Local

Hours of operation for customer services at the new City Hall building will run from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Feb. 7. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Hours of operation for customer services at the new City Hall building will run from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Feb. 7. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

New city hall to open customer service drive-through window on Jan. 31

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 21, 2022
After weeks of delays, Lake City’s customer service department is only days away from providing services in the newest city hall building. The city’s customer service department will be operating from the drive-through at 173 NW Hillsboro Street, for payments only, beginning 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan.

City eyes contract with Thomas

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 21, 2022
Now that Lake City officials have selected a managerial candidate, they just need to iron out contract negotiations. A special Lake City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday in council chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 205 N.
Tom Cunilio (from left), representing the Center of Sustainable Agroforestry, provides Columbia County commissioners Robby Hollingsworth and Toby Witt, with samples during Thursday’s night’s commission meeting as he requested funding for a a field day showcasing energy crops. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Tom Cunilio (from left), representing the Center of Sustainable Agroforestry, provides Columbia County commissioners Robby Hollingsworth and Toby Witt, with samples during Thursday’s night’s commission meeting as he requested funding for a a field day showcasing energy crops. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Joint utility meeting takes center stage at BOCC meeting

TONY BRITT
Thursday, January 20, 2022
County officials want their joint utility meeting with the city to serve as an informational meeting so city officials will know the county’s plans for certain utility projects.

FGC gets ‘pleasant surprise’ in funding

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, January 20, 2022
State funding is just what was ordered for the Florida Gateway College’s licensed practical nursing program. As part of $2.3 million that Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded Thursday for rapid credentialing workforce and education programs was $135,000 for FGC.
Florida Forestry Association President Carlton Jones, center, is presented a proclamation recognizing him as Lake City’s Arbor Day honoree by Mayor Stephen Witt and Councilman Eugene Jefferson. (COURTESY)

Florida Forestry Association President Carlton Jones, center, is presented a proclamation recognizing him as Lake City’s Arbor Day honoree by Mayor Stephen Witt and Councilman Eugene Jefferson. (COURTESY)

City honors Jones at Arbor Day celebration

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Local officials joined the Lake City Garden Club in honoring Florida Forestry Association President Carlton Jones at its recent Arbor Day celebration.
Thomas Thomas answers a question from the Lake City Countil during an interview for the city manager position Wednesday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Thomas Thomas answers a question from the Lake City Countil during an interview for the city manager position Wednesday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Thomas is the pick for city manager

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
The “slight lean” in favor of Thomas was accumulated over 15 months more than 4,000 miles away.

County seeking director for utility services

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
For the past few months, Columbia County officials have been set on advancing the county’s utility services. Those plans now include someone to oversee the utility offerings. County officials are scheduled to discuss a utility director job description during the 5:30 p.m.
Cindy Kim (center) gets a hug from her sister, Arienna, alongside their mother, Ae-yun Shin. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cindy Kim (center) gets a hug from her sister, Arienna, alongside their mother, Ae-yun Shin. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kim is a spelling success

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
The first to spell a word Tuesday morning, Cindy Kim was the last student standing in the Columbia County Spelling Bee.

City to discuss utilities, ARPA funds in meeting

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
City officials plan to hold or participate in two meetings within the next three weeks that will address utility plans for the area as well discuss how the city’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds will be used in the city.