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Former Fort White FFA advisor Jill Huesman (middle) was inducted into the Florida FFA Hall of Fame this week at the state convention. Huesman is pictured with FFA State President and Fort White High graduate Anelise Bullard (right) and FFA State Secretary Abby Kruse during the induction Tuesday. (COURTESY)

Former Fort White FFA advisor Jill Huesman (middle) was inducted into the Florida FFA Hall of Fame this week at the state convention. Huesman is pictured with FFA State President and Fort White High graduate Anelise Bullard (right) and FFA State Secretary Abby Kruse during the induction Tuesday. (COURTESY)

Fort White’s Hall of Famer: Retired FFA advisor Huesman earns state honor

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 23, 2023
ORLANDO — It still doesn’t seem real. During Tuesday’s first session of the 95th Florida FFA State Convention and Expo, former Fort White FFA advisor Jill Huesman was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame.

Tourism director search reopened

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 23, 2023
Columbia County’s search for a new tourism development director continues. The county received two applications — none internal — for the open position to guide the Tourist Development Council by Tuesday’s deadline.
Tim Liguori (right) talks with Florida Department of Transporation’s Nick Hope about the state’s plans for the State Road 247 and County Road 240 intersection during an open house Thursday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Tim Liguori (right) talks with Florida Department of Transporation’s Nick Hope about the state’s plans for the State Road 247 and County Road 240 intersection during an open house Thursday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Intersection revamp concerns aired

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 23, 2023
Residents from Columbia and Suwannee counties tried to pump the brakes on an intersection reconfiguration Thursday evening.
Bethel United Methodist Church is celebrating its bicentennial. Believed to be the oldest church in Columbia County, the church moved to its current location in 1855 after first situated on the banks of Alligator Lake. (COURTESY)

Bethel United Methodist Church is celebrating its bicentennial. Believed to be the oldest church in Columbia County, the church moved to its current location in 1855 after first situated on the banks of Alligator Lake. (COURTESY)

Bethel celebrates its bicentennial

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 23, 2023
Bethel United Methodist is believed to be the oldest church in Columbia County having been first organized in 1823. The church is holding its bicentennial celebration today, beginning at 11 a.m. at the church,  4843 U.S. Highway 441.
More than 1,000 pictures are now displayed at the Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum, which is reopening Saturday following an eight-month renovation project. The pictures aim to help tell the history of the county. (COURTESY)

More than 1,000 pictures are now displayed at the Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum, which is reopening Saturday following an eight-month renovation project. The pictures aim to help tell the history of the county. (COURTESY)

History back on display: Renovated museum reopening Saturday

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Closed eight months for renovations and updates, the Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum is reopening this week, putting a new and brighter light on Columbia County’s history. The Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum, 157 SE Hernando Ave.
Councilman Todd Sampson said it is ‘ludicrous’ to not require background checks for people around children. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Councilman Todd Sampson said it is ‘ludicrous’ to not require background checks for people around children. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Background screenings dismissed by council

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Background checks are no longer required for vendors or individuals associated with Annie Mattox Park. The Lake City Council approved by a 3-2 vote Tuesday night to amend its grant agreement with Annie Mattox Recreation Center Inc. to drop the Level 2 background screening requirement.
The Florida Department of Transportion is hosting an open house today to discuss and unveil the proposed intersection improvements for the State Road 247 and County Road 240 crossing in southwestern Columbia County. (COURTESY)

The Florida Department of Transportion is hosting an open house today to discuss and unveil the proposed intersection improvements for the State Road 247 and County Road 240 crossing in southwestern Columbia County. (COURTESY)

Intersection makeover open house Thursday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
The Florida Department of Transportation will be unveiling — and discussing — the revamp of a southwestern Columbia County intersection at an open house today. DOT officials and engineers will be introducing the changes to the State Road 247 and County Road 240 crossing from 5-6 p.m.
City Clerk Audrey Sikes responds to criticism from Councilwoman Chevella Young during Tuesday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

City Clerk Audrey Sikes responds to criticism from Councilwoman Chevella Young during Tuesday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council doesn’t take action on Sikes, Kennon; Warren resigns seat on city advisory board

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
There was no public execution by the Lake City Council on Tuesday night. Councilwoman Chevella Young’s attempt to terminate City Clerk Audrey Sikes and City Attorney Todd Kennon didn’t even receive a motion during Tuesday’s meeting in front of a packed council chambers of approximately 50 people.
Cameron Gonzales, portraying Sponge Bob Squarepants, and D’Khari Jernigan, portraying Patrick Star, rehearse a scene for the upcoming Sponge Bob Musical production that will take place at Florida Gateway College this week. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cameron Gonzales, portraying Sponge Bob Squarepants, and D’Khari Jernigan, portraying Patrick Star, rehearse a scene for the upcoming Sponge Bob Musical production that will take place at Florida Gateway College this week. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC theater going under the sea with ‘Sponge Bob’

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
The square-headed, little yellow guy that’s famous for living in a pineapple under the sea, Sponge Bob Squarepants, will get some stage time during a musical production the next few days.
A still image from a surveillance camera on Interstate 75 shows the wreck that led to a day of lane closures and detours. (COURTESY)

A still image from a surveillance camera on Interstate 75 shows the wreck that led to a day of lane closures and detours. (COURTESY)

Chemical spill prompts I-75 closure

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
An hours-long traffic delay on Interstate 75 turned to traffic closures. Now, I-75 is back up and running.