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U.S. Highway 41 between Interstate 75 in Ellisville and County Road 252 south of Columbia High is undergoing resurfacing. The project is underway, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. (COURTESY)

U.S. Highway 41 between Interstate 75 in Ellisville and County Road 252 south of Columbia High is undergoing resurfacing. The project is underway, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. (COURTESY)

U.S. 41 resurfacing project underway

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Construction is underway on a $10.6 million resurfacing project of U.S. Highway 41 in southern Columbia County.
Nakitha Ivery (from left), Violet Wiggins and Nancy James look over old photos from Niblack Elementary on Sunday during a final walkthrough of the school, which is scheduled to be demolished in the near future. The school has served the community for more than 70 years. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Nakitha Ivery (from left), Violet Wiggins and Nancy James look over old photos from Niblack Elementary on Sunday during a final walkthrough of the school, which is scheduled to be demolished in the near future. The school has served the community for more than 70 years. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Saying goodbye to Niblack

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
For hundreds of area residents, school was back in session Sunday at Niblack Elementary School one last time.
Lake City Councilor Chevella Young said during Monday's meeting that she has heard from a number of parents that they had no plans for their children this summer as she pushed to provide funding for them to attend a camp at Richardson Community Center. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilor Chevella Young said during Monday's meeting that she has heard from a number of parents that they had no plans for their children this summer as she pushed to provide funding for them to attend a camp at Richardson Community Center. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City funds $35K for Richardson camp

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Summer programs at Richardson Community Center are set to get a boost from the City of Lake City, but not without disagreement.
During a drug bust Friday at a Koonville Avenue residence, drugs were found in a gun safe in one of the bedrooms, as well as in the kitchen cabinets and on the porch. (COURTESY)

During a drug bust Friday at a Koonville Avenue residence, drugs were found in a gun safe in one of the bedrooms, as well as in the kitchen cabinets and on the porch. (COURTESY)

Pair arrested in drug bust

NEWS STAFF
Monday, June 3, 2024
WELLBORN – A pair of Columbia County men were arrested Friday following a drug bust at their residence near the Suwannee County line.
Keyonis Alexander takes a selfie with her classmates as Fort White High School graduation candidates head to the stadium for the school’s commencement exercise on Friday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Keyonis Alexander takes a selfie with her classmates as Fort White High School graduation candidates head to the stadium for the school’s commencement exercise on Friday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White grads focus on future

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 31, 2024
FORT WHITE — Subdued, yet confident, a group of Fort White High School students sat in designated seats one last time at the school. The students were Class of 2024 graduation candidates and they stood less than an hour away from the greatest achievement in their academic lives up to this point.
Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office employees La Gina Dow (from left), Thelton Goff and Tracy Nettles look at the county’s delinquent tax rolls Friday as the tax sales certificate auction ended. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office employees La Gina Dow (from left), Thelton Goff and Tracy Nettles look at the county’s delinquent tax rolls Friday as the tax sales certificate auction ended. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County recoups $4M+ in tax sales

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 31, 2024
Friday was a pretty good revenue day for the Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office. The public auction on tax sale certificates for unpaid property taxes ended Friday with more than 99% of the unpaid money due to the county collected. Out of $4.
The $11.9 million resurfacing project on U.S. Highway 27 that will begin next week will cover the roadway from the Alachua County line to the Suwannee County line. (COURTESY)

The $11.9 million resurfacing project on U.S. Highway 27 that will begin next week will cover the roadway from the Alachua County line to the Suwannee County line. (COURTESY)

U.S. 27 resurfacing begins next week

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 31, 2024
Construction will begin next week on resurfacing U.S. Highway 27 through Columbia County. The $11.9 million project, which will be performed by Anderson Columbia, will last through early 2025, according to the Florida Department of Transportation, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting.
Columbia County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Steven Khachigan (left photo, right) and Suwannee County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Wayne Kelly (right photo, right) were part of the 15th graduating class of the Florida Sheriff's Association Commanders Academy. Both are pictured with FSA Executive Director Steve Casey. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Steven Khachigan (left photo, right) and Suwannee County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Wayne Kelly (right photo, right) were part of the 15th graduating class of the Florida Sheriff's Association Commanders Academy. Both are pictured with FSA Executive Director Steve Casey. (COURTESY)

Khachigan, Kelly graduate from FSA Commanders Academy

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 31, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — Two area law enforcement officers graduated with additional leadership training last week. Sgt. Steven Khachigan with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and Sgt.
Darryl Thomas (from left), Columbia High School welding instructor, talks to Sen. Rick Scott’s team members Paul Bonicelli and Sarah Salas on Wednesday morning in the school’s welding facility. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Darryl Thomas (from left), Columbia High School welding instructor, talks to Sen. Rick Scott’s team members Paul Bonicelli and Sarah Salas on Wednesday morning in the school’s welding facility. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Senate aides talk shop at CHS

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Operating under the premise, “if you want the best answer, go to the top source,” members of Sen. Rick Scott’s team visited the Columbia High School welding program Wednesday morning.