Local

Armed former employee refuses to leave, arrested

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
A terminated Lake City hotel employee got to spend a night in jail when he refused to leave the Holiday Inn on Monday. According to a Lake City Police Department release, 26-year-old Zachary Gibson, of White Springs, refused to leave the hotel after he was fired Monday.
Gardine Raymond (from left) inspects the ‘money lei’ worn by her best friend Erika Maceira following Florida Gateway College’s 2023 Spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gardine Raymond (from left) inspects the ‘money lei’ worn by her best friend Erika Maceira following Florida Gateway College’s 2023 Spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lance, Barrett urge FGC grads to shoot for the stars

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 5, 2023
“Good. Golly. Gosh,” were the first words to fall from the lips of Cameo Lance, the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient, as she took the microphone Friday morning during Florida Gateway College’s spring commencement ceremony.
County Attorney Joel Foreman discusses Columbia County’s potential response to Florida PACE Funding Authority’s actions to provide residential PACE loans in the county without approval. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County Attorney Joel Foreman discusses Columbia County’s potential response to Florida PACE Funding Authority’s actions to provide residential PACE loans in the county without approval. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County fighting against ‘crooked’ PACE loans

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 5, 2023
Columbia County is doubling down against residential PACE programs. The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners voted a year ago to not allow the residential component of PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) to be utilized in the county.

CCS honoring top educators again

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 5, 2023
The Columbia County School District’s “Teacher of a Lifetime” wall of honor will double next week. Five of the district’s top educators from the previous 50 years will be honored during a brief presentation at the 6 p.m.
Columbia High School students in the school district’s Career & Technical Education program who received their phlebotomy certification during Friday morning’s gradation at Florida Gateway College were Mary Odum (from left), Ca’Mari Matthews, Zacariah Williams, Skyla Wasden Wasden and Karis Jernigan. Four additional CHS students received their diplomas during the FGC afternoon graduation ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia High School students in the school district’s Career & Technical Education program who received their phlebotomy certification during Friday morning’s gradation at Florida Gateway College were Mary Odum (from left), Ca’Mari Matthews, Zacariah Williams, Skyla Wasden Wasden and Karis Jernigan. Four additional CHS students received their diplomas during the FGC afternoon graduation ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CHS phlebotomy students make history

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 5, 2023
A group of nine Columbia High School students have established new territory for the Columbia County Schools Career & Technical Education Department.

Legislature pushes school start times back

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 5, 2023
Middle- and high-school students in Florida will soon have additional time to be saved by the bell. The Florida Senate gave final approval Thursday, by a 38-2 vote, to pass HB 733, which will prevent middle schools from beginning the “instructional day” earlier than 8 a.m.
Busy Bee is planning to construct a 75,000-square foot location in Columbia County. The Busy Bee Travel Center in Live Oak, pictured, is 20,000 square feet. (FILE)

Busy Bee is planning to construct a 75,000-square foot location in Columbia County. The Busy Bee Travel Center in Live Oak, pictured, is 20,000 square feet. (FILE)

Busy Bee planning super-sized store

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
ELLISVILLE — The newest Busy Bee is sure to create a buzz. The company announced Wednesday plans to begin construction in October on its largest store yet, a 70,000-square foot convenience store at the Ellisville exit off Interstate 75 with 60 gas pumps and six diesel fueling lanes.