Local

Exectuvie Director of the Blue-Grey Army Faye Warren said that while a parade and skirmish are off the table in Lake City, the Olustee Historic State Park in Baker County will still host a re-enactment. (FILE)

Exectuvie Director of the Blue-Grey Army Faye Warren said that while a parade and skirmish are off the table in Lake City, the Olustee Historic State Park in Baker County will still host a re-enactment. (FILE)

New-look Olustee: Parade, skirmish, cemetery service not planned for this year

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
The grounds surrounding Wilson Park will come alive with activity in the next few days as a portion of Lake City’s downtown area plays host to the 43rd annual Olustee Festival.
Tomi Brown, Columbia County’s supervisor of elections, looks over construction work for the addition of a 35-foot window that will allow voters to see into the canvassing room. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Tomi Brown, Columbia County’s supervisor of elections, looks over construction work for the addition of a 35-foot window that will allow voters to see into the canvassing room. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Elections office gets makeover

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
With the 2022 election season quickly approaching, the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office is get ready with a new look.
LaKesia Hendon shows off a poster of MiKhiya Hendon in her hospital room at Shands. (COURTESY)

LaKesia Hendon shows off a poster of MiKhiya Hendon in her hospital room at Shands. (COURTESY)

Bone marrow transplant recipient to get community party in her honor

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Over a year ago, MiKhiya Hendon received an escort usually reserved for big-time sports teams and rock stars. She was part of a convoy led by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office that took MiKhiya from UF Health Shands Hospital to her home north of Lake City. She spent nearly two months — from Nov.

Homeless man caught prowling with large knife

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Finding a knife along the road northwest of Lake City, a recently homeless man started carrying it through yards during the overnight hours Tuesday morning. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to NW Yates Loop around 4:45 a.m.
Keith Couey, Dana Brady-Giddens, Narrie Smith, Stephanie Johns, Keith Hudson and Lex Carswell break ground Tuesday afternoon at the site of Fort White High School’s new auditorium building. (COURTESY)

Keith Couey, Dana Brady-Giddens, Narrie Smith, Stephanie Johns, Keith Hudson and Lex Carswell break ground Tuesday afternoon at the site of Fort White High School’s new auditorium building. (COURTESY)

Breaking ground: School officials hold ceremony for FWHS auditorium

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
FORT WHITE — A groundbreaking ceremony, more than 20 years in the making, was the latest step that solidifies Fort White High School’s importance as a community hub for the small south Columbia County town of about 500 people.
Dr. Barney McRae was remembered as having impacted many lives in his 92 years. (COURTESY)

Dr. Barney McRae was remembered as having impacted many lives in his 92 years. (COURTESY)

McRae, 92, was like ‘no person on earth’

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Dr. Barney E. McRae’s list of accomplishments reads like a who’s who of Columbia County legends rolled into one man. He was a member and chairman of the Board at Lake City Community College, now Florida Gateway College.
Stephanie Johns (middle) speaks as Superintendent Lex Carswell and Chairperson Narragansett Smith watch during Tuesday’s school board meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Stephanie Johns (middle) speaks as Superintendent Lex Carswell and Chairperson Narragansett Smith watch during Tuesday’s school board meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Johns not seeking re-election

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
FORT WHITE — The Columbia County School Board will feature another new face by the end of the year.
Larry Bussey speaks during Tuesday’s community meeting at Lake City Hall. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Larry Bussey speaks during Tuesday’s community meeting at Lake City Hall. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

FWC casting lines for support

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
When he sits on his deck, George Hudson has a beautiful and unobstructed view of Lake Montgomery. What Hudson doesn’t want to see again is his deck full of trash.

Manhunt called off; suspect not captured

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
A manhunt for a suspect in western Columbia County was called off late Tuesday night without success. The suspect fled on foot from a Florida Highway Patrol trooper conducting a traffic stop around 7 p.m. on County Road 252 near SW Birley Avenue, leading to the search.
Thomas Thomas answers a question from the Lake City Council during an interview for the city manager position on Jan. 19. (FILE)

Thomas Thomas answers a question from the Lake City Council during an interview for the city manager position on Jan. 19. (FILE)

City back to square one in manager search

TONY BRITT
Monday, February 7, 2022
Disappointed, the Lake City Council is beginning its city manager search anew. But the councilors still have confidence in Renee Narloch and Associates to find the right person for the job.