Local

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.
Bill Koon, the lone Fort White Town Council member to attend a previous joint meeting, said the Columbia County Commision was ‘bullying’ the town. (FILE)

Bill Koon, the lone Fort White Town Council member to attend a previous joint meeting, said the Columbia County Commision was ‘bullying’ the town. (FILE)

County, Fort White holding joint meeting

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
The Columbia County Commission and Fort White Town Council will finally meet. After the commission delivered a 30-day notice to the council to schedule a joint meeting on Nov. 1, the two boards will meet at the Duval Place executive conference room, 971 W. Duval Street, at 6 p.m. today.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is hosting its ‘Deputy Claus for a Cause’ event for the third time this year, delivering Christmas presents on Dec. 23 to various neighborhoods in the community. (COURTESY)

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is hosting its ‘Deputy Claus for a Cause’ event for the third time this year, delivering Christmas presents on Dec. 23 to various neighborhoods in the community. (COURTESY)

‘Deputy Claus for a Cause’ returns

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is looking to lock up another wonderful holiday season. The agency’s “Deputy Claus for a Cause” event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 23.
Martin and Lane, a South Florida duo consisting of Laura Lane and Chip Martin will playa variety of music Friday night at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. (COURTESY)

Martin and Lane, a South Florida duo consisting of Laura Lane and Chip Martin will playa variety of music Friday night at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. (COURTESY)

Martin and Lane, Starling to perform at Music Park

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Christmas is just a few weeks away and the holiday season is in full bloom at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground with two great evenings in the Music Hall this weekend.
Bob Smith and Jeannie McGalliard, Parkview Baptist Church cold weather shelter volunteers, put out snacks for clients utilizing the facility on Tuesday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bob Smith and Jeannie McGalliard, Parkview Baptist Church cold weather shelter volunteers, put out snacks for clients utilizing the facility on Tuesday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Parkview Baptist Church provides shelter for the cold

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
With frigid temperatures descending on Lake City for the next few days, Parkview Baptist Church has opened its cold weather shelter.
Columbia County School Board Member Hunter Peeler asked to bring the five-year work plan back for a vote in December. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County School Board Member Hunter Peeler asked to bring the five-year work plan back for a vote in December. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

New schools included on district work plan

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The Columbia County School District’s five-year plan for facility work — both repairs and new construction — is finally close to completion. While the Florida Department of Education didn’t release the documents to local districts for input for more than a month after its due date of Oct.