Regional

Mayor Stephen Witt presents Kevin Cheek with a copy of the proclamation honoring him on Arbor Day for his efforts beautifying Columbia County. (MICHAEL PHILIPS/Lake City Reporter)

Mayor Stephen Witt presents Kevin Cheek with a copy of the proclamation honoring him on Arbor Day for his efforts beautifying Columbia County. (MICHAEL PHILIPS/Lake City Reporter)

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Arbor Day honoree is FDOT landscape pro

MICHAEL PHILIPS
Monday, January 20, 2020
At the Clubhouse on Isabella on Friday, the Lake City Garden Club hosted an Arbor Day reception to honor Ken Cheek, the District 2 landscape architect of the Florida Department of Transportation.
Firefighters lug a search-and-rescue dummy. Friday’s drills marked the end of a week-long gauntlet of training exercises, the first time CCFR has hosted personnel from agencies outside the county. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Firefighters lug a search-and-rescue dummy. Friday’s drills marked the end of a week-long gauntlet of training exercises, the first time CCFR has hosted personnel from agencies outside the county. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

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‘Burn building’ gives regional first responders real-world experience

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, January 17, 2020
Based on the floor plan, you’d think they were gearing up to raid a secret ninja fortress.  Moveable walls allow the layout to be changed at will, preventing anyone from navigating the smoke-filled labyrinth by memory alone. Meanwhile, a raging fire slows the progress of anyone who ventures inside.

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Genetic information bill gets quick backing

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Incoming House Speaker Chris Sprowls had little trouble Thursday convincing members of a House health-care panel to approve legislation that would prohibit life-insurance, long-term care insurance and disability-insurance companies from using customers’ genetic information in changing, denying or...
Susan Eagle (left), the 2020 Lake City Board of Realtors President, stands with Sandy Kishton after she presented Kishton with the 2019 Realtor of the Year Award during Monday’s Lake City Board of Realtors 2020 Installation Luncheon at the Lake City Holiday Inn. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Susan Eagle (left), the 2020 Lake City Board of Realtors President, stands with Sandy Kishton after she presented Kishton with the 2019 Realtor of the Year Award during Monday’s Lake City Board of Realtors 2020 Installation Luncheon at the Lake City Holiday Inn. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

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Sandy Kishton named Realtor of the Year

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
As if having a thriving real estate business weren’t enough, Sandy Kishton also gives back to her community in many ways.

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DeSantis slams Senate gun bill; Oliva also skeptic

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
A day after a committee unanimously signed off on one of Senate President Bill Galvano’s top priorities, Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Jose Oliva expressed skepticism Tuesday about the sweeping gun-control measure.

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DeSantis: Continue ‘bold’ plans

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Governor Ron DeSantis formally started the 2020 legislative session Tuesday by urging lawmakers to boost pay for many public-school teachers, continue addressing Everglades restoration and water quality and curb business regulations.
The Rev. Al Reese delivers the eulogy at the celebration of life service held for James H. Montgomery on Saturday at First Presbyterian. (MICHAEL PHILIPS/Special to the Reporter)

The Rev. Al Reese delivers the eulogy at the celebration of life service held for James H. Montgomery on Saturday at First Presbyterian. (MICHAEL PHILIPS/Special to the Reporter)

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A final farewell to Mr. Mont

MICHAEL PHILIPS
Monday, January 13, 2020
A celebration of life for James H. Montgomery was held Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Lake City, the same church his father was called to serve more than 90 years before. The church used spillover parking locations, as its parking lot filled quickly.
Abraham Farajian with a tray of baklava. (MICHAEL PHILIPS/Lake City Reporter)

Abraham Farajian with a tray of baklava. (MICHAEL PHILIPS/Lake City Reporter)

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A little bit of Jordan in Lake City at Rita's Steakhouse

MICHAEL PHILIPS
Friday, January 10, 2020
When the Reporter first met Abraham and Rita Farajian in March of last year, they had just arrived in Lake City a month before, coming from Jordan. The couple moved to Florida because they had a son attending Jacksonville University. They were also a few months away from opening a restaurant.

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DeSantis enviro plans get a boost

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 10, 2020
Governor Ron DeSantis is making progress on his environmental wish list, as House members have joined senators in efforts that include setting up a statewide office focused on sea-level rise and creating more electric-vehicle charging stations. Also, Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, and Sen.
Hunter Dover, soon to turn 9, sits in his grandmother’s lap during a presentation at Five Points Elementary welcoming him back to school after a long absence. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Hunter Dover, soon to turn 9, sits in his grandmother’s lap during a presentation at Five Points Elementary welcoming him back to school after a long absence. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

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Welcome back, Hunter: Young burn victim returns to class amid fanfare

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
The second grader battled his way through a year fraught with tragedy and terror.  He survived the flames, which left him with third-degree burns on most of his body. He made it through a long and rocky recovery process, coming back from what looked like the brink of death.