Local

The Scott family floats down the Ichetucknee River in this file photo from the 2016 summer tubing season. Tubing may no longer be allowed on the Upper Ichetucknee according to a plan proposed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (FILE)

The Scott family floats down the Ichetucknee River in this file photo from the 2016 summer tubing season. Tubing may no longer be allowed on the Upper Ichetucknee according to a plan proposed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (FILE)

Down the tubes: DEP plan calls for no more tubing on Upper Ichetucknee

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
FORT WHITE — Lazy summer days of tubing down the entire Ichetucknee River may be floating away. During a virtual public hearing Tuesday morning, Florida Department of Environmental Protection officials unveiled a plan to ban tubing on the Upper Ichetucknee, the shallow end of the spring run.

CCS: School optional this week

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Skipping school will be excused — at least the remainder of this week — by the Columbia County Schools. The district announced Tuesday afternoon that the remainder of the week is optional for students as the number of covid cases and quarantines rise within the district.
Santa Claus rides through the snow on the back of a fire truck to the Winter Wonderland at Florida Gateway College on Saturday. (ROB WOLFE/Special to the Reporter)

Santa Claus rides through the snow on the back of a fire truck to the Winter Wonderland at Florida Gateway College on Saturday. (ROB WOLFE/Special to the Reporter)

Getting in the spirit: Christmas festivals, parade a hit

TONY BRITT
Monday, December 14, 2020
A wave of Yuletide spirit enveloped Columbia County during the weekend as Christmas festivals were held around the county on Saturday.
Genesis Wormely (from left) looks on as Abigayle Chadwick gets help in hitting a tennis ball from Dolly Robinson, Lake City Columbia Community Tennis Association president, during the ceremony opening The Tennis Courts at Youngs Park on Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Genesis Wormely (from left) looks on as Abigayle Chadwick gets help in hitting a tennis ball from Dolly Robinson, Lake City Columbia Community Tennis Association president, during the ceremony opening The Tennis Courts at Youngs Park on Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Youngs Park tennis courts in full swing

TONY BRITT
Monday, December 14, 2020
For the first time in months, tennis balls were flying at the Youngs Park tennis courts. The tennis balls screaming all over the courts weren’t errant shots during a match, but the ceremonial opening chosen by the City of Lake City and the Lake City Columbia Community Tennis Association.
Workers from North Florida Glass work last week on placing new windows over the stained glass windows at the First Baptist Church of Lake City. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Workers from North Florida Glass work last week on placing new windows over the stained glass windows at the First Baptist Church of Lake City. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Handled with care: FBC moves to protect stained glass windows

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 11, 2020
For 95 years, the stained glass windows protected the First Baptist Church of Lake City sanctuary from the elements. Now, the church has returned the favor.
Inga Dwyer, Toys for Tots coordinator for Columbia and Suwannee counties, unpacked a box of games last month to prepare for the Christmas season. The local program is completely booked solid through Dec. 24. (FILE)

Inga Dwyer, Toys for Tots coordinator for Columbia and Suwannee counties, unpacked a box of games last month to prepare for the Christmas season. The local program is completely booked solid through Dec. 24. (FILE)

Toys for Tots overwhelmed by demand

TONY BRITT
Friday, December 11, 2020
This year’s increased need for toys is overwhelming the local Toys for Tots office. With 14 days remaining until Christmas, Inga Dwyer, Toys for Tots coordinator for Columbia and Suwannee counties, said she is booked solid.

CARES business assistance deadline approaching

TONY BRITT
Friday, December 11, 2020
Columbia County has provided more than $2 million to local businesses in CARES funding to recoup funding losses due to covid-19 affiliated hardships. The final day local businesses can apply for the assistance is Tuesday, with roughly more than $4 million in funding remaining.
Lawrence Barrett (left), Florida Gateway College President, gives Kevin Doorman his water services bachelors degree during commencement exercises Thursday evening at the college. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lawrence Barrett (left), Florida Gateway College President, gives Kevin Doorman his water services bachelors degree during commencement exercises Thursday evening at the college. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC graduates lauded for overcoming adversity

TONY BRITT
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Overcoming adversity was the main theme relayed to Florida Gateway College graduates Thursday evening during commencement exercises. After going through several months of changes due to the global pandemic, FGC held a series of graduation ceremonies this week for its Fall 2020 Commencement.