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An artist’s rendering of the Courtyard by Marriott that is under construction along U.S. Highway 90 West in Lake City. Construction is expected to be complete by June 2023. (COURTESY)

An artist’s rendering of the Courtyard by Marriott that is under construction along U.S. Highway 90 West in Lake City. Construction is expected to be complete by June 2023. (COURTESY)

Construction underway on hotel after covid delay

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
It took longer than expected, but Lake City’s newest full-service hotel is on its way. Groundbreaking took place a few weeks ago. Now construction crews are working on the Courtyard by Marriott.
Branford High senior Nathalia Veal has received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy from U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn (left). Pictured with Veal and Dunn are Veal’s parents, Karen and William Veal. (COURTESY)

Branford High senior Nathalia Veal has received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy from U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn (left). Pictured with Veal and Dunn are Veal’s parents, Karen and William Veal. (COURTESY)

Veal shooting for stars with appointment

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
BRANFORD — Nathalia Veal had just descended from the heights of the pole vault when a missed call sent her airborne once more. And she doesn’t plan on coming back down any time soon. During a track meet at Santa Fe High school on March 16, Veal received a message from U.S. Rep.
The state is acquiring 160 acres within the River Rise Preserve State Park in Columbia County to shield it from potential development. (COURTESY)

The state is acquiring 160 acres within the River Rise Preserve State Park in Columbia County to shield it from potential development. (COURTESY)

Cabinet approves land acquisitions

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
In projects ranging from the Florida Keys to the Panhandle, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of land deals to help shield more than 17,000 acres from potential development. The deals include spending $1.
Melrose Park Elementary School student Aylin Alvarez (left) reacts after smearing Assistant Principal Stephen Smithy with a whipped cream pie. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Melrose Park Elementary School student Aylin Alvarez (left) reacts after smearing Assistant Principal Stephen Smithy with a whipped cream pie. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Melrose Park students get payback as reward for reading program

TONY BRITT
Monday, March 28, 2022
Pie wasn’t on the menu at Melrose Park Elementary Monday afternoon. But for two school administrators and the school resource deputy, they got more than their fair share — in their faces, hair and head.
Paul Dyal has resigned as Lake City’s interim manager for casting a ‘negative light’ on the city with recent actions. (FILE)

Paul Dyal has resigned as Lake City’s interim manager for casting a ‘negative light’ on the city with recent actions. (FILE)

Dyal leaves interim post

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, March 28, 2022
The third time wasn’t the charm for the City of Lake City and interim managers. Paul Dyal, the city’s executive director of utilities, resigned as the city’s interim manager Sunday afternoon in a letter to Mayor Stephen Witt and the City Council. Dyal had been in the post since Jan. 1.
Columbia County Fire Rescue employees Cody Bertram (from left), Arness Thomas, Assistant Chief Lance Hill, Collin Redish, Brian King and Chief Jeff Crawford pose in front of the department’s new tanker trunk. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Rescue employees Cody Bertram (from left), Arness Thomas, Assistant Chief Lance Hill, Collin Redish, Brian King and Chief Jeff Crawford pose in front of the department’s new tanker trunk. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CCFR adds tanker to fleet

TONY BRITT
Monday, March 28, 2022
Columbia County Fire Rescue’s newest member joined the service Monday morning. A new tanker truck arrived about a month ago and is finally ready to help douse flames.
Rhys Evans (clockwise from left), Kenzie Dungan, Cayden Hall and Lena Deese, members of the Columbia High School FFA veterinary skills team, work on labeling the body parts of a cow as they prepare for today’s state competition. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Rhys Evans (clockwise from left), Kenzie Dungan, Cayden Hall and Lena Deese, members of the Columbia High School FFA veterinary skills team, work on labeling the body parts of a cow as they prepare for today’s state competition. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CHS FFA preps for state competition in Plant City

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 25, 2022
The last few days of spring break weren’t all fun in the sun for a quartet of Columbia High School FFA students.

Hudson meets his match: term limits

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 25, 2022
It appears that a new law is going to be able to successfully do what no political opponent had done against Keith Hudson in the past 40-plus — unseat him as a Columbia County School board member. On Friday afternoon, Gov.

Suspect arrested after shots fired early Sunday

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 25, 2022
Another night, another shooting. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office arrested Sebastian Elias Ortiz, 18, on Thursday evening following reports of gunshots last Sunday. According to a release, officers responded to the scene of the gunfire around 3:15 a.m. Sunday morning.