Local

Detours returning to U.S. 41 roundabout site

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Traffic will detour away from the roundabout on U.S. Highway 41 North again this week. The Florida Department of Transportation will detour traffic from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily through Friday. Over the weekend, detours will be in place from 7 p.m. Friday though Monday at 6 a.m.

CCSO SUV involved in evening crash

NEWS STAFF
Monday, September 5, 2022
An evening car wreck at a busy Lake City intersection didn’t result in any major injuries, though it did turn some heads. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, the driver of a white pickup truck was waiting at the traffic light at the intersection of U.S.
Po’Boy cools off after his rescue from a tree. (COURTESY)

Po’Boy cools off after his rescue from a tree. (COURTESY)

Signage company frees dog from tree

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 3, 2022
WELLBORN — While he wasn’t up in a limb with Po’Boy, Glenn Allen Burd was stuck. After his dog ended up three stories high in a tree after chasing a cat, the Wellborn man didn’t know where to turn or what to do. He didn’t have a ladder high enough to reach Po’Boy.

Doused fee won’t impact protection

TONY BRITT
Saturday, September 3, 2022
An outdated study and legislative changes meant the cost of Columbia County’s fire service was bound to increase. However, county administration doused the heat proposed in the initial rate during a special meeting Tuesday, offering a smaller increase on county residents.
A group of Florida Gateway College graduates celebrate during the college’s graduation ceremony on May 6. (FILE)

A group of Florida Gateway College graduates celebrate during the college’s graduation ceremony on May 6. (FILE)

FGC named on best colleges in U.S. list

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 3, 2022
Florida Gateway College has found its “nice.” Niche.com recently ranked FGC among the Best Community Colleges in America as well as earning recognition for Best Online Colleges in America. Out of the more than 900 community colleges listed in the country, Niche.com ranked FGC as No. 56.
The Columbia County Tax Collector’s office was honored with a 2022 legacy finance award by the Florida Tax Collector’s Association. The award is earned for outstanding finance operations and clean annual audit reports. La Gina Dow, (left) Columbia County Tax Collector Finance Director, and Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keen (right) accepted the honors from Florida Tax Collector’s Association President Rhonda Skipper during a recent state event. (COURTESY)

The Columbia County Tax Collector’s office was honored with a 2022 legacy finance award by the Florida Tax Collector’s Association. The award is earned for outstanding finance operations and clean annual audit reports. La Gina Dow, (left) Columbia County Tax Collector Finance Director, and Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keen (right) accepted the honors from Florida Tax Collector’s Association President Rhonda Skipper during a recent state event. (COURTESY)

Tax office lauded for financial operations

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 3, 2022
The Columbia County Tax Collector’s office was recognized recently for a clean annual audit plus years of exceptional financial operation. The honors were presented to Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keen during a recent state convention.

Clay rates rising again

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 3, 2022
For a fifth time in a year, Clay Electric Cooperative is raising its rates. Clay announced the rate change this week, citing it had “no choice” due to the natural gas market “still being in a state of crisis.

Dispatcher saves neighbor’s life

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 3, 2022
A 911 dispatcher proved first responders are always on the job when an emergency broke out just over her yard’s fence. According to a Columbia County release, Bethany Duffany, a dispatcher with the Columbia County Combined Communications Center, was at home Monday when, around 10:38 a.m.