Local

Andrew Hingson, a Columbia High senior, won the Florida Association of Student Councils’ speeach contest last month. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Andrew Hingson, a Columbia High senior, won the Florida Association of Student Councils’ speeach contest last month. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s Hingson tops state leadership conference event

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 3, 2023
Working on award-winning speeches has become a rather common occurrence for Andrew Hingson. The 17-year-old Columbia High senior participated in the speech contest at Florida Association of Student Councils where he took first place honors. The event took place Feb.
Lake City Manager Paul Dyal told the County Commission on Thursday that a letter to terminate building services was ‘inadvertently’ sent. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Manager Paul Dyal told the County Commission on Thursday that a letter to terminate building services was ‘inadvertently’ sent. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Building letter sent by mistake

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 3, 2023
Columbia County’s help is still needed with Lake City building inspections. At least for now. City Manager Paul Dyal said a letter sent to county administration about terminating the interlocal agreement for building official services was “inadvertently” sent due to “miscommunication” on his part.
Rocky Ford, the Columbia County Commission chairman, said a workshop was needed quickly to help meet the timeline for concerns to be filed on the proposed flood maps. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Rocky Ford, the Columbia County Commission chairman, said a workshop was needed quickly to help meet the timeline for concerns to be filed on the proposed flood maps. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Flood map changes spurs county workshop

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 3, 2023
Concerns over new FEMA flood risk maps have come pouring out of Columbia County commissioners. Those concerns have also led to the county scheduling a workshop for 1 p.m. Monday at the Columbia County School Board Administrative Complex Auditorium, 372 W. Duval St.
John Medina, president and CEO of First Federal Bank, cuts the ribbon on a Little Free Library at the Kiwanis Children’s Park adjacent to the bank’s headquarters on W. U.S. Highway 90 during a ceremony Thursday morning. Also pictured is Stephanie Esposito, the bank’s corporate marketing manager. (COURTESY)

John Medina, president and CEO of First Federal Bank, cuts the ribbon on a Little Free Library at the Kiwanis Children’s Park adjacent to the bank’s headquarters on W. U.S. Highway 90 during a ceremony Thursday morning. Also pictured is Stephanie Esposito, the bank’s corporate marketing manager. (COURTESY)

First Federal unveils Little Library

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 3, 2023
To celebrate Read Across America Day, First Federal Bank made an investment in the future of Columbia County.
Trey Hosford (from left) Columbia High School principal, stands with Doug Peeler, Scott Stewart, Tray Tolliver and Jill Hunter, after Stewart donated a table he made to the school on Thursday afternoon. (COURTESY)

Trey Hosford (from left) Columbia High School principal, stands with Doug Peeler, Scott Stewart, Tray Tolliver and Jill Hunter, after Stewart donated a table he made to the school on Thursday afternoon. (COURTESY)

Tabling discussions: Stewart donates handmade table to Columbia High

TONY BRITT
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Columbia High School teachers have a new addition to their teachers’ lounge thanks to a generous local businessman who has a knack for making tables and finds fun in his hobby.
Columbia County Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth was the lone dissension in Thursday’s vote on moving forward with wastewater treatment plant. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth was the lone dissension in Thursday’s vote on moving forward with wastewater treatment plant. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Second NFMIP sewer option flushed away

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Columbia County is moving forward as planned with a wastewater treatment plant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park.

Alliance standing up to violence

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Tired of hearing gunshots ringing out across Lake City, a group of concerned pastors and supporters are looking for change. The Gateway Ministerial Alliance is looking to stop the gun violence by hosting a “Stand Up for Our Community” gathering and conversation Sunday.

Lake City man arrested for gun in waistband

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Greeting a law enforcement officer at the door with a gun in his waistband landed a Lake City man behind bars. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers answered a call around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at a business on N. Marion Ave.
Leah Marlene, a top-3 finalist on American Idol last spring, will be the headlining performer Saturday at FGC’s 75th Anniversary Art and Music Festival. (COURTESY)

Leah Marlene, a top-3 finalist on American Idol last spring, will be the headlining performer Saturday at FGC’s 75th Anniversary Art and Music Festival. (COURTESY)

FGC tunes in music festival

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
A national singing sensation is bringing her talents to Florida Gateway College for the school’s anniversary bash.