Local

Artist Joanna McNally will demonstrate her techniques in the “Keep Simple” landscape painting workshop at the Gateway Art Gallery on April 10. (COURTESY)

Artist Joanna McNally will demonstrate her techniques in the “Keep Simple” landscape painting workshop at the Gateway Art Gallery on April 10. (COURTESY)

McNally set to be April featured artist at Gateway Art Gallery

TONY BRITT
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Traveling around the country has provided Joanna McNally with an opportunity to see and experience small time Americana.

CCS launching half-cent tax oversight panel

TONY BRITT
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Although the 2022-23 school year is winding down, the Columbia County School District is looking for more personnel. The district isn’t looking for additional teachers, though. Rather, the district is seeking individuals to serve on its inaugural Half-Cent Sales Tax Citizen Oversight Committee.
Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keen (right) holds the new University of Georgia license plate while Tracy Nettles, the director of motor services at the tax collector’s office, holds the Ducks Unlimited plate. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keen (right) holds the new University of Georgia license plate while Tracy Nettles, the director of motor services at the tax collector’s office, holds the Ducks Unlimited plate. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Champion ’Dogs get Florida plates

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Coming off consecutive national championships, University of Georgia fans have another place to showcase their spirit in Florida: attached to their vehicles.
Fort White High School winter guard members Jada McNeal (from left), Kaitlyn Johnson, Brody Crews, Abigail Lambert, Stephanie Selman and Jodalis Alicea earned straight superiors at state competition.

Fort White High School winter guard members Jada McNeal (from left), Kaitlyn Johnson, Brody Crews, Abigail Lambert, Stephanie Selman and Jodalis Alicea earned straight superiors at state competition.

Superior spinning: Fort White winter guard impresses at state competition

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
While most area youngsters were relaxing, gaming or finding other ways of enjoying their spring break last week, a group of six Fort White High School students had fun, traveled and achieved their performance goals in indoor color guard competition.

Visit Florida funding may come locally

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Visit Florida has helped lure travelers to Columbia and Suwannee counties. Any future assistance may come on the back of local funding, according to a Florida House subcommittee proposal.
Paula Vann has resigned as Columbia County’s Tourist Development Council executive director. (FILE)

Paula Vann has resigned as Columbia County’s Tourist Development Council executive director. (FILE)

Vann resigns as TDC director

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Columbia County’s top official for luring visitors to town is leaving herself. Paula Vann, the executive director of the county’s Tourist Development Council, has submitted her letter of resignation, effective April 18.
More than 1,000 pairs of shoes were collected during the Greater Lake City Community Development Corporation and Young Women of Excellence’s shoe drive. (COURTESY)

More than 1,000 pairs of shoes were collected during the Greater Lake City Community Development Corporation and Young Women of Excellence’s shoe drive. (COURTESY)

GLCCDC bags up thousands of shoes

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
More than 1,000 folks in need around the state have a new pair of shoes thanks to a pair of local organizations. The Greater Lake City Community Development Corporation, along with Young Women of Excellence, organized a shoe drive starting last October.
Bobby Jones (from left), a flight crew engineer with 10 Tanker and Chris Lanchick, a 10 Tanker maintenance crewman talk to Ed Bunnell on Friday at the Lake City Gateway Airport. The U.S. Forest Service is considering the possibility of posting one of the converted DC-10 aircraft in Lake City for Region 8 coverage. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bobby Jones (from left), a flight crew engineer with 10 Tanker and Chris Lanchick, a 10 Tanker maintenance crewman talk to Ed Bunnell on Friday at the Lake City Gateway Airport. The U.S. Forest Service is considering the possibility of posting one of the converted DC-10 aircraft in Lake City for Region 8 coverage. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

DC-10 aircraft finds temporary home in Lake City

TONY BRITT
Monday, March 27, 2023
The largest tankers utilized by the US Forest Service in wildfire fighting efforts could soon be posted at the Lake City Gateway Airport.

School board looks to cap construction costs

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, March 27, 2023
FORT WHITE — The cost of constructing new classrooms at Fort White Elementary School has gone up. But after the Columbia County School Board meets this evening, that cost will be capped. During the school board’s 6 p.m. meeting at the Columbia County School Board Auditorium, 372 W. Duval St.