Local

Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office employee Dennis Chauncey hands a sticker to an Eastside Elementary School fifth grader after she voted in the school’s election Tuesday. Other students wait in line with their ballots. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office employee Dennis Chauncey hands a sticker to an Eastside Elementary School fifth grader after she voted in the school’s election Tuesday. Other students wait in line with their ballots. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

SOE office hosts Eastside student election

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
The Columbia County Supervisor of Elections office was swamped with voters Tuesday morning. They grabbed their ballots, made their choices and headed to the voting machine. After ballots were cast they were given an “I voted” sticker and pencil and left the office.

Council OKs own 3% raise

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
The Lake City Council is getting a raise after all. One week after the council tentatively approved its Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget, including removing a 3% raise for itself, the budget was approved a final time Monday. The $75 million plan, though, will include that increase for the council.
Lake City Councilman Jake Hill Jr. wipes his eyes while talking about Mariah Smith, a close family friend. Smith, 12, was shot and killed last month. The council supported designating NW Long Street in her honor. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman Jake Hill Jr. wipes his eyes while talking about Mariah Smith, a close family friend. Smith, 12, was shot and killed last month. The council supported designating NW Long Street in her honor. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council supports designating street in Smith’s memory

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
A Lake City street may soon have a new designation. During Monday’s Lake City Council meeting, the council unanimously supported a proposal of adding a designation to NW Long Street in northern Lake City.
A vehicle pulls into the County Road 240 and State Road 247 intersection in southwestern Columbia County on Friday afternoon. Florida Department of Transportation plans to revamp the skewed intersection have been shelved after concerns from residents. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

A vehicle pulls into the County Road 240 and State Road 247 intersection in southwestern Columbia County on Friday afternoon. Florida Department of Transportation plans to revamp the skewed intersection have been shelved after concerns from residents. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Changing course: DOT scraps plan for SR 247/CR 240 intersection

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Plans to overhaul an intersection in southwestern Columbia County have been shelved. The Florida Department of Transportation confirmed Friday that its planned improvements for the State Road 247 and County Road 240 crossing are no longer occurring.

Fort White looks at implementing property tax

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 16, 2023
FORT WHITE — Residents in Fort White could have an additional property tax in the future. The Town of Fort White is exploring implementing ad valorem taxes on its residents, discussing the matter at a recent town meeting. The town council meets again Monday.
Gary Campbell (from left) addresses the audience at the United Way of Suwannee Valley fundraising kickoff event while accompanied by Beverly Standridge and his son, Michael Campbell. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gary Campbell (from left) addresses the audience at the United Way of Suwannee Valley fundraising kickoff event while accompanied by Beverly Standridge and his son, Michael Campbell. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Campbells tout importance of UWSV

TONY BRITT
Saturday, September 16, 2023
As a 3-year-old child, Michael Campbell was under the supervision of a babysitter who was charged with watching him. The babysitter turned their attention away from the youngster for a few moments and when they returned Campbell was at the bottom of the swimming pool.
Daniel Mora, Elvis Reynolds, Ammon Reyes, Virginio Mora and Martin Mora are all smiles after helping clear debris from a group of homes for disabled individuals. (COURTESY)

Daniel Mora, Elvis Reynolds, Ammon Reyes, Virginio Mora and Martin Mora are all smiles after helping clear debris from a group of homes for disabled individuals. (COURTESY)

Local church volunteers continue clearing debris

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 16, 2023
A religious organization is continuing to give help where it’s needed following Hurricane Idalia. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought thousands of volunteers to help victims of the storm to Florida, and the work continued through the past three weekends.