Local

Paula Vann has resigned as Columbia County’s Tourist Development Council executive director. (FILE)

Paula Vann has resigned as Columbia County’s Tourist Development Council executive director. (FILE)

Vann resigns as TDC director

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Columbia County’s top official for luring visitors to town is leaving herself. Paula Vann, the executive director of the county’s Tourist Development Council, has submitted her letter of resignation, effective April 18.
More than 1,000 pairs of shoes were collected during the Greater Lake City Community Development Corporation and Young Women of Excellence’s shoe drive. (COURTESY)

More than 1,000 pairs of shoes were collected during the Greater Lake City Community Development Corporation and Young Women of Excellence’s shoe drive. (COURTESY)

GLCCDC bags up thousands of shoes

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
More than 1,000 folks in need around the state have a new pair of shoes thanks to a pair of local organizations. The Greater Lake City Community Development Corporation, along with Young Women of Excellence, organized a shoe drive starting last October.
Bobby Jones (from left), a flight crew engineer with 10 Tanker and Chris Lanchick, a 10 Tanker maintenance crewman talk to Ed Bunnell on Friday at the Lake City Gateway Airport. The U.S. Forest Service is considering the possibility of posting one of the converted DC-10 aircraft in Lake City for Region 8 coverage. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bobby Jones (from left), a flight crew engineer with 10 Tanker and Chris Lanchick, a 10 Tanker maintenance crewman talk to Ed Bunnell on Friday at the Lake City Gateway Airport. The U.S. Forest Service is considering the possibility of posting one of the converted DC-10 aircraft in Lake City for Region 8 coverage. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

DC-10 aircraft finds temporary home in Lake City

TONY BRITT
Monday, March 27, 2023
The largest tankers utilized by the US Forest Service in wildfire fighting efforts could soon be posted at the Lake City Gateway Airport.

School board looks to cap construction costs

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, March 27, 2023
FORT WHITE — The cost of constructing new classrooms at Fort White Elementary School has gone up. But after the Columbia County School Board meets this evening, that cost will be capped. During the school board’s 6 p.m. meeting at the Columbia County School Board Auditorium, 372 W. Duval St.
Toys for Tots coordinator Inga Dwyer packs up supplies ahead of the organization’s move out of Lake Shore Hospital property. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Toys for Tots coordinator Inga Dwyer packs up supplies ahead of the organization’s move out of Lake Shore Hospital property. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Toys for Tots needs gift: Org. in need of new home after short stay at LSHA

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 24, 2023
Toys for Tots is looking for its own gift to unwrap — a new location to set up shop. The local program thought it had found a new home in a Lake Shore Hospital Authority building, but that destination was “for emergency fit only.
Columbia County Commissioner Ron Williams said Project Beehive was the best option for the county. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Ron Williams said Project Beehive was the best option for the county. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County looks to entice NFMIP rail service

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 24, 2023
The Columbia County Commission is looking to Project Beehive to help make the North Florida Mega Industrial Park abuzz with activity. The commission unanimously approved an economic incentive agreement with Beehive to make the company the county’s shortline rail partner.

CCSO launching Citizen’s Police Academy

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 24, 2023
A new program will provide local residents the opportunity to see, discuss and in some instances, simulate the duties of Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies. The inaugural Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Law Enforcement Academy, a nine-week program will take place from May 30-Aug.

Pitchfork attacker arrested

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 24, 2023
Lake City’s pitchfork assailant is off the streets. Ryan Paul McCartney, a 36-year-old from Lake City, was arrested late Thursday night by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for attempted murder after he threw a pitchfork at a victim Monday morning.