Local

$500K set aside for home repair

TONY BRITT
Monday, January 24, 2022
Low-income senior citizens may have a helping hand in making emergency repairs to their homes. The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners set aside $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding last week to address the home repair needs of local low-income seniors.

Lake City man arrested on animal cruelty charge

NEWS STAFF
Monday, January 24, 2022
Two months after a dog was shot, a Lake City man was arrested for animal cruelty. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report, 65-year-old John Hitchcock shot a dog in western Columbia County around 6:20 p.m. on Nov. 29.
The Lake City Council has rescheduled a special meeting to discuss contract terms with Thomas Thomas for its city manager position until Saturday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

The Lake City Council has rescheduled a special meeting to discuss contract terms with Thomas Thomas for its city manager position until Saturday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

City cancels special meeting; now set for Saturday

NEWS STAFF
Monday, January 24, 2022
The Lake City Council won’t be meeting to review contract terms with Thomas Thomas this evening after all. The council’s special meeting was canceled Monday afternoon and rescheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday morning.
Lake City native Karley Scott Collins and Sony Music Nashville recently announced Collins’ first single, ‘Heavenly,’ that’s set to release on Feb. 4. (COURTESY)

Lake City native Karley Scott Collins and Sony Music Nashville recently announced Collins’ first single, ‘Heavenly,’ that’s set to release on Feb. 4. (COURTESY)

Collins lands major record deal from Sony in Nashville

TODD WILSON
Friday, January 21, 2022
Her songs tell a heartfelt story and Lake City native Karley Scott Collins landed a major listening audience on Friday. Collins signed with Sony Music Nashville and the company announced the release of her first single, “Heavenly,” set for Feb. 4.
Hours of operation for customer services at the new City Hall building will run from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Feb. 7. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Hours of operation for customer services at the new City Hall building will run from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Feb. 7. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

New city hall to open customer service drive-through window on Jan. 31

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 21, 2022
After weeks of delays, Lake City’s customer service department is only days away from providing services in the newest city hall building. The city’s customer service department will be operating from the drive-through at 173 NW Hillsboro Street, for payments only, beginning 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan.

City eyes contract with Thomas

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 21, 2022
Now that Lake City officials have selected a managerial candidate, they just need to iron out contract negotiations. A special Lake City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday in council chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 205 N.
Tom Cunilio (from left), representing the Center of Sustainable Agroforestry, provides Columbia County commissioners Robby Hollingsworth and Toby Witt, with samples during Thursday’s night’s commission meeting as he requested funding for a a field day showcasing energy crops. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Tom Cunilio (from left), representing the Center of Sustainable Agroforestry, provides Columbia County commissioners Robby Hollingsworth and Toby Witt, with samples during Thursday’s night’s commission meeting as he requested funding for a a field day showcasing energy crops. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Joint utility meeting takes center stage at BOCC meeting

TONY BRITT
Thursday, January 20, 2022
County officials want their joint utility meeting with the city to serve as an informational meeting so city officials will know the county’s plans for certain utility projects.

FGC gets ‘pleasant surprise’ in funding

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, January 20, 2022
State funding is just what was ordered for the Florida Gateway College’s licensed practical nursing program. As part of $2.3 million that Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded Thursday for rapid credentialing workforce and education programs was $135,000 for FGC.
Florida Forestry Association President Carlton Jones, center, is presented a proclamation recognizing him as Lake City’s Arbor Day honoree by Mayor Stephen Witt and Councilman Eugene Jefferson. (COURTESY)

Florida Forestry Association President Carlton Jones, center, is presented a proclamation recognizing him as Lake City’s Arbor Day honoree by Mayor Stephen Witt and Councilman Eugene Jefferson. (COURTESY)

City honors Jones at Arbor Day celebration

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Local officials joined the Lake City Garden Club in honoring Florida Forestry Association President Carlton Jones at its recent Arbor Day celebration.