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Columbia County Schools Superintendent Keith Couey (left) greets Jade as Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Bailey introduces her to the school board. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

Columbia County Schools Superintendent Keith Couey (left) greets Jade as Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Bailey introduces her to the school board. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

K-9 Jade starts new job at school board meeting

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
The newest Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputy doesn’t care much for decorum at public meetings. But she makes up for that by being a good girl. The CCSO officially debuted its newest employee, K-9 Jade, during the Columbia County School Board meeting Tuesday.
Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keen (from left), Finance Director La Gina Dow and Finance Clerk Serena Kirby accepted the Legacy Finance Award during the Florida Tax Collector’s Association’s Fall Education Conference. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keen (from left), Finance Director La Gina Dow and Finance Clerk Serena Kirby accepted the Legacy Finance Award during the Florida Tax Collector’s Association’s Fall Education Conference. (COURTESY)

Tax Collector’s office receives prestigious Legacy Award

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Amid the state’s deeper looks into individual counties’ finances, the Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office is busy bringing home hardware recognizing its upkeep. Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keen announced Monday his office’s certificate of merit for a clean audit.
Inga Dwyer, the Toys for Tots coordinator for Columbia and Lafayette counties, holds up a pair of dolls at her new office for this year at 819 SW Alachua Avenue in Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Inga Dwyer, the Toys for Tots coordinator for Columbia and Lafayette counties, holds up a pair of dolls at her new office for this year at 819 SW Alachua Avenue in Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Toys for Tots settling into new building

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
The Toys for Tots organization serving Columbia County children will be operating in a new location for this year’s holiday season.
Columbia County Sheriff Wallace Kitchings talks about the need to renovate the Columbia County Detention Facility during Tuesday’s legislative delegation meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Sheriff Wallace Kitchings talks about the need to renovate the Columbia County Detention Facility during Tuesday’s legislative delegation meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Delegation talks public safety concerns

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Before he began addressing Columbia County’s legislative delegation Tuesday morning, Sheriff Wallace Kitchings delivered a gift to the legislators. Kitchings started off his time by handing both Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) and Rep.
Rep. Chuck Brannan (right) speaks during Tuesday’s legislative delegation meeting at Florida Gateway College while Sen. Jennifer Bradley listens. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Rep. Chuck Brannan (right) speaks during Tuesday’s legislative delegation meeting at Florida Gateway College while Sen. Jennifer Bradley listens. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Legislators want to see tax reform proposals

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
The push to reduce or eliminate property taxes in Florida will dominate the upcoming legislative session.

Mother gets reduced bond in abuse case

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 24, 2025
A Fort White woman is getting her bond reduced after being charged with three counts of aggravated child abuse. According to records from the Columbia County Clerk of Courts, Jill Griffeth entered a motion for a bond reduction hearing back on Oct. 17.
Vern Lloyd of Lake City hands a flag to a youngster who sprinted to catch up to the Military Officers Association of America float during the 2019 Veterans Day parade. (FILE)

Vern Lloyd of Lake City hands a flag to a youngster who sprinted to catch up to the Military Officers Association of America float during the 2019 Veterans Day parade. (FILE)

Legion Post 57 getting help for Veterans Day parade

TONY BRITT
Friday, October 24, 2025
Local residents will have an opportunity to honor, thank, and celebrate local veterans and their commitment to the country during the Veterans Day Parade, which is scheduled to take place in a few weeks.
Sen. Jennifer Bradley and Rep. Chuck Brannan listen during a previous legislative delegation meeting at Florida Gateway College. This year’s Columbia County meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at FGC. (FILE)

Sen. Jennifer Bradley and Rep. Chuck Brannan listen during a previous legislative delegation meeting at Florida Gateway College. This year’s Columbia County meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at FGC. (FILE)

Legislative delegation meeting Tuesday

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 24, 2025
Columbia County’s legislative delegation will be in town Tuesday to hear from their constituents. Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) and Rep. Chuck Brannan (R-Macclenny) will hold their annual legislative delegation hearing at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Wilson S.