Local

Thomas Thomas, who was negotiating to be Lake City's next city manager, withdrew from consideration Saturday. (FILE)

Thomas Thomas, who was negotiating to be Lake City's next city manager, withdrew from consideration Saturday. (FILE)

Thomas pulls out of Lake City search

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, February 5, 2022
The search for a chief administrator goes on for the City of Lake City. Thomas Thomas, the veteran municipal government manager the Lake City Council selected as its top candidate for its vacant city manager position, withdrew from consideration on Saturday.
An artist rendering of the Fort White High School auditorium. Originally part of the plans for FWHS, the auditorium is finally coming to fruition more than 20 years later. (COURTESY)

An artist rendering of the Fort White High School auditorium. Originally part of the plans for FWHS, the auditorium is finally coming to fruition more than 20 years later. (COURTESY)

Auditorium, ‘missing tooth,’ finally coming to FWHS

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 4, 2022
FORT WHITE — More than two decades ago, Fort White High School opened as a state-of-the-art high school.
Shayne Morgan (right), Columbia County’s emergency management director, was honored as the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association’s Chad Reed Emergency Management Professional of the Year. (COURTESY)

Shayne Morgan (right), Columbia County’s emergency management director, was honored as the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association’s Chad Reed Emergency Management Professional of the Year. (COURTESY)

Morgan named state’s top emergency director

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 4, 2022
An emergency management professional should always be prepared. So when a colleague had a dead battery Friday morning at the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association meeting, Shayne Morgan jumped into action by providing a jump start.

‘Broke’ woman helps herself ... to checks

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 4, 2022
Claiming to be broke, a Lake City woman didn’t reach out to family for help. Instead, authorities say she just grabbed some of their checks and helped herself. Kendall Arnold, 32, was arrested Thursday afternoon after a Lafayette County man reported being a victim of check fraud.

Thomas skipping city meeting

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 4, 2022
Lake City officials hoped to ‘Zoom’ through negotiations for its city manager position Monday. Instead, it appears the City Council’s discussions will continue to occur through email correspondence.
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...