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Meally Jenkins (left), Christmas Dream Machine executive director and founder, and Janet Stanford, a Christmas Dream Machine director, move bags of gift bags as they prepare for the organization’s toy distribution. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Meally Jenkins (left), Christmas Dream Machine executive director and founder, and Janet Stanford, a Christmas Dream Machine director, move bags of gift bags as they prepare for the organization’s toy distribution. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Dream Machine delivers for 500-plus kids

TONY BRITT
Friday, December 18, 2020
More than 500 children in the area will have gifts under their Christmas tree this year as beneficiaries of the Christmas Dream Machine. The Christmas Dream Machine, in its 32nd season, is a program that provides toys and clothing to families who qualify financially. “It’s wonderful.

FGC delays start of spring term

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 18, 2020
The holiday break just got a little longer for Florida Gateway College students. The college announced Friday the start to the spring semester has been delayed by one week. Spring classes will now begin Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Rotary President Lee Pinchouck, Rotarian Chase Moses, Elks Toy Drive Chairman and Rotarian George Brannon, Abby Candler and Rotarian Chris Candler with monetary and toy donations given to the Elks Toy Drive. (COURTESY)

Rotary President Lee Pinchouck, Rotarian Chase Moses, Elks Toy Drive Chairman and Rotarian George Brannon, Abby Candler and Rotarian Chris Candler with monetary and toy donations given to the Elks Toy Drive. (COURTESY)

Elks Lodge Toy Party set for Christmas Eve

TODD WILSON
Friday, December 18, 2020
The Lake City Elks Lodge Christmas Toy Drive saw unprecedented support this year in the face of what is expected to be overwhelming demand, according to organizers.
Billy Brideson (from left), owner of 3rd Alarm Public Safety Training, stands with Tad Cervantes, CCFR assistant chief and Jeff Crawford, CCFR Chief, as they a show a new hood county firefighters will receive. The Nomex particulate hoods increase firefighter safety against carcinogens. The county fire department recently purchased 54 of the hoods with funds raised through a 3rd Alarm training session. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Billy Brideson (from left), owner of 3rd Alarm Public Safety Training, stands with Tad Cervantes, CCFR assistant chief and Jeff Crawford, CCFR Chief, as they a show a new hood county firefighters will receive. The Nomex particulate hoods increase firefighter safety against carcinogens. The county fire department recently purchased 54 of the hoods with funds raised through a 3rd Alarm training session. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Top Gear: CCFR purchases hoods to limit exposure to carcinogens in fires

TONY BRITT
Friday, December 18, 2020
Rushing into burning buildings and structures on a daily basis is part of the job that Columbia County Fire Rescue firefighters signed on to perform.
LaKasia Portee-Jones (from left), Terrence Jones, Chantal Re’Nee, Shalea Jernigan, Carol Tunsil, Jodi Watson, Tara Williams, Makeba Murphy, Neha Dabhi, Sarah Wheeler, James Jordan and CCSO Chief Deputy Joe Lucas stand behind items that were recently donated to Pathways Academy students. The students were able to take the donated items home Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LaKasia Portee-Jones (from left), Terrence Jones, Chantal Re’Nee, Shalea Jernigan, Carol Tunsil, Jodi Watson, Tara Williams, Makeba Murphy, Neha Dabhi, Sarah Wheeler, James Jordan and CCSO Chief Deputy Joe Lucas stand behind items that were recently donated to Pathways Academy students. The students were able to take the donated items home Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Pathways students receive early gifts

TONY BRITT
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Just one day before the start of Christmas break, Pathways Academy students received early — and unexpected — Christmas gifts.

Elks will host annual Christmas Eve toy party

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, December 17, 2020
The Lake City Elks Lodge will host its annual Christmas toy party for Lake City families on Christmas Eve. The event will begin at 5 p.m., Thursday, December 24, at the Lodge in downtown Lake City. Children and their adult parent or guardian should line up at the lakefront entrance to the lodge.
Ryleigh Harden gets a ride on a shopping cart from Lake City Police Department Lt. Andy Miles while Christmas shopping during the Shop with a Cop program Wednesday morning at Walmart. Thirty local children were able to go Christmas shopping with LCPD officers during the event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ryleigh Harden gets a ride on a shopping cart from Lake City Police Department Lt. Andy Miles while Christmas shopping during the Shop with a Cop program Wednesday morning at Walmart. Thirty local children were able to go Christmas shopping with LCPD officers during the event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Shop with a Cop helps grant Christmas wishes

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Ten Lake City Police Department vehicles lined the street outside Walmart Wednesday morning as 15 Lake City Police Department officers formed a semi-circle and discussed a plan of action.
Good Samaritans may have helped save a man’s life Tuesday when he had a medical emergency while driving and ran into the Publix building. (COURTESY)

Good Samaritans may have helped save a man’s life Tuesday when he had a medical emergency while driving and ran into the Publix building. (COURTESY)

Quick-thinking shoppers help save man’s life

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Quick thinking and even quicker reactions by several local Good Samaritans may have saved a man’s life Tuesday afternoon.