Local

Inga Dwyer, the Toys for Tots coordinator for Columbia, Hamilton and Lafayette counties, (left) and Annita Leonard, the coordinator of Toys for Tots in Suwannee County, are looking forward to the Pilots With Presents Fly In & Antinque and Classic Car Display on Saturday at the Lake City Gateway Airport. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Inga Dwyer, the Toys for Tots coordinator for Columbia, Hamilton and Lafayette counties, (left) and Annita Leonard, the coordinator of Toys for Tots in Suwannee County, are looking forward to the Pilots With Presents Fly In & Antinque and Classic Car Display on Saturday at the Lake City Gateway Airport. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Pilots flying in presents for local Toys for Tots

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
The local Toys for Tots programs are looking to collect gifts from areas outside the region this weekend during a new toy collection event for Toys for Tots. The Pilots With Presents Fly In & Antique and Classic Car Display will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lake City Mayor Stephen Witt (from left) stands with Aleah Hillhouse, 5, and Autumn Hillhouse while showing the youngsters ornaments on the city’s Christmas Tree during Sunday’s tree lighting ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Stephen Witt (from left) stands with Aleah Hillhouse, 5, and Autumn Hillhouse while showing the youngsters ornaments on the city’s Christmas Tree during Sunday’s tree lighting ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Thousands attend tree lighting in Olustee Park

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
The 2023 Christmas holiday season officially enveloped the downtown area Sunday evening when a crowd, estimated at more than 1,000 people, filled Olustee Park for the annual Light Up the Night Christmas Tree Celebration.
Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young said there was nothing for the council to discuss Monday night since Paul Dyal didn’t attend the meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young said there was nothing for the council to discuss Monday night since Paul Dyal didn’t attend the meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council turns back Dyal

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
The City of Lake City isn’t rehiring Paul Dyal as city manager. At least not right now.
One of the City of Lake City’s historic downtown gate signs sits at Duval Street at the intersection with Marion Avenue. The sign on the north end of the historic downtown district was taken down this week to be moved further north. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

One of the City of Lake City’s historic downtown gate signs sits at Duval Street at the intersection with Marion Avenue. The sign on the north end of the historic downtown district was taken down this week to be moved further north. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Downtown sign moving

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 1, 2023
Lake City’s historic downtown is growing. Sort of. One week after the Lake City Council agreed to an easement for property to move the city’s historic downtown sign further north on Marion Avenue, the sign disappeared from its perch at the intersection with Railroad Street.
The Lake City Council will discuss rehiring Paul Dyal as city manager, a position he resigned from two months ago. (FILE)

The Lake City Council will discuss rehiring Paul Dyal as city manager, a position he resigned from two months ago. (FILE)

City considers rehiring Dyal

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 1, 2023
Two months after resigning as Lake City’s top administrator, Paul Dyal may resurface as the city’s manager once more. The Lake City Council will discuss, and potentially take action, on rehiring Dyal as city manager during its meeting Monday. The council meets at 6 p.m. at Lake City Hall, 205 N.
Fort White Mayor Ronnie Frazier thanked Columbia County for all the work they’ve done to help the town. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White Mayor Ronnie Frazier thanked Columbia County for all the work they’ve done to help the town. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County, Fort White clear air at joint meeting

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, December 1, 2023
Any leftover beef between Columbia County commissioners and Fort White council members seemed to be squashed just moments into a highly anticipated joint utility meeting.
Kevin Downing, the owner of Three Putt Services & Nursery in Jupiter, is the Florida Gateway College Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. (COURTESY)

Kevin Downing, the owner of Three Putt Services & Nursery in Jupiter, is the Florida Gateway College Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. (COURTESY)

Downing named FGC Distinguished Alumnus of Year

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 1, 2023
A long-time program advisory council member at Florida Gateway College is receiving acknowledgement for his commitment. Kevin Downing, a 1975 graduate, is the college’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for the fall 2023 commencement ceremony.

Breakfast with Santa returning to Holiday Inn

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 1, 2023
Santa Claus will once again make a stop at Lake City’s Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites. The hotel’s annual Breakfast with Santa event, which benefits the United Way of Suwannee Valley, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9, from 8-11 a.m.
The solar panels at the Jared Allison Aquatic Complex to heat the pool are in place and starting the process to warm up the water. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The solar panels at the Jared Allison Aquatic Complex to heat the pool are in place and starting the process to warm up the water. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Pool’s solar heating system up and running

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 1, 2023
Even as a cold snap hit North Florida this week, the pool at the Jared Allison Aquatic Complex has been warming up. The public pool’s solar heating system project is in place and starting the slow process of warming the pool’s water.