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A portion of the natural gas line that was ruptured Monday afternoon, after if its was replaced. The line blew, allowing natural gas to flow unchecked for roughly an hour before crews sealed the lines off to make permanent repairs. (COURTESY/Lake City Fire Department)

A portion of the natural gas line that was ruptured Monday afternoon, after if its was replaced. The line blew, allowing natural gas to flow unchecked for roughly an hour before crews sealed the lines off to make permanent repairs. (COURTESY/Lake City Fire Department)

Gas leak forces shelter order

TONY BRITT
Monday, November 28, 2022
A Lake City neighborhood was barricaded and cordoned off from motorists for about three hours Monday evening as city employees addressed a natural gas leak in the Cypress Landing subdivision.

Saint Leo collecting items for senior citizens

NEWS STAFF
Monday, November 28, 2022
Saint Leo University’s Lake City Education Center is looking for help in providing comfort and joy this holiday season. The center is inviting the public to take part in its “Comfort and Joy: A Holiday Drive” to collect items for Columbia County’s senior citizens.
Brewington

Brewington

CCSO employee dies in UTV crash

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, November 27, 2022
FORT WHITE – A captain with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office died when his utility terrain vehicle (UTV) crashed late Saturday night. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the UTV was headed eastbound on SW Illinois Street in Fort White around 10:30 p.m.

State moves to revoke Hutto’s bond

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, November 25, 2022
A Wellborn manslaughter suspect may soon find himself behind bars. The state has filed a motion to revoke bond on Michael Troy Hutto, the 56-year-old millionaire who lives in Wellborn and is facing a manslaughter charge in the October 2020 shooting death of Lake City teen Grace Duncan.

Child killed in I-10 wreck

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 25, 2022
A small child was killed following an accident on Interstate 10 on Thanksgiving night. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a pair of sedans were headed east on I-10 when one began passing the other around 7:41 p.m.
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.