Local

A Lake City Public Works employee helps clear debris from the roadside left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Lake City Executive Director of Utilities Steve Brown, who also oversees public works, said additional crews have been brought in to help with the effort. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A Lake City Public Works employee helps clear debris from the roadside left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Lake City Executive Director of Utilities Steve Brown, who also oversees public works, said additional crews have been brought in to help with the effort. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Additional teams added to Helene cleanup effort

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, October 18, 2024
The City of Lake City is using an all hands on deck approach to cleaning up from last month’s Hurricane Helene.
A Lake City Public Works truck gets set to dump debris onto an existing pile at the Public Works lot on NE Gum Swamp Road Friday afternoon. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City reporter)

A Lake City Public Works truck gets set to dump debris onto an existing pile at the Public Works lot on NE Gum Swamp Road Friday afternoon. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City reporter)

Helene’s cleanup cost $4.8M so far

TODD WILSON
Friday, October 18, 2024
Hurricane Helene’s debris cleanup cost in Columbia County topped $4.8 million this week and continues to climb, according to county officials.
Former CareerSource Florida Crown volunteer Larry Thompson speaks at Thursday’s County Commission meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Former CareerSource Florida Crown volunteer Larry Thompson speaks at Thursday’s County Commission meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Guidance comes to county on workforce programs

TONY BRITT
Friday, October 18, 2024
Columbia County officials could be changing their tune about joining Alachua County in a new CareerSource workforce development region.
Debris is unloaded at the Columbia County Public Works yard last September following Hurricane Idalia. (FILE)

Debris is unloaded at the Columbia County Public Works yard last September following Hurricane Idalia. (FILE)

FEMA pays most of Idalia’s $1M cleanup bill

TODD WILSON
Friday, October 18, 2024
The hurricane cleanup reimbursement process is a treacherous and lengthy path with the nickels and dimes in the details.

Rosenthal eyes direction on new city hall plans

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, October 18, 2024
What is Lake City’s plan for city hall? That is what Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal plans to iron out during a discussion with the Lake City Council on Monday night. During the Council’s 6 p.m. meeting at the current City Hall, 205 N.
The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is expecting more than 2,500 guests to attend the ninth annual Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival this Saturday at Wilson Park. (COURTESY LAKE CITY-COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE)

The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is expecting more than 2,500 guests to attend the ninth annual Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival this Saturday at Wilson Park. (COURTESY LAKE CITY-COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE)

Brewing up a good time

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
There’s going to be a buzz around downtown Lake DeSoto this weekend. The Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival is returning for its ninth go-around on Saturday, Oct. 19, at nearby Wilson Park. The festivities, which were delayed several weeks thanks to Hurricane Helene, kick off at 11 a.m.
Voters will now have until 7 p.m. to cast early votes between Oct. 21-Nov. 2. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Voters will now have until 7 p.m. to cast early votes between Oct. 21-Nov. 2. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia extends hours for early voting

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Early voting hours will be extended up to 2.5 hours longer for Columbia County voters as voting for the 2024 general election begins. “I don’t know that we’ve ever done early voting to 7 p.m. This will be new for Columbia County,” said Tomi Brown, Columbia County Supervisor of Elections.
Bert Brooks’ latest book, ‘Over My Shoulder A Backward Glance,’ will be his final work. The 251-page book is Brooks’ observations over the years mixed with Biblical references tied to each story. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Bert Brooks’ latest book, ‘Over My Shoulder A Backward Glance,’ will be his final work. The 251-page book is Brooks’ observations over the years mixed with Biblical references tied to each story. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Brooks takes look back in latest book

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Bert Brooks thought he was done writing. After authoring an autobiography three years ago, the longtime preacher who grew up near Providence was finished with that phase. Or so he thought.

Storms cancel library pumpkin decorating event

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
The Columbia County Public Library canceled this year’s pumpkin decoration contest after Hurricane Helene struck the area a few weeks ago. “We had to cancel that this year because of the hurricane,” said Kate Duong, Columbia County Public Library Youth Services and Outreach librarian.
Christian Service Center Executive Director Chris Walters said donations have been collected for Saturday’s fall yard sale for the past six months. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Christian Service Center Executive Director Chris Walters said donations have been collected for Saturday’s fall yard sale for the past six months. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Christian Service Center hosting annual yard sale

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
An abundance of clothing, toys, housewares and other items will be available for sale when the Christian Service Center holds its annual yard sale this weekend. “Pretty much you name it and it will be in the yard sale,” said Chris Walters, Christian Service Center executive director.