Local

CCS losing students en masse

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Students have left the Columbia County public school system en masse during the past six months in favor of alternatives outside the in-person and remote-learning options offered by the district.

Circle K construction set to kick off

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
The wait for a new Circle K in Lake City is nearly over. City officials say construction work linked to the convenience store and gas station appears to be just days from beginning following close to a year of waiting for the project.
Jessica Richards (from left), a Summers Elementary School kindergarten teacher, looks on as Jayden Wilson watches his parents Ashley DeFreitas and Ryan DeFreitas wave good-bye to him on the first day of school. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jessica Richards (from left), a Summers Elementary School kindergarten teacher, looks on as Jayden Wilson watches his parents Ashley DeFreitas and Ryan DeFreitas wave good-bye to him on the first day of school. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

'A great day': Masks popular as students return to school

TONY BRITT
Monday, August 24, 2020
Delayed twice, Columbia County’s first day of school went off without a hitch Monday. “The first day has been great,” said Hope Jernigan, assistant superintendent of elementary schools for the Columbia County School District.

Deputy helps save man’s life, spots him on stolen bike

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, August 24, 2020
A habitual traffic offender who lived through an overdose thanks to first responders was riding around on a stolen motorcycle when he was recognized by a deputy who previously helped to save his life, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Jeff Siegmeister, the former state attorney, addresses county commissioners in August 2017. Charging documents were filed Thursday in federal court alleging a bribery scheme involving a "high-ranking" member of the State Attorney's office identified as "J.S." (FILE)

Jeff Siegmeister, the former state attorney, addresses county commissioners in August 2017. Charging documents were filed Thursday in federal court alleging a bribery scheme involving a "high-ranking" member of the State Attorney's office identified as "J.S." (FILE)

Feds allege corruption in State Attorney’s Office

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, August 21, 2020
A federal probe uncovered high-level corruption at the State Attorney’s Office, newly filed court documents allege.
Ashley Gerondale, Lake City Columbia County Humane Society animal adoptions manager, plays with a smiling “Boomer” on Friday afternoon after a walk. The humane society will start construction on the James Montgomery Animal Wellness Center in the next few weeks. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ashley Gerondale, Lake City Columbia County Humane Society animal adoptions manager, plays with a smiling “Boomer” on Friday afternoon after a walk. The humane society will start construction on the James Montgomery Animal Wellness Center in the next few weeks. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Humane Society looking to raise funds for new building

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 21, 2020
Looking to construct a building, the Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society is also trying to build up some funding. As it prepares to begin construction on the James Montgomery Wellness Center on the humane society’s NW Shelter Glen campus, the organization is also hoping to raise $130,000.
Karla Rodriguez, an Eastside Elementary School kindergarten teacher, places classroom schedules in packets as she prepares her classroom for the beginning of school on Monday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Karla Rodriguez, an Eastside Elementary School kindergarten teacher, places classroom schedules in packets as she prepares her classroom for the beginning of school on Monday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County students return to class Monday

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 21, 2020
The long wait is over. Columbia County students last attended classes in brick and mortar school buildings on March 13, one day before their spring break was scheduled to begin, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Missing man found dead in wooded area

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 21, 2020
Two days after he was reported missing, a Columbia County man was found dead. Dylan Sweat, 26, left his home on NW Ethelind Court around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
William Highland, Columbia School District Transportation Department driver and safety trainer, uses a cordless electrostatic sprayer to disinfect a school bus on Thursday afternoon while preparing for the upcoming school year which begins on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

William Highland, Columbia School District Transportation Department driver and safety trainer, uses a cordless electrostatic sprayer to disinfect a school bus on Thursday afternoon while preparing for the upcoming school year which begins on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Spick and span: Cleaning, disinfecting prioritized as schools set to open

TONY BRITT
Thursday, August 20, 2020
The Columbia County School District is just days away from starting the 2020-21 school year and district officials are making the final preparations before classes begin Monday.