Local

Konnie Patke is Columbia County’s new Tourist Development Council director, charged with attracting visitors to the county. She said she also aims for the department to become a better resource for local residents as well. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Konnie Patke is Columbia County’s new Tourist Development Council director, charged with attracting visitors to the county. She said she also aims for the department to become a better resource for local residents as well. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Patke aims for TDC to become a resource for visitors, residents

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
The person in charge of trying to attract visitors to Columbia County likes the welcome mat laid out for her upon her arrival. Konnie Patke, the import from Texas tasked with heading up the county’s Tourist Development Council, moved to the area a couple weeks ago.

AgroLiquid taking root at mega site

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
The first company is about to plants its roots at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park. AgroLiquid, a Michigan-based liquid fertilizer company, is expected to close on the purchase of approximately 20 acres at the site this week.
Lake City Garden Club members Kathy Smith (from left), Bonnie Taylor, Martha Ann Ronsonet, Jan Wheeler, Carol Stevens, Dorothy Colvin, Nora Riley, Arline Craft, Sandra Foreman, Carole Robertson, Carole Brown, Diane Feagle, Julie Schwartz and President Cheryl Libbert attended a 100th Arbor Day anniversary celebration Friday with Columbia County Forester Pierce Tolar at the Suwannee Valley Care Center. (COURTESY)

Lake City Garden Club members Kathy Smith (from left), Bonnie Taylor, Martha Ann Ronsonet, Jan Wheeler, Carol Stevens, Dorothy Colvin, Nora Riley, Arline Craft, Sandra Foreman, Carole Robertson, Carole Brown, Diane Feagle, Julie Schwartz and President Cheryl Libbert attended a 100th Arbor Day anniversary celebration Friday with Columbia County Forester Pierce Tolar at the Suwannee Valley Care Center. (COURTESY)

Garden Club takes part in celebrating Arbor Day

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Keeping with tradition, the Lake City Garden Club celebrated the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs’ 100th Arbor Day anniversary last week. Open to the public, the event was held on January 19th at the Suwannee Valley Care Center (more commonly known as Haven Hospice).
Rev. Dr. Pamela Green shares her thoughts on the Mariah Fund during Monday’s Lake City Council workshop held to hear public input on the $200,000 in funds meant to go toward gun violence prevention programs. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Rev. Dr. Pamela Green shares her thoughts on the Mariah Fund during Monday’s Lake City Council workshop held to hear public input on the $200,000 in funds meant to go toward gun violence prevention programs. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City hears ideas on Mariah Fund

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Local officials and the public are still trying to hash out how to spend $200,000 to prevent future gun violence. The Lake City Council hosted an informational workshop Monday, asking for public input on how the $200,000 — originally part of a $4.

Domestic dispute turns up marijuana, mushrooms

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
A family dispute Saturday night led to the discovery of a marijuana and mushroom growing operation. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report, when deputies responded to a SW March Drive residence around 7:30 p.m.
Corine D. Lofton (from left) stands with Mayor Stephen Witt as he gives her and Francena Williams Robinson Harris a ceremonial key to the city during a Friday evening ceremony where Audrey Sikes (far right) received a certification of recognition during a ceremony at Olivet Missionary Baptist Church on Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Corine D. Lofton (from left) stands with Mayor Stephen Witt as he gives her and Francena Williams Robinson Harris a ceremonial key to the city during a Friday evening ceremony where Audrey Sikes (far right) received a certification of recognition during a ceremony at Olivet Missionary Baptist Church on Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Remembering King’s legacy

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
The past few weeks community members have gathered together on several occasions to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Columbia County firefighters pulled a woman and her two dogs from a mobile home fire on King Street on Tuesday morning. The woman was airlifted to an area hospital. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County firefighters pulled a woman and her two dogs from a mobile home fire on King Street on Tuesday morning. The woman was airlifted to an area hospital. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Woman, dogs saved from mobile home fire

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Four Columbia County Fire Rescue firefighters and an unknown bystander pulled a woman from a burning mobile home Tuesday morning and also rescued her two dogs from the blaze in a structure fire near Columbia City. Units from CCFR were dispatched to the scene around 9:20 a.m.
Columbia High Principal Trey Hosford (middle) is presented a framed certificate in honor of the school having 100 years of continuous accreditation. Joining Hosford are School Board members Hunter Peeler (from left) Dana Brady-Giddens, Superintendent Lex Carswell, Assistant Superintendent Hope Jernigan, Narrie Smith and Keith Hudson. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia High Principal Trey Hosford (middle) is presented a framed certificate in honor of the school having 100 years of continuous accreditation. Joining Hosford are School Board members Hunter Peeler (from left) Dana Brady-Giddens, Superintendent Lex Carswell, Assistant Superintendent Hope Jernigan, Narrie Smith and Keith Hudson. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

CHS recognized for 100 years of accreditation

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
It was a moment 100 years in the making. At Tuesday’s Columbia County School Board meeting, Columbia High Principal Trey Hosford was presented with a framed certificate from Cognia recognizing CHS as having achieved 100 years of excellence.