Local

Dalton Thomas (from left), Darbie Thomas, Melanie Thomas, Jan Thomas, Darryl Thomas and DJ Thomas, pose for a photograph after Darryl Thomas was named the 2023 Columbia County Teacher of the Year. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Dalton Thomas (from left), Darbie Thomas, Melanie Thomas, Jan Thomas, Darryl Thomas and DJ Thomas, pose for a photograph after Darryl Thomas was named the 2023 Columbia County Teacher of the Year. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Thomas tabbed top teacher

TONY BRITT
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Some people like to lead by example, but not many people would have bet that a teacher with less than seven years experience would be tapped as the county’s teacher of the year with so little teaching experience, but a knack for leading by example.
Narrie Smith (from left), Columbia School Board Chair, stands with Virgil Scippio, custodian supervisor at the school district administration building and Lex Carswell, superintendent of schools after Scippio was recognized as the 2022 Columbia School District School Related Employee of the Year during a Thursday afternoon ceremony at the Blanche Hotel. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Narrie Smith (from left), Columbia School Board Chair, stands with Virgil Scippio, custodian supervisor at the school district administration building and Lex Carswell, superintendent of schools after Scippio was recognized as the 2022 Columbia School District School Related Employee of the Year during a Thursday afternoon ceremony at the Blanche Hotel. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Scippio earns top award as school-related employee

TONY BRITT
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Whether jumping a fence at a school to chase down a scared child, going to work early, serving as an assistant football coach or creating a training program designed to customize the fit between custodians and their schools, Virgil Scippio believes in pouring himself into his job with selflessness...
The intersection of Walter Avenue and SR 47 will soon sport a new turn lane as well as newly laid aspahlt as part of a $1.6 million project. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

The intersection of Walter Avenue and SR 47 will soon sport a new turn lane as well as newly laid aspahlt as part of a $1.6 million project. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Turn lanes being added to SR 47

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, February 3, 2022
A pair of turn lanes are coming to State Road 47. Construction is slated to begin next week on a 3/4 of a mile stretch of State Road 47 south of Interstate 10, the Florida Department of Transportation announced Thursday. The road work will take place from SW Walter Avenue to SW Brentwood Way.

Thomas holds firm on $140K

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Lake City could have a new manager in less than a month. Thomas Thomas, the city council’s top choice for the vacant administrative position, agreed to a March 1 start date Wednesday afternoon in his latest response to the city’s contract terms.

CCSO: Nobody there during shooting

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Seeing someone in the closet of his apartment, a Lake City man opened fire Tuesday afternoon. Only problem? Columbia County Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies say there was nobody in the apartment near Columbia High School.

Vehicle shot while driving

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
A Sunday afternoon drive took a turn on NW Wilson Street when gunfire broke out. According to the Lake City Police Department, a victim was driving on NW Wilson Street around 3 p.m. Sunday when they approached a vehicle near NW Texas Avenue.
Columbia County Schools Assistant Superintendent Hope Jernigan (center) was presented with new American flags for district schools by American Legion Post Commander Rick Cabrera (left) and Irma Wehrli, Auxiliary Board member. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Schools Assistant Superintendent Hope Jernigan (center) was presented with new American flags for district schools by American Legion Post Commander Rick Cabrera (left) and Irma Wehrli, Auxiliary Board member. (COURTESY)

Students awarded for Americanism

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Staff report The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 57 hosted its annual Americanism award program on Saturday, awarding 15 students certificates and cash prizes. The awards were based on essays about the topic, “How can we support families who provide care to their Veterans?
Kipp Walker (right) sings Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ while accompanied by Todd Siff on the electric guitar at Florida Gateway College on Tuesday morning. The two performed at the FGC Black History Month kickoff ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kipp Walker (right) sings Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ while accompanied by Todd Siff on the electric guitar at Florida Gateway College on Tuesday morning. The two performed at the FGC Black History Month kickoff ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC kicks off Black History Month with ceremony

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
With a solemn address recognizing contributions from African-Americans, as well as a poem, a proclamation, and a local rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”, Florida Gateway College kicked-off it’s annual Black History Month observation with a 30-minute ceremony Tuesday morning.

County suspends Hunter

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
The foreclosure of the Columbia County economic development director’s commercial property has now led to some time off for bringing bad publicity to the county.