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Fort White High School’s Irene ‘Trini’ Johannesen was named the Florida Project Learning Tree Educator of the Year. She received her award from Robert Raze, the steering committee chair, and Elise Cassie, interim coordinator. (COURTESY)

Fort White High School’s Irene ‘Trini’ Johannesen was named the Florida Project Learning Tree Educator of the Year. She received her award from Robert Raze, the steering committee chair, and Elise Cassie, interim coordinator. (COURTESY)

‘PARKnership’ reaps state award for FWHS teacher

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, November 24, 2022
GAINESVILLE — A “PARKnership” she developed more than 20 years ago helped a Fort White High School teacher earn statewide recognition. Irene “Trini” Johannesen was named the Florida Project Learning Tree Educator of the Year earlier this month.
Columbia School Board members Cherie Hill (top left, clockwise), Hunter Peeler and Narrie Smith are sworn into term during Tuesday's school board meeting. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

Columbia School Board members Cherie Hill (top left, clockwise), Hunter Peeler and Narrie Smith are sworn into term during Tuesday's school board meeting. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

School (board)’s in session: Peeler, Hill, Smith sworn in for new terms

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
The two newest members of the Columbia County School Board have their first meeting with a newly formed board officially in the books. Cherie Hill — who was actually sworn into service back in August as an appointee of Gov.
Dr. Shivani Mehta, the director of clinical services at Baya Pharmacy, performs a test on Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Dr. Shivani Mehta, the director of clinical services at Baya Pharmacy, performs a test on Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Baya ‘test’-ing law on treating diseases

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
The covid-19 pandemic brought plenty of changes to the healthcare industry. Seemingly normal and routine doctor’s office visits became rarer for people not suffering from the virus.
FHP

FHP

Pedestrian hit, killed on I-75

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
An Orlando man walking along Interstate 75 was hit and killed Monday evening in Columbia County. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 33-year-old man was walking on the inside shoulder of I-75 south when he entered into the inside lane near mile marker 432 north of the U.S.
Eugene Jefferson was honored Monday for his 24 years on the Lake City Council. Jefferson received a plaque and a framed proclamation from Mayor Stephen Witt for his service at the start of the council’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Eugene Jefferson was honored Monday for his 24 years on the Lake City Council. Jefferson received a plaque and a framed proclamation from Mayor Stephen Witt for his service at the start of the council’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Jefferson recognized for service; Young, Jernigan sworn in

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, November 21, 2022
The Lake City Council is fully staffed once again. When former District 14 councilor Chris Greene resigned in September 2021, the Lake City charter specified a new council member had to be appointed within two months.

Life without parole for Lewis

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, November 21, 2022
Convicted of murder in a 2019 shooting death a month ago, Dashan Lewis now knows his sentence: life in prison. At a sentencing hearing Monday afternoon, Lewis received the mandatory sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole.
Volunteers helped prepare and pass out 600 Thanksgiving baskets as part of Catholic Charities’ distribution effort last week. (COURTESY)

Volunteers helped prepare and pass out 600 Thanksgiving baskets as part of Catholic Charities’ distribution effort last week. (COURTESY)

Groups provide hundreds with meals

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, November 21, 2022
Hundreds of families in and around Columbia County can thank some community organizations for their holiday meals this Thanksgiving. Catholic Charities and Kids Feeding Kids prepared and handed out Thanksgiving baskets in the past week with more than 700 meals provided for this in need.

Brannan sets Columbia hearing for Dec. 5

NEWS STAFF
Monday, November 21, 2022
Columbia County’s legislative delegation will meet early next month. Rep. Chuck Brannan (R-Macclenny), the delegation chairman, announced Monday that the delegation hearing for the county would be held Dec. 5 at Florida Gateway College. The hearing, which is set for 9-11 a.m.
The Rotary Club of Lake City’s annual Christmas parade will ride through downtown Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 10, starting at 6 p.m. (FILE)

The Rotary Club of Lake City’s annual Christmas parade will ride through downtown Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 10, starting at 6 p.m. (FILE)

Rotary looks for ‘really strong’ parade

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, November 19, 2022
In its second year coming back from cancelation due to covid, the Rotary Club of Lake City’s Christmas Parade is set to be as big as ever. The parade is slated to feature loads of floats, with 42 already signed up to participate. Those wishing to enter a float into the parade have until Dec.