Local

Konnie Patke talks with Carl King at a meet and greet on Nov. 1. Patke has accepted the job as Columbia County’s Tourist Development Council director. (FILE)

Konnie Patke talks with Carl King at a meet and greet on Nov. 1. Patke has accepted the job as Columbia County’s Tourist Development Council director. (FILE)

Patke accepts county’s TDC director position

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Columbia County has found its new tourism chief. Konnie Patke, the lone finalist for the position, has accepted the county’s conditional offer of employment. Patke’s hiring is contingent on her passing background checks, a drug screening and other preemployment basics.
Columbia High Building, Trades and Construction Designs Technology Career Technical Education instructor Scott Dockery shows Carl Pavey one of the computer-navigated woodworking machines in the CHS woodshop Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia High Building, Trades and Construction Designs Technology Career Technical Education instructor Scott Dockery shows Carl Pavey one of the computer-navigated woodworking machines in the CHS woodshop Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Building a construction program: CHS woodworking class aiming high

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
The Columbia High School Building and Construction program is aiming to build a world-class wood fabrication shop. After numerous contributions from the community, local businesses, local builders and grants, the program appears to be well on its way to achieving its goal.
Columbia County School Board Attorney Megan Logan provided the board an update on potential litigation against Pro Sports Consulting Group LLC. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County School Board Attorney Megan Logan provided the board an update on potential litigation against Pro Sports Consulting Group LLC. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

School board unanimously votes to pursue criminal, civil charges over CHS track

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
The Columbia County School Board is ready to move forward with litigation against a contractor hired to improve the Columbia High track. The school board met Tuesday in part to discuss its options in recuperating funds the district paid to Pro Sports Consulting Group LLC and its CEO, Gary Wilson.
Sheri Carder, a volunteer with the Gateway Art Gallery, was named the Outstanding Citizen of the Year at the Busincess Excellence Awards Tuesday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sheri Carder, a volunteer with the Gateway Art Gallery, was named the Outstanding Citizen of the Year at the Busincess Excellence Awards Tuesday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Carder’s passion pays off as Citizen of the Year

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
For nearly three decades, Sheri Carder worked as a Florida Gateway College professor in the school’s business department teaching marketing and management skills to students before her retirement.
A reverter clause is one of the top remaining hurdles between the Lake Shore Hospital Authority and Meridian Behavioral Healthcare in determining the fate of the Lake Shore Hospital building. (FILE)

A reverter clause is one of the top remaining hurdles between the Lake Shore Hospital Authority and Meridian Behavioral Healthcare in determining the fate of the Lake Shore Hospital building. (FILE)

LSHA, Meridian working through reverter

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
A potential agreement to fill the main building on the Lake Shore Hospital Authority campus is still crawling along, though a handful of residents have begun to push back.
PROJECT Trio, which includes Greg Pattillo (from left), Daniel Berkey and Peter Seymour, will perform Saturday at the Levy Performing Arts Center at Florida Gateway College as part of the Community Concerts of Lake City series. (COURTESY)

PROJECT Trio, which includes Greg Pattillo (from left), Daniel Berkey and Peter Seymour, will perform Saturday at the Levy Performing Arts Center at Florida Gateway College as part of the Community Concerts of Lake City series. (COURTESY)

PROJECT Trio performing here Saturday

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
A trio of musicians will bring chamber music mixed with classical, jazz, hip-hop and other music influences to Lake City this weekend. Community Concerts of Lake City presents PROJECT Trio in concert on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m.
A line waits at the Cluckin’ and Truckin’ food truck at The Foundation for Florida Gateway College Giving Day campaign event Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A line waits at the Cluckin’ and Truckin’ food truck at The Foundation for Florida Gateway College Giving Day campaign event Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC Foundation tops Giving Day goal

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Giving Day was a fruitful day for the Foundation for Florida Gateway College. The FGC Foundation’s Giving Day campaign, which began Nov. 1 and ended Tuesday on Giving Day, ended with surpassing the foundation’s goal of $100,001.
Shawn Raggins with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and Paulette Julien with Cooper’s Funeral Home spoke Saturday at a luncheon at Olivet Missionary Baptist Church about the importance of recognizing veterans and getting their their benefits and recognition. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Shawn Raggins with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and Paulette Julien with Cooper’s Funeral Home spoke Saturday at a luncheon at Olivet Missionary Baptist Church about the importance of recognizing veterans and getting their their benefits and recognition. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Veterans Day event focused on helping heroes get their benefits

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
A variety of services are available to veterans and their families, but unfortunately, many don’t know how to access the services. Saturday morning, representatives from several local veteran service agencies provided the information during a Veterans Day luncheon.

Naked woman attracted attention from CCSO, not BF

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Looking to garner her boyfriend’s attention, a Lake City woman attracted others’ interest as she walked naked down the road Monday evening. A Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy responded to County Road 25A and NW Oakland Avenue around 6:14 p.m.
The North Florida Resiliency Connection, constructed in 2021-22, helped elevate Florida Power & Light’s tax payments in Columbia County along with the Sunshine Gateway Solar Energy Center. (FILE)

The North Florida Resiliency Connection, constructed in 2021-22, helped elevate Florida Power & Light’s tax payments in Columbia County along with the Sunshine Gateway Solar Energy Center. (FILE)

Powering the tax roll: Equipment’s tangible value makes FPL, utilities top taxpayers

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 10, 2023
Every time the power gets turned on, it’s more than just powering someone’s lights or air conditioning. It’s also powering the community as utilities are the top taxpayers in Columbia County, led by Florida Power & Light.