Local

Reba Bridges (left), the student speaker for the Florida Gateway College Fall commencement, shares a laugh with FGC President Lawrence Barrett following the Thursday evening graduation ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Reba Bridges (left), the student speaker for the Florida Gateway College Fall commencement, shares a laugh with FGC President Lawrence Barrett following the Thursday evening graduation ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC ‘Express’ makes difference

TONY BRITT
Friday, December 13, 2024
A few years ago, Florida Gateway College launched its fall commencement exercise, recognizing students who’ve earned their diplomas at the end of the year.
Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby said as county crews finish up debris pickup from Hurricane Helene, any additional piles placed in the right-of-way will be handled by code enforcement. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby said as county crews finish up debris pickup from Hurricane Helene, any additional piles placed in the right-of-way will be handled by code enforcement. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County: Stop placing debris in right-of-way

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 13, 2024
With Columbia County “buttoning up” its cleanup efforts from Hurricane Helene, debris should no longer be placed in the right-of-way along roadways.
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman said the local bill to dissolve the Lake Shore Hospital Authority would include establishing a Public Health Advisory Board. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman said the local bill to dissolve the Lake Shore Hospital Authority would include establishing a Public Health Advisory Board. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County taking bill to disband hospital authority to legislators

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 13, 2024
The potential dissolving of the Lake Shore Hospital Authority will now be headed to Columbia County’s legislative delegation. The Columbia County Commission unanimously approved the language of a special bill that the county will present to Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) and Rep.
The Grinch speaks with a pair of girls at last year’s Christmas in Columbia Holiday Market. (FILE)

The Grinch speaks with a pair of girls at last year’s Christmas in Columbia Holiday Market. (FILE)

Christmas events aplenty

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
As the 2024 Christmas holiday season begins to unfold before Christmas, several community events have been scheduled as youngsters await the arrival of Ol’ Saint Nick.
Columbia School District Director of Transportation Daniel Taylor (from left), Clarence Tucker, School Board Member Narri Smith and Superintendent Keith Couey pose after Tucker was honored for saving a student’s life with CPR. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia School District Director of Transportation Daniel Taylor (from left), Clarence Tucker, School Board Member Narri Smith and Superintendent Keith Couey pose after Tucker was honored for saving a student’s life with CPR. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

School bus driver honored for saving life

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
During the season of giving, Columbia County School Board members acknowledged that the greatest gift is the gift of life, honoring a district bus driver who saved a student’s life last month. On the morning of Thursday, Nov.
The local FEMA center will be closing after discussions by multiple entities. (FILE)

The local FEMA center will be closing after discussions by multiple entities. (FILE)

Local FEMA center closing

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The local FEMA help center will be closing next week. FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center in the old Lake City Reporter building in Lake City will be demobilized on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Mike Ziegler (left) holds a wreath for the POW/MIA memorial as he is saluted by Robert Mixon during the local Wreaths Across America event in 2022. (FILE)

Mike Ziegler (left) holds a wreath for the POW/MIA memorial as he is saluted by Robert Mixon during the local Wreaths Across America event in 2022. (FILE)

‘Wreaths’ ceremony set to return

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Veterans from American Legion Post 57 will participate in a Wreaths Across American event in Lake City on National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, paying homage to fallen veterans. The event will take place at noon in Olustee Park in downtown Lake City.
Former State Rep. Bobby Payne (top) speaks during the NFWUA meeting Wednesday in front of Leo Mobley, a board member. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Former State Rep. Bobby Payne (top) speaks during the NFWUA meeting Wednesday in front of Leo Mobley, a board member. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Utility group hiring ex-lawmaker consultant

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The North Florida Water Utilities Authority has brought in some additional help while it continues to look for a director. During its meeting Wednesday, the NFWUA board unanimously approved hiring former State Rep. Bobby Payne as a consultant to put together a business plan for the Authority.