Local

Mason Carrol (from left), Ashton Ambrose and Jordaeton Youmans work on making one of the beds for the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. (COURTESY)

Mason Carrol (from left), Ashton Ambrose and Jordaeton Youmans work on making one of the beds for the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. (COURTESY)

CHS students help with building beds

Columbia High School students are making an impact in their communities through a program recently implemented to get them real-world experience. That experience is paying dividends in all directions.
A map outlines the proposed improvements to the intersection of State Road 247 and Bascom Norris Drive, which includes additional turn lanes to hopefully alleviate traffic. The project is scheduled to begin next summer and wrap up in 2029. (COURTESY)

A map outlines the proposed improvements to the intersection of State Road 247 and Bascom Norris Drive, which includes additional turn lanes to hopefully alleviate traffic. The project is scheduled to begin next summer and wrap up in 2029. (COURTESY)

FDOT proposal for Bascom Norris/SR 247 draws mixed reactions

A Florida Department of Transportation project designed to make improvements along the county’s busiest roadway, Bascom Norris Drive, and State Road 247 (Branford Highway) is receiving a mixed bag of reactions from local residents.
Photos of Lonnie Reeves (right) and Virginia Reeves sit alongside a trifold American flag during Wednesday morning’s Columbia County Sheriff’s Office press conference. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Photos of Lonnie Reeves (right) and Virginia Reeves sit alongside a trifold American flag during Wednesday morning’s Columbia County Sheriff’s Office press conference. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Skeletal remains from 70s cold case identified

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office finally provided closure for a New Jersey family after nearly 50 years of wondering what happened to a loved one.
Florida Gateway College graduates file out of the Howard Center through columns of FGC  faculty and staff following a prior year’s graduation ceremony. (FILE)

Florida Gateway College graduates file out of the Howard Center through columns of FGC faculty and staff following a prior year’s graduation ceremony. (FILE)

New grads set to walk at Friday's FGC ceremonies

Lake City’s newest graduates are ready to celebrate. Florida Gateway College will host a pair of 2026 spring commencement ceremonies on Friday at the Howard Center, 149 SE College Pl., on FGC’s main campus. The first commencement begins at 10 a.m. with the second coming at 1:30 p.m.
Members of the group Stevens Corner gather for a photo during the Walk to Defeat ALS Jacksonville on May 2 at The Friendship Fountain. The group consisted of 39 family members and friends of Don Stevens. (COURTESY)

Members of the group Stevens Corner gather for a photo during the Walk to Defeat ALS Jacksonville on May 2 at The Friendship Fountain. The group consisted of 39 family members and friends of Don Stevens. (COURTESY)

Stevens family, friends walk for ALS awareness in Jacksonville

Sometimes the foundational roots a person lays in the community don’t become visible until the person has passed. That’s when their values, love and character traits become evident in everyone who they touched though their life’s journey.
Kiler Simmons, 2, is excited about getting behind the steering wheel of a Lake City firetruck during the Kiwanis Kids Day on Saturday at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kiler Simmons, 2, is excited about getting behind the steering wheel of a Lake City firetruck during the Kiwanis Kids Day on Saturday at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kids Day weathers rain storms to provide fun

The rain didn’t go away Saturday, but hundreds of local children still had fun at Kiwanis Kids Day despite the inclement weather.
Columbia County Manager David Kraus received a lower score in his annual evaluation from the County Commission, dropping below the ‘satisfactory’ level on the scoresheets. (FILE)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus received a lower score in his annual evaluation from the County Commission, dropping below the ‘satisfactory’ level on the scoresheets. (FILE)

Columbia County Commissioners not satisfied with Kraus’ work

The Columbia County Commission isn’t as impressed with its manager’s job as in past years.According to David Kraus’ annual evaluation, the commissioners view his work as somewhere between fair and satisfactory on the 1-5 scale in nine different areas of the job.

Pittman seeking unpaid leave for commission run

Columbia County’s parks and landscape director is looking to take up to five months off as an unpaid leave of absence.The Columbia County Commission will consider at its 9:30 a.m. meeting Thursday at the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium, 372 W.
Karen Thurston (from left), Laney Grinstead and Laura Hunter Null, prepare snacks for women attending the ‘Hats Off To Mom’ fundraiser on Saturday at the Gateway Art Gallery. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Karen Thurston (from left), Laney Grinstead and Laura Hunter Null, prepare snacks for women attending the ‘Hats Off To Mom’ fundraiser on Saturday at the Gateway Art Gallery. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Friendships bolstered at ‘Hats Off to Mom’

From playing artsy bingo, having a hat contest, eating baked pastries or enjoying a cup of tea in a social atmosphere, local mothers were celebrated for what they bring to their families and the community Saturday.
Members of the Columbia High School JROTC program pose with members of the Lake City Council during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Members of the Columbia High School JROTC program pose with members of the Lake City Council during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

CHS JROTC asking city for help

The Columbia High School Army JROTC program is seeking the city’s support over the next few months. Cadet Lt. Col. Romeo Carter and Cadet Command Sgt. Maj.