Local

Keith Couey, pictured sitting in his office at the Columbia County School District administration building as he transitions into becoming the district’s superintendent in November, aims to remain visible at school sites. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Keith Couey, pictured sitting in his office at the Columbia County School District administration building as he transitions into becoming the district’s superintendent in November, aims to remain visible at school sites. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Couey aims to remain ‘kid-oriented’

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Monday’s start to the school year was much different and tough for Keith Couey. After 13 years as the principal at Fort White High School, Couey wasn’t there to open the gates Monday. There was no senior breakfast either.
Gunner Statham, 5, a kindergarten student at Five Points Elementary School, flashes a tearful first day of school look as he’s hugged by Gracey Hudson on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gunner Statham, 5, a kindergarten student at Five Points Elementary School, flashes a tearful first day of school look as he’s hugged by Gracey Hudson on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CCS enjoys ‘very smooth’ open to school year

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Whether it was youngsters crossing streets with backpacks, parents walking inside schools holding their child’s hand, or school buses making frequent stops on local roadways and thoroughfares, all the signs of a new school year were visible and present Monday morning.
The City of Lake City is interested in the main Lake Shore Hospital building as a new city hall and civic center. (FILE)

The City of Lake City is interested in the main Lake Shore Hospital building as a new city hall and civic center. (FILE)

Hospital eyed as city hall, center

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Lake City’s new manager has pitched a new vision for a new city hall. During the Lake Shore Hospital Authority’s meeting Monday, City Manager Don Rosenthal pitched the idea for a civic center in the old Lake Shore Hospital building on the banks of Lake DeSoto that would include a city hall.
Tom Brazil, Columbia County’s 911 director, stands outside the Combined Communications Center on Tuesday. The county and City of Lake City consolidated their emergency dispatch last week. There have been no major issues so far, Brazil said. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Tom Brazil, Columbia County’s 911 director, stands outside the Combined Communications Center on Tuesday. The county and City of Lake City consolidated their emergency dispatch last week. There have been no major issues so far, Brazil said. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Consolidated 911 dispatch showing benefits

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
A years-long effort to combine dispatch between Lake City and Columbia County is finally a reality. The benefits are already being seen by those working the new system.
Dale Williams, a consultant for the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, requested funding from Columbia and Suwannee counties to operate the fledling authority in the next fiscal year. (FILE)

Dale Williams, a consultant for the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, requested funding from Columbia and Suwannee counties to operate the fledling authority in the next fiscal year. (FILE)

Regional utility seeks new budget funding

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
The North Florida Water Utilities Authority is estimating its first year in operations will cost around $300,000.
Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Tomi Brown, pictured in the voting room at the elections office, said her staff is ready for early voting, which runs through Aug. 17. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Tomi Brown, pictured in the voting room at the elections office, said her staff is ready for early voting, which runs through Aug. 17. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Primary polls now open: Early voting runs through Aug. 17

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 9, 2024
Not even a hurricane could stop the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office from being ready for the August primary election. Early voting for the primary election begins today at the Supervisor of Elections Office, 971 W.

Columbia County closes storm shelters

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 9, 2024
Emergency shelters are now closed in Columbia County. The Columbia County Commission unanimously approved closing the shelters during a special meeting Friday morning at the Emergency Operations Center.