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Keith Couey, Dana Brady-Giddens, Narrie Smith, Stephanie Johns, Keith Hudson and Lex Carswell break ground Tuesday afternoon at the site of Fort White High School’s new auditorium building. (COURTESY)

Keith Couey, Dana Brady-Giddens, Narrie Smith, Stephanie Johns, Keith Hudson and Lex Carswell break ground Tuesday afternoon at the site of Fort White High School’s new auditorium building. (COURTESY)

Breaking ground: School officials hold ceremony for FWHS auditorium

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
FORT WHITE — A groundbreaking ceremony, more than 20 years in the making, was the latest step that solidifies Fort White High School’s importance as a community hub for the small south Columbia County town of about 500 people.
Dr. Barney McRae was remembered as having impacted many lives in his 92 years. (COURTESY)

Dr. Barney McRae was remembered as having impacted many lives in his 92 years. (COURTESY)

McRae, 92, was like ‘no person on earth’

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Dr. Barney E. McRae’s list of accomplishments reads like a who’s who of Columbia County legends rolled into one man. He was a member and chairman of the Board at Lake City Community College, now Florida Gateway College.
Stephanie Johns (middle) speaks as Superintendent Lex Carswell and Chairperson Narragansett Smith watch during Tuesday’s school board meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Stephanie Johns (middle) speaks as Superintendent Lex Carswell and Chairperson Narragansett Smith watch during Tuesday’s school board meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Johns not seeking re-election

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
FORT WHITE — The Columbia County School Board will feature another new face by the end of the year.
Larry Bussey speaks during Tuesday’s community meeting at Lake City Hall. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Larry Bussey speaks during Tuesday’s community meeting at Lake City Hall. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

FWC casting lines for support

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
When he sits on his deck, George Hudson has a beautiful and unobstructed view of Lake Montgomery. What Hudson doesn’t want to see again is his deck full of trash.

Manhunt called off; suspect not captured

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
A manhunt for a suspect in western Columbia County was called off late Tuesday night without success. The suspect fled on foot from a Florida Highway Patrol trooper conducting a traffic stop around 7 p.m. on County Road 252 near SW Birley Avenue, leading to the search.
Thomas Thomas answers a question from the Lake City Council during an interview for the city manager position on Jan. 19. (FILE)

Thomas Thomas answers a question from the Lake City Council during an interview for the city manager position on Jan. 19. (FILE)

City back to square one in manager search

TONY BRITT
Monday, February 7, 2022
Disappointed, the Lake City Council is beginning its city manager search anew. But the councilors still have confidence in Renee Narloch and Associates to find the right person for the job.

City back to square one

TONY BRITT
Monday, February 7, 2022
Disappointed, the Lake City Council is beginning its city manager search anew. But the councilors still have confidence in Renee Narloch and Associates to find the right person for the job.

Hutto case delayed again

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 7, 2022
The manslaughter case involving the co-founder of the Salt Life brand was continued to May on Friday. During a one-minute status check Zoom hearing Friday morning, Palm Beach County Judge Kirk Volker granted a continuance until May 6 at 8:30 a.m.

Columbia, Fort White to discuss regional utility needs

TONY BRITT
Monday, February 7, 2022
The concept of a Columbia County regional utility continues to inch toward becoming a reality, and a Wednesday meeting may become the organization’s foundation. County officials and officials from the Town of Fort White have scheduled a meeting for 9 a.m.
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.