Local

Van Brown, the county’s new economic development specialist, smiles as Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels introduces her at Thursday’s County Commission meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Van Brown, the county’s new economic development specialist, smiles as Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels introduces her at Thursday’s County Commission meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Brown hired as economic development specialist

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 8, 2023
Columbia County’s efforts to grow business here is also expanding. At Thursday’s Columbia County Commission meeting, the commission unanimously approved an amendment to the lease at Duval Place, which houses the Supervisor of Elections, Tourist Development Council and Economic Development.
Buck Strickland (from left) and Linda Odom, owners of Furnishings on Marion, look over various blowers that were put in the store to dry its interior after it received extensive water damage. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Buck Strickland (from left) and Linda Odom, owners of Furnishings on Marion, look over various blowers that were put in the store to dry its interior after it received extensive water damage. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Downtown thrift store inventory wiped out by rain

TONY BRITT
Friday, December 8, 2023
A downtown business will be closed for the Christmas holiday and potentially for the next six months after a majority of its estimated $200,000 inventory was ruined last weekend. Furnishings on Marion, 156 N.
O’Neal Roofing is working on the roof of the old Lake City Reporter building, which Columbia County purchased earlier this year. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

O’Neal Roofing is working on the roof of the old Lake City Reporter building, which Columbia County purchased earlier this year. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Roof rehab underway on old Reporter building

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Rehabilitation work on the roof of the old Lake City Reporter building is underway and progressing.

County utility director search nets few

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Columbia County’s search for a new utility director will finally advance to the next phase. The fourth application period for the position ended Tuesday with a total of seven applicants having applied for the post, which first advertised more than two months ago.
Inga Dwyer, the Toys for Tots coordinator for Columbia, Hamilton and Lafayette counties, (left) and Annita Leonard, the coordinator of Toys for Tots in Suwannee County, are looking forward to the Pilots With Presents Fly In & Antinque and Classic Car Display on Saturday at the Lake City Gateway Airport. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Inga Dwyer, the Toys for Tots coordinator for Columbia, Hamilton and Lafayette counties, (left) and Annita Leonard, the coordinator of Toys for Tots in Suwannee County, are looking forward to the Pilots With Presents Fly In & Antinque and Classic Car Display on Saturday at the Lake City Gateway Airport. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Pilots flying in presents for local Toys for Tots

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
The local Toys for Tots programs are looking to collect gifts from areas outside the region this weekend during a new toy collection event for Toys for Tots. The Pilots With Presents Fly In & Antique and Classic Car Display will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lake City Mayor Stephen Witt (from left) stands with Aleah Hillhouse, 5, and Autumn Hillhouse while showing the youngsters ornaments on the city’s Christmas Tree during Sunday’s tree lighting ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Stephen Witt (from left) stands with Aleah Hillhouse, 5, and Autumn Hillhouse while showing the youngsters ornaments on the city’s Christmas Tree during Sunday’s tree lighting ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Thousands attend tree lighting in Olustee Park

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
The 2023 Christmas holiday season officially enveloped the downtown area Sunday evening when a crowd, estimated at more than 1,000 people, filled Olustee Park for the annual Light Up the Night Christmas Tree Celebration.
Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young said there was nothing for the council to discuss Monday night since Paul Dyal didn’t attend the meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young said there was nothing for the council to discuss Monday night since Paul Dyal didn’t attend the meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council turns back Dyal

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
The City of Lake City isn’t rehiring Paul Dyal as city manager. At least not right now.