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A line waits at the Cluckin’ and Truckin’ food truck at The Foundation for Florida Gateway College Giving Day campaign event Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A line waits at the Cluckin’ and Truckin’ food truck at The Foundation for Florida Gateway College Giving Day campaign event Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC Foundation tops Giving Day goal

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Giving Day was a fruitful day for the Foundation for Florida Gateway College. The FGC Foundation’s Giving Day campaign, which began Nov. 1 and ended Tuesday on Giving Day, ended with surpassing the foundation’s goal of $100,001.
Shawn Raggins with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and Paulette Julien with Cooper’s Funeral Home spoke Saturday at a luncheon at Olivet Missionary Baptist Church about the importance of recognizing veterans and getting their their benefits and recognition. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Shawn Raggins with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and Paulette Julien with Cooper’s Funeral Home spoke Saturday at a luncheon at Olivet Missionary Baptist Church about the importance of recognizing veterans and getting their their benefits and recognition. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Veterans Day event focused on helping heroes get their benefits

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
A variety of services are available to veterans and their families, but unfortunately, many don’t know how to access the services. Saturday morning, representatives from several local veteran service agencies provided the information during a Veterans Day luncheon.

Naked woman attracted attention from CCSO, not BF

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Looking to garner her boyfriend’s attention, a Lake City woman attracted others’ interest as she walked naked down the road Monday evening. A Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy responded to County Road 25A and NW Oakland Avenue around 6:14 p.m.
The North Florida Resiliency Connection, constructed in 2021-22, helped elevate Florida Power & Light’s tax payments in Columbia County along with the Sunshine Gateway Solar Energy Center. (FILE)

The North Florida Resiliency Connection, constructed in 2021-22, helped elevate Florida Power & Light’s tax payments in Columbia County along with the Sunshine Gateway Solar Energy Center. (FILE)

Powering the tax roll: Equipment’s tangible value makes FPL, utilities top taxpayers

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 10, 2023
Every time the power gets turned on, it’s more than just powering someone’s lights or air conditioning. It’s also powering the community as utilities are the top taxpayers in Columbia County, led by Florida Power & Light.
Lake City soldiers at Camp Wheeler, Ga., during World War I. (COURTESY)

Lake City soldiers at Camp Wheeler, Ga., during World War I. (COURTESY)

Armistice Day’s roots in Columbia County

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 10, 2023
The roots of Veterans Day lay with the end of World War I when an armistice was signed between Germany and the Allied powers ending over four years of bloody conflict that cost the lives of millions of young men.
Haven Hospice is calling on Columbia County residents and asking for support through either donations or time at its Attic Resale Store. (COURTESY)

Haven Hospice is calling on Columbia County residents and asking for support through either donations or time at its Attic Resale Store. (COURTESY)

Haven Hospice asks residents for help

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 10, 2023
To mark November’s National Hospice Month, Haven Hospice is asking Columbia County residents to support their local Attic Resale Store by donating goods, shopping for bargains and treasures, or even volunteering their time and talent at the store.
Brenda Kennedy (clockwise, from left), Art League of North Florida board secretary, John Larner and Sheila Carr, Gateway Art Gallery Curator, organize entries that have been submitted for the Gateway Art Gallery’s Christmas ornament decoration contest. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Brenda Kennedy (clockwise, from left), Art League of North Florida board secretary, John Larner and Sheila Carr, Gateway Art Gallery Curator, organize entries that have been submitted for the Gateway Art Gallery’s Christmas ornament decoration contest. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gallery hosting Mistletoe Magic

TONY BRITT
Friday, November 10, 2023
The Gateway Art Gallery is gearing-up for the holiday season and is anticipating several busy days as the site prepares for its annual Mistletoe Magic holiday extravaganza. The gallery will experience a short transition period as preparations are made for the holiday event.
Terry Demott (center), a US Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War, is draped by Dianne Shepherd and Fran Vogt on Wednesday morning at a Quilts of Valor ceremony. The quilts were made by the Lady of the Lake Quilt Guild members. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Terry Demott (center), a US Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War, is draped by Dianne Shepherd and Fran Vogt on Wednesday morning at a Quilts of Valor ceremony. The quilts were made by the Lady of the Lake Quilt Guild members. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Guild provides Quilts of Valor to local vets

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
What started as a dream by a Delaware mother in 2003 who wanted to give comfort to a service man in battle with a quilt has taken roots in Columbia County.
Meally Jenkins and the Christmas Dream Machine are open for their 35th Christmas season. This year’s location for the Dream Machine is in the Country Club Plaza off of Baya Avenue. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Meally Jenkins and the Christmas Dream Machine are open for their 35th Christmas season. This year’s location for the Dream Machine is in the Country Club Plaza off of Baya Avenue. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Making Christmas dreams a reality

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
The altruistic sense to make sure every child has a wonderful Christmas season has powered Meally Jenkins for more than half a century and the Christmas Dream Machine for more than three decades.

Single-vehicle DUI crash kills one

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
A passenger was killed Tuesday night in a single-vehicle crash caused by a drunk driver. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers responded around 10:45 p.m. Tuesday to SW Symphony Loop and the Windsong Apartments due to a single-vehicle crash.