Local

Senior Services selected as beneficiary for fundraiser

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 14, 2022
Those who may choose to buy flowers at Winn-Dixie during the month of April can help a local non-profit in the process. Columbia County Senior Services has been selected as the beneficiary of the Winn-Dixie Bloomin’ 4 Good Program for the month of April.
The Ring Sarasota Handbell Choir will perform music from stage and screen on March 25 at Columbia High School. (COURTESY)

The Ring Sarasota Handbell Choir will perform music from stage and screen on March 25 at Columbia High School. (COURTESY)

Handbell choir set for LC performance

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 14, 2022
The bells toll for thee. The Ring Sarasota Handbell Choir will present a concert 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25, at the Norman Choice Performing Arts Center on the campus of Columbia High School.
A pair of Columbia County Sheriffs make their way down a Lake City Middle School hallway Friday during training exercises. Law enforcement officers received the training to combat active shooters in schools. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A pair of Columbia County Sheriffs make their way down a Lake City Middle School hallway Friday during training exercises. Law enforcement officers received the training to combat active shooters in schools. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Deputies take part in active shooter drills at LCMS

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 11, 2022
More than 20 Columbia County Sheriff’s Office vehicles were parked outside Lake City Middle School Friday as school resource deputies sharpened their skills through a day-long session to deal with active shooter scenarios.
Members and volunteers with Catholic Charities put their hands on a refrigerated food truck bought by the organization in February. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Members and volunteers with Catholic Charities put their hands on a refrigerated food truck bought by the organization in February. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Catholic Charities shows off new refrigerated truck

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 11, 2022
Folks from all local walks of life showed-up at Lake City’s Catholic Charities office excited about the facility’s newest asset in the fight against food insecurity.
Dale Brown (middle) and Terry Hayes get muddy while working on verifying stakes that will be used for timers during the 28th Aannual Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo in the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena on Thursday afternoon. Kylee Brown (left) looks on. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Dale Brown (middle) and Terry Hayes get muddy while working on verifying stakes that will be used for timers during the 28th Aannual Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo in the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena on Thursday afternoon. Kylee Brown (left) looks on. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

28th annual Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo will go on ‘rain or shine’

TONY BRITT
Thursday, March 10, 2022
The thrills and excitement of the Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo has made it a crowd-pleasing event for almost three decades. When the event rolls into town this weekend, it could also be called rainy, windy and chilly.

Storms, cold snap expected to blow through this weekend

TONY BRITT
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Columbia County appears to be in the path of a wave of heavy rain, followed by freezing temperatures. According to information from the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, a wet, stormy weather pattern is forecast for the area through midday Saturday as a cold front passes through.
Jim Riley, past president of the Art League of North Florida/Gateway Art Gallery, receives one of the donations of the Harter Trust from Rose Pavey, Administrator. This piece is a Navajo sand painting and will be in the exhibit. (COURTESY)

Jim Riley, past president of the Art League of North Florida/Gateway Art Gallery, receives one of the donations of the Harter Trust from Rose Pavey, Administrator. This piece is a Navajo sand painting and will be in the exhibit. (COURTESY)

Gallery exhibit honors benefactors Harter Trust, Reichert, Porter and Anderson

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, March 10, 2022
The honoring of four benefactors for their contributions to the Gateway Art Gallery begins today. The downtown Gallery is opening a special exhibit featuring the donations of the Lt. Col. Aloysius (Al) Harter Trust, Wally Reichert, Del Porter and Jenny Rasmussen Anderson.
A limb crashed through a home at 471 Defender Street Wednesday afternoon when a rainstorm that was bearing high winds blew through the area. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A limb crashed through a home at 471 Defender Street Wednesday afternoon when a rainstorm that was bearing high winds blew through the area. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Afternoon rain storm prompts dozens of calls to first responders

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
A rain storm bearing high winds battered Lake City and northern Columbia County on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in car crashes, downed power lines and at least one damaged home.

Our opinion: ‘Solar eclipse’ of your freedom

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Florida is the Sunshine State. But as Senator Jeff Brandes accurately pointed out Tuesday, the actions of local governments may soon find shade from the state’s Sunshine Law. Read that again - shade from the Florida Sunshine Law.