Regional

Mike Tatem, Parkview Baptist Church pastor, moves a container of towels and other toiletries on Thursday while preparing to open the church’s cold weather shelter. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Mike Tatem, Parkview Baptist Church pastor, moves a container of towels and other toiletries on Thursday while preparing to open the church’s cold weather shelter. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Shelter opens as cold comes calling

TONY BRITT
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Parkview Baptist Church, which opened its shelter Thursday night because of cold weather will re-open the shelter on Saturday when temperatures are predicted fall near freezing.

Your right to know may be at risk

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
A bill gaining traction in Tallahassee threatens the public’s access to information about their local governments — and it could make it easier for elected officials to slip property tax hikes, pet projects or unpopular regulations past their constituents.

Domestic violence agency dethroned

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
As a financial scandal engulfs the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a bill that would strip the non-profit organization of its guaranteed contract with the state is on its way to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Emma Miles, Columbia County Library programs specialist, unpacks board and table-top games that will be featured in the library’s inaugural Teen Gaming League Night, set for 4-5 p.m. Wednesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Emma Miles, Columbia County Library programs specialist, unpacks board and table-top games that will be featured in the library’s inaugural Teen Gaming League Night, set for 4-5 p.m. Wednesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

For gamers, place to be is the library

TONY BRITT
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Gone are the days when the public library was the quietest building on the block. The local library plans to wreak havoc on traditional library rules by adding a gaming program for area teens.

Census is coming in March

TONY BRITT
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Columbia County residents are being asked to take part in the 2020 Census so the county and state can get their fair share of federal dollars based on the local population.
Thomas Barritt, Lake City Humane Society facility manager, weighs a cat that is scheduled to have surgery today. LCHS is in the midst of a push to curb the local feral cat and wild dog population through an aggressive spay/neuter program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Thomas Barritt, Lake City Humane Society facility manager, weighs a cat that is scheduled to have surgery today. LCHS is in the midst of a push to curb the local feral cat and wild dog population through an aggressive spay/neuter program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Spay/neuter program a runaway success

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
The Lake City Humane Society’s push to curb the feral cat, community cat and wild dog population has resulted in nearly 300 animals getting spayed/neutered in less than six months.
Confederate and Union re-enactors went to war Sunday at the original Olustee battlefield in Baker County. True to history and form, the South won the battle, the biggest fought in Florida during the war. (RAY CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY/Special to the Reporter)

Confederate and Union re-enactors went to war Sunday at the original Olustee battlefield in Baker County. True to history and form, the South won the battle, the biggest fought in Florida during the war. (RAY CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY/Special to the Reporter)

Another Olustee’s in the books

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, February 17, 2020
Arts, crafts, entertainment, food and history — there was a little something for everyone.  Young and old alike came out in droves to the Olustee Battle Festival on Saturday, which marked the first time the event was held at the city’s new Wilson Park near Lake DeSoto.
Eastside Elementary School students Ryleigh Trespalacios (from left), Aunna Hartopp, Summer Bedenbaugh and Ariana French bring rolls of duct tape to the school library Thursday morning. The school hopes to set a world record for the largest ball of tape. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Eastside Elementary School students Ryleigh Trespalacios (from left), Aunna Hartopp, Summer Bedenbaugh and Ariana French bring rolls of duct tape to the school library Thursday morning. The school hopes to set a world record for the largest ball of tape. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Eastside students are out to set a world record for biggest ball of tape

TONY BRITT
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Eastside Elementary School students are looking to stick it to the world in their quest for fame. The students will soon launch an effort to create the biggest ball of tape ever made.
Mascots for Columbia High and Fort White High prepare for the “Battle of the Belts,” a friendly competition organized by FDOT. For its size, Columbia is the worst county in the state for seat-belt use, the agency says. (COURTESY)

Mascots for Columbia High and Fort White High prepare for the “Battle of the Belts,” a friendly competition organized by FDOT. For its size, Columbia is the worst county in the state for seat-belt use, the agency says. (COURTESY)

A friendly competition between local high schools may encourage seat-belt use

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Columbia County is No. 1 at something, but it’s not an honor to be proud of.  Among the 16 Florida counties with a population between 50,000 to 200,000, Columbia County ranks first for the number of people who don’t wear seatbelts.