Local

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.
A conestoga wagon wood carving by Charles Kime, who will be offering woodcarving classes at the Gateway Art Gallery, beginning in February. (COURTESY)

A conestoga wagon wood carving by Charles Kime, who will be offering woodcarving classes at the Gateway Art Gallery, beginning in February. (COURTESY)

Gallery adding new classes in new year

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Staff report A new year is bringing new adult art classes to the Gateway Art Gallery in downtown Lake City. The public arm of the Art League of North Florida, the Gallery will host a pair of new classes in the next months.
Children on the New Dayspring Missionary Baptist Church float hold flags representing various nations during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade on Jan. 20, 2020. (FILE)

Children on the New Dayspring Missionary Baptist Church float hold flags representing various nations during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade on Jan. 20, 2020. (FILE)

MLK parade canceled

TONY BRITT
Monday, January 3, 2022
For the second consecutive year, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Grand Parade has been canceled due to health concerns stemming from the covid pandemic.