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Power trucks staged Saturday at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds in preparation for Tropical Storm Debby. The trucks, from various companies across the country, will help Florida Power & Light restore power where needed after impact. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Power trucks staged Saturday at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds in preparation for Tropical Storm Debby. The trucks, from various companies across the country, will help Florida Power & Light restore power where needed after impact. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Tropical Storm Debby could hit Florida as hurricane

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Saturday, August 3, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — A Category 1 hurricane is forecast to make landfall Monday morning in North Florida’s Big Bend region, which the powerful Hurricane Idalia hammered nearly a year ago, according to the private meteorology company AccuWeather.
Workers install new bells in the carillon tower at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. (COURTESY)

Workers install new bells in the carillon tower at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. (COURTESY)

Restoration work begins on Stephen Foster carrillon bells

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 2, 2024
WHITE SPRINGS — The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park is getting its voice back. After close to a decade without the park’s signature sounds of its carillon bells, workers spent several days at the park this week working to restoring the unique sound that had been silenced.
Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth said he wants the county to pay attention to RV parks and campgrounds ‘because it can get out of hand.’ The County Commission agreed to put a moratorium in place on new permits so it can revise the LDRs. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth said he wants the county to pay attention to RV parks and campgrounds ‘because it can get out of hand.’ The County Commission agreed to put a moratorium in place on new permits so it can revise the LDRs. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

New RV campgrounds put on hold

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 2, 2024
New RV campgrounds won’t be able to take up residence in Columbia County for the foreseeable future.
Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett told the Lake City Kiwanis Club on Tuesday about the college’s growth, including the addition of a new bachelor’s degree program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett told the Lake City Kiwanis Club on Tuesday about the college’s growth, including the addition of a new bachelor’s degree program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Barrett touts FGC’s growth

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 2, 2024
Long term plans, upcoming projects and events scheduled to take place at Florida Gateway College aren’t the typical post-luncheon meal topics, but earlier this week Lake City Kiwanis Club members were given an update on plans and programs for the local college.

Teacher sentenced to life for child molestation

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 2, 2024
BELL — A former elementary school teacher has been sentenced to life in prison for molesting school children. William Charles Carawan Jr., a 33-year-old from Fort White, was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of eight child sex offenses Tuesday in a Gilchrist County trial.
Columbia County Code Enforcement Officer Winston Warner talks to the County Commission about issues with complaints in the Town of Fort White on Thursday while Alexander Veiga, co-owner of The Collective: Food Yard and Garden, looks on. The commission voted to terminate its agreement to handle code enforcement for the town. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Code Enforcement Officer Winston Warner talks to the County Commission about issues with complaints in the Town of Fort White on Thursday while Alexander Veiga, co-owner of The Collective: Food Yard and Garden, looks on. The commission voted to terminate its agreement to handle code enforcement for the town. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County stopping code enforcement in Fort White

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 2, 2024
Columbia County will stop handling code enforcement in the Town of Fort White early next year. The Columbia County Commission unanimously approved terminating an interlocal agreement with the town to have the county perform that service, providing 180 days notice.

Wellborn man charged with sexual assault

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 2, 2024
A Wellborn man was arrested Thursday night for a romantic relationship with a teenager. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers received a complaint July 24 about a potential sexual assault against a juvenile.

Boots and Badges game rescheduled

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 2, 2024
The tip off of the annual Boots and Badges charity basketball game will have to wait. The annual charity game, which is benefiting the Columbia High basketball program, has been postponed due to the approaching tropical storm. The event was scheduled for Saturday afternoon.