Local

United Way bringing back luncheon

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
The United Way of Suwannee Valley is hosting a luncheon next month and plans to take advantage of the opportunity to tell local residents and businesses about the services and agencies that are aided by the local organization.
Vinnie ‘The Army Guy’ Retzlaff will be a special guest at Saturday’s Toys for Tots toy run. (COURTESY)

Vinnie ‘The Army Guy’ Retzlaff will be a special guest at Saturday’s Toys for Tots toy run. (COURTESY)

Toys for Tots ride close to ‘riders’ hearts’

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
They won’t be riding a sleigh, but the American Legion Riders Chapter 57 will be embarking on their own toy run Saturday. The group’s third annual Toys for Tots toy run will start at noon Saturday at Honda of Lake City, 4389 W. U.S. Hwy.

Scooter driver seriously injured in crash

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
A Lake City man suffered serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon. According to a release from the Florida Highway Patrol, a 31-year-old Lake City resident was driving a motorized scooter eastbound on SW Troy Street around 1 p.m.
Katryna Alexis, a Jacksonville teen, won the Florida Gateway Fair Talent Contest earlier this month. (COURTESY)

Katryna Alexis, a Jacksonville teen, won the Florida Gateway Fair Talent Contest earlier this month. (COURTESY)

Teen tops Fair talent contest

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
A Jacksonville teen topped the five finalists competing earlier this month in the Florida Gateway Fair Talent Contest. The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park sponsored the Nov. 4 talent contest with Katryna Alexis, 17, crowned the winner of the first-place prize of $1,000.

Council releases humane society property

TONY BRITT
Monday, November 15, 2021
The Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society plans to expand its local footprint in the near future. On Monday night, city officials helped the organization clear a huge hurdle by agreeing the take out the “reverter” for the humane society property that was donated years ago.
Noel Raulerson was one of the first settlers on the banks of Lake DeSoto in Columbia County 200 years ago. (COURTESY)

Noel Raulerson was one of the first settlers on the banks of Lake DeSoto in Columbia County 200 years ago. (COURTESY)

Founders Day promises fun and learning

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, November 15, 2021
How best to celebrate Columbia County’s bicentennial? When he was imagining the celebration, Christopher Esing, a county historian as well as a history instructor at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee, kept coming back to a carnival.
John Cole III, CEO of Saving Our Children, shows off the donated food items that will be given out to local families on Nov. 20. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

John Cole III, CEO of Saving Our Children, shows off the donated food items that will be given out to local families on Nov. 20. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cole plans to help 100 local families with food baskets for the holidays

TONY BRITT
Friday, November 12, 2021
With Thanksgiving just weeks away and several area families continuing to recover economically from losses due to the covid pandemic, the Kids Feeding Kids Organization plans to help 100 local families with food baskets for the holiday.

Compact agenda awaits city officials

TONY BRITT
Friday, November 12, 2021
The city’s building department has been experiencing an uncharacteristic “slow down” due to several internal vacancies, including a vacancy in its top position of growth development manager.
D’Andre Jefferson (left) and Thomas Williams sort through clothes and other goods Wednesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

D’Andre Jefferson (left) and Thomas Williams sort through clothes and other goods Wednesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City teens give back with second annual clothing drive

TONY BRITT
Friday, November 12, 2021
A pair of local men, hoping to make a difference in their community, provided clothing to area residents Wednesday afternoon at Annie Mattox Park.