Local

Columbia County Sheriff Wallace Kitchings recites the Lord’s Prayer at the National Day of Prayer observance in Olustee Park on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Chief Jeff Crawford recommended the County Commission extend the county’s burn ban while also wanting to deny any permits for fireworks at graduations due to fire conditions. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Mason Carrol (from left), Ashton Ambrose and Jordaeton Youmans work on making one of the beds for the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. (COURTESY)

A map outlines the proposed improvements to the intersection of State Road 247 and Bascom Norris Drive, which includes additional turn lanes to hopefully alleviate traffic. The project is scheduled to begin next summer and wrap up in 2029. (COURTESY)

Photos of Lonnie Reeves (right) and Virginia Reeves sit alongside a trifold American flag during Wednesday morning’s Columbia County Sheriff’s Office press conference. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Gateway College graduates file out of the Howard Center through columns of FGC faculty and staff following a prior year’s graduation ceremony. (FILE)

Members of the group Stevens Corner gather for a photo during the Walk to Defeat ALS Jacksonville on May 2 at The Friendship Fountain. The group consisted of 39 family members and friends of Don Stevens. (COURTESY)

Kiler Simmons, 2, is excited about getting behind the steering wheel of a Lake City firetruck during the Kiwanis Kids Day on Saturday at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus received a lower score in his annual evaluation from the County Commission, dropping below the ‘satisfactory’ level on the scoresheets. (FILE)