Local

Katrina Evans (left), Columbia County Public Library Director, gives Ward Swisher five pairs of solar eclipse viewing glasses so he can watch Monday’s solar eclipse with his grandchildren. Evans said the library has provided pairs of the glasses so local residents can watch the solar eclipse. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Katrina Evans (left), Columbia County Public Library Director, gives Ward Swisher five pairs of solar eclipse viewing glasses so he can watch Monday’s solar eclipse with his grandchildren. Evans said the library has provided pairs of the glasses so local residents can watch the solar eclipse. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Eclipse excitement blankets region

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 5, 2024
Local star gazers have a promising Monday circled on their calendars as the sky will darken when a total eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, completely blocking the face of the sun during a solar eclipse. The solar eclipse has attracted the interest of area residents.
Former firefighter Anthony Davis urged the BOCC to adopt an in-house solution for EMS in the future. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Former firefighter Anthony Davis urged the BOCC to adopt an in-house solution for EMS in the future. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County eyes new 911 EMS providers

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 5, 2024
Columbia County will have a new emergency ambulance provider before the end of the year. The Columbia County Commission authorized County Manager David Kraus to negotiate with both Columbia EMS and AmeriPro EMS to provide emergency services for the county after a request for proposals.
The Lake City chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace recently delivered its 100th bed since starting late in 2022. The organization provides beds to children in need to ensure they have a place to sleep. (COURTESY)

The Lake City chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace recently delivered its 100th bed since starting late in 2022. The organization provides beds to children in need to ensure they have a place to sleep. (COURTESY)

Sleep in Heavenly Peace delivers 100th bed

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 5, 2024
On Dec. 10, 2022, members of the newly-formed Lake City chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace delivered its first twin bed. The recipient, a 9-year-old girl, was living with her grandmother due to a domestic violence issue in her family. She had been sleeping on a beanbag chair.
LCPD Community Relations Coordinator Ashley Hardison (from left), Sue Tuell, Assistant Police Chief Andy Miles, Chief Gerald Butler and Bernice D. Presley pose after Butler was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation. (COURTESY)

LCPD Community Relations Coordinator Ashley Hardison (from left), Sue Tuell, Assistant Police Chief Andy Miles, Chief Gerald Butler and Bernice D. Presley pose after Butler was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation. (COURTESY)

Butler honored by EXCEL and Scholars program

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 5, 2024
Bernice D. Presley and Sharyn M. Presley, representing the Presley EXCEL and Scholars program, recently surprised Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler at his office and presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Presley EXCEL and Scholars program.
Folks wait to take a tour of one of the houses on the 2022 Parade of Homes route. (FILE)

Folks wait to take a tour of one of the houses on the 2022 Parade of Homes route. (FILE)

Seventh annual Parade of Homes set to show off latest in home decor

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 5, 2024
The 2024 Parade of Homes will take place on April 27-28 with premier new-home construction on display to the public during the weekend. The event runs from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturday April 27, and from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 28.
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.