Local

Lake City Councilman Todd Sampson talks to the Fort White Town Council about the city providing utility services to Fort White at a meeting Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman Todd Sampson talks to the Fort White Town Council about the city providing utility services to Fort White at a meeting Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

City, county duel for favor of Fort White

TONY BRITT
Monday, February 22, 2021
FORT WHITE — This southern Columbia County town has had quality drinking water problems for years.
Pre-cast jail cell pods are being installed at the Columbia County Detention Facility as part of a $16 million renovation project at the jail, which will expand the jail’s capacity by more than 200 beds. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Pre-cast jail cell pods are being installed at the Columbia County Detention Facility as part of a $16 million renovation project at the jail, which will expand the jail’s capacity by more than 200 beds. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cell tower: Pods arrive as jail renovation continues

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 19, 2021
The Columbia County Detention Facility had a constant stream of visitors this week. Escort vehicles with ‘wide load’ signs leading tractor trailers carrying cement-looking cubes kept checking in at the county jail. Those cubes?
Catholic Charities is in need of a new refrigerated food truck for the Florida Gateway Food Bank as its current truck has had ‘tremendous, excessive repairs.’ (FILE)

Catholic Charities is in need of a new refrigerated food truck for the Florida Gateway Food Bank as its current truck has had ‘tremendous, excessive repairs.’ (FILE)

Catholic Charities in need of truck

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 19, 2021
Catholic Charities has made its local reputation by overcoming odds and providing services to those in need when they don’t have many options.
The Suwannee Valley Science Fair was held Thursday at Florida Gateway College with Fort White High School and Fort White Middle School taking home the top honors with the best overall winner in both the junior and senior divisions. Winning the Best Overall Senior Division Award were Fort White’s Trace Taylor (from left) and Trey Tyre for their project, ‘The Effect of a 1% Microflora Inoculant Soil Solution on Cucumber Nutrient Density, Plant Growth, and General Health.’ (COURTESY)

The Suwannee Valley Science Fair was held Thursday at Florida Gateway College with Fort White High School and Fort White Middle School taking home the top honors with the best overall winner in both the junior and senior divisions. Winning the Best Overall Senior Division Award were Fort White’s Trace Taylor (from left) and Trey Tyre for their project, ‘The Effect of a 1% Microflora Inoculant Soil Solution on Cucumber Nutrient Density, Plant Growth, and General Health.’ (COURTESY)

Fort White takes top honors at science fair

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 19, 2021
The top overall projects at Thursday’s 66th annual Suwannee Valley Regional Science Fair both came out of Fort White.

Through with Chew Week raises awareness

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 19, 2021
Each year, Through With Chew Week raises awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco use (chew, dip and snus) and the effective tools available to quit. This Through With Chew Week, Feb.
Lake City VA Medical Center Associate Director Chad Adams (from left), North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Director Tom Wisnieski and Disabled American Veterans state commander Thomas Ayala took turns digging into the west lawn of the Lake City VA Medical Center yesterday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City VA Medical Center Associate Director Chad Adams (from left), North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Director Tom Wisnieski and Disabled American Veterans state commander Thomas Ayala took turns digging into the west lawn of the Lake City VA Medical Center yesterday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City VA centennial time capsule includes covid era items

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Though many may not wish to remember the effects covid has had on their lives, the Lake City Veterans Affairs Medical Center is making a point to be sure future generations do just that.

LCMC names new chief nursing officer

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Lake City Medical Center announced the appointment of Beth Sanford-Richman as chief nursing officer in a Wednesday release from the healthcare provider. Sanford-Richman will officially assume her role with the 91-bed acute care hospital on Monday.
Construction crews lift a wall for the new two-story Belmont Academy building on Tuesday. The walls were being erected Tuesday and Wednesday with the facility expected to open this fall. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Construction crews lift a wall for the new two-story Belmont Academy building on Tuesday. The walls were being erected Tuesday and Wednesday with the facility expected to open this fall. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

From the ground up: Belmont’s new building taking shape

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Belmont Academy is putting down roots while also reaching higher. The charter school is expanding as construction crews work on adding a new building to the Belmont Academy campus.