Local

Columbia County Assistant Superintendent Todd Widergren said the district is on path for construction to begin June 2024 on a new school at Niblack Elementary. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Assistant Superintendent Todd Widergren said the district is on path for construction to begin June 2024 on a new school at Niblack Elementary. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

New Niblack school construction on tap

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Plans for the construction of a new elementary school in Lake City is ready for takeoff.
Paul Westridge, 7, helps Adrienne Metcalf align jars of peanut butter that were donated during the second Farm to Table event. The event, which honors Columbia County’s agricultural history, took place Thursday evening at Darby Pavilion. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Paul Westridge, 7, helps Adrienne Metcalf align jars of peanut butter that were donated during the second Farm to Table event. The event, which honors Columbia County’s agricultural history, took place Thursday evening at Darby Pavilion. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Hundreds flock to Farm to Table

TONY BRITT
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Folks from all walks of life in Columbia County gathered at Darby Pavilion on Thursday night to celebrate the county’s historical roots. The gathering wasn’t designed to honor a specific person, but rather an event to honor the county’s agricultural roots.
A linemen strings fiber lines for Rapid Fiber Internet, a subsidiary of Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative. The broadband fiber internet service is up and running in parts of Suwannee County. (COURTESY RAPID FIBER INTERNET)

A linemen strings fiber lines for Rapid Fiber Internet, a subsidiary of Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative. The broadband fiber internet service is up and running in parts of Suwannee County. (COURTESY RAPID FIBER INTERNET)

SVEC rolls out fiber internet

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
LIVE OAK — Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative and Rapid Fiber Internet officially “turned the page” Monday on the high-speed internet project. During a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, SVEC and Rapid Fiber Internet officials and partners celebrated the launch of the service.
Steve Roberts, the county’s interim utilities director, said Wednesday that the growth potential in Ellisville is endless. (FILE)

Steve Roberts, the county’s interim utilities director, said Wednesday that the growth potential in Ellisville is endless. (FILE)

County seeks funds for Ellisville upgrades

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
With “a lot of improvements” needed for infrastructure in Ellisville, Columbia County officials are looking for state assistance.
Dee Johnson was named the City of Lake City’s interim city manager Monday night. Johnson has been the assistant manager for the past 14 months. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Dee Johnson was named the City of Lake City’s interim city manager Monday night. Johnson has been the assistant manager for the past 14 months. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Johnson named interim city manager

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Without a word from either individual, the Lake City Council accepted Paul Dyal’s resignation as Lake City Manager and named his interim replacement Monday night. Dyal, who originally had submitted a letter of resignation Sept. 19, had been encouraged by the council to reconsider during a Sept.
Luke Davenport, a Florida Fish and Conservation Commission officer, signs a coloring book for Ava Flores, 2, as Elias Flores, 4 and Chelsea Flores (far right) look on. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Luke Davenport, a Florida Fish and Conservation Commission officer, signs a coloring book for Ava Flores, 2, as Elias Flores, 4 and Chelsea Flores (far right) look on. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD, residents spend ‘Night Out’

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Hundreds of people, a majority of them children, filled the gravel parking adjacent to the Lake City Police Department on Tuesday evening. The youngsters looked at law enforcement vehicles, touched law enforcement tools and equipment and interacted with the people behind the badges.

Parisi recalled for love, passion for service

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Recalled as a “cop’s cop” and as an example of what a law enforcement officer should be, a Lake City police officer touched many lives. Detective Corporal Tim Parisi, who was 41, died Friday. He had a medical emergency earlier in the week while at a training conference in Orlando.
Councilman Jake Hill said Monday that the Lake City Council didn’t need to rush its search for a new city manager, making the motion to see if Colin Baenziger & Associates would be willing to help direct the process. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Councilman Jake Hill said Monday that the Lake City Council didn’t need to rush its search for a new city manager, making the motion to see if Colin Baenziger & Associates would be willing to help direct the process. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council seeks headhunter for search

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Little more than a year after hiring but never utilizing the services, the Lake City Council is looking for help from Colin Baenziger & Associates once more.

LCPD officer dies after medical emergency

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 30, 2023
A Lake City police officer died Friday after a medical emergency earlier in the week. The Lake City Police Department announced Friday evening that Detective Corporal Tim Parisi died Friday afternoon.