Local

Lake Montgomery is slated to host a cleanup event on Saturday, June 18, starting at 9 p.m. Local residents around the lake have sometimes complained about the trash in the area at Lake City council meetings. (FILE)

Lake Montgomery is slated to host a cleanup event on Saturday, June 18, starting at 9 p.m. Local residents around the lake have sometimes complained about the trash in the area at Lake City council meetings. (FILE)

Boy Scouts, FWC, TDC partner on Lake Montgomery cleanup

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 10, 2022
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s plan to install a new fishing pier at Lake Montgomery is taking shape in multiple forms — including a cleanup day at the lake, as well as a potential deal with the city in the coming weeks.
An artist’s rendering of the new Lake City Hall. Interim City Manager Paul Dyal said he plans to pitch a new city headquarters during the city council’s budget workshop on Monday. (COURTESY)

An artist’s rendering of the new Lake City Hall. Interim City Manager Paul Dyal said he plans to pitch a new city headquarters during the city council’s budget workshop on Monday. (COURTESY)

New city hall back in play

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 10, 2022
Is the construction of a new city hall building a realistic and viable option for the City of Lake City? Paul Dyal, interim city manager, not only thinks the idea is viable, but plans to introduce the concept to the Lake City Council during the city’s first budget workshop Monday evening.
Citrus County Clerk Angela Vick presents Clerk Jay Swisher with his certification as a Florida Clerk and Comptroller. (COURTESY)

Citrus County Clerk Angela Vick presents Clerk Jay Swisher with his certification as a Florida Clerk and Comptroller. (COURTESY)

Swisher gains certified clerk designation

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 10, 2022
Jay Swisher is now a certified Florida Clerk and Comptroller. During the Florida Court Clerks & Comptroller’s summer conference, the organization recognized Swisher for completing the New Clerk Academy as a member of the Class of 2020 to earn the designation of a certified clerk.

LSHA to get one more offer for campus

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 10, 2022
Already considering a pair of proposals for its property, the Lake Shore Hospital Authority will have one more to listen to. The LSHA is scheduled to hold a special meeting on Monday, June 13, immediately following its regular meeting. That meeting begins at 5:15 p.m.
Legislative aide Staz Guntek will take on a new role as Columbia County’s project development manager. (COURTESY)

Legislative aide Staz Guntek will take on a new role as Columbia County’s project development manager. (COURTESY)

Guntek joins county’s economic development team

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 10, 2022
The newest member to the Columbia County economic development team is no stranger to Columbia County. Staz Guntek, formerly the legislative aide for State Rep. Chuck Brannan, joined the county on June 1 as its project development manager in the economic development office.
Macy Sirard (from left), Sadie Breeden, Rylee Lupton and Amira Estrada work on building a tower using K’NEX parts on Thursday morning while attending the STEAM summer program at Summers Elementary School. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Macy Sirard (from left), Sadie Breeden, Rylee Lupton and Amira Estrada work on building a tower using K’NEX parts on Thursday morning while attending the STEAM summer program at Summers Elementary School. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Building sciences: Summers Elementary hosts students for STEAM workshops

TONY BRITT
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Whether it was constructing towers with K’NEX pieces, exercising, racing robotic cars are learning about the polarity of electricity, there was lots of fun activities taking place at Summers Elementary School Thursday morning in the pursuit of education.
The fashion show at Richardson Community Center set for this Saturday will feature a pair of DJs as well as fashions from around the region and the world. (FILE)

The fashion show at Richardson Community Center set for this Saturday will feature a pair of DJs as well as fashions from around the region and the world. (FILE)

Fashion show, ‘Pop Up Shop’ coming to RCC

TONY BRITT
Thursday, June 9, 2022
The Richardson Community Center will be brimming with activity this weekend as a pair of small business and fashion-related events showcase local entrepreneurs. The Summer Extravaganza Pop Up Shop and Fashion Show will take place Saturday at the Richardson Community Center.
Fort White High School FFA advisor and agri-science teacher Jill Huesman is retiring after two-plus decades of leading the program at Fort White. Her impact is sown in the hundreds of trophies and plaques that adorn the walls in her classroom. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White High School FFA advisor and agri-science teacher Jill Huesman is retiring after two-plus decades of leading the program at Fort White. Her impact is sown in the hundreds of trophies and plaques that adorn the walls in her classroom. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Huesman retires after restarting, leading FWHS FFA program

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
FORT WHITE — Growing up on a farm in Marion County, surrounded by cattle for nearly as far as the eye could see, it’s no wonder that Jill Huesman would seek a career in the agriculture.
Kidnapping suspect James Bell Jr. was apprehended Wednesday afternoon following an hours-long search in northwestern Lake City. (COURTESY)

Kidnapping suspect James Bell Jr. was apprehended Wednesday afternoon following an hours-long search in northwestern Lake City. (COURTESY)

Manhunt turns up kidnapping suspect

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
For hours, authorities combed through northwest Lake City on Wednesday for a kidnapping suspect. Shortly after calling off the perimeter search near NE Annie Mattox Street and NE Gurley Avenue on Wednesday afternoon, Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies had their man: 36-year-old James Bell Jr.