Local

First Sgt. Trena Dettmer, Columbia High School JROTC instructor, is hugged by students after she received a Quilt of Valor from the Lady of the Lake Quilters Guild on Wednesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

First Sgt. Trena Dettmer, Columbia High School JROTC instructor, is hugged by students after she received a Quilt of Valor from the Lady of the Lake Quilters Guild on Wednesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Local veterans gifted Quilts of Honor in ceremony

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
While 13 local veterans were recognized for their military service on the day following Veterans Days, the reception they received was just as heartwarming, solemn and appreciative — and even more touching since they received quilts. The 13 veterans were recipients of Quilts of Valor.
Veterans dine during a prior Veterans Dinner at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. (FILE)

Veterans dine during a prior Veterans Dinner at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. (FILE)

Fairgrounds set to serve up Veterans Dinner

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Local veterans will be celebrated and honored this weekend when an area business and its sponsors holds its annual free veterans dinner. The 34th annual Veterans Dinner will take place from noon-2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov.
Elaine Lagasse, a member of the American Legion Post 57 Honor Guard, displays a collection box for the upcoming charity ride that scheduled to take place on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Elaine Lagasse, a member of the American Legion Post 57 Honor Guard, displays a collection box for the upcoming charity ride that scheduled to take place on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Riders hoping for big toy turnout

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
American Legion Riders Post 57 are looking to add a little more Christmas spirit, gifts and toys for Columbia and Suwannee County children through an upcoming charity ride. The Riders will be participating in the “Toy Run” that will take place on Saturday.
Morgan Fenwick (left) and Klowe Redding rehearse a scene for the upcoming production of ‘Romeo and Juliet Go West.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Morgan Fenwick (left) and Klowe Redding rehearse a scene for the upcoming production of ‘Romeo and Juliet Go West.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CHS bringing ‘Romeo and Juliet’ westward

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Two of the world’s most famous teenaged lovers will get to live life in the wild west when Columbia High School’s theater program presents ‘Romeo and Juliet Go West’ this week. The story of Romona and Joel is by August Mergelman and produced by special arrangement with Heuer Publishing.

Fort White woman killed in two-car collision Tuesday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
A late night crash killed one driver and left another in critical condition Tuesday. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, a sedan driven by a 23-year-old Lake City man was driving north on State Road 47 around 11:10 p.m.
Representatives from the Columbia Correctional Institution and Lake City Police Department teamed up to give local inmates the materials necessary to build teddy bears to be used for kids in domestic violence situations. (COURTESY LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

Representatives from the Columbia Correctional Institution and Lake City Police Department teamed up to give local inmates the materials necessary to build teddy bears to be used for kids in domestic violence situations. (COURTESY LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

CCI inmates give back with bears

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
After being granted additional job programs earlier this year, inmates could potentially help out young domestic violence victims.

‘Stuff the Sleigh’ toy drive set for Saturday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
A couple of Lake City businesses are hoping to ‘Stuff the Sleigh’ this weekend. Rainbolt Electric and Phish Tales are collecting new, unwrapped toys to benefit underprivileged children in the community with a “Stuff the Sleigh” toy drive on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Students in Epiphany Catholic School’s ASTRA Club met with Circuit Judge Leandra Johnson, Sheriff Wallace Kitchings, Clerk of Court Jay Swisher, State Attorney John Durrett and Public Defender Cliff Wilson last week to learn about the judicial system. (COURTESY)

Students in Epiphany Catholic School’s ASTRA Club met with Circuit Judge Leandra Johnson, Sheriff Wallace Kitchings, Clerk of Court Jay Swisher, State Attorney John Durrett and Public Defender Cliff Wilson last week to learn about the judicial system. (COURTESY)

Epiphany ASTRA Club visits Courthouse

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
The Epiphany Catholic School’s ASTRA Club, affiliated with Altrusa International of Lake City, participated in an educational visit to the Columbia County Courthouse last week. The Nov.
A pair of youngsters hand out American flags to veterans and others during Saturday’s Veterans Day parade in Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A pair of youngsters hand out American flags to veterans and others during Saturday’s Veterans Day parade in Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Annual Veterans Day parade a hit with veterans, residents

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Columbia County veterans were the guests of honor Saturday afternoon as American Legion Post 57 and the VFW hosted the annual Veterans Day parade.
Kyle Warner, keynote speaker for the Lake City Elks Lodge #893 Marine Corps 250 birthday celebration, uses a sword to cut the birthday cake for the event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kyle Warner, keynote speaker for the Lake City Elks Lodge #893 Marine Corps 250 birthday celebration, uses a sword to cut the birthday cake for the event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Elks Lodge celebrates Marine Corps

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Lake City Elks Lodge #893 celebrated veterans and honored the U.S. Marine Corps during a brief ceremony Monday evening at the lodge. “We’re having a veterans memorial celebration,” said Leslie Rogers, Lake City Elk Lodge #893 chaplain. “Tomorrow is Veterans Day.