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Columbia County Public Library Youth Services Librarian Kate Duong shows off the rod and reel, donated by Fish Florida, that children can receive at the June 24 adventure at Alligator Lake Park. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Public Library Youth Services Librarian Kate Duong shows off the rod and reel, donated by Fish Florida, that children can receive at the June 24 adventure at Alligator Lake Park. (COURTESY)

Library casting out lines for summer workshops

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
The high seas are coming inland over the summer. The Columbia County Public Library will host a plethora of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) activities over the next few months, with most coming with a fun nautical theme.
Austin Thomas, a Lake City Fire Department driver/engineer, lays roses on the Columbia County Public Safety Memorial on Tuesday in honor of fallen Columbia County public safety workers. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Austin Thomas, a Lake City Fire Department driver/engineer, lays roses on the Columbia County Public Safety Memorial on Tuesday in honor of fallen Columbia County public safety workers. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Remembering Columbia’s heroes

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Eighteen black picture frames sat on a table in the First Baptist Church sanctuary Tuesday evening  where small LED electronic tea lights gave the frames a distinctive glow. The frames contained pictures of public service workers who died in the line of duty while serving Columbia County residents.

Weapons checks next on council agenda

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
A new layer of security will be added to meetings that are held in Lake City Hall. During Monday night’s Lake City Council meeting, Mayor Stephen Witt announced that the Lake City Police Department will begin conducting weapons screenings for people attending city council meetings.

DJs hosting blood drive

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
DJs from area radio stations are looking to do more than keep the music flowing. On Saturday, at LifeSouth Donor Centers — as well as the bloodmobile — the second DJs Unite for LifeSouth blood drive is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

FGC plans pair of ‘One-Stop Enrollment Days’

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Prospective college students can complete the enrollment process at Florida Gateway College in one day, at least twice this summer. FGC is hosting a pair of “One-Stop Enrollment Days” for the fall semester. The first of the two days is June 16 with the other planned for July 21 at the Wilson S.

Fort White motorcyclist critically hurt in crash

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
HIGH SPRINGS — A Fort White motorcyclist was hospitalized Monday after being ejected from his bike in Alachua County. A 22-year-old Fort White man was driving south on U.S. Hwy. 41 on his 2004 Harley Davidson when he abruptly braked around 5:30 p.m. Monday.
Jonny Frazier walks a pallet of 19 kegs of beer toward a Savannah Distributing truck near the loading ramp at Halpatter Brewing Company on Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Jonny Frazier walks a pallet of 19 kegs of beer toward a Savannah Distributing truck near the loading ramp at Halpatter Brewing Company on Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Halpatter begins shipments of beer into Georgia

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, June 6, 2022
Business is booming at Halpatter Brewing Company. So much so that it can be heard — or drank, really — a state away.

Council fires Narloch from search

TONY BRITT
Monday, June 6, 2022
Maybe the third time was the charm. After months of using Narloch and Associates as the headhunter in charge of finding the next city manager, Lake City Council members unanimously voted in favor of terminating the company’s contract during Monday’s meeting.
Johns & Watkins

Johns & Watkins

Four locals convicted in meth ring

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 3, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — Four local men ensnared in a large methamphetamine drug ring were convicted in federal court Thursday and now face years behind bars. A total of 24 individuals caught during Operation Arrowhead were convicted Thursday in U.S.