Local

An operator dumps additional debris onto a fire at the Columbia County Public Works department in Lake City. The county also has a site in Fort White open to clear debris following Hurricane Idalia. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

An operator dumps additional debris onto a fire at the Columbia County Public Works department in Lake City. The county also has a site in Fort White open to clear debris following Hurricane Idalia. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cleaning up Columbia: County contractor clearing, burning debris

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
The Hurricane Idalia debris removal and elimination in Columbia County has moved to the next phase after the storm left a massive pile of organic debris in its wake.
Three locals won titles at the U.S. National Forestry Pageant on Saturday in Tifton, Ga. Pictured are Manda Perry (Miss U.S. National Forestry 2022), from left, Mikah McCoy (Miss U.S. National Turpentine 2023), Lindsey Langston (Miss U.S. National Forestry 2023), Ashley Douylliez (Ms. U.S. National Forestry 2023), and Maddie Kelley (Ms. U.S. National Turpentine 2022). (COURTESY)

Three locals won titles at the U.S. National Forestry Pageant on Saturday in Tifton, Ga. Pictured are Manda Perry (Miss U.S. National Forestry 2022), from left, Mikah McCoy (Miss U.S. National Turpentine 2023), Lindsey Langston (Miss U.S. National Forestry 2023), Ashley Douylliez (Ms. U.S. National Forestry 2023), and Maddie Kelley (Ms. U.S. National Turpentine 2022). (COURTESY)

National forestry crowns remain rooted here

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Columbia County hit the trifecta at the U.S. National Forestry Pageant in Tifton, Georgia, last weekend.

Assault on disabled victim leads to arrest

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
A Lake City man is in trouble after police say he physically abused a disabled woman in a drunken rage. According to a Lake City Police Department report, Michael Deandre Ficklin, 46, was arrested Monday evening after trying to pick a fight with a wheelchair-bound woman in their shared home.
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is requesting proposals on demolition of the Lake Shore Hospital building after an agreement could not be reached Monday with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare. The future of the hospital will be decided Sept. 25. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is requesting proposals on demolition of the Lake Shore Hospital building after an agreement could not be reached Monday with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare. The future of the hospital will be decided Sept. 25. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Demolition diagnosis? LSHA board looks into tearing down hospital

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The next patient to visit the Lake Shore Hospital building could very well be a wrecking ball.
Lake City’s Grace Elizabeth with Estée Lauder’s Stephane De La Faverie after receiving her Model of the Year award during the Fashion Media Awards. (COURTESY)

Lake City’s Grace Elizabeth with Estée Lauder’s Stephane De La Faverie after receiving her Model of the Year award during the Fashion Media Awards. (COURTESY)

Lake City’s Grace Elizabeth earns Model of the Year recognition

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
From Lake City to the top of the modeling world. Supermodel Grace Elizabeth, a Lake City native, was named Model of the Year by the Daily Front Row during last week’s Fashion Media Awards. The Daily Front Row is a fashion news website.
Lake City Councilman Ricky Jernigan made the motion Monday to approve the city’s budget, including removing raises for the council. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman Ricky Jernigan made the motion Monday to approve the city’s budget, including removing raises for the council. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council nixes own raises, vehicle

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The Lake City Council won’t be getting a raise or a vehicle. The community, though, will be getting programming aimed at reducing gun violence.
Titus Williams, the Columbia High JROTC Battalion Commander, leads the flag-bearing procession during Monday’s 9/11 memorial march at the school. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Titus Williams, the Columbia High JROTC Battalion Commander, leads the flag-bearing procession during Monday’s 9/11 memorial march at the school. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

JROTC cadets embrace solemn march

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
A sense of solemness, honor and patriotism overtook the main hall at Columbia High School on Monday morning as the school’s JROTC cadets and student body honored and remembered Sept. 11 terrorist attack victims on Patriot Day. At 10:28 a.m.
Representatives from the Federal Emegency Management Agency and other organizations will be on hand to assist local residents with their recovery from Hurricane Idalia. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Representatives from the Federal Emegency Management Agency and other organizations will be on hand to assist local residents with their recovery from Hurricane Idalia. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Disaster Recovery Center opens in LC

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Help is now available for Columbia County residents impacted by Hurricane Idalia. The Columbia County Disaster Recovery Center is opening up this morning to offer services to citizens. The services will be rendered at the old Lake City Reporter building, located at 180 E. Duval St. in Lake City.

School board approves budget, millage

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The Columbia County School District’s budget and millage rate are now set. The Columbia County School Board unanimously approved both items during a brief meeting Tuesday night. The district’s budget of more than $147 million is up by nearly $20 million from last year’s budget of $127.8 million.