Local

The Columbia County School District’s plan for two new elementary schools with the half-cent sales tax approved by voters last fall is now being delayed. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

The Columbia County School District’s plan for two new elementary schools with the half-cent sales tax approved by voters last fall is now being delayed. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Two new elementary schools delayed by a year

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
The Columbia County School District is in no rush to spend the voter-approved sales tax funds on new campus construction, regardless of how it was framed for voters during election season.
Lake City Assistant Police Chief Andy Miles (left) looks over the proposed redistricting maps with Joshua Garner after the Lake City Council’s workshop Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Assistant Police Chief Andy Miles (left) looks over the proposed redistricting maps with Joshua Garner after the Lake City Council’s workshop Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City takes in redistricting proposals

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Lake City is taking on a new shape. Literally. The Lake City Council listened to a redistricting proposal from Kurt Spitzer of KS&A Governmental Consultants during a workshop Tuesday evening at Lake City Hall. Spitzer’s presentation was the only item on Tuesday’s agenda.
Grace Duncan’s parents, Burt and Cissy (center) help lead the start of last year’s Grace’s Race 5K. The third annual race is scheduled for Saturday at the Heritage Oaks Circle Shopping Center. (FILE)

Grace Duncan’s parents, Burt and Cissy (center) help lead the start of last year’s Grace’s Race 5K. The third annual race is scheduled for Saturday at the Heritage Oaks Circle Shopping Center. (FILE)

Duncan’s memory honored with race

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Looking to keep her memory alive, the Grace’s Race 5K run/walk has also started to embody who Lora Grace Duncan was. The third annual race is Saturday at Grace’s Garden in the Heritage Oaks Circle Shopping Center, which includes HiTone Fitness, 4556 SW Heritage Oaks Circle. The race begins at 9 a.
A crew with Anderson Columbia sets up barricades along the side of State Road 47 on Monday as work began on a widening and resurfacing project. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A crew with Anderson Columbia sets up barricades along the side of State Road 47 on Monday as work began on a widening and resurfacing project. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

State Road 47 widening underway

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Work to widen State Road 47 began Monday in southern Columbia County. The work is part of a $12.5 million, 14.3-mile resurfacing project that stretches from just south of the Interstate 75 interchange to U.S. Highway 27 in Fort White. The project is expected to last into early next year.

Two CCS buses involved in ‘fender benders’

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Two minor accidents involving school buses ended with no apparent injuries Tuesday. During closing remarks at the Columbia County School Board meeting Tuesday night, board member Keith Hudson gave an update on some “good news, bad news.
Pam Davis, Winfield Solid Waste director (clockwise from left), and solid waste facility employees Heather Crowder and Robyn Fussnecker place cans of paint into a dumpster during Saturday’s Toxic Roundup. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Pam Davis, Winfield Solid Waste director (clockwise from left), and solid waste facility employees Heather Crowder and Robyn Fussnecker place cans of paint into a dumpster during Saturday’s Toxic Roundup. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Toxic Roundup draws hundreds

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Nearly 200 Columbia County residents took advantage of an opportunity to rid their homes and property of toxic materials Saturday during the annual Toxic Roundup.
The Columbia High School color guard recently completed its indoor season with a top-10 finish. The unit also posted a school-record finish during marching season when it was named Best in Class. (COURTESY)

The Columbia High School color guard recently completed its indoor season with a top-10 finish. The unit also posted a school-record finish during marching season when it was named Best in Class. (COURTESY)

CHS color guard caps historic year

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
The Columbia High School color guard unit recently completed its indoor competition season with a top-10 finish in its division, capping off a historic year that saw the team reach new heights.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office is investigating a suspicious death after body was found Tuesday on a forest road. (COURTESY)

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office is investigating a suspicious death after body was found Tuesday on a forest road. (COURTESY)

CCSO investigating suspicious death

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Human remains were found in the Osceola National Forest on Tuesday afternoon, spurring a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office investigation. Foul play is suspected in the death, according to the sheriff’s office.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority attorney Todd Kennon said some kinks are still getting worked out regarding financial assistance for a lease agreement with EMPALS. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority attorney Todd Kennon said some kinks are still getting worked out regarding financial assistance for a lease agreement with EMPALS. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

LSHA still in lease negotiations with EMPALS

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, April 10, 2023
The Lake Shore campus is still waiting to hear back from one of its potential future tenets.  Emergency Medical Physicians at Lake Shore (EMPALS), run by Drs.
A search of the unoccupied car that fled from authorities Monday afternoon produced 582 grams of marijuana and a scale used in the illegal sale of narcotics (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

A search of the unoccupied car that fled from authorities Monday afternoon produced 582 grams of marijuana and a scale used in the illegal sale of narcotics (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

High speed chase nets pot, no driver

NEWS STAFF
Monday, April 10, 2023
A car was able to run from law enforcement Monday afternoon, but not hide. After a high-speed chase Monday, which began around 1 p.m. when Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Sgt.