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Fort White High School senior Khambrell White (left) is presented a certificate of appreciation by Columbia Schools Superintendent Lex Carswell (middle) and Columbia School Board Chair Narrie Smith on Monday for his actions in helping reunite a dementia patient with her family. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Heroic act honored: FWHS senior White helped reunite dementia patient with family

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

FORT WHITE — Khambrell White started off his Monday morning two weeks ago as any other school day would go. The Fort White High senior walked out to his driveway and made his way down to the bus stop to catch a ride over to school. One thing stood out as different to White, however.

Another hoax called in for CHS

JAMIE WACHTER

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

The Columbia County School District’s school safety protocols got another test run Tuesday. For the third time this year, first responders converged on Columbia High School on Tuesday afternoon responding to a call of a threat on the campus.

Coppock on leave amid county inquiry

JAMIE WACHTER

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Columbia County’s recreation director has some unexpected time off. Mario Coppock has been placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the results of a county investigation into allegations of misappropriated funds.

FGC eyes ‘Fun in the Park’

NEWS STAFF

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Florida Gateway College’s 75th anniversary celebration is set to continue this Saturday with a family fun day. FGC’s Fun in the Park celebration is set for Saturday at Olustee Park in downtown Lake City. The event is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. through noon and is free for all to attend.

FGC eyes ‘Fun in the Park’

NEWS STAFF

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Florida Gateway College’s 75th anniversary celebration is set to continue this Saturday with a family fun day. FGC’s Fun in the Park celebration is set for Saturday at Olustee Park in downtown Lake City. The event is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. through noon and is free for all to attend.

Cops arrest homeless man for battery with block

NEWS STAFF

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

A homeless man was arrested Sunday after beating another homeless individual over the head with a wooden block. According to a Lake City Police Department report, officers responded to the car wash on SW Real Terrace near the intersection with State Road 247 around 2:30 p.m.

CHS cleared after false 'active shooter' call

NEWS STAFF

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Columbia High School was placed on lockdown Tuesday afternoon due to a reported “active shooter.” According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the report was false. The CCSO said the call was similar to those in the spring of a bomb threat at the school.

Columbia Schools Superintendent Lex Carswell (from left), Ricky Jernigan Jr. and CCS Assistant Superintendent Todd Widergren give a tomahawk chop at Jernigan’s house after Jernigan received a letter and gifts from Florida State University football coach Mike Norvell. (COURTESY)

Chopping away at recovery: Jernigan receives well wishes from FSU coach Norvell after crash

TONY BRITT

Monday, October 10, 2022

Ricky Jernigan Jr.’s road to recovery from the physical and mental scars from a fatal car crash received an unexpected lift last week. Jernigan, a Columbia County School District employee, was involved in a car crash on Aug.

Murder trial ends with guilty verdict

TONY BRITT

Monday, October 10, 2022

A Columbia County jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts Friday afternoon against Dashan R. Lewis, who was facing first-degree murder and another felony charge in connection with a 2019 shooting death.

North Florida Rural aiding storm relief

NEWS STAFF

Monday, October 10, 2022

Lake City and Columbia County officials are looking to join the relief effort for Hurricane Ian victims. North Florida Rural, a joint county and city relief project for Hurricane Ian victims, is scheduled to begin today where people can donate a variety of items to a single collection point.