Local

Columbia County Commissioner Tim Murphy said the county “cannot afford” to start a full recreation department during a workshop on the matter Thursday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Tim Murphy said the county “cannot afford” to start a full recreation department during a workshop on the matter Thursday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

BOCC wants close eye on rec league funds

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 21, 2023
A complete revamp of recreation in Columbia County isn’t imminent after all.
The Columbia County Commission approved land use changes near the Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 41 interchange Tuesday. (COURTESY)

The Columbia County Commission approved land use changes near the Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 41 interchange Tuesday. (COURTESY)

County approves land use changes near U.S. 41, I-10 interchange

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Columbia County officials are looking to make changes in the county’s Comprehensive Plan that could create more economic development opportunities by expanding the Designated Urban Development Area near the Interstate-10 interchanges.
Rotary District Governor Dan Sulger of Navarre speaks to the Rotary Club of Lake City on Thursday at Darby Pavilion prior to a special event dedication. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Rotary District Governor Dan Sulger of Navarre speaks to the Rotary Club of Lake City on Thursday at Darby Pavilion prior to a special event dedication. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Rotary District Governor visits

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Rotary District Governor Dan Sulger of Navarre visited the Rotary Club of Lake City Thursday and offered his district speech “Rotary is You!,” an encouraging message of interaction for Rotarians in Lake City. Rotarians gathered with Sulger after the meeting for a special event dedication.
TDC Chair Tim Murphy said the process of hiring a new executive director for the council could take months. (COURTESY)

TDC Chair Tim Murphy said the process of hiring a new executive director for the council could take months. (COURTESY)

Who is next to lead the TDC?

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
The Columbia County Tourist Development Council has a missing piece to fill back in. How and when the TDC does that is still up in the air. Former TDC Executive Director Paula Vann’s last day as the TDC’s executive director was Tuesday.
Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler discusses combined dispatch at Tuesday’s joint city-county meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler discusses combined dispatch at Tuesday’s joint city-county meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Joint dispatch close to reality

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Close to a decade’s worth of potential partnerships, technological advances and behind-the-scenes work could reach a pinnacle in the a few weeks when city and county dispatchers both share space and working duties in a combined communications center.
Mark Nelson (from left) and Bill Cooper wait in line as Tina Scavetta collects different canned foods while preparing food bags that will be given to local residents. Cooper, Nelson and Scavetta are volunteers supporting the North Central Florida Young Marines food distributions in Fort White. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Mark Nelson (from left) and Bill Cooper wait in line as Tina Scavetta collects different canned foods while preparing food bags that will be given to local residents. Cooper, Nelson and Scavetta are volunteers supporting the North Central Florida Young Marines food distributions in Fort White. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Young Marines, volunteers give back with food

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
FORT WHITE — Three lines of vehicles occupied space in front of the Fort White Community Center Tuesday afternoon as volunteers unpacked and bagged boxes of fruit, soup, produce and other food items.

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive returns

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Postal workers are hoping to pick up more than letters and packages next month. The National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct its 31st annual national food drive — the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive — on Saturday, May 13.
Fort White Middle School’s Cyler Robinson (center) receives his first-place recognition at the State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida in Lakeland on April 4-6. (COURTESY)

Fort White Middle School’s Cyler Robinson (center) receives his first-place recognition at the State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida in Lakeland on April 4-6. (COURTESY)

Fort White’s Robinson wins State Science Fair

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
A Fort White Middle School student is now a State Science Fair champion.
Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter (standing) addresses the joint city-county meeting on Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter (standing) addresses the joint city-county meeting on Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County accepts RCC deed

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Recreation in Columbia County may undergo a revamp.

Lake City felon indicted for drugs, firearms

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
A Lake City man was indicted last week on federal narcotics and firearms charges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced Tuesday that Kristofferson Farmer Jr., a 22-year-old, was indicted Feb. 12 with possessing with the intent to distribute alpha-PVP and fentanyl.