Local

Mariah Carson, who is enrolled at Florida Gateway College for Fall 2021 courses as a criminal justice major, leaves the school bookstore with educational supplies on Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Mariah Carson, who is enrolled at Florida Gateway College for Fall 2021 courses as a criminal justice major, leaves the school bookstore with educational supplies on Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC ‘strongly encourages’ masks

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, August 16, 2021
Florida Gateway College is once again pushing the “Wolfpack’s Three W’s” — washing hands, watching distance and wearing masks — but aren’t requiring the final ‘W’ this fall.

City chooses manager search firm

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, August 16, 2021
The Lake City Council has found its search firm to help find a permanent city manager. Two weeks after postponing discussion of the topic, the council approved by a 3-2 vote Monday night to hire S. Renee Narloch & Associates, a Tallahassee-based firm.

Columbia, Suwannee delegation hearings set

NEWS STAFF
Monday, August 16, 2021
Local residents, as well as government officials, will have a chance to address state legislators next month. Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island), the chairwoman of the legislative delegations in both Columbia and Suwannee counties, has announced the hearings will both be held Tuesday, Sept.
The City of Lake City released its 2021-22 budget proposal on Friday ahead of next week’s budget workshops. (FILE)

The City of Lake City released its 2021-22 budget proposal on Friday ahead of next week’s budget workshops. (FILE)

6% tax hike on table for Lake City

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 13, 2021
A 6% tax increase has been proposed by the City of Lake City. In its proposed 2021-22 budget released Friday ahead of budget workshops next week, city administration set the budget based on a millage rate of 5.2209 mills, a 6% increase over the rollback rate of 4.9253. The current rate is 4.
The American Banker recently listed First Federal Bank of Florida as the top mid-tier bank in the state. (FILE)

The American Banker recently listed First Federal Bank of Florida as the top mid-tier bank in the state. (FILE)

First Federal deposits more recognition

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 13, 2021
Another year, another honor deposited by First Federal Bank. American Banker recently listed First Federal, which is headquartered in Lake City, as the top mid-tier bank in Florida and one of the best in that classification — 26th out of 282 institutions rated — in the country.
A Friday evening update from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Tropical Depression Fred’s center making landfall near the Florida panhandle on Monday. (COURTESY/NOAA)

A Friday evening update from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Tropical Depression Fred’s center making landfall near the Florida panhandle on Monday. (COURTESY/NOAA)

Fred’s threat to Columbia County continues to fade westward

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 13, 2021
Tropical Depression Fred’s forecasted impacts on Columbia County are appearing to lessen as the storm continues on its current trajectory, even as it’s predicted to strengthen.
Columbia County added 1,067 cases in the past week, a 30% increase over the previous week’s total of 819 and, once again, a new record number of cases in a seven-day span for the county.

Columbia County added 1,067 cases in the past week, a 30% increase over the previous week’s total of 819 and, once again, a new record number of cases in a seven-day span for the county.

Covid capitol of Florida: Columbia County has state’s highest case rate per capita over past week

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 13, 2021
Columbia County is No. 1 — and it’s not good. The state’s covid-19 rate per capita over the past week is the highest in Florida, according to data released Friday afternoon by the Florida Department of Health, and it’s not close. Per 100,000 population, Columbia’s added 1,496.7 cases from Aug.
Dr. Mandy Trotter, the veterinarian at the Lake City Humane Society, looks over one of the rescued dogs Thursday. (COURTESY)

Dr. Mandy Trotter, the veterinarian at the Lake City Humane Society, looks over one of the rescued dogs Thursday. (COURTESY)

DOGS RESCUED: Woman faces animal cruelty, neglect after 11 dogs saved

TONY BRITT
Thursday, August 12, 2021
A Lake City woman is facing a litany of animal cruelty and neglect charges after Lake City Humane Society officials confiscated and rescued 11 dogs from her home Thursday morning.

Free covid testing offered at Southside

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, August 12, 2021
A drive-through covid-19 testing event will be held at the Southside Sports Complex today. The Columbia County Health Department will conduct free drive-through testing at the sports complex, 1963 SW Bascom Norris Dr. In Lake City, from 4-7 p.m. today.