Local

American Legion Post 57 volunteers serve meals to Columbia County Fire Rescue personnel Benjamin Fry (center) and Ronnie Crews. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

American Legion Post 57 volunteers serve meals to Columbia County Fire Rescue personnel Benjamin Fry (center) and Ronnie Crews. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

First responders treated to lunch at American Legion

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
A line of firetrucks was parked behind the American Legion Post 57 building Wednesday morning.

Valdosta woman killed in wreck

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
A Valdosta woman was struck and killed by a Chevrolet pickup while on foot at the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and County Road 252 on Tuesday evening. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, the pickup was headed south on U.S.
Aniya Woodcock (from left), 4, Khalil Williams, 2, and Parker Pemberton, 4, get help from Katie Stewart as the youngsters play a game attempting to catch plastic fish at the Spring Family Fun Day at Ichetuckee Springs State Park on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Aniya Woodcock (from left), 4, Khalil Williams, 2, and Parker Pemberton, 4, get help from Katie Stewart as the youngsters play a game attempting to catch plastic fish at the Spring Family Fun Day at Ichetuckee Springs State Park on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

‘Fun’ day at Ichetucknee

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
From fun activities such as a dunking to booth to educational activities such as animal exhibits, folks from the area gathered at the southern end of the county this weekend to learn and take part in fun activities to support Ichetucknee Springs State Park and Fort White schools.
Jessica Ervienn (middle) squints as she looks through a telescope to watch Monday’s solar eclipse as she gets tips from FGC physics professor James Givviens. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jessica Ervienn (middle) squints as she looks through a telescope to watch Monday’s solar eclipse as she gets tips from FGC physics professor James Givviens. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC basks in shade with eclipse party

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
The grayish hue that enveloped the area Monday afternoon captured the attention of hundreds if not thousands of area residents. While there was no natural disaster associated with the unusual color of the sky, for about 15 minutes before and after 3 p.m.
Katrina Evans (left), Columbia County Public Library Director, gives Ward Swisher five pairs of solar eclipse viewing glasses so he can watch Monday’s solar eclipse with his grandchildren. Evans said the library has provided pairs of the glasses so local residents can watch the solar eclipse. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Katrina Evans (left), Columbia County Public Library Director, gives Ward Swisher five pairs of solar eclipse viewing glasses so he can watch Monday’s solar eclipse with his grandchildren. Evans said the library has provided pairs of the glasses so local residents can watch the solar eclipse. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Eclipse excitement blankets region

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 5, 2024
Local star gazers have a promising Monday circled on their calendars as the sky will darken when a total eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, completely blocking the face of the sun during a solar eclipse. The solar eclipse has attracted the interest of area residents.
Former firefighter Anthony Davis urged the BOCC to adopt an in-house solution for EMS in the future. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Former firefighter Anthony Davis urged the BOCC to adopt an in-house solution for EMS in the future. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County eyes new 911 EMS providers

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 5, 2024
Columbia County will have a new emergency ambulance provider before the end of the year. The Columbia County Commission authorized County Manager David Kraus to negotiate with both Columbia EMS and AmeriPro EMS to provide emergency services for the county after a request for proposals.
The Lake City chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace recently delivered its 100th bed since starting late in 2022. The organization provides beds to children in need to ensure they have a place to sleep. (COURTESY)

The Lake City chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace recently delivered its 100th bed since starting late in 2022. The organization provides beds to children in need to ensure they have a place to sleep. (COURTESY)

Sleep in Heavenly Peace delivers 100th bed

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 5, 2024
On Dec. 10, 2022, members of the newly-formed Lake City chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace delivered its first twin bed. The recipient, a 9-year-old girl, was living with her grandmother due to a domestic violence issue in her family. She had been sleeping on a beanbag chair.
LCPD Community Relations Coordinator Ashley Hardison (from left), Sue Tuell, Assistant Police Chief Andy Miles, Chief Gerald Butler and Bernice D. Presley pose after Butler was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation. (COURTESY)

LCPD Community Relations Coordinator Ashley Hardison (from left), Sue Tuell, Assistant Police Chief Andy Miles, Chief Gerald Butler and Bernice D. Presley pose after Butler was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation. (COURTESY)

Butler honored by EXCEL and Scholars program

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 5, 2024
Bernice D. Presley and Sharyn M. Presley, representing the Presley EXCEL and Scholars program, recently surprised Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler at his office and presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Presley EXCEL and Scholars program.
Folks wait to take a tour of one of the houses on the 2022 Parade of Homes route. (FILE)

Folks wait to take a tour of one of the houses on the 2022 Parade of Homes route. (FILE)

Seventh annual Parade of Homes set to show off latest in home decor

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 5, 2024
The 2024 Parade of Homes will take place on April 27-28 with premier new-home construction on display to the public during the weekend. The event runs from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturday April 27, and from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 28.