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Musician Billy Dean sings during a set at a previous Florida Folk Festival. Event officials have decided to hold the festival virtually for the second time in as many years. (COURTESY)

Musician Billy Dean sings during a set at a previous Florida Folk Festival. Event officials have decided to hold the festival virtually for the second time in as many years. (COURTESY)

Folk Festival returns

TONY BRITT
Thursday, May 27, 2021
WHITE SPRINGS — For the past nearly seven decades, celebrating all the different aspects of Florida’s culture has taken place here at the annual Florida Folk Festival.
Lake City Rotarians Chase Moses (from left), Robert Turbeville, Joseph Persons, Catholic Charities Executive Director Suzanne Edwards and Rotary President Lee Pinchouck pose with a donation check made by several individuals and other Rotary Club members to help purchase a new refrigerated truck needed for daily use by Catholic Charities. Not pictured are donating Rotarians Steve Smith and Fred Koberlein Jr. A total of $19,250 was raised by the Lake City Rotary Club. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Rotarians Chase Moses (from left), Robert Turbeville, Joseph Persons, Catholic Charities Executive Director Suzanne Edwards and Rotary President Lee Pinchouck pose with a donation check made by several individuals and other Rotary Club members to help purchase a new refrigerated truck needed for daily use by Catholic Charities. Not pictured are donating Rotarians Steve Smith and Fred Koberlein Jr. A total of $19,250 was raised by the Lake City Rotary Club. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Rotary leads way with truck donation drive

TODD WILSON
Thursday, May 27, 2021
The Lake City Regional Office of Catholic Charities had a need and the Lake City Rotary Club stepped in to shed light on the issue and provide as much assistance as possible.
Renee Williams, a model for the Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society inaugural fashion show, holds a puppy as she models clothing and accessories from the agency’s thrift store. (COURTESY)

Renee Williams, a model for the Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society inaugural fashion show, holds a puppy as she models clothing and accessories from the agency’s thrift store. (COURTESY)

Reigning cats & dogs: Humane Society hosts inaugural fashion show

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
It’s inevitable… Sometimes a good event just goes to the dogs. Lucky for the Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society, the event and its proceeds not only went to the dogs, but the cats and other animals, nurtured by the local agency.
The track at Columbia High School hasn’t been upgraded since 1995. (FILE)

The track at Columbia High School hasn’t been upgraded since 1995. (FILE)

TDC officials pledge $25K for CHS track

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
A proposed project designed to improve and renew the Columbia High School track, that also has the potential to make the area a hot spot to host amaeture district, area and regional track meets, took another step closer to becoming a reality Wednesday, when the Columbia County Tourist Development...

Fort White to graduate 93 seniors

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
FORT WHITE — The moment that Fort White High School seniors have been eagerly and anxiously awaiting is only days away. The FWHS Class of 2021 will have its graduation ceremony 8 p.m. Friday night at Arrowhead Stadium, 17828 SW State Road 47.
TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter A row of flags — just several out of 114 — stand alongside State Road 47. Jack and Ann Hampton, along with a handful of volunteers, put them up on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter A row of flags — just several out of 114 — stand alongside State Road 47. Jack and Ann Hampton, along with a handful of volunteers, put them up on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

More than 100 flags, crosses placed in Columbia Co. ahead of Memorial Day

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
A portion of State Road 47 has been transformed into a flag- and cross-bearing patriotic setting for Columbia County residents.

County increasing access to veterans services

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Columbia County is looking to ramp up services for local veterans, just in time for Memorial Day. The increased attention comes after complaints were received about accessibility to the county’s veterans services officer.

Biting leads to battery charges

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
A Lake City man tried to put the bite back into crime, according to law enforcement. A Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report states Jonathan Perkins, 31, bit a victim during a physical altercation before grabbing a pair of knives Monday morning.