Local

Morgan Fenwick (left) and Klowe Redding rehearse a scene for the upcoming production of ‘Romeo and Juliet Go West.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Morgan Fenwick (left) and Klowe Redding rehearse a scene for the upcoming production of ‘Romeo and Juliet Go West.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CHS bringing ‘Romeo and Juliet’ westward

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Two of the world’s most famous teenaged lovers will get to live life in the wild west when Columbia High School’s theater program presents ‘Romeo and Juliet Go West’ this week. The story of Romona and Joel is by August Mergelman and produced by special arrangement with Heuer Publishing.

Fort White woman killed in two-car collision Tuesday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
A late night crash killed one driver and left another in critical condition Tuesday. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, a sedan driven by a 23-year-old Lake City man was driving north on State Road 47 around 11:10 p.m.
Representatives from the Columbia Correctional Institution and Lake City Police Department teamed up to give local inmates the materials necessary to build teddy bears to be used for kids in domestic violence situations. (COURTESY LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

Representatives from the Columbia Correctional Institution and Lake City Police Department teamed up to give local inmates the materials necessary to build teddy bears to be used for kids in domestic violence situations. (COURTESY LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

CCI inmates give back with bears

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
After being granted additional job programs earlier this year, inmates could potentially help out young domestic violence victims.

‘Stuff the Sleigh’ toy drive set for Saturday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
A couple of Lake City businesses are hoping to ‘Stuff the Sleigh’ this weekend. Rainbolt Electric and Phish Tales are collecting new, unwrapped toys to benefit underprivileged children in the community with a “Stuff the Sleigh” toy drive on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Students in Epiphany Catholic School’s ASTRA Club met with Circuit Judge Leandra Johnson, Sheriff Wallace Kitchings, Clerk of Court Jay Swisher, State Attorney John Durrett and Public Defender Cliff Wilson last week to learn about the judicial system. (COURTESY)

Students in Epiphany Catholic School’s ASTRA Club met with Circuit Judge Leandra Johnson, Sheriff Wallace Kitchings, Clerk of Court Jay Swisher, State Attorney John Durrett and Public Defender Cliff Wilson last week to learn about the judicial system. (COURTESY)

Epiphany ASTRA Club visits Courthouse

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
The Epiphany Catholic School’s ASTRA Club, affiliated with Altrusa International of Lake City, participated in an educational visit to the Columbia County Courthouse last week. The Nov.
A pair of youngsters hand out American flags to veterans and others during Saturday’s Veterans Day parade in Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A pair of youngsters hand out American flags to veterans and others during Saturday’s Veterans Day parade in Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Annual Veterans Day parade a hit with veterans, residents

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Columbia County veterans were the guests of honor Saturday afternoon as American Legion Post 57 and the VFW hosted the annual Veterans Day parade.
Kyle Warner, keynote speaker for the Lake City Elks Lodge #893 Marine Corps 250 birthday celebration, uses a sword to cut the birthday cake for the event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kyle Warner, keynote speaker for the Lake City Elks Lodge #893 Marine Corps 250 birthday celebration, uses a sword to cut the birthday cake for the event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Elks Lodge celebrates Marine Corps

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Lake City Elks Lodge #893 celebrated veterans and honored the U.S. Marine Corps during a brief ceremony Monday evening at the lodge. “We’re having a veterans memorial celebration,” said Leslie Rogers, Lake City Elk Lodge #893 chaplain. “Tomorrow is Veterans Day.
Florida Gateway College Foundation Executive Director Lee Pinchouck said an initial investment of $5 million would last at least 19 years in helping provide scholarships to nursing students. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Gateway College Foundation Executive Director Lee Pinchouck said an initial investment of $5 million would last at least 19 years in helping provide scholarships to nursing students. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore investing in nursing program

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Having already given Florida Gateway College a building on its campus, the Lake Shore Hospital Authority is now exploring more direct financial support for the impending influx of students. The LSHA trustees voted unanimously during their Monday meeting to invest up to $2.

South Florida man killed in I-75 crash

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
JASPER — A South Florida man was killed Sunday afternoon in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 75. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a semi truck had a tire blow out as it was traveling southbound on I-75 in between the Jennings exit and State Road 6 exit for Jasper around 2:27 p.m. Sunday.
Anthony R. Hare (center) has a quilt of valor draped across his shoulders during the American Legion Post 57 Veterans Day program on Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Anthony R. Hare (center) has a quilt of valor draped across his shoulders during the American Legion Post 57 Veterans Day program on Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Legion Post 57 salutes vets with service

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
American Legion Post 57 honored its members, visiting veterans and fallen comrades Tuesday morning with a Veterans Day Service and luncheon at the post. The ceremony began at 11:11 a.m.