Regional

Trump: America's future 'blazing bright'

WASHINGTON — Standing before a Congress and nation sharply divided by impeachment, President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday to extol a “Great American Comeback” on his watch, just three years after he took office decrying a land of “American carnage” under his predecessor.
Garden Club members Carol Stevens and Tina Roberts pick up litter near McCray Avenue on Saturday during Lake City’s inaugural “Take Pride in Your Community Clean-Up Campaign.” (MICHAEL PHILIPS/Lake City Reporter)

Garden Club members Carol Stevens and Tina Roberts pick up litter near McCray Avenue on Saturday during Lake City’s inaugural “Take Pride in Your Community Clean-Up Campaign.” (MICHAEL PHILIPS/Lake City Reporter)

Volunteers gather to spruce Lake City up before visitors arrive

City Manager Joe Helfenberger stood in front a map of Lake City, a general marshaling a company of volunteers in the battle against trash.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied by his chief of staff, Sharon Soderstrom, after the Senate voted to not allow witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. (AP PHOTO)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied by his chief of staff, Sharon Soderstrom, after the Senate voted to not allow witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. (AP PHOTO)

Senate rejects witnesses, ensuring Trump's acquittal

WASHINGTON — The Senate narrowly rejected Democratic demands to summon witnesses for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial late Friday, all but ensuring Trump’s acquittal in just the third such trial to face a president in U.S. history.
Jay Morrow, a retired Marine, asks questions during a town hall meeting on services that are no longer available at the Lake City VA Medical Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jay Morrow, a retired Marine, asks questions during a town hall meeting on services that are no longer available at the Lake City VA Medical Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Piecemeal privatizing at VA?

National Nurses United, the largest nurses union in the country, said some medical services once offered at the Lake City VA Medical Center have been transferred to the VA facility in Gainesville, while two new federal laws have led to concerns about future privatization.
Confederate soldiers fire at Union troops during the 2018 Battle of Olustee Re-enactment on the site of the original 1864 battle. The re-enactment and Olustee Battle Festival, which is held in Lake City, are set for mid-February. (FILE)

Confederate soldiers fire at Union troops during the 2018 Battle of Olustee Re-enactment on the site of the original 1864 battle. The re-enactment and Olustee Battle Festival, which is held in Lake City, are set for mid-February. (FILE)

A small break with tradition at Olustee

James Montgomery had a impact on the local community through politics, education, theology and scouting.

Pre-K changes OK’d by panel

A proposal that would revamp Florida’s voluntary pre-kindergarten program was approved by a Senate panel on Monday as Democrats expressed concern about “high-stakes” testing for the state’s youngest learners. The proposal, sponsored by Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, emerged after Gov.
Nick Albrecht takes time off from his job at the Florida Department of Transportation to donate blood at the Lake City Police Department’s “Public Safety Blood Drive” on Friday. (MICHAEL PHILIPS/Lake City Reporter)

Nick Albrecht takes time off from his job at the Florida Department of Transportation to donate blood at the Lake City Police Department’s “Public Safety Blood Drive” on Friday. (MICHAEL PHILIPS/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD sponsors blood donation drive for LifeSouth

On Friday, the Lake City Police Department hosted the LifeSouth Blood Mobile for its “Public Safety Blood Drive,” and those who donated received a free T-shirt with the hashtag #LocalHeroes and the LifeSouth logo on it.

Military training may soon count in college

TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers are fast-tracking legislation that would allow service members and veterans to receive college credits for their military training, with the goal of saving time and money.