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Columbia High welding students Richard Tyre (from left), Brett Jones, Chris Bolsten, Lane Milton, Benjamin Robinson and Amilcar Chavez received full scholarships to Big Bend Technical College. Pictured with them are Shelbi McCall (middle) from Big Bend Technical College and CHS welding instructor Darryl Thomas (right). (COURTESY)

Columbia High welding students Richard Tyre (from left), Brett Jones, Chris Bolsten, Lane Milton, Benjamin Robinson and Amilcar Chavez received full scholarships to Big Bend Technical College. Pictured with them are Shelbi McCall (middle) from Big Bend Technical College and CHS welding instructor Darryl Thomas (right). (COURTESY)

6 CHS welders get full rides to Big Bend Tech

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 17, 2024
Several Columbia High welding students will get to work on their craft at the next level after receiving scholarships during a Wednesday morning ceremony. On Wednesday, five CHS seniors and one adult education student were recognized as scholarship recipients.

LCPD conducting holiday DUI checkpoints

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 17, 2024
The Lake City Police Department will conduct a multi-agency DUI checkpoint late this week to try to keep impaired drivers off the road during Memorial Day weekend. The checkpoint will be conducted between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. on Friday night and Saturday morning.
Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby speaks during Thursday’s Columbia County Commission meeting on the need to relocate parts of SE Farnell Road to better accomadate growth in Ellisville. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby speaks during Thursday’s Columbia County Commission meeting on the need to relocate parts of SE Farnell Road to better accomadate growth in Ellisville. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Commission ponies up for Ellisville land purchase

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 17, 2024
Columbia County officials expect to change the landscape of the Ellisville area and alleviate congestion problems by adding a new road through a property purchase.

DeSantis approves additional Columbia County judge

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, May 16, 2024
A second county judge is coming to Columbia County. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 11 bills Thursday, including HB 5401 which adds nine county and circuit judges across the state. One of the new judicial seats created by the bill is for an additional county judge in Columbia County.
The honor guard stands at attention at last year’s Lake City-Columbia County Annual Public Safety Memorial service. This year is the 20th annual event honoring fallen first responders. (FILE)

The honor guard stands at attention at last year’s Lake City-Columbia County Annual Public Safety Memorial service. This year is the 20th annual event honoring fallen first responders. (FILE)

Remembering the fallen: 20th annual Public Safety Memorial service set for Tuesday

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Representatives from area law enforcement agencies, fire departments and other first responders will gather next week at a ceremony to remember and honor their fallen colleagues. The Lake City-Columbia County Annual Public Safety Memorial will take place 6:30 p.m.
Assistant Columbia County Manager Kevin Kirby asked for clarification on how long to collect storm debris off roadways during an emergency meeting Wednesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Assistant Columbia County Manager Kevin Kirby asked for clarification on how long to collect storm debris off roadways during an emergency meeting Wednesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Debris cleanup concerns spark state of emergency

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Friday’s severe storms have now sparked a local state of emergency. The Columbia County Commission unanimously made the declaration Wednesday morning in an emergency meeting. The board declared the state of emergency to help with debris cleanup from the storm.
Clint Pittman, the county’s Landscape and Parks director, said a partnership between the county and Synergy Sports Global would lead to a quicker return on the county’s investment into the 500-acre sports complex. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Clint Pittman, the county’s Landscape and Parks director, said a partnership between the county and Synergy Sports Global would lead to a quicker return on the county’s investment into the 500-acre sports complex. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

TDC eyes alternative funding for sports complex

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Columbia County’s plans for its 500-acre regional sports complex may get sped up with some outside assistance.
Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels told the Economic Development Advisory Board on Wednesday that 800 acres on the north side of Lake City has been selected for the Florida First Sites program. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels told the Economic Development Advisory Board on Wednesday that 800 acres on the north side of Lake City has been selected for the Florida First Sites program. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

800 acres selected for development program

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
By JAMIE WACHTER jwachter@lakecityreporter.com Additional property on the north side of Lake City could soon become prime for economic development.