Local

Sales tax oversight committee approved

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
A group of local residents, assembled under the guise of helping to prioritize how the school district plans to spend millions of dollars in sales tax funds, was formally approved by the school board Tuesday.
The proposed intersection improvements for the State Road 247 and County Road 240 crossing in southwestern Columbia County. (COURTESY)

The proposed intersection improvements for the State Road 247 and County Road 240 crossing in southwestern Columbia County. (COURTESY)

SR 247, CR 240 crossing getting revamp

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
An intersection in southwestern Columbia County will be getting a facelift next year.
Columbia County Manager David Kraus said the county has gotten more than $55,000 in fire and solid waste assessments after reviewing property owners who hadn’t paid into it. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus said the county has gotten more than $55,000 in fire and solid waste assessments after reviewing property owners who hadn’t paid into it. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County ‘finds’ $55K in unpaid assessments

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 9, 2023
Columbia County has received more than $55,000 in additional fire and solid waste assessments from property owners who previously were not paying.
A rendering shows a home built using SusEco’s proprietary components. (COURTESY)

A rendering shows a home built using SusEco’s proprietary components. (COURTESY)

EDAB eying land to lure home builder

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 9, 2023
An innovative modular home builder could start building his business in Columbia County. The Columbia County Economic Development Advisory Board will consider at its 8:30 a.m. meeting Wednesday recommending an incentive for SusEco, Inc. — Project Cottage — to the County Commission.
The Columbia County School Board is set to approve the nine-member committee that will help determine how sales tax revenue is spent. (FILE)

The Columbia County School Board is set to approve the nine-member committee that will help determine how sales tax revenue is spent. (FILE)

Appointments ready for district’s sales tax advisory committee

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 9, 2023
School district officials believe they’ve selected an advisory committee capable of helping to prioritize how to spend millions in sales tax dollars. Columbia County School Board members are set to vote on the inaugural Sales Surtax Citizen Advisory committee during Tuesday’s board meeting.
Jennifer Malivert (from left) and Nicole Bryant, co-founders of the RAVTAV (Reach a Vet, Teach a Vet) program designed to help women veterans find services and resources, will conduct a presentation on Monday at the Malcolm Randall VA Auditorium in Gainesville. (COURTESY)

Jennifer Malivert (from left) and Nicole Bryant, co-founders of the RAVTAV (Reach a Vet, Teach a Vet) program designed to help women veterans find services and resources, will conduct a presentation on Monday at the Malcolm Randall VA Auditorium in Gainesville. (COURTESY)

RAVTAV teaching vets new skills

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 9, 2023
Two veterans affairs employees from the Malcolm Randall Medical Center have launched a program where they are seeking to provide more information and services to female veterans. RAVTAV (Reach a Vet, Teach a Vet) is a program conceived by co-founders Jennifer Malivert and Nicole Bryant.
Pearson (left) and Wynn

Pearson (left) and Wynn

Pair charged for drive-by scare

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 9, 2023
A drive-by shooting to scare people Friday morning led to a pair of arrests Friday afternoon. Trenton Wynn, 21, and Johnathan Pearson, 24, both of Lake City, were arrested Friday on charges of firing a weapon from a vehicle.
Ronald Morris (from left) and Dillon Geiger, Take 5 Car Wash general manager, prep a car with a washing session on Wednesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ronald Morris (from left) and Dillon Geiger, Take 5 Car Wash general manager, prep a car with a washing session on Wednesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Take 5 Car Wash finishing image update after sale

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
From a new color scheme and new benefit deals, down to new microfiber towels, the Take 5 Car Wash has added a fresh look to its Lake City location after purchasing the local Goo-Goo car wash at 345 W Duval St.

Rural project funding boosted

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
A foundation has been laid for boosting infrastructure projects in rural Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation — HB 1209 — on Tuesday that will eliminate the match requirement from rural communities for Rural Infrastructure Fund grants.
Columbia County Manager David Kraus said the county is looking into buying property around Richardson Community Center. (FILE)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus said the county is looking into buying property around Richardson Community Center. (FILE)

Richardson improvements still on deck for county

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Columbia County officials are forging ahead with the county’s plans to make additional upgrades and improvements at Richardson Community Center, even though $2 million in federal grant funding secured for the work won’t be used in the capital projects on the site.