Local

Columbia’s Top Talent contestants finalists: Brynlei Smith (from row, from left), Ashlyn Esposito, Cailiana Mobley, (middle row, from left) Shamarria Bowles, Kirsten Swift, Kerry Palinga, Serenity Camiel, (back row, from left) Tristin Pentalina, Daniel Fulton III and Jayden Burchn are scheduled to perform in the finals Friday night. (COURTESY)

Columbia’s Top Talent contestants finalists: Brynlei Smith (from row, from left), Ashlyn Esposito, Cailiana Mobley, (middle row, from left) Shamarria Bowles, Kirsten Swift, Kerry Palinga, Serenity Camiel, (back row, from left) Tristin Pentalina, Daniel Fulton III and Jayden Burchn are scheduled to perform in the finals Friday night. (COURTESY)

Columbia’s Top Talent to host contest

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Local singing talent Adam Sanders, who is now country music star, began his career by winning the Columbia Idol title years ago.
Ami Mitchell, Lake City Human Resources Department Director, works at her desk Wednesday afternoon. Mitchell began working at the city’s new human resources department director on April 5. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ami Mitchell, Lake City Human Resources Department Director, works at her desk Wednesday afternoon. Mitchell began working at the city’s new human resources department director on April 5. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

New Lake City HR department head off to a running start

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
If optimism and enthusiasm are contagious, the city has found their dream director to helm the city’s human resources department. Ami Mitchell, City of Lake City Human Resources Director, started work for the city on April 5 and said she likes the job.
Andrey Brinson (from left), Brianna Thornton and Gabrielle Ann Gilliam pose for pictures as they exit their graduation ceremony with diplomas Tuesday afternoon at Florida Gateway College. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Andrey Brinson (from left), Brianna Thornton and Gabrielle Ann Gilliam pose for pictures as they exit their graduation ceremony with diplomas Tuesday afternoon at Florida Gateway College. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Degrees of separation: FGC grads celebrate with socially distanced ceremonies

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Raising her hands in the air after her named was called to get her diploma, Tonya Lynn Yates reached the top of the stairs and walked across the stage to get her diploma from Lawrence Barrett, Florida Gateway College president.
Eastside students with supplies for the LCHS. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Eastside students with supplies for the LCHS. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Eastside students donate to help sheltered animals

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
It took youngsters from Eastside Elementary School about a month to gather a full-sized van and truckload of animal supplies. It took them fewer than 20 minutes to give the supplies away.
LCPD officer Taylor Sapp was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. (COURTESY)

LCPD officer Taylor Sapp was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. (COURTESY)

Support rolls in for LCPD officer

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Taylor Sapp is used to protecting and serving Lake City. However, now the community is supporting the Lake City police officer in her fight against cancer.
Deputies with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office talk with Kirk Lanham and Lauryn Jones on Tuesday morning after the two were seen on surveillance cameras burglarizing a pool house on NW Streamside Court. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

Deputies with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office talk with Kirk Lanham and Lauryn Jones on Tuesday morning after the two were seen on surveillance cameras burglarizing a pool house on NW Streamside Court. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

Cameras catch burglars in the act

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
They’re probably not smiling, but they were caught on camera. Home security cameras caught a Columbia County pair breaking into a pool house at a NW Streamside Court residence Tuesday morning, leading to their arrest on burglary charges. A home owner was notified at 7:12 a.m.

Burglar caught attempting break-in with spoon

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Armed with a spoon, authorities say a Lake City man attempted to break into a car at a Columbia County restaurant last week. According to the Lake City Police Department, 41-year-old Donald Silas was spotted trying to burglarize a Chrysler car at the Huddle House on North U.S. Hwy.
Elana Ramos (from left) points out to JaMarian Lane to watch how the ribbons are getting platted on the May Day pole during a NorthStar Family Resource Center May Celebration Saturday afternoon at Richardson Community Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Elana Ramos (from left) points out to JaMarian Lane to watch how the ribbons are getting platted on the May Day pole during a NorthStar Family Resource Center May Celebration Saturday afternoon at Richardson Community Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

May Day Celebration: NorthStar hosts event featuring community partners.

TONY BRITT
Monday, May 3, 2021
Children plaiting the May Day pole, loud music, bounce houses and a row of tents where local service providers gave information about their programs were featured events Saturday at the Richardson Community Center where the NorthStar Family Resource Center was celebrating the community.

Budget boosts FGC’s plans

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, May 3, 2021
Florida Gateway College has already broken ground on its new STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) building earlier this spring, but it may now require additional space. In the 2021-22 budget passed last week by the Florida Legislature, FGC was allocated $6.