Local

Bryan Govantes (far left), a Columbia County Fire Rescue firefighter, shows Columbia City Elementary School second grade students the equipment that firefighters use during a Fire Prevention Week presentation on Thursday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bryan Govantes (far left), a Columbia County Fire Rescue firefighter, shows Columbia City Elementary School second grade students the equipment that firefighters use during a Fire Prevention Week presentation on Thursday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Firefighters douse students’ questions on fire safety

TONY BRITT
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Three Columbia County Fire Rescue units were parked behind Columbia City Elementary School on Friday morning and the three firefighters had their work cut out for them. The firefighters weren’t fighting a blaze or attempting to cut an injured person out of a crashed vehicle.
The Empanada Box will be the first food truck taking part in the City of Lake City’s ‘Food Truck Wednesday.’ (COURTESY)

The Empanada Box will be the first food truck taking part in the City of Lake City’s ‘Food Truck Wednesday.’ (COURTESY)

‘Food Truck Wednesday’ serving up downtown meals

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Local foodies will have at least one more lunch option open to them nearly every week in November. The City of Lake City will be hosting a different food truck every Wednesday in November as part of its Food Truck Wednesday campaign. The only exception will be Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving.

LCPD hosting Drug Take Back event

TONY BRITT
Thursday, October 27, 2022
When it comes to proper disposal, outdated prescription drugs are often hazards to households and the environment. A local law enforcement agency is providing area residents an opportunity to rid their homes and medicine cabinets of unwanted old prescription drugs this weekend.

Infant dead, two others seriously injured in wreck

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, October 27, 2022
An infant is dead and two other people suffered serious injuries after a two-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, a 4-month-old boy died after the SUV he was riding in was hit by a different vehicle.
Andrew Mielke sets up panels for the Music Fest ride on Wednesday evening at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. The 68th annual Florida Gateway Fair begins Friday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Andrew Mielke sets up panels for the Music Fest ride on Wednesday evening at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. The 68th annual Florida Gateway Fair begins Friday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

68th annual fair opens Friday

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Going back in time usually isn’t a pleasing concept to most people. However, a trip back in time at the Florida Gateway Fair is promised to lead to a good time. The 68th annual Florida Gateway Fair begins Friday with gates opening at 5 p.m.

Early voting starts Saturday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Voters will have the chance to cast their ballots at the polls in a matter of days. Early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 29, and continue for eight consecutive days through Saturday, Nov. 5. The Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office in Lake City, 971 W. Duval St.
Brandon Ruwe (foreground) is greeted by Sarah Ripple, an Eastside Elementary School third-grade teacher, as he and Andrew Howard, Ryan McDaniel, Kendalynn Coates and Chloe Felton exit a limousine before Tuesday evening’s school board meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Brandon Ruwe (foreground) is greeted by Sarah Ripple, an Eastside Elementary School third-grade teacher, as he and Andrew Howard, Ryan McDaniel, Kendalynn Coates and Chloe Felton exit a limousine before Tuesday evening’s school board meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Red carpet treatment: Students celebrated for perfect test scores

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Who says red carpet events are limited to just Hollywood? A group of six children — current and former Eastside Elementary School students — got to bask in the type of glow befitting a rockstar on Tuesday afternoon.
Peeler (left) and Porter

Peeler (left) and Porter

Candidates offer school safety ideas

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
School safety is the top priority of both Columbia County School Board District 5 candidates. But Hunter Peeler and Elizabeth Porter have different visions for how to make sure students and district employees stay safe moving forward should they be elected during the Nov. 8 general election.
Elizabeth Porter speaks during a rally hosted by the Columbia County Republican Party in July. (FILE)

Elizabeth Porter speaks during a rally hosted by the Columbia County Republican Party in July. (FILE)

Porter: PAC funding could benefit district

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
As part of her day job, Elizabeth Porter talks with colleges, universities and organizations and foundations dealing with education. It comes with the territory as the outreach specialist for Florida Virtual School.

Mail-in ballots delayed in Columbia County

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
A delay in shipping vote-by-mail ballots is affecting some Columbia County voters. Several hundred vote-by-mail ballots have been delayed in reaching voters, according to the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office. “If you have requested a vote-by-mail ballot prior to Oct.