Local

County declines Fort White’s late request

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 8, 2024
A handful of agreements are in place for Columbia County and the Town of Fort White to continue working together. However, the county will not be handling the town’s submissions to the Florida Department of Transportation for potential road project funding.
Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded more than $60 million in funding to rural North Florida counties, including a handful of awards to Suwannee County, during a press conference Thursday morning at the Busy Bee Travel Center in Live Oak. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded more than $60 million in funding to rural North Florida counties, including a handful of awards to Suwannee County, during a press conference Thursday morning at the Busy Bee Travel Center in Live Oak. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

DeSantis delivers $5.5M to Suwannee County

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, March 7, 2024
LIVE OAK — Move past the Bee Bits and the fudge and Bee-nut Butter and all the other tasty treats, local officials found an even bigger prize Thursday at the Busy Bee Travel Station: state funding. Gov.
Hailey Wall will perform this weekend at the Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo. (COURTESY)

Hailey Wall will perform this weekend at the Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo. (COURTESY)

Trick riders ready for rodeo

TONY BRITT
Thursday, March 7, 2024
From riding their horses without using their hands, upside down or carrying flags when they ride, the Faithful W Ranch Riders have a history of pleasing crowds with their uncanny trick riding skills.

County in line for second judge

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Help may be on the way for the Columbia County judicial system. Rep. Chuck Brannan (R-Macclenny) filed an amendment to HB 5401 on Tuesday afternoon that would give Columbia County a second county judge. Funding for that position was also included in the state budget released late Tuesday morning.
Dyllan Romanik attaches a sign in the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds rodeo arena ahead of the 30th annual Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo, which will take place Friday through Sunday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Dyllan Romanik attaches a sign in the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds rodeo arena ahead of the 30th annual Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo, which will take place Friday through Sunday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Rodeo rides into town

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Cowboys, bucking bulls, barrel racers and even rodeo queens will take center stage this weekend as the rodeo comes to town. The 30th annual Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo will take place Friday-Sunday at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena, 572 SW Mary Ethel Lane.

Council selects top 3 admin choices

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
And then there were three. The Lake City Council decided on three finalists for its city manager seat during its Monday meeting. Topping the list of 22 applicants were Gerald Butler, Juan Guerra and Don Rosenthal.

Warren files for mayoral position

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
The Lake City mayoral race now has two candidates. During Monday’s Lake City Council meeting, Sylvester Warren filed his paperwork to run for the seat at the head of the council during the public comment portion. Warren declined Tuesday to say why he decided to run for city office.
Vanessa George with October Realty and Twentyeight Fourteen, presented a plan last month for a public-private partnership to bring affordable housing into Lake City. George requested $1 million from the county, which will discuss the topic further Thursday in a workshop. (FILE)

Vanessa George with October Realty and Twentyeight Fourteen, presented a plan last month for a public-private partnership to bring affordable housing into Lake City. George requested $1 million from the county, which will discuss the topic further Thursday in a workshop. (FILE)

County discussing affordable housing projects in workshop

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
The Columbia County Commission plan to look further into affordable housing plans from a pair of developers this week. The commission is holding a workshop Thursday morning following its regular meeting, which begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Columbia County School Board auditorium, 372 W. Duval Street.

Lake City man killed in crash with tree

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
A Lake City man was killed Saturday afternoon when his truck ran into a tree. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 25-year-old from Lake City was driving south on County Road 245 (SE Price Creek Drive) around 1:50 p.m. when he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway.