Local

Bird thief can’t fly away

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 7, 2022
There was no flying the coop for a local bird thief. A bird — a white-bellied caique parrot — was stolen from the Pet Supermarket in the Gleason Place Shopping Center on Dec. 5. The bird is valued at $4,000, the store manager told officers responding to the theft.
The LSHA board of trustees will discuss and possibly take action on 12 parcels of land it donated to Lake City. (FILE)

The LSHA board of trustees will discuss and possibly take action on 12 parcels of land it donated to Lake City. (FILE)

LSHA: What’s the deal, city?

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 7, 2022
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority just want some clarification. At its 5:15 p.m. meeting Monday, the authority’s board of trustees is set to discuss, with possible action, the 12 parcels it donated to the City of Lake City to serve as the site of the new city hall.
A layer of sealant covers brick pavers on Northwest Railroad Street on Wednesday afternoon as Anderson Columbia Construction Company workers resurface the roadway. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A layer of sealant covers brick pavers on Northwest Railroad Street on Wednesday afternoon as Anderson Columbia Construction Company workers resurface the roadway. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Paving over history

TONY BRITT
Thursday, January 6, 2022
A piece of Lake City history disappeared this week. As crews completed resurfacing projects around the city — which were approved in the city’s 2021-22 budget — the brick pavers on NW Railroad Street were covered and paved over. Councilman Jake Hill Jr.
Commissioner Ron Williams said the county needs to continue moving ‘full speed ahead’ on utilities. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Commissioner Ron Williams said the county needs to continue moving ‘full speed ahead’ on utilities. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County: ‘full speed ahead’ on utilities

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, January 6, 2022
A joint regional utility authority may be back on the table between Columbia County and Lake City officials. But what’s not up for discussion is Columbia County slowing down its plans for providing utilities to spark economic development.
Lake City Customer Service Manager Katrina Medearis (left) and Brandy McGhin, city customer service coordinator, move furniture into the Millennium Bank building Thursday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Customer Service Manager Katrina Medearis (left) and Brandy McGhin, city customer service coordinator, move furniture into the Millennium Bank building Thursday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Move into new City Hall underway

TONY BRITT
Thursday, January 6, 2022
The former downtown Millennium Bank building is beginning to look like City Hall. Customer service employees continued moving into the former bank building Thursday, as it appears the new city hall building could be open for business in a matter of days.
The addition of a 256-bed pod unit at the Columbia County Detention Facility is expected to be completed in a matter of weeks. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The addition of a 256-bed pod unit at the Columbia County Detention Facility is expected to be completed in a matter of weeks. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jail addition close to early completion and under budget

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Construction work on new housing pods for inmates at the Columbia County Detention Facility is ahead of schedule and expected to be under budget.
A group of Union soldiers marches past the spectators during the Olustee Festival parade in 2020. The Blue-Grey Army is not contributing to the Olustee Battle Reenactment this year and a lack of funding could mean the festival is on its last legs as well. (FILE)

A group of Union soldiers marches past the spectators during the Olustee Festival parade in 2020. The Blue-Grey Army is not contributing to the Olustee Battle Reenactment this year and a lack of funding could mean the festival is on its last legs as well. (FILE)

Olustee’s last stand? Finances could lead to end of festival

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Could next month be Olustee’s last stand? After a cancellation last year, cutting funding to the Battle of Olustee Reenactment this year as well as scheduling another Olustee Festival during a surge in covid-19 cases, the festival’s future may be in question.

CCS 2nd in the state

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
There was reason to celebrate Tuesday for the Columbia County School District. For the second straight year, Columbia County posted the second highest graduation rate of any district in the state, according to the data released by the Florida Department of Education.

City alters manager interview sked

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Lake City officials have altered the interview schedule for the two city manager finalists due to a conflict. The city announced Tuesday afternoon that it was hosting a “Meet and Greet Reception” for Glen Adams, a finalist for the city manager post, on Friday evening.