Local

The Columbia County Commission committed $75,000 to a new fishing pier at Lake Montgomery. (FILE)

The Columbia County Commission committed $75,000 to a new fishing pier at Lake Montgomery. (FILE)

Lake Montgomery pier reels in $75K from county

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 17, 2022
Columbia County is on the hook for a $75,000 financial commitment toward the installation of a new pier at Lake Montgomery.
The North Florida Mega Industrial Mega Park lost its first tenant when Project Wave backed out of negotiations with Weyerhaeuser, the land owner. (FILE)

The North Florida Mega Industrial Mega Park lost its first tenant when Project Wave backed out of negotiations with Weyerhaeuser, the land owner. (FILE)

Project Wave moves away

TONY BRITT
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Project Wave, the economic development project that was slated to open the North Florida Mega Industrial Park, has waved goodbye to Columbia County.

Nursing home hit for federal violations

TONY BRITT
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Violating federal wage laws cost a Lake City assisted living facility nearly $9,000. Following a U.S. Department of Labor Investigation, $8,931 in back wages were paid to two workers at Willowbrook Assisted Living after the investigation found they were denied overtime wages earned. U.S.
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office K9 Deputy Drago, shown here, was rushed to a veterinary clinic Tuesday afternoon after a heat-related injury. He died later that night. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office K9 Deputy Drago, shown here, was rushed to a veterinary clinic Tuesday afternoon after a heat-related injury. He died later that night. (COURTESY)

Mourning their loss: CCSO K9 Drago dies after brief training exercise

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
A Columbia County Sheriff’s Office K9 officer has died after complications from a heat-related injury. K9 Deputy Drago, a German Shepard mix, was found dead by his handler at home late Tuesday night after being released from veterinary care.
The Mosso-Kan West African Dance and Drum Ensemble will perform as part of the Juneteenth celebration Monday at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY)

The Mosso-Kan West African Dance and Drum Ensemble will perform as part of the Juneteenth celebration Monday at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY)

Juneteenth festivities to celebrate freedom

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
A parade, a community celebration with a bevy of activities and a program featuring a traditional West African dance and drum ensemble with choreography is how this area of North Central Florida has decided to celebrate the Juneteenth national holiday.

Griffeth named new Partnership for Strong Families CEO

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
The community-based care agency for North Florida has a new administrative head. Partnership for Strong Families — which serves 13 counties including Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette and Suwannee — announced Wednesday that Stephen Pennypacker was retiring as the agency’s chief executive officer.
The Quinn and Keith Leibfried STEM building at Florida Gateway College, shown in an artist rendering, will be officially opened during a June 30 ceremony that will also launch the college’s 75th anniversary celebration. (COURTESY)

The Quinn and Keith Leibfried STEM building at Florida Gateway College, shown in an artist rendering, will be officially opened during a June 30 ceremony that will also launch the college’s 75th anniversary celebration. (COURTESY)

FGC kicking off 75th anniversary with opening of STEM building

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Rather than just having a cake to celebrate, Florida Gateway College is going the extra mile and opening a building to commemorate its 75th anniversary. FGC will kick off the college’s 75th anniversary with the grand opening of the Quinn and Keith Leibfried STEM building at 9 a.m. on June 30.
Daniel Scott Mobley robbed a Dollar General near Beachville at gunpoint Tuesday afternoon. (COURTESY)

Daniel Scott Mobley robbed a Dollar General near Beachville at gunpoint Tuesday afternoon. (COURTESY)

Armed robber finds deal at Dollar General

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
FORT WHITE — Looking for a job earlier Tuesday, a Fort White man decided upon a different approach to obtaining some funds: armed robbery. Hours after visiting a Dollar General near Beachville and inquiring about employment, 55-year-old Daniel Scott Mobley Sr.

Hot dog Drago ‘well on way to recovery’

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
A Columbia County Sheriff’s Office K9 officer became one hot dog Tuesday afternoon. During recertification training, K9 Deputy Drago experienced a heat-related injury and was rushed to Addison Animal Hospital on the west side of Lake City.
Steven Hill, a former security guard at Fort White High School, addressed the Columbia County School Board on Tuesday about his resignation. Hill said he was forced to resign because of ‘false allegations, rumors, lies and gossip.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Steven Hill, a former security guard at Fort White High School, addressed the Columbia County School Board on Tuesday about his resignation. Hill said he was forced to resign because of ‘false allegations, rumors, lies and gossip.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

‘Rumors, lies, gossip’ cause FWHS guard’s exit

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
A former Fort White High School security guard is claiming rumor and innuendo is the reason that he has decided to resign from him post at Fort White High School.