Local

Niblack Elementary alumni Conrad Wallace (from left), Vallice Caldwell and Ronald Griffin gather on the stage in the Niblack cafeteria during Thursday’s tour. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Niblack Elementary alumni Conrad Wallace (from left), Vallice Caldwell and Ronald Griffin gather on the stage in the Niblack cafeteria during Thursday’s tour. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Niblack alum tour campus ahead of demolition

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, March 15, 2024
Sixty years after they passed through the hallways and classrooms of Niblack Elementary, a trio of Soaring Eagles alumni got the chance to take a tour of the school one last time before it’s set for demolition this summer.
Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said the North Florida Water Utilities Authority needs to move forward. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said the North Florida Water Utilities Authority needs to move forward. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia, Suwannee tired of waiting on regional utility

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Officials from Columbia and Suwannee counties are ready to move forward with a regional utility authority, with or without any other members.
Tina Siefert (left) is sworn in as the Third Judicial Circuit’s new General Magistrate by Chief Judge Melissa Olin as Seifert’s fiancee John Blanchard holds the Bible during the private swearing-in ceremony Friday in the Columbia County Courthouse. (COURTESY)

Tina Siefert (left) is sworn in as the Third Judicial Circuit’s new General Magistrate by Chief Judge Melissa Olin as Seifert’s fiancee John Blanchard holds the Bible during the private swearing-in ceremony Friday in the Columbia County Courthouse. (COURTESY)

Seifert sworn in as general magistrate

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
A local attorney who has served in the local courts for more than 20 years as a family attorney, prosecutor and personal injury attorney will now get to serve residents as the circuit’s general magistrate.

Gun-wielding man arrested at hotel

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
A social media beef led to shots fired and an arrest at a local hotel Tuesday. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers were called to the Baymont Inn at 3598 W. U.S. Highway 90 around 5:45 a.m. Tuesday to reports of an armed and dangerous person.
The second round of Columbia’s Top Talent will take place 7 p.m. tonight at the Norman Choice Performing Arts Center on the Columbia High School campus. Performers and organizers attending Wednesday’s rehearsal were: Fonsa Bryant, Micah Williams, Nolan Peloni, Michelle Burch, Emma Figueroa, De’Yonna Jernigan, Jaleiah Burch, Rannon Tannachion (holding guitar) and Ronnie Collins, Columbia’s Top Talent founder. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The second round of Columbia’s Top Talent will take place 7 p.m. tonight at the Norman Choice Performing Arts Center on the Columbia High School campus. Performers and organizers attending Wednesday’s rehearsal were: Fonsa Bryant, Micah Williams, Nolan Peloni, Michelle Burch, Emma Figueroa, De’Yonna Jernigan, Jaleiah Burch, Rannon Tannachion (holding guitar) and Ronnie Collins, Columbia’s Top Talent founder. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

8 competing in Columbia’s Top Talent

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Eight local students will display their stage presence and vocal abilities tonight in hopes of moving to the next round of competition during the second round of Columbia’s Top Talent. The second round of the talent competition will take place at 7 p.m.
Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels said the agreement with Florida Gulf & Atlantic to provide rail inside the North Florida Mega Industrial Park will hopefully be ready for County Commission approval next week. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels said the agreement with Florida Gulf & Atlantic to provide rail inside the North Florida Mega Industrial Park will hopefully be ready for County Commission approval next week. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County closing in on mega site rail deal

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
With the first tenant in place now at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park, a rail partner is about to be secured as well.
North Florida received below average rainfall in February, according to the Suwannee River Water Management District. (COURTESY)

North Florida received below average rainfall in February, according to the Suwannee River Water Management District. (COURTESY)

SRWMD: Rain below average in February

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Local rainfall last month was slightly below average, but weather agencies believe the numbers are within a normal range. The Suwannee River Water Management District released its Hydrologic Conditions Report for the month of February on Wednesday.

Teens get prison time for bringing firearms to game

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
A pair of teens have been sentenced for bringing firearms to a high school football game last fall. Anthony Smith and Jeremy Scippio, who were arrested Aug. 25, 2023, at a Columbia High School football game after climbing the fence and bringing firearms on campus, were sentenced Monday.
Chris McMillan, the CEO of the Panhandle Restaurant Group that is opening a Big Chicken restaurant in Lake City, is pictured with Big Chicken founder Shaquille O’Neal. (COURTESY)

Chris McMillan, the CEO of the Panhandle Restaurant Group that is opening a Big Chicken restaurant in Lake City, is pictured with Big Chicken founder Shaquille O’Neal. (COURTESY)

Will Shaq show up?

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
A big guy, known to have a big appetite, may soon be visiting Lake City for the opening of his restaurant, Big Chicken, at the end of the month.