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OUR OPINION: Public’s right to know must be protected

Proposed Florida House Bill 35 is bad legislation for the people of Florida.

Sunshine Week: Open government much better government

Open government is good government or, at the very least, it is better government. In order for government to be of, by and for the people, it must always be out in front of the people. Government at all levels — local, state and federal — belongs to the governed not to the governing.

Sunshine Week: Free press vital to democracy

There’s a reason we need a free press, despite its faults and foibles: Democracy won’t work without it. The grand experiment in self-governance that is the United States is  rooted in trust and confidence we all will work toward the greater good.

OUR OPINION: Sunshine Week helps freedom stand strong

Freedom is under attack constantly and from all angles. A free society is a strong and powerful, living, breathing thing, but at times an uncomfortable wrestling match between the watchdogs and all levels of government must take place.

Patrons, vendors, participants all pleased with 2021 rodeo

While the covid-19 pandemic has taken more events than it has given, the annual Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo was not among its casualties after it went on as planned over the weekend.  Roughly 2,000 guests attended Friday’s opening-night festivities at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds.

LCPD officer arrested, placed on administrative leave

A Lake City police officer was placed on administrative leave after his arrest Saturday following an altercation at a local convenience store. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers responded around 9:27 p.m. Saturday to the Sunstop convenience store at 1101 N. Marion St.

Homeless man arrested for kidnapping

A homeless Columbia County man kidnapped a female acquaintance’s roommate at gunpoint, stole her car and hid out in a camper before being arrested Friday evening, according to police reports.

City council changes utility committee again

Change has been a constant in the makeup ok the Lake City Utility Advisory Committee the past few months. The latest change resulted in Councilman Chris Greene requesting that he be removed from the committee Monday night.

Columbia, Suwannee jobless rates rise; still below state average

The unemployment rate locally rose by more than a point in January, but both Columbia and Suwannee counties still beat the state average. According to data released Monday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Columbia County’s jobless rate rose from an adjusted 3.

FGC breaks ground on STEM project

With the ceremonial tossing of a few shovels of dirt, Florida Gateway College officials turned to the next phase of the college’s future:  the addition of the first new building on campus in a decade.