Local

Halloween celebrations from the ’20s, ’30s

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, October 28, 2023
As Halloween approaches, and the time of ghosts, witches and goblins draws near, it is nice to remember that the people of Lake City and Columbia County have always turned out to enjoy the merriment of the holiday with parties and celebrations.
Columbia County Senior Services supports cheer during last year’s ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ fundraiser. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Senior Services supports cheer during last year’s ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ fundraiser. (COURTESY)

CCSS hosts ‘Walk a Mile’ event for dementia program

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Next weekend, supporters of Columbia County Senior Services will show their support for a group of the Lifestyle Enrichment Center’s patrons. On Saturday, Nov. 4, the CCSS will host its annual “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” fundraiser at Wilson Park and Darby Pavilion. The walk will start around 9 a.m.
Lake City Police Department Lt. Robert Milligan (from left), Assistant Chief of Police Andy Miles and Chief Gerald Butler pose next to the department’s vehicle that has pink striping. LCPD officers are wearing pink badges this month and utilizing the vehicle to increase local breast cancer awareness. (COURTESY)

Lake City Police Department Lt. Robert Milligan (from left), Assistant Chief of Police Andy Miles and Chief Gerald Butler pose next to the department’s vehicle that has pink striping. LCPD officers are wearing pink badges this month and utilizing the vehicle to increase local breast cancer awareness. (COURTESY)

LCPD raises awareness with pink badges, SUV

TONY BRITT
Saturday, October 28, 2023
For the past four weeks, the officers at the Lake City Police Department have gone the extra mile showing they’re no weaklings and some of the tougher hombres on the block.
Mari Jayne Frederick will oversee the new cybersecurity degree course at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY)

Mari Jayne Frederick will oversee the new cybersecurity degree course at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY)

FGC introducing new degree in cybersecurity

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, October 28, 2023
A new degree path could entice students at Florida Gateway College. According to a Friday FGC press release, the college is set to introduce a two-year Associate of Science degree in cybersecurity.
The midway is set up at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds awaiting Friday’s open to the 69th annual Florida Gateway Fair. The fair is slated to run through Nov. 5. (RAY CARPENTER/Special to the Reporter)

The midway is set up at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds awaiting Friday’s open to the 69th annual Florida Gateway Fair. The fair is slated to run through Nov. 5. (RAY CARPENTER/Special to the Reporter)

Fair promises ‘mAGic memories’

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Fair rides, fried foods and fun games are coming back to Lake City beginning this weekend. The 69th annual Florida Gateway Fair returns to the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds, located at 164 SW Mary Ethel Ln., beginning Friday. The fair runs through Sunday, Nov. 5. Gates open at 5 p.m.
A grant that would renovate a hangar at the Lake City Gateway Airport to help HAECO’s operations will be discussed at a special Lake City Council meeting Tuesday. (FILE)

A grant that would renovate a hangar at the Lake City Gateway Airport to help HAECO’s operations will be discussed at a special Lake City Council meeting Tuesday. (FILE)

Council circles back to HAECO grant

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
A grant that would help land 100 jobs locally may still have a chance for takeoff. A special Lake City Council meeting has been called for Tuesday at 5 p.m. to discuss and possibly take action on a Rural Infrastructure Grant from the Florida Department of Commerce in partnership with HAECO.
A suspect, shown in video surveillance from a semi-tractor that had its tires punctured, has resumed his criminal mischief on parked trucks the past few weeks. (COURTESY)

A suspect, shown in video surveillance from a semi-tractor that had its tires punctured, has resumed his criminal mischief on parked trucks the past few weeks. (COURTESY)

FHP resumes search for tire slasher

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
The Florida Highway Patrol is once again looking to deflate some criminal mischief on parked semi trucks.
Members of the Fort White FFA chapter are pictured at the state convention. Seven Fort White FFA students travel to Indianapolis next month for the National FFA Convention. (COURTESY)

Members of the Fort White FFA chapter are pictured at the state convention. Seven Fort White FFA students travel to Indianapolis next month for the National FFA Convention. (COURTESY)

Columbia County FFA programs ready for fair

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
More than 40 area FFA students got the opportunity to travel to Georgia for a farming convention last week, while even more prepare for different exhibitions in the future. Lake City and Fort White Middle Schools, along with Fort White High School, were represented at the Moultrie Ag Expo on Oct.
The Creepy Crew featuring Michael Davis as the Oogey ‘Boogey Man,’ Jeremias Sandoval as the ‘Creepy Clown,’ Annika Hunt as ‘Creepy Doll Face’ and Keptia Josma as ‘The Alien,’ will serve up frights and scares at the Columbia High School theatre’s program presentation of Scary Stories on Friday and Saturday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Creepy Crew featuring Michael Davis as the Oogey ‘Boogey Man,’ Jeremias Sandoval as the ‘Creepy Clown,’ Annika Hunt as ‘Creepy Doll Face’ and Keptia Josma as ‘The Alien,’ will serve up frights and scares at the Columbia High School theatre’s program presentation of Scary Stories on Friday and Saturday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Schoolhouse shock: CHS theatre bringing scares to school

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Creepy sights and sounds and chilling settings will serve as a Halloween precursor this weekend when the Columbia High School theatre program hosts its annual haunted house fundraiser. Guests will be welcomed to the haunted house from 7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Norman L.
Columbia School District Attorney Megan Logan speaks during Tuesday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia School District Attorney Megan Logan speaks during Tuesday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

District eyes fraud charges, lawsuit over track

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
The Columbia County School Board wants to do more than recoup its losses from the Columbia High track project.