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The 44th annual Olustee Festival is set to kick off Feb. 17 at Wilson Park. Food trucks, craft vendors and live entertainment are slated throughout the weekend. (FILE)

The 44th annual Olustee Festival is set to kick off Feb. 17 at Wilson Park. Food trucks, craft vendors and live entertainment are slated throughout the weekend. (FILE)

44th annual Olustee Festival set to return, feature new attractions

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 10, 2023
A free Friday night concert, arts and craft vendors, unique foods, 5K and fun run as well as a car show are all featured attractions as Columbia County’s largest and oldest annual festival — the Olustee Festival, makes its annual return. The 44th annual Olustee Festival will take place Feb.
Law enforcement vehicles line the road into Columbia High School on Thursday morning after a call of an armed person on campus. The armed person turned out to be a JROTC cadet bringing back a non-functioning training rifle. (RAY CARPENTER/Special to the Reporter)

Law enforcement vehicles line the road into Columbia High School on Thursday morning after a call of an armed person on campus. The armed person turned out to be a JROTC cadet bringing back a non-functioning training rifle. (RAY CARPENTER/Special to the Reporter)

False alarm leading to protocol change with JROTC drill rifles

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, February 9, 2023
A lockdown at Columbia High School on Thursday morning is leading to an immediate policy change in the Columbia County School District.
Retired Circuit Judge Paul Bryan (right) remembered Judge John Peach as ‘a fine gentleman’ after Peach’s death Wednesday. (COURTESY)

Retired Circuit Judge Paul Bryan (right) remembered Judge John Peach as ‘a fine gentleman’ after Peach’s death Wednesday. (COURTESY)

Judge Peach recalled as ‘Southern gentleman’

TONY BRITT
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Touted as a Southern gentleman with high ethical standards and even higher levels of compassion, retired Third Circuit Judge John Peach died Wednesday. Peach died in Gainesville at the age of 84. Funeral services will be held Sunday at the First Baptist Church in Jasper.
The Suwannee River Chapter of Ducks Unlimited set up raffle prizes ahead of Friday's annual banquet. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

The Suwannee River Chapter of Ducks Unlimited set up raffle prizes ahead of Friday's annual banquet. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Ducks Unlimited chapter taking flight — again

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Duck calls, hunting gear, and a whole lot of prime rib are on the menu tonight. The Suwannee River Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is slated to host its annual banquet at the Lake City National Guard Armory tonight at 6 p.m.
The Matsiko World Orphan Choir will be performing a free concert in Lake City Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church. (COURTESY)

The Matsiko World Orphan Choir will be performing a free concert in Lake City Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church. (COURTESY)

Trinity, New Hope UMC hosting orphan choir

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, February 9, 2023
The Matsiko World Orphan Choir will be performing a free concert in Lake City next week. The concert, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Trinity United Methodist Church, located at 248 Martin Luther King St. in Lake City, is hosted by Trinity and New Hope UMC, where Rev. Dr.

Sexual offender arrested for train play offer

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
FORT WHITE — Asking a child to come to his Fort White residence to play with trains has a registered sex offender facing new charges. Ronald Arnold, 86, was arrested Wednesday for attempted luring and enticing a child younger than 12.
Ted Vigil will perform in a John Denver Tribute concert at the Levy Performing Arts Center on Sunday. (COURTESY)

Ted Vigil will perform in a John Denver Tribute concert at the Levy Performing Arts Center on Sunday. (COURTESY)

Ted Vigil bringing John Denver to Levy Center

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
The music of John Denver will fill the Levy Performing Arts Center on the Florida Gateway College campus this weekend. As part of the Community Concerts series, Ted Vigil will be presenting a John Denver Tribute concert Sunday at 2 p.m.