Local

U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at her campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday. Harris received an endorsement from President Joe Biden after he withdrew from the race Sunday. (ERIN SCHAFF/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at her campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday. Harris received an endorsement from President Joe Biden after he withdrew from the race Sunday. (ERIN SCHAFF/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

Harris garners local support after Biden drops out

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris has local support to become the Democratic presidential nominee. After President Joe Biden dropped his re-election campaign Sunday and quickly endorsed Harris as the nominee, local Democratic Party leaders pledged their support to Harris.
Attendees at last year’s free event were able to receive help through FamilySearch in learning about their family history. (COURTESY)

Attendees at last year’s free event were able to receive help through FamilySearch in learning about their family history. (COURTESY)

History Fair offers free genealogy service

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Who am I? Where did I come from? Every individual asks these questions at some point in their life.
R.L. Lewis, an original Florida Highwaymen artist, demonstrated his artistic style at the Gateway Art Gallery on Saturday. (COURTESY)

R.L. Lewis, an original Florida Highwaymen artist, demonstrated his artistic style at the Gateway Art Gallery on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Highwaymen’s Lewis draws crowd to Gallery

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
The Florida Gateway Art Gallery held a reception, exhibition and demonstration over the weekend featuring R.L. Lewis, one of the original Florida Highwaymen, which drew a crowd of fans and supporters to the local gallery.
Kim Estergren, the Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum president, and Sean McMahon, the museum’s vice president, point out where water is causing issues from a leak in the building’s roof. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kim Estergren, the Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum president, and Sean McMahon, the museum’s vice president, point out where water is causing issues from a leak in the building’s roof. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Museum seeking donations to plug leak

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
The Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum is seeking financial help after a leak was recently discovered in the building’s roof. “It’s a big problem,” said Kim Estergren, Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum president, who noted the building was recently remodeled.
Jimbo Haley (from left) visits with James Crenshaw and Michael Woods, president and CEO of The Woods, about the opening of the unique outdoor venue. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jimbo Haley (from left) visits with James Crenshaw and Michael Woods, president and CEO of The Woods, about the opening of the unique outdoor venue. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Planting 'The Woods': Event venue eyes 2025 opening with launch party

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 19, 2024
More than 100 area residents gathered together Thursday evening for a kickoff celebration for what promises to be one of the more unique entertainment, family, game and social venues in the area.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Accountant Richard Powell explains the circumstances of the county potentially taking over the authority during Thursday’s County Commission meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Accountant Richard Powell explains the circumstances of the county potentially taking over the authority during Thursday’s County Commission meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County taking LSHA question to voters

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, July 19, 2024
Columbia County may be ready to pull the plug on a local taxing authority. The Board of County Commissioners met Thursday to discuss the fate of the Lake Shore Hospital Authority. The board had originally decided it wanted to meet with the authority at its last meeting on July 3.

Homeless Voice raising funds, awareness at stoplights

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, July 19, 2024
Folks in yellow vests canvassing Lake City intersections are nothing new, though some local residents may still be confused by their presence based on recent legislation. The people, part of the Homeless Voice network, are working to gather donations for various homelessness programs.
Banx Everett, who has won Sunburst Beauty Pageants on the local and state level, will be competing later this month in the International Finals. (COURTESY)

Banx Everett, who has won Sunburst Beauty Pageants on the local and state level, will be competing later this month in the International Finals. (COURTESY)

Everett is ‘baby king’ of pageants

NEWS STAFF
Friday, July 19, 2024
A local toddler, who is less than 2 years old, has mastered the stage and become a “king” of children’s beauty pageants in the process. Banx Everett, 14 months old, was enrolled in the February 2024 Sunburst Beauty Pageant at Lake City Middle School where he modeled formal wear in the competition.

Driver’s license number change going into effect

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 19, 2024
New numbers are coming to Florida driver’s licenses. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles are replacing the previous formula used to determine someone’s driver’s license number with a random number in the same format.