Local

Shayne Morgan (right) was honored as the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association’s Chad Reed Emergency Management Professional of the Year in February. (COURTESY)

Shayne Morgan (right) was honored as the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association’s Chad Reed Emergency Management Professional of the Year in February. (COURTESY)

Morgan appointed to state emergency commission

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Shayne Morgan is a man of many hats. The Emergency Management Director for Columbia County oversees critical responses from the county. He also serves as the public address announcer for Fort White High School athletics. Morgan can add another feather in those many caps as of Friday.
Riding high in the saddle, a cowboy masters his form during a saddle bronc ride at the Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo Sunday afternoon. (RAY CARPENTER/Special to the Reporter)

Riding high in the saddle, a cowboy masters his form during a saddle bronc ride at the Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo Sunday afternoon. (RAY CARPENTER/Special to the Reporter)

Rodeo takes flight after Friday cancelation

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 14, 2022
Come rain or shine, it happened eventually.
The Columbia High School Tigerettes took first place in the jazz portion and second in the hip-hop routine over the weekend at a national competition. (COURTESY)

The Columbia High School Tigerettes took first place in the jazz portion and second in the hip-hop routine over the weekend at a national competition. (COURTESY)

Tigerettes win national title

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 14, 2022
The Tigerettes had a long bus ride back home from Tennessee, but it was probably worth the trip. The Columbia High School dancers took home first place in the jazz competition and second in hip-hop over the weekend during the Groove Grand National Dance Competition in Pigeon Forge.

Senior Services selected as beneficiary for fundraiser

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 14, 2022
Those who may choose to buy flowers at Winn-Dixie during the month of April can help a local non-profit in the process. Columbia County Senior Services has been selected as the beneficiary of the Winn-Dixie Bloomin’ 4 Good Program for the month of April.
The Ring Sarasota Handbell Choir will perform music from stage and screen on March 25 at Columbia High School. (COURTESY)

The Ring Sarasota Handbell Choir will perform music from stage and screen on March 25 at Columbia High School. (COURTESY)

Handbell choir set for LC performance

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 14, 2022
The bells toll for thee. The Ring Sarasota Handbell Choir will present a concert 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25, at the Norman Choice Performing Arts Center on the campus of Columbia High School.
A pair of Columbia County Sheriffs make their way down a Lake City Middle School hallway Friday during training exercises. Law enforcement officers received the training to combat active shooters in schools. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A pair of Columbia County Sheriffs make their way down a Lake City Middle School hallway Friday during training exercises. Law enforcement officers received the training to combat active shooters in schools. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Deputies take part in active shooter drills at LCMS

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 11, 2022
More than 20 Columbia County Sheriff’s Office vehicles were parked outside Lake City Middle School Friday as school resource deputies sharpened their skills through a day-long session to deal with active shooter scenarios.
Members and volunteers with Catholic Charities put their hands on a refrigerated food truck bought by the organization in February. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Members and volunteers with Catholic Charities put their hands on a refrigerated food truck bought by the organization in February. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Catholic Charities shows off new refrigerated truck

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 11, 2022
Folks from all local walks of life showed-up at Lake City’s Catholic Charities office excited about the facility’s newest asset in the fight against food insecurity.
Dale Brown (middle) and Terry Hayes get muddy while working on verifying stakes that will be used for timers during the 28th Aannual Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo in the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena on Thursday afternoon. Kylee Brown (left) looks on. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Dale Brown (middle) and Terry Hayes get muddy while working on verifying stakes that will be used for timers during the 28th Aannual Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo in the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena on Thursday afternoon. Kylee Brown (left) looks on. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

28th annual Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo will go on ‘rain or shine’

TONY BRITT
Thursday, March 10, 2022
The thrills and excitement of the Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo has made it a crowd-pleasing event for almost three decades. When the event rolls into town this weekend, it could also be called rainy, windy and chilly.