Local

One of the City of Lake City’s historic downtown gate signs sits at Duval Street at the intersection with Marion Avenue. The sign on the north end of the historic downtown district was taken down this week to be moved further north. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

One of the City of Lake City’s historic downtown gate signs sits at Duval Street at the intersection with Marion Avenue. The sign on the north end of the historic downtown district was taken down this week to be moved further north. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Downtown sign moving

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 1, 2023
Lake City’s historic downtown is growing. Sort of. One week after the Lake City Council agreed to an easement for property to move the city’s historic downtown sign further north on Marion Avenue, the sign disappeared from its perch at the intersection with Railroad Street.
The Lake City Council will discuss rehiring Paul Dyal as city manager, a position he resigned from two months ago. (FILE)

The Lake City Council will discuss rehiring Paul Dyal as city manager, a position he resigned from two months ago. (FILE)

City considers rehiring Dyal

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 1, 2023
Two months after resigning as Lake City’s top administrator, Paul Dyal may resurface as the city’s manager once more. The Lake City Council will discuss, and potentially take action, on rehiring Dyal as city manager during its meeting Monday. The council meets at 6 p.m. at Lake City Hall, 205 N.
Fort White Mayor Ronnie Frazier thanked Columbia County for all the work they’ve done to help the town. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White Mayor Ronnie Frazier thanked Columbia County for all the work they’ve done to help the town. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County, Fort White clear air at joint meeting

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, December 1, 2023
Any leftover beef between Columbia County commissioners and Fort White council members seemed to be squashed just moments into a highly anticipated joint utility meeting.
Kevin Downing, the owner of Three Putt Services & Nursery in Jupiter, is the Florida Gateway College Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. (COURTESY)

Kevin Downing, the owner of Three Putt Services & Nursery in Jupiter, is the Florida Gateway College Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. (COURTESY)

Downing named FGC Distinguished Alumnus of Year

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 1, 2023
A long-time program advisory council member at Florida Gateway College is receiving acknowledgement for his commitment. Kevin Downing, a 1975 graduate, is the college’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for the fall 2023 commencement ceremony.

Breakfast with Santa returning to Holiday Inn

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 1, 2023
Santa Claus will once again make a stop at Lake City’s Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites. The hotel’s annual Breakfast with Santa event, which benefits the United Way of Suwannee Valley, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9, from 8-11 a.m.
The solar panels at the Jared Allison Aquatic Complex to heat the pool are in place and starting the process to warm up the water. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The solar panels at the Jared Allison Aquatic Complex to heat the pool are in place and starting the process to warm up the water. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Pool’s solar heating system up and running

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 1, 2023
Even as a cold snap hit North Florida this week, the pool at the Jared Allison Aquatic Complex has been warming up. The public pool’s solar heating system project is in place and starting the slow process of warming the pool’s water.
The nativity celebration at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints includes hundreds of unique nativity scenes set up at the church on SW Bascom Norris Drive. (COURTESY)

The nativity celebration at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints includes hundreds of unique nativity scenes set up at the church on SW Bascom Norris Drive. (COURTESY)

Church’s nativity celebration concludes today

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 1, 2023
The jumpstart to the month-long celebration of the reason for the season continues tonight. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting the final of its two-night celebration of the birth and life of Jesus Christ from 6-9 p.m. today.

Wheeler to speak at UWSV luncheon

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 1, 2023
The United Way of Suwannee Valley is closing in on its final  networking luncheon of the 2023-2024 campaign season. The December luncheon is planned for Wednesday, Dec. 13, at noon at The Blanche Hotel in downtown Lake City.
Mike Kelley, Suwannee Bicycle Association vice president, unloads a child’s bike from a trailer on Wednesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Mike Kelley, Suwannee Bicycle Association vice president, unloads a child’s bike from a trailer on Wednesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bicycle Association gives 24 bicycles to Toys for Tots

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
The local Toys for Tots program received a collective donation that will have area children riding over the hills, through the woods and down the streets with a smile on Christmas morning. The Suwannee Bicycle Association donated 24 bicycles to the Toys for Tots program on Wednesday afternoon.
Tina Roberts (right) looks at Rose Pavey’s necklace at the Rotary Ball at The Blanche Hotel in January. Roberts is the co-chair of the Holidays with Haven event at The Blanche on Dec. 8. (LANCE BASS/Special to the Reporter)

Tina Roberts (right) looks at Rose Pavey’s necklace at the Rotary Ball at The Blanche Hotel in January. Roberts is the co-chair of the Holidays with Haven event at The Blanche on Dec. 8. (LANCE BASS/Special to the Reporter)

Holidays with Haven supporting care here

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
A group of Lake City women are wanting to extend the spread of holiday cheer and generosity this year. The Haven Women of Philanthropy in Lake City are hosting the Holidays with Haven at The Blanche on Friday, Dec.