Local

Hill appointed to school board seat

NEWS STAFF
Friday, July 29, 2022
The Columbia County School Board is full once again. Cherie Hill was appointed to the vacant District 3 seat on the school board by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday. With the appointment, Hill will finish out Steve Nelson’s term.

LCPD: House shot 17 times

NEWS STAFF
Friday, July 29, 2022
Another day, another shooting incident, this time near the Annie Mattox Recreation Center. The Lake City Police Department received a call around 1 a.m. Friday in reference to reports of gunfire along NE Fairview Street, according to an LCPD release.
County Commissioner Rocky Ford speaks to the hundreds that attended Thursday’s Columbia County Republican Party rally at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds banquet hall. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County Commissioner Rocky Ford speaks to the hundreds that attended Thursday’s Columbia County Republican Party rally at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds banquet hall. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Local, federal candidates state their case at GOP event

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Cakes, chicken perlau and political speeches filled the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds banquet hall air Thursday evening.

Elections office ready for upcoming primary

TONY BRITT
Thursday, July 28, 2022
The Columbia County Supervisor of Elections office has been busy. And early voting for the primary election is still more than one week away. First, there were renovations to the building to meet new requirements. Then there was redistricting.
Hope Jernigan, an assistant superintendent with Columbia County Schools, presents the district’s strategic plan for 2023-2028 to school board members Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Hope Jernigan, an assistant superintendent with Columbia County Schools, presents the district’s strategic plan for 2023-2028 to school board members Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CCS plans for its future

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
The Columbia County School District is getting a head start on planning for its future. During Tuesday night’s school board meeting, Hope Jernigan, an assistant superintendent for Columbia County Schools, presented an overview draft for the school district’s 5-year strategic plan for 2023-2028.

Fairgrounds hosting GOP rally tonight

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
The final campaign rally for the August primary is here. The Columbia County Republican Party’s final campaign rally will start at 6 p.m.  at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. A free chicken perlau dinner, courtesy of the party, will be served at 6 p.m.
Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler (left) promoted five officers in a ceremony Tuesday. Those promoted include (from left) Cpl. Gary Borchardt, Sgt. Michael Del Castillo, Cpl. Tim Parisi, Cpl. Brandon Rose and Cpl. LaQuinta Lovick-Plemmons. Also pictured are Assistant Chief Andy Miles (Second from right) and Lt. Garrett Register (right). (COURTESY)

Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler (left) promoted five officers in a ceremony Tuesday. Those promoted include (from left) Cpl. Gary Borchardt, Sgt. Michael Del Castillo, Cpl. Tim Parisi, Cpl. Brandon Rose and Cpl. LaQuinta Lovick-Plemmons. Also pictured are Assistant Chief Andy Miles (Second from right) and Lt. Garrett Register (right). (COURTESY)

LCPD promotes five officers

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Five Lake City police officers now have new ranks. Chief Gerald Butler promoted a new patrol sergeant and four patrol corporals during a ceremony Tuesday. Honored in the ceremony were Sgt. Michael Del Castillo, Cpl. Gary Borchardt, Cpl. LaQuinta Lovick-Plemmons, Cpl. Timothy Parisi and Cpl.

FGC enrollment back to pre-covid levels

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
A new building and fewer covid-pandemic related health concerns appear to be a few contributing factors to Florida Gateway College returning to pre-pandemic levels. According to information from FGC Wednesday afternoon, enrollment is up for the Summer and Fall terms.