Local

County Commission Chairman Ron Williams urged other commissioners to call folks in Tallahassee to encourage Gov. Ron DeSantis to approve $57 million in grant funding for the Ellisville wastewater treatment plant. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County Commission Chairman Ron Williams urged other commissioners to call folks in Tallahassee to encourage Gov. Ron DeSantis to approve $57 million in grant funding for the Ellisville wastewater treatment plant. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County streamlines grant application process

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 5, 2024
Columbia County’s efforts to obtain grant funding for infrastructure improvements will soon be streamlined.
Jared Hires, the general manager of Lake City-based Dive Rite, died Wednesday on a cave dive in Norway. He was 33. (COURTESY)

Jared Hires, the general manager of Lake City-based Dive Rite, died Wednesday on a cave dive in Norway. He was 33. (COURTESY)

Jared Hires dies tragically on Norway dive

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Jared Hires, the general manager of the Lake City-based diving equipment company Dive Rite, died tragically on a dive Wednesday in Norway. Hires was 33 years old. He is survived by his parents, Lamar and LeeAnn, as well as his wife, Taylor, and two children.
Robert Jones (from left), CareerSource Florida Crown Executive Director, Ron Jones, and Eugene Dukes, board chairman, listen intently as Guy Norris, Florida Crown legal counsel, talks about recent economic sanctions applied to the agency during the Wednesday morning’s CareerSource Florida Crown board meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Robert Jones (from left), CareerSource Florida Crown Executive Director, Ron Jones, and Eugene Dukes, board chairman, listen intently as Guy Norris, Florida Crown legal counsel, talks about recent economic sanctions applied to the agency during the Wednesday morning’s CareerSource Florida Crown board meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CareerSource Florida Crown faces financial sanctions, consolidation

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
CareerSource Florida Crown has been described as being in “chaos” by state officials as the agency continues preparing to consolidate with CareerSource North Central Florida. However, the local workforce agency is facing additional challenges before the July 1 consolidation date.
Robert Jones speaks during a Columbia County Commission meeting in March. (FILE)

Robert Jones speaks during a Columbia County Commission meeting in March. (FILE)

Jones urged to resign as CareerSource Florida Crown director

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Asked to resign, CareerSource Florida Crown’s executive director is resistant to that idea. Still, Robert Jones may take some time away from the agency that he’s helmed for more than a decade.
Lindsay Laxton, the Columbia County School District’s finance diretor, said the half-cent sales tax generated $6.5 million, ‘right on target’ with the district’s estimates. (FILE)

Lindsay Laxton, the Columbia County School District’s finance diretor, said the half-cent sales tax generated $6.5 million, ‘right on target’ with the district’s estimates. (FILE)

Sales tax brings in $6.5M for first year

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
So far the Columbia County School District’s half-cent sales tax is right on the money. In the first year of collecting the tax funding toward facility upgrades, the district netted $6.46 million, right on the estimates.
The United Way of Suwannee Valley is capping its annual fundraising campaign with a ‘Boots and Bling’ event on April 18. (COURTESY)

The United Way of Suwannee Valley is capping its annual fundraising campaign with a ‘Boots and Bling’ event on April 18. (COURTESY)

United Way hosting ‘Boots and Bling’

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Looking back on months of fundraising, celebrating community agencies and detailing plans for the next few months, while throwing in a western motif, the United Way of Suwannee Valley plans to have area residents bust out their bling and boots for the agency’s next event.
Patricia Starnes (left), the Columbia High School FFA advisor, holds and feeds Tres, as Amilliya Schneider, 17, holds and feeds Dos. Starnes and Schneider were feeding the three-week-old kids, while preparing for the inaugural Kids Feeding Kids Ag. Expo where a petting zoo will be featured. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Patricia Starnes (left), the Columbia High School FFA advisor, holds and feeds Tres, as Amilliya Schneider, 17, holds and feeds Dos. Starnes and Schneider were feeding the three-week-old kids, while preparing for the inaugural Kids Feeding Kids Ag. Expo where a petting zoo will be featured. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kids Feeding Kids, FFA teaming for ag expo

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Modern agricultural equipment, tractors, livestock, plants and Columbia County’s history with the agricultural industry will be showcased when the Kids Feeding Kids organization and the Columbia High School FFA holds an agricultural expo later this month.
Grace Duncan’s parents, Burt and Cissy, listen during a prayer prior to the start of last year’s Grace’s Race 5K run/walk. The fourth annual event, which is held in Duncan’s memory, is set for Saturday. (FILE)

Grace Duncan’s parents, Burt and Cissy, listen during a prayer prior to the start of last year’s Grace’s Race 5K run/walk. The fourth annual event, which is held in Duncan’s memory, is set for Saturday. (FILE)

Grace’s Race honors Duncan’s memory

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
The memory of Lora Grace Duncan will be honored Saturday with the Grace’s Race 5K run/walk and car show. The fourth annual event, which will take place at Grace’s Garden in the Heritage Oaks Circle Shopping Center, which includes HiTone Fitness, at 4556 SW Heritage Oaks Circle, will begin at 9 a.m.
The Lake City Chick-fil-A’s drive-through area will be revamped to become more efficient. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Lake City Chick-fil-A’s drive-through area will be revamped to become more efficient. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Closing for remodeling

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
The Lake City Chick-fil-A restaurant is closing down at the end of the week as the restaurant will get renovated and upgraded. The restaurant will close 3 p.m. Friday and remain closed for a few weeks while the renovation work takes place.