Local

Robert Jones speaks during a Columbia County Commission meeting in March. (FILE)

Robert Jones speaks during a Columbia County Commission meeting in March. (FILE)

Jones urged to resign as CareerSource Florida Crown director

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Asked to resign, CareerSource Florida Crown’s executive director is resistant to that idea. Still, Robert Jones may take some time away from the agency that he’s helmed for more than a decade.
Lindsay Laxton, the Columbia County School District’s finance diretor, said the half-cent sales tax generated $6.5 million, ‘right on target’ with the district’s estimates. (FILE)

Lindsay Laxton, the Columbia County School District’s finance diretor, said the half-cent sales tax generated $6.5 million, ‘right on target’ with the district’s estimates. (FILE)

Sales tax brings in $6.5M for first year

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
So far the Columbia County School District’s half-cent sales tax is right on the money. In the first year of collecting the tax funding toward facility upgrades, the district netted $6.46 million, right on the estimates.
The United Way of Suwannee Valley is capping its annual fundraising campaign with a ‘Boots and Bling’ event on April 18. (COURTESY)

The United Way of Suwannee Valley is capping its annual fundraising campaign with a ‘Boots and Bling’ event on April 18. (COURTESY)

United Way hosting ‘Boots and Bling’

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Looking back on months of fundraising, celebrating community agencies and detailing plans for the next few months, while throwing in a western motif, the United Way of Suwannee Valley plans to have area residents bust out their bling and boots for the agency’s next event.
Patricia Starnes (left), the Columbia High School FFA advisor, holds and feeds Tres, as Amilliya Schneider, 17, holds and feeds Dos. Starnes and Schneider were feeding the three-week-old kids, while preparing for the inaugural Kids Feeding Kids Ag. Expo where a petting zoo will be featured. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Patricia Starnes (left), the Columbia High School FFA advisor, holds and feeds Tres, as Amilliya Schneider, 17, holds and feeds Dos. Starnes and Schneider were feeding the three-week-old kids, while preparing for the inaugural Kids Feeding Kids Ag. Expo where a petting zoo will be featured. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kids Feeding Kids, FFA teaming for ag expo

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Modern agricultural equipment, tractors, livestock, plants and Columbia County’s history with the agricultural industry will be showcased when the Kids Feeding Kids organization and the Columbia High School FFA holds an agricultural expo later this month.
Grace Duncan’s parents, Burt and Cissy, listen during a prayer prior to the start of last year’s Grace’s Race 5K run/walk. The fourth annual event, which is held in Duncan’s memory, is set for Saturday. (FILE)

Grace Duncan’s parents, Burt and Cissy, listen during a prayer prior to the start of last year’s Grace’s Race 5K run/walk. The fourth annual event, which is held in Duncan’s memory, is set for Saturday. (FILE)

Grace’s Race honors Duncan’s memory

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
The memory of Lora Grace Duncan will be honored Saturday with the Grace’s Race 5K run/walk and car show. The fourth annual event, which will take place at Grace’s Garden in the Heritage Oaks Circle Shopping Center, which includes HiTone Fitness, at 4556 SW Heritage Oaks Circle, will begin at 9 a.m.
The Lake City Chick-fil-A’s drive-through area will be revamped to become more efficient. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Lake City Chick-fil-A’s drive-through area will be revamped to become more efficient. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Closing for remodeling

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
The Lake City Chick-fil-A restaurant is closing down at the end of the week as the restaurant will get renovated and upgraded. The restaurant will close 3 p.m. Friday and remain closed for a few weeks while the renovation work takes place.
Lake City Fire Chief Josh Wehinger said the city needed to ‘get ahead of the game’ and order a new ladder truck to replace its current model, which is 18 years old. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Fire Chief Josh Wehinger said the city needed to ‘get ahead of the game’ and order a new ladder truck to replace its current model, which is 18 years old. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City stalls purchasing ladder truck

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
A decision on whether or not to finance a new fire truck with federal money has been stalled again. The Lake City Council discussed the matter at its Monday meeting, debating on whether it should use leftover funds from its American Rescue Plan Act pot to cover a $1.
Scott Samera (from left) and Danielle Samera talk home floor plans and options with Bryan Zecher during a previous Parade of Homes event. (FILE)

Scott Samera (from left) and Danielle Samera talk home floor plans and options with Bryan Zecher during a previous Parade of Homes event. (FILE)

Parade of Homes showcase returns April 27-28

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
The premier North Florida home industry showcase that offers an in-depth and unfiltered view of modern homes will return during the final weekend of April. The 2024 Parade of Homes will take place from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturday April 27, and from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 28.

Officials, attorneys aim to get drivers back on the road

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
If some elected officials and law offices can help it, additional Columbia County residents will soon be able to “Get on the Road.” The third annual “Get on the Road” driver’s license reinstatement clinic is scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lake City Mayor Stephen Witt holds up the NE Presley Lane sign next to Bernice Presley (middle) and Sharyn Presley (left) after the Lake City Council agreed to rename NE Railroad Street in honor of the Presley family. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Stephen Witt holds up the NE Presley Lane sign next to Bernice Presley (middle) and Sharyn Presley (left) after the Lake City Council agreed to rename NE Railroad Street in honor of the Presley family. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Presley family honored with road designation

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
A Lake City family’s long impact on the community will be forever honored with a new street name. During Monday’s Lake City Council meeting, the council approved renaming NE Railroad Street to NE Presley Lane in honor of the Presley family.