Local

$56.5M sought for local projects

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
When the Legislative Session begins next week in Tallahassee, local lawmakers are hoping it leads to dough coming back to their district. Out of the more than 2,300 appropriations project requests filed in the Florida House of Representatives, Rep. Chuck Brannan (R-Macclenny) and Rep.

Arming teachers pulled from agenda

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Discussions about the possibility of arming teachers in Columbia County will wait for another day. The conversation about starting the Guardian Program was pulled from the Columbia County School Board agenda early Tuesday afternoon, hours before the school board meeting.
Merril Tunsil stands with his mother, retired educator Joyce Parnell Tunsil, who was recognized as being 95 years old at the Unsung Heroes program. Her sister Mildred Veronica Parnell Tunsil, (sitting background) was also recognized for being older than 90, as well as her brother Donal Parnell, who was siting at the table, for being 99 years old. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Merril Tunsil stands with his mother, retired educator Joyce Parnell Tunsil, who was recognized as being 95 years old at the Unsung Heroes program. Her sister Mildred Veronica Parnell Tunsil, (sitting background) was also recognized for being older than 90, as well as her brother Donal Parnell, who was siting at the table, for being 99 years old. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

NorthStar honors ‘unsung heroes’

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Local senior citizens who saw, experienced and participated in the Civil Rights movement and the resulting changes were celebrated during a Tuesday luncheon at the Blanche Hotel. The Unsung Black Heroes Nonagenarians and Centenarians Luncheon was hosted by the NorthStar Family Resource Center.
Trina Jeffrie, known as Sister Cantaloupe, will perform her Gospel comedy routine Friday as part of the New Mount Pisgah AME Church anniversary celebration. (COURTESY)

Trina Jeffrie, known as Sister Cantaloupe, will perform her Gospel comedy routine Friday as part of the New Mount Pisgah AME Church anniversary celebration. (COURTESY)

Sister Cantaloupe returning with laughs

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
The gift of gab and gut-busting laughter is coming to Lake City later this week as Trina Jeffrie performs as Sister Cantaloupe. Jeffrie is an internationally renowned comedienne, known professionally as “The Queen of Gospel Comedy,” and she’s making a return visit to the area.
Park (left) and Phillips

Park (left) and Phillips

Clerk helps ex rob convenience store

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
A robbery at a convenience store Saturday night was an inside job, authorities say. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report, a masked man entered the Sun Stop convenience store at Lake City Ave. and U.S. Hwy. 90 West around 6 p.m. Saturday and followed the clerk behind the counter.
Rodney Brown, the first African-American student to attend Lake City Junior College, addresses the audience during the 2023 Florida Gateway College Black History Month program as the keynote speaker. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Rodney Brown, the first African-American student to attend Lake City Junior College, addresses the audience during the 2023 Florida Gateway College Black History Month program as the keynote speaker. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Living history: Brown recounts student days in FGC Black History speech

TONY BRITT
Monday, February 27, 2023
The descendent of a preacher dragged out of church during services on July 4, 1885, in Columbia County and lynched, later went on to become the first African-American student to attend Lake City Junior College.

Woman burned her boyfriend, literally

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 27, 2023
A relationship got a little too hot for one Lake City woman. According to a Lake City Police Department report, Stephanie Ann Britton, 37, was arrested Saturday after police said she set fire to her boyfriend. The report said that around 10:30 p.m.
Sandra Poucher (from left) autographs a copy of her book, ‘Wildlife of Florida’s Springs,’ for Sanafa Sanders on Monday morning in the Fort White High School Media Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sandra Poucher (from left) autographs a copy of her book, ‘Wildlife of Florida’s Springs,’ for Sanafa Sanders on Monday morning in the Fort White High School Media Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Poucher gives advice for Literacy Week

TONY BRITT
Monday, February 27, 2023
FORT WHITE — Last month Fort White students learned about the secrets and exciting life of cave diving when cave divers on the school staff gave presentations for Literacy Week.