Local

BOCC eyes tax breaks, salary increases

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 6, 2021
County officials are looking at ways to possibly lower millage rates while also paying health insurance increases and increase employee retention and salaries for its upcoming fiscal budget.
A week after the county set a new record for cases in a seven-day period with 547, a new high was achieved with 819 new confirmed cases from July 30 through Thursday.

A week after the county set a new record for cases in a seven-day period with 547, a new high was achieved with 819 new confirmed cases from July 30 through Thursday.

Covid cases rise to another weekly record in Columbia County

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 6, 2021
Covid-19 has gone from bad to worse in Columbia County. Tom Moffses, the administrator of health for Columbia and Hamilton counties, told the county commissioners Thursday that the county was “a tinderbox for covid due to lack of vaccinations.” The state’s weekly release showed Moffses was right.

Olustee shoots for photo contest entries

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 6, 2021
The Olustee Festival will march back into downtown Lake City next February. However, festival organizers are looking for the best photo that embodies “the spirit of downtown Lake City,” calling on local photographers to enter a contest.
Walter Enman looks over the flooding surrounding his property north of Fort White. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Walter Enman looks over the flooding surrounding his property north of Fort White. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Persistent rain causes headaches among motorists, residents

TONY BRITT
Thursday, August 5, 2021
FORT WHITE — As the rain kept falling Thursday, the water kept rising. The water in front yard of Walter and Ora Enman’s house on State Road 47 just north of Fort White, was lapping at their front door Thursday afternoon.
Belmont Academy principal Ron Barker addresses parents and students at the school’s back to school bash. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Belmont Academy principal Ron Barker addresses parents and students at the school’s back to school bash. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Belmont Academy celebrates opening of new building

TONY BRITT
Thursday, August 5, 2021
COLUMBIA CITY — Students popped balloons and celebrated, teachers introduced themselves to parents and new students and school administrators proudly showed off a new building during the Belmont Academy back to school bash Thursday afternoon.

County’s covid cases on the rise once again

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Last week’s local covid-19 numbers are in, and it doesn’t bode well for residents. Columbia County Department of Health Administrator Tom Moffses spoke at the Board of County Commissioners meeting Thursday evening to discuss the urgency of the situation.
Former Gators basketball standout Patric Young (left) looks over a basketball signed by former members of the University of Florida team as Eli Stewart and Laura Lashley reminisce about Eli’s visit to a UF sports camp. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Former Gators basketball standout Patric Young (left) looks over a basketball signed by former members of the University of Florida team as Eli Stewart and Laura Lashley reminisce about Eli’s visit to a UF sports camp. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Former Gators hooper Patric Young speaks with LC youth

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
It only took four kids showing up for Patric Young to make the drive from Jacksonville to Lake City. To the former University of Florida basketball star, it was worth it to impart some of his hard-earned wisdom on them.

TDC seeks funding for development plan

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
The Columbia County Tourist Development Council purchased a 500-acre tract of land in northern Columbia County several months ago with hopes of developing the property into a top-notch sports tourism destination.
Drake elm trees in downtown Lake City will be removed as part of a beautification project. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Drake elm trees in downtown Lake City will be removed as part of a beautification project. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CRA Board: Downtown trees, leave

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Described as a nuisance, the drake elm trees that line Marion St. in downtown Lake City will soon be on the chopping block.