Local

Eight homes, including this house from IC Construction in The Oaks of Lake City, will be on display this weekend during the Parade of Homes. (JAMIE WACHER/Lake City Reporter)

Eight homes, including this house from IC Construction in The Oaks of Lake City, will be on display this weekend during the Parade of Homes. (JAMIE WACHER/Lake City Reporter)

Parade of Homes features 8 houses

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 26, 2024
The best of new home construction will be on display for North Florida to see this weekend. The seventh annual free Parade of Homes will feature eight houses in Columbia and Suwannee counties today and Sunday. The Parade runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and noon to 4 p.m.
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, speaking at an event in White Springs last August, will be one of the two keynote speakers May 10 at the Columbia County Republican Party’s ‘Boots and BBQ’ fundraiser. (FILE)

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, speaking at an event in White Springs last August, will be one of the two keynote speakers May 10 at the Columbia County Republican Party’s ‘Boots and BBQ’ fundraiser. (FILE)

Scott, Cammack to speak to Columbia GOP

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 26, 2024
Two members of Florida’s Congressional delegation will be in Lake City next month. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and U.S Rep. Kat Cammack are the keynote speakers scheduled for the Columbia County Republican Party’s “Boots and BBQ” fundraising event set for May 10 at the Blanche Hotel, 224 N. Marion Avenue.
Four pounds of methamphetamine were found beneath the hood of a car pulled over Wednesday on Interstate 75 for a busted windshield. (COURTESY)

Four pounds of methamphetamine were found beneath the hood of a car pulled over Wednesday on Interstate 75 for a busted windshield. (COURTESY)

Busted windshield nets Georgia arrest, recovery of 4 pounds of meth

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 26, 2024
A busted windshield Wednesday led to the arrest of a wanted man from another state as well the recovery of four pounds of methamphetamine and an ongoing multi-agency investigation.
‘Hope Alive,’ a compilation book of stories of faith, is currently out in paperback, hardcover and e-book form. (COURTESY)

‘Hope Alive,’ a compilation book of stories of faith, is currently out in paperback, hardcover and e-book form. (COURTESY)

Strickland pens story on ‘miracles’ in hospital

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, April 26, 2024
Having gone through her own trials and tribulations a few years ago, a local author is now sharing her near-death experience — as well as her own religious journey — with readers.
Diana Duque, the new health officer at the Columbia County Health Department, is looking to strengthen community health in her new role. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Diana Duque, the new health officer at the Columbia County Health Department, is looking to strengthen community health in her new role. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Duque aims to strengthen community health in Columbia County

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
The Columbia County Health Department handles community health needs, environmental health needs and public health concerns for the county.
Jacob Sheldon reads his book, ‘I Think My Cat’s A Wizard’ to students at Belmont Academy. (COURTESY)

Jacob Sheldon reads his book, ‘I Think My Cat’s A Wizard’ to students at Belmont Academy. (COURTESY)

Teen writes, illustrates first book

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Ever wondered what the cat is up to while at work all day? Jacob Sheldon, a 19-year-old paraprofessional at Summers Elementary School, did.

Stamp Out Hunger food drive set for May pickup

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Food delivery will flow the opposite way next month thanks to an upcoming country-wide food drive. The National Association of Letter Carriers is set to conduct its 32nd annual national Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Saturday, May 11.

I-75, 10 exit closing next week

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
One of the exits at the Interstates 10 and 75 interchange will be closed next week. The Florida Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that the exit from I-75 south to I-10 west will close Monday at 8 a.m. so crews can work on erosion repair.
GSMS Developers has two homes on this weekend’s Parade of Homes, both in the Eagle Pointe subdivision east of Live Oak. (STAFF)

GSMS Developers has two homes on this weekend’s Parade of Homes, both in the Eagle Pointe subdivision east of Live Oak. (STAFF)

Parade of Homes expands into Suwannee County

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
When the Parade of Homes extends into Suwannee County for the first time this weekend, it will be greeted by a familiar builder. GSMS Developers, which was part of past Parade of Homes, will have two homes in display on the east side of Live Oak in the Eagle Pointe subdivision.
Fort White High School thespians Gracie Norman (from left), Mason Steele, Casey Dettman, Gracey Ayers and Juliette Torres, rehearse a scene for the school’s upcoming production of Beauty and The Beast. The production is the first musical in the school’s history and the first production in the school’s new performing arts center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White High School thespians Gracie Norman (from left), Mason Steele, Casey Dettman, Gracey Ayers and Juliette Torres, rehearse a scene for the school’s upcoming production of Beauty and The Beast. The production is the first musical in the school’s history and the first production in the school’s new performing arts center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Historic FWHS performance

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
FORT WHITE — For the past two decades, Fort White High School students in the drama program,  performed the school’s productions in the gymnasium and other venues. This year, for the first time, the students will get to have their production in a new performing arts center on campus.