Local

Charter schools may get piece of tax pie

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
The Florida House on Wednesday passed a measure that would require school districts to share local property-tax revenues with charter schools, with House Speaker Paul Renner praising the bill as putting charters on “equal footing” with traditional public schools.
A home from Mike Todd Construction in the Forest Country neighborhood off State Road 247 will be among the 14 homes on this year’s Parade of Homes. (FILE)

A home from Mike Todd Construction in the Forest Country neighborhood off State Road 247 will be among the 14 homes on this year’s Parade of Homes. (FILE)

Parade of Homes to feature 14 houses

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
North Florida’s premier new home showcase returns in grand fashion this weekend. The 2023 Parade of Homes will have 14 hew homes open for free tours to the public Saturday and Sunday.
Jesse Stalnaker (right) gives out a high-five during the eighth annual Fins and Pins Bowl-a-Thon in 2019. (FILE)

Jesse Stalnaker (right) gives out a high-five during the eighth annual Fins and Pins Bowl-a-Thon in 2019. (FILE)

CCSO serving up fun, funds at Annual Fins and Pins event

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Bowling pins won’t be the only thing Columbia County residents put down this weekend. Come Saturday afternoon, hundreds of local residents will be knocking down bowling pins and snacking on fried fish when the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office hosts its 12th annual Fins and Pins event.
A house from Sage Homes in the Cannon Creek Airpark is one of the 14 homes on this year’s Parade of Homes showcase, which is free to the public Saturday and Sunday. (FILE)

A house from Sage Homes in the Cannon Creek Airpark is one of the 14 homes on this year’s Parade of Homes showcase, which is free to the public Saturday and Sunday. (FILE)

Parade of Homes returns this weekend

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
The premier new home-building event, the 2023 Parade of Homes, will showcase new construction and modern home designs in 14 new homes open to the public on Saturday and Sunday. The event will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, and from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 25.
The Columbia academic team won its second state title last weekend, completing an undefeated state tournament run. (COURTESY)

The Columbia academic team won its second state title last weekend, completing an undefeated state tournament run. (COURTESY)

CHS academic team aces state tournament

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
It was beginning to look a lot like last year. At the Florida High School Athletic Association Division III academic bowl state tournament, Walton High looked to, once again, have the answer to winning a state title.
Past interns at the First Federal Tiger Bank at Columbia High School are pictured during the 15-year anniversary celebration. (COURTESY)

Past interns at the First Federal Tiger Bank at Columbia High School are pictured during the 15-year anniversary celebration. (COURTESY)

First Federal’s Tiger Bank at CHS turns 15

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
First Federal Bank celebrated the 15th anniversary of Tiger Bank, a bank branch located in Columbia High School last week. Tiger Bank launched in the fall of 2008 and is open each school day from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

LCPD collects 45 pounds in Drug Take Back event

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
More than 40 pounds of unused and unwanted prescription drugs were collected Saturday. Participating in the Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, the Lake City Police Department collected 45 pounds of medications.
The Lawson Trio, which includes Aurica Duca, Clinton Dewing and Nick Curry, will perform Saturday in the final concert of the 2022-23 Community Concerts season. (COURTESY)

The Lawson Trio, which includes Aurica Duca, Clinton Dewing and Nick Curry, will perform Saturday in the final concert of the 2022-23 Community Concerts season. (COURTESY)

Community Concert slate concludes with Lawson Trio

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Community Concerts is presenting the Lawson Trio in concert Saturday at Levy Performing Arts Center on the campus of Florida Gateway College. Chamber music aficionados will be treated to a program of string trio works by Bach, Boccherini, and Beethoven during the 7:30 p.m.
Mike Herlong looks out over his property in Fort White, which could become a flood zone according to the preliminary flood risk maps from FEMA. Herlong said the property, which been in his family for 100-plus years, never floods. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Mike Herlong looks out over his property in Fort White, which could become a flood zone according to the preliminary flood risk maps from FEMA. Herlong said the property, which been in his family for 100-plus years, never floods. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FEMA maps cause flood of concern

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 21, 2023
FORT WHITE — For years, Mike Herlong has used his family homestead in southern Columbia County for growing a variety of agricultural crops.