Local

$1.5M of CARES funding paid to individuals

TONY BRITT
Monday, January 11, 2021
Columbia County residents adversely impacted by the global pandemic, who could not pay their bills received more than $1.5 million from Columbia County through the CARES individual assistance program.
Vernon Zinnerman (from left), Fort White public works director shows Ronnie Frazier, Fort White mayor, the town’s water plant’s charcoal filter system, as they visually inspect the plant Friday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Vernon Zinnerman (from left), Fort White public works director shows Ronnie Frazier, Fort White mayor, the town’s water plant’s charcoal filter system, as they visually inspect the plant Friday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White just wants high quality H20

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 8, 2021
FORT WHITE — Fort White officials thought the problems with water discoloration and smell were behind them. The town received word last year it was going to get a $2.8 million legislative appropriation to address its water quality issues.
A five-year look at the graduation rates for Columbia and Suwannee counties as well as the State of Florida.

A five-year look at the graduation rates for Columbia and Suwannee counties as well as the State of Florida.

CCS receives high marks on graduation rates

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 8, 2021
Columbia County Schools employees — whether they’re teachers, staff, administrators or support staff — have one singular focus: graduating students. That focus paid off Friday when the Florida Department of Education announced the district’s 95.
Florida Gateway College renovated the former Boys Club of Columbia County site to serve as a multipurpose facility, which will hold the college’s expanded corrections officer training program this spring. (COURTESY)

Florida Gateway College renovated the former Boys Club of Columbia County site to serve as a multipurpose facility, which will hold the college’s expanded corrections officer training program this spring. (COURTESY)

FGC set to open new facility

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 8, 2021
Florida Gateway College will cut the ribbon on its newest facility Thursday. The ceremony to open the multipurpose complex at the former Boys Club of Columbia County site is schedule for 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
Jay Swisher, Columbia County Clerk of Court, hoists a flag over the Columbia County Courthouse Wednesday that was flown over the U.S. Capitol. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jay Swisher, Columbia County Clerk of Court, hoists a flag over the Columbia County Courthouse Wednesday that was flown over the U.S. Capitol. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Swisher displays U.S. Capitol flag at courthouse.

TONY BRITT
Thursday, January 7, 2021
It wasn’t your normal “stars and stripes” that flew over the Columbia County Courthouse on Wednesday.
U.S. Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. (DREW ANGERER/Getty Images/TNS)

U.S. Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. (DREW ANGERER/Getty Images/TNS)

Lawmakers, locals denounce violent display

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Local Democratic activist Glenel Bowden couldn’t believe what he was seeing on television Wednesday afternoon. The scenes of protestors storming the U.S.
Lake City Police Officer Lt. Keith Heston (left) talks to a group of unidentified people at 179 NW Escambia Street, near the intersection of NE Calhoun Street, where a shooting occurred Wednesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Police Officer Lt. Keith Heston (left) talks to a group of unidentified people at 179 NW Escambia Street, near the intersection of NE Calhoun Street, where a shooting occurred Wednesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Shots fired on Lake City's north side

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
A daytime shooting Wednesday left one man airlifted with multiple gunshot wounds and police combing northern Lake City for a potential suspect with a crowd of onlookers gathering in the area. The Lake City Police Department received a call around 4 p.m.
Lake City utility crews worked late into the night Tuesday fixing a water main break at Columbia High School. (COURTESY)

Lake City utility crews worked late into the night Tuesday fixing a water main break at Columbia High School. (COURTESY)

City repairs CHS water main break

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
City utility crews worked late into the night Tuesday fixing a water main break at Columbia High School. Terri Phillips, Lake City community program manager, said the workers were repairing a broken 8-inch water main at the school. She said the break was caused by a stress crack.