Local

First Federal Bank was named one of the best regional banks in the country by Newsweek. It’s the fourth straight year the Lake City-based bank received the recognition. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

First Federal Bank was named one of the best regional banks in the country by Newsweek. It’s the fourth straight year the Lake City-based bank received the recognition. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Newsweek names First Federal among top regional banks

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 16, 2024
First Federal Bank has deposited more recognition for banking excellence. The Lake City-based regional bank was named one of the top 250 regional banks and 250 credit unions in the United States, according to Newsweek.
County Manager David Kraus said it would be hard to make changes to the water line extension project at this point, after the Columbia County Commission awarded the bid at Thurday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County Manager David Kraus said it would be hard to make changes to the water line extension project at this point, after the Columbia County Commission awarded the bid at Thurday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Ellisville to Fort White water line bid approved

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 16, 2024
The project to bring better water to the Town of Fort White has been approved. The Columbia County Commission unanimously approved awarding a bid to Anderson Columbia to extending the water transmission lines from the plant in Ellisville to the existing Fort White water plant for $4.4 million.
Rose Jones (from left), a Florida Department of Transportation employee, talks to Jaden Klys and Angelis Owens during the Fort White High School Career Fair on Thursday at the school gymnasium. More than 40 vendors attended the session telling students about post high school education and career opportunities. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Rose Jones (from left), a Florida Department of Transportation employee, talks to Jaden Klys and Angelis Owens during the Fort White High School Career Fair on Thursday at the school gymnasium. More than 40 vendors attended the session telling students about post high school education and career opportunities. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White High career fair attracts 40 vendors

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 16, 2024
FORT WHITE — More than 100 Fort White High School students were able to talk to local employers and potentially get leads on jobs and careers to secure their futures.

Third teen arrested in fatal August shooting

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 16, 2024
The third and final teenage suspect in the August murder of a child is now in custody. Matthew Rice, a 17-year-old from Lake City, was taken into custody without incident Thursday, the Lake City Police Department announced Friday morning.
The Courtyard by Marriott hotel, under construction on U.S. Highway 90, is expected to open in May. Construction on the 136-room hotel began in 2022. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Courtyard by Marriott hotel, under construction on U.S. Highway 90, is expected to open in May. Construction on the 136-room hotel began in 2022. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Courtyard closing in: New hotel looks to open before summer

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Visitors to Lake City will have a new option to catch some rest starting this summer. The city’s newest and largest full-service hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott, remains under construction as the hotel’s management team plans to open the building before the beginning of summer. Dery Mitchell Jr.
Erin Crumitie (from left) purchases a bouquet of flowers from Alyssa Roxby on Wednesday morning in Olustee Park during a Valentine's Day pop-up event for local vendors. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Erin Crumitie (from left) purchases a bouquet of flowers from Alyssa Roxby on Wednesday morning in Olustee Park during a Valentine's Day pop-up event for local vendors. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Valentine’s Day pop-up event leaves many fulfilled

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Lines of hungry customers walked away from Olustee Park satisfied and with full hearts Wednesday.
Wayne Morrell, who founded Morrell’s Furniture and Mattresses 60 years ago, is celebrating his 100th birthday today. Morrell is pictured in his garden, which he has shared with the public the past three years. (COURTESY)

Wayne Morrell, who founded Morrell’s Furniture and Mattresses 60 years ago, is celebrating his 100th birthday today. Morrell is pictured in his garden, which he has shared with the public the past three years. (COURTESY)

Morrell celebrating bountiful birthday

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Sixty years ago, Wayne Morrell didn’t have any grand vision for what Morrell’s Furniture and Mattresses would become. Fired from his job at a mobile home factory, Morrell was worried more about the here and now.
Jennifer Liston, an architect with Zyscovich Architects Inc. presented the plans for the new Niblack Emeentary to the Columbia County School Board on Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Jennifer Liston, an architect with Zyscovich Architects Inc. presented the plans for the new Niblack Emeentary to the Columbia County School Board on Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

School board signs off on Niblack plans

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
FORT WHITE — The future at Niblack Elementary is ready to get underway.