susie Wiles during election night. (CHIP SOMODEVILLA/Getty Images/TNS)

Historic Chief of Staff pick has Lake City roots

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 8, 2024
The daughter of a Lake City legend is on her way to the White House. Susie Wiles, the daughter of former Columbia High School football star Pat Summerall, was tapped as President-elect Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff on Thursday.
An early 20th-century photo shows the Elks lodge on the banks of Lake DeSoto in Lake City. (COURTESY)

An early 20th-century photo shows the Elks lodge on the banks of Lake DeSoto in Lake City. (COURTESY)

Elks celebrating 120 years in LC

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, November 8, 2024
Stephen Witt got a glimpse of what the Elks Lodge provided to Lake City and Columbia County early on. As a child growing up in Lake City, Witt tagged along with his father and grandfather, both of whom were Elks, to events at the Elks Lodge #893.
Davic Kasper (middle) was involved in a side-by-side ATV crash back in August, necessitating the amputation of his right hand. A set of fundraisers are being organized to help cover Kasper’s medical costs. (COURTESY)

Davic Kasper (middle) was involved in a side-by-side ATV crash back in August, necessitating the amputation of his right hand. A set of fundraisers are being organized to help cover Kasper’s medical costs. (COURTESY)

Fundraiser aiming to help young amputee

TONY BRITT
Friday, November 8, 2024
FORT WHITE — A local youngster, who was involved in a crash that resulted in the amputation of one of his hands, still harbors dreams of playing high school sports and his family as well as several parts of the community are looking to make those dreams become a reality.
Debi Bennefield (left) speaks during Thursday’s county meeting alongside County Manager David Kraus and Lake City Executive Director of Utilities Steve Brown. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Debi Bennefield (left) speaks during Thursday’s county meeting alongside County Manager David Kraus and Lake City Executive Director of Utilities Steve Brown. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County, city working to bring utilities to SR-47

TONY BRITT
Friday, November 8, 2024
The project combining Columbia County and City of Lake City resources joining forces to bring utilities to the State Road 47 and Interstate 75 interchange is expected to intensify over the next few weeks and months.
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.