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Columbia High School students in the school district’s Career & Technical Education program who received their phlebotomy certification during Friday morning’s gradation at Florida Gateway College were Mary Odum (from left), Ca’Mari Matthews, Zacariah Williams, Skyla Wasden Wasden and Karis Jernigan. Four additional CHS students received their diplomas during the FGC afternoon graduation ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia High School students in the school district’s Career & Technical Education program who received their phlebotomy certification during Friday morning’s gradation at Florida Gateway College were Mary Odum (from left), Ca’Mari Matthews, Zacariah Williams, Skyla Wasden Wasden and Karis Jernigan. Four additional CHS students received their diplomas during the FGC afternoon graduation ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CHS phlebotomy students make history

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 5, 2023
A group of nine Columbia High School students have established new territory for the Columbia County Schools Career & Technical Education Department.

Legislature pushes school start times back

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 5, 2023
Middle- and high-school students in Florida will soon have additional time to be saved by the bell. The Florida Senate gave final approval Thursday, by a 38-2 vote, to pass HB 733, which will prevent middle schools from beginning the “instructional day” earlier than 8 a.m.
Busy Bee is planning to construct a 75,000-square foot location in Columbia County. The Busy Bee Travel Center in Live Oak, pictured, is 20,000 square feet. (FILE)

Busy Bee is planning to construct a 75,000-square foot location in Columbia County. The Busy Bee Travel Center in Live Oak, pictured, is 20,000 square feet. (FILE)

Busy Bee planning super-sized store

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
ELLISVILLE — The newest Busy Bee is sure to create a buzz. The company announced Wednesday plans to begin construction in October on its largest store yet, a 70,000-square foot convenience store at the Ellisville exit off Interstate 75 with 60 gas pumps and six diesel fueling lanes.
State Attorney John Durrett responds to a question Thursday about charges against Sylvester Warren. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

State Attorney John Durrett responds to a question Thursday about charges against Sylvester Warren. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Durrett pressured to drop Warren’s charges

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
LIVE OAK — A tri-county coalition of 35 people ambushed State Attorney John Durrett on Wednesday with calls to drop charges against a Lake City man. The group from Columbia, Suwannee and Hamilton counties met with Durrett to discuss what was described as civil rights concerns.
Faith Ingram (left), of the Columbia High School drama club, adds the finishing touches to Xavier Boutwell’s face paint at last year’s Kiwanis Kids Day. (FILE)

Faith Ingram (left), of the Columbia High School drama club, adds the finishing touches to Xavier Boutwell’s face paint at last year’s Kiwanis Kids Day. (FILE)

Kids Day offers fun for good cause

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Running around and playing for hours with access sugary foods and drinks and a chance to see some some scientific experiments explode is an ultimate kids dream. The Lake City Kiwanis Club is making that dream a reality this weekend when the club hosts its annual Kiwanis Kids Day.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Doug Broxson (R-Gulf Breeze) called the budget a 'fiscally responsible, balanced approach.' The record $117 billion plan calls for more than $32 million for local projects. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

Senate Appropriations Chairman Doug Broxson (R-Gulf Breeze) called the budget a 'fiscally responsible, balanced approach.' The record $117 billion plan calls for more than $32 million for local projects. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

Budget bringing in $32M locally

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
A record state budget includes significant funding for Columbia County and North Florida.
Cameo Lance, the COO for Rhea Space Activity, a Washington, D.C.-based astrophysics start-up, is Florida Gateway College’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. (COURTESY)

Cameo Lance, the COO for Rhea Space Activity, a Washington, D.C.-based astrophysics start-up, is Florida Gateway College’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. (COURTESY)

Lance named FGC Alumnus of the Year

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Cap-and-gown season is set to grace the Florida Gateway College campus. FGC will honor the Class of Spring 2023 this Friday during the 2023 Commencement Ceremonies, as well as one former graduate.
Columbia County Manager David Kraus said he accepts any criticism from the County Commission so he can improve his performance for next year. (FILE)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus said he accepts any criticism from the County Commission so he can improve his performance for next year. (FILE)

Kraus reviews are ‘very positive’

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
The Columbia County Commission is pleased with the efforts of County Manager David Kraus. Well, mostly. In the annual evaluation of Kraus — which per the county charter must be conducted at the first meeting in May, set for Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

City interested in ‘one-stop shop’ for permitting

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
A “one-stop shop” for building and permitting needs in Columbia County may still become reality in the future. But first, Lake City Manager Paul Dyal wants the city administration and Lake City Council to be on the same page with who is running the city.