Local

Rocky Ford, the chairman of the Columbia County Tourist Development Council, sits in front of the county’s new tourism logo, which includes the brand of ‘Lake City, Florida’s Springlands.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Rocky Ford, the chairman of the Columbia County Tourist Development Council, sits in front of the county’s new tourism logo, which includes the brand of ‘Lake City, Florida’s Springlands.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

TDC unveils ‘funky’ new tourism logo, brand

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Columbia County has a new look for prospective visitors. One that the county’s tourism head describes as “a little bit cool, a little bit funky.

Two injured during busy night for LCPD

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
A pair of violent events Tuesday had Lake City Police Department officers working double duty. Officers responded to a call around 10:54 p.m. Tuesday detailing a stabbing that took place along SE Church Avenue, according to an LCPD release.
Linda Howell’s photography shard glass artwork technique is shown on a piece called ‘Mud Flats: The Heart of Cedar Key.’ (COURTESY)

Linda Howell’s photography shard glass artwork technique is shown on a piece called ‘Mud Flats: The Heart of Cedar Key.’ (COURTESY)

Howell to be June’s featured artist at Gateway Art Gallery

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
The Gateway Art Gallery is set to promote a new artist next week. Linda Howell, a native Floridian and graduate of the University of Florida, will be the gallery’s Featured Artist beginning Friday with a public reception from 5-7 p.m. The gathering will be free for the public to join.
A crowd enjoys Ichetucknee Springs State Park on Monday as thousands visited the park during the Memorial Day weekend. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A crowd enjoys Ichetucknee Springs State Park on Monday as thousands visited the park during the Memorial Day weekend. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Springs attract thousands over Memorial Day weekend

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Tubers, kayakers, swimmers, canoers and other visitors enjoyed the beauty and uniqueness of the Ichetucknee River over the Memorial Holiday weekend, signaling the unofficial beginning of summer as well as the start of tubing season.
Jo Ann Bailey (second from right) hugs FGC Library Director Christine Boatright alongside Bailey’s daughter Jana Robinson (left) and Bailey’s grandchildren, Hannah and Hailey Robinson. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Jo Ann Bailey (second from right) hugs FGC Library Director Christine Boatright alongside Bailey’s daughter Jana Robinson (left) and Bailey’s grandchildren, Hannah and Hailey Robinson. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Longtime FGC library employee calls it a career

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
After nearly half a century of helping students, serving as a sort of unofficial college historian, and perhaps being a little louder than usual in a library setting, one of Florida Gateway College’s longest-tenured employees is ready to call it a career.
Alicia Blackford (from left) and Laurie Renegar carry meals to a minivan at Five Points Elementary School last summer. (FILE)

Alicia Blackford (from left) and Laurie Renegar carry meals to a minivan at Five Points Elementary School last summer. (FILE)

CCS summer frozen meal boxes put on ice

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Families relying on weekly meal boxes to feed their children over the summer will have to look elsewhere this year: such as school sites themselves.

Cops: Mental health crisis led to Walmart threat

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
A pair of early morning trips to Walmart ended in another trip for one would-be shopper Tuesday. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers responded to Walmart just after 6 a.m. Tuesday when employees reported a person was making threats of “shooting up the place.
The Stumble Creek Band performs during the 70th annual Florida Folk Festival at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park over the weekend. (ROB WOLFE/Special to the Reporter)

The Stumble Creek Band performs during the 70th annual Florida Folk Festival at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park over the weekend. (ROB WOLFE/Special to the Reporter)

7,500 attend 70th annual Folk Festival

TONY BRITT
Monday, May 30, 2022
WHITE SPRINGS — For the past two years, on the final weekend of May, the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park was missing the echoes of people laughing, giving ovations to musicians and eating a variety of Florida foods.