Local

The second round of Columbia’s Top Talent will take place 7 p.m. tonight at the Norman Choice Performing Arts Center on the Columbia High School campus. Performers and organizers attending Wednesday’s rehearsal were: Fonsa Bryant, Micah Williams, Nolan Peloni, Michelle Burch, Emma Figueroa, De’Yonna Jernigan, Jaleiah Burch, Rannon Tannachion (holding guitar) and Ronnie Collins, Columbia’s Top Talent founder. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The second round of Columbia’s Top Talent will take place 7 p.m. tonight at the Norman Choice Performing Arts Center on the Columbia High School campus. Performers and organizers attending Wednesday’s rehearsal were: Fonsa Bryant, Micah Williams, Nolan Peloni, Michelle Burch, Emma Figueroa, De’Yonna Jernigan, Jaleiah Burch, Rannon Tannachion (holding guitar) and Ronnie Collins, Columbia’s Top Talent founder. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

8 competing in Columbia’s Top Talent

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Eight local students will display their stage presence and vocal abilities tonight in hopes of moving to the next round of competition during the second round of Columbia’s Top Talent. The second round of the talent competition will take place at 7 p.m.
Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels said the agreement with Florida Gulf & Atlantic to provide rail inside the North Florida Mega Industrial Park will hopefully be ready for County Commission approval next week. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels said the agreement with Florida Gulf & Atlantic to provide rail inside the North Florida Mega Industrial Park will hopefully be ready for County Commission approval next week. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County closing in on mega site rail deal

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
With the first tenant in place now at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park, a rail partner is about to be secured as well.
North Florida received below average rainfall in February, according to the Suwannee River Water Management District. (COURTESY)

North Florida received below average rainfall in February, according to the Suwannee River Water Management District. (COURTESY)

SRWMD: Rain below average in February

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Local rainfall last month was slightly below average, but weather agencies believe the numbers are within a normal range. The Suwannee River Water Management District released its Hydrologic Conditions Report for the month of February on Wednesday.

Teens get prison time for bringing firearms to game

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
A pair of teens have been sentenced for bringing firearms to a high school football game last fall. Anthony Smith and Jeremy Scippio, who were arrested Aug. 25, 2023, at a Columbia High School football game after climbing the fence and bringing firearms on campus, were sentenced Monday.
Chris McMillan, the CEO of the Panhandle Restaurant Group that is opening a Big Chicken restaurant in Lake City, is pictured with Big Chicken founder Shaquille O’Neal. (COURTESY)

Chris McMillan, the CEO of the Panhandle Restaurant Group that is opening a Big Chicken restaurant in Lake City, is pictured with Big Chicken founder Shaquille O’Neal. (COURTESY)

Will Shaq show up?

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
A big guy, known to have a big appetite, may soon be visiting Lake City for the opening of his restaurant, Big Chicken, at the end of the month.

Lake City man flees from fatal crash

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
A Lake City man is in custody after fleeing from a fatal crash Sunday afternoon on Interstate 75. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, a pair of pickups were traveling south on I-75 around 1:37 p.m.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board Chairman Stephen Douglas said the board is limited in how much it can pay for a parking lot holding up a deal with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare to take over the main hospital building on the downtown campus. The board voted Monday to seek another appraisal on the parking lot that is holding up a deal with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board Chairman Stephen Douglas said the board is limited in how much it can pay for a parking lot holding up a deal with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare to take over the main hospital building on the downtown campus. The board voted Monday to seek another appraisal on the parking lot that is holding up a deal with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Kennedy motions for LSHA to not ‘do anything’

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
The future of the Lake Shore Hospital Authority campus is still very much up in the air. After the authority’s latest meeting Monday, it appears that uncertainty will last even longer.
A gate into Rum Island Park from a neighboring property that stands in place of a county fence, which Columbia County officials say was cut to provide free access into the park. (COURTESY)

A gate into Rum Island Park from a neighboring property that stands in place of a county fence, which Columbia County officials say was cut to provide free access into the park. (COURTESY)

County looks to restrict commercial use of parks

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 8, 2024
Access to Columbia County parks to business ventures in the southern end of the county could be coming to an end.
Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses the 2024 legislative session budget as Senate President Kathleen Passidomo listens Friday. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses the 2024 legislative session budget as Senate President Kathleen Passidomo listens Friday. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

Columbia, Suwannee get $9M in Florida budget

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 8, 2024
Before the ceremonial hanky dropped to adjourn the 2024 regular session Friday, the Florida Legislature dropped $24 million in funding for area projects. More than $9 million in appropriations were approved for both Columbia and Suwannee counties as part of the state’s $117.