Local

Columbia County tops 7,500 covid cases

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 15, 2021
Nine new cases of the covid-19 coronavirus confirmed Sunday in Columbia County pushed the county’s total past 7,500. According to data released Monday by the Florida Department of Health, there have been 7,501 confirmed cases of the virus in Columbia County.

Jackpot produces early retirement for local

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 15, 2021
Hitting the jackpot means one Lake City woman can retire early. Linda Gallagher, 58, won a $275,000 jackpot from the Jackpot Triple Play drawing held Jan. 19. “I walked around for weeks with the winning ticket in my purse before realizing we had won,” Gallagher said in a Florida Lottery release.

Deputy involved in fatal crash

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, February 13, 2021
On Friday at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Columbia County deputy was involved in a three-vehicle traffic crash while driving home in his agency patrol car. The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 441 South near SE Sprite Loop.
A conceptual drawing of a new Lake City Hall from Passero Associates, which will be presenting four options for the construction of a new city hall to city officials at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. (COURTESY)

A conceptual drawing of a new Lake City Hall from Passero Associates, which will be presenting four options for the construction of a new city hall to city officials at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. (COURTESY)

Lake City's new digs: City council to consider four proposals for new city hall

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 12, 2021
A new city hall is in the cards for Lake City officials. Just what the finished product will look like is still to be determined.
The new pedestrian walkway on Florida Gateway College’s campus is now complete. (COURTESY)

The new pedestrian walkway on Florida Gateway College’s campus is now complete. (COURTESY)

FGC finishes first phase of campus renovation

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 12, 2021
Florida Gateway College has completed work on a newly renovated pedestrian plaza as well as exterior upgrades to the Howard Center Gym.

I-75 resurfacing set to begin

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 12, 2021
A local stretch of Interstate 75 is set for a facelift, with work scheduled to start before the end of February. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, an I-75 resurfacing project will begin this month, barring weather or other unforeseen delays. The project, which costs $7.

Hopkins moved to juvenile facility, not released

TONY BRITT
Thursday, February 11, 2021
The local teen wanted for questioning about a deadly double shooting wasn’t released from custody Wednesday after all. Clayton Travon Hopkins, 18, was transferred Wednesday to an area youth detention center after turning himself in on a warrant from a separate case.

United Way halfway to campaign goal

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, February 11, 2021
The United Way of Suwannee Valley has crossed the midfield stripe as it looks to reach paydirt on its fundraising campaign. In a release, Executive Director Jennifer Anchors announced the local United Way had raised approximately 51% of its campaign goal of $500,000.
Carlos Brown is cheered as he prepares to accept his award as the Columbia County School District’s School-Related Employee of the Year at a luncheon at The Blanche last week. (COURTESY)

Carlos Brown is cheered as he prepares to accept his award as the Columbia County School District’s School-Related Employee of the Year at a luncheon at The Blanche last week. (COURTESY)

Brown cleans up for helping students

TONY BRITT
Thursday, February 11, 2021
There aren’t many head custodians in the Columbia Count School District that have a reputation for working hard not just in the school buildings, but also away from the campus, for the betterment of students like Carlos D. Brown.