Local

Vann Carpet One has purchased the old Ashley Furniture building across from Publix. The longtime Lake City business plans to consolidate its two downtown locations into the new location early next year. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Vann Carpet One has purchased the old Ashley Furniture building across from Publix. The longtime Lake City business plans to consolidate its two downtown locations into the new location early next year. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Vann Carpet making move

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Through the years Vann Carpet One has proven to be one of the most adaptable local businesses in the area, answering customers’ flooring needs for decades.
Superintendent Lex Carswell said the end of his tenure with the Columbia County School District was ‘bittersweet.’ (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Superintendent Lex Carswell said the end of his tenure with the Columbia County School District was ‘bittersweet.’ (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Emotional Carswell thankful in final meeting

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Lex Carswell said he loved every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, coming out to Columbia County School Board meetings.
Columbia County Commission Chairman Ron Williams requested that both Columbia and Suwannee county commissions look into requiring a super majority vote to dissolve the North Florida Water Utilities Authority at a joint commission workshop Wednesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commission Chairman Ron Williams requested that both Columbia and Suwannee county commissions look into requiring a super majority vote to dissolve the North Florida Water Utilities Authority at a joint commission workshop Wednesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Super majority wanted to dissolve utility authority

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Before getting further down the aisle with the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, Columbia County Commission Chairman Ron Williams wants to make it more difficult for someone to have cold feet.
Columbia County Schools Assistant Superintendent Todd Widergren said Zyscovich, which was awarded the bid as the architect for the new Eastside Elementary School design, has worked well on the new Niblack Elementary School project. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Schools Assistant Superintendent Todd Widergren said Zyscovich, which was awarded the bid as the architect for the new Eastside Elementary School design, has worked well on the new Niblack Elementary School project. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Familiar firm selected for Eastside design

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
The Columbia County School Board has accepted a bid from an architect firm for the design of a proposed new Eastside Elementary School reconstruction project. Board members are already familiar with the contractor.
Asher Watson pulls the heart out of Gelissa Howard, who is portraying Snow White, in the Snow White room of the Columbia High theatre department’s haunted house of ‘The Real Grimm’s Fairytales.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Asher Watson pulls the heart out of Gelissa Howard, who is portraying Snow White, in the Snow White room of the Columbia High theatre department’s haunted house of ‘The Real Grimm’s Fairytales.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CHS haunted house offers frights, chills

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Frights, ghouls and creepy behavior will be on display at Columbia High School when the school’s theater department hosts its annual haunted house fundraiser later this week. The haunted house rooms and scenes of horror will take place 7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Norman R.
Voters wait in line outside the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections office Monday for the start of early voting for the Nov. 5 general election. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Voters wait in line outside the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections office Monday for the start of early voting for the Nov. 5 general election. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Thousands turn out for early voting

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Columbia County voters flocked to the polls in huge numbers Monday as the 2024 general election early voting period began with more than 2,000 people casting ballots. “I’m thrilled with the turnout today,” Tomi Brown, Columbia County Supervisor of Elections, said Monday evening.
Lauren Rushing, a transportation planner with the NUE Urban Concepts firm, talked the benefits of a mobility plan and mobility fee with the Lake City Council on Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lauren Rushing, a transportation planner with the NUE Urban Concepts firm, talked the benefits of a mobility plan and mobility fee with the Lake City Council on Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council considers fee to fund street upgrades

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Lake City Councilors are considering an alternative to traffic impact fees to fund transportation and infrastructure needs.
Aspen Pest Control was named one of the best pest control companies in Florida with a Guide to Florida Best of Florida award. (COURTESY)

Aspen Pest Control was named one of the best pest control companies in Florida with a Guide to Florida Best of Florida award. (COURTESY)

Aspen recognized as state’s best

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Shannon Gregory had worked in the pest control business for six years. Originally starting at Sears Termite and Pest Control, a national company with an office in Lake City, Gregory said he grew up with a passion for science, particularly entomology.
Halpatter Brewing Company’s Chris Candler said the Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival was a great event, which also draws visitors to the brewery itself. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Halpatter Brewing Company’s Chris Candler said the Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival was a great event, which also draws visitors to the brewery itself. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Beer and Wine Festival a hit for vendors, attendees

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Wine flowed, beer was tapped, and the Lake City community got back to a bit of normalcy with a weekend festival.
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.