Regional

Parental consent goes to Senate floor

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
TALLAHASSEE — Girls under the age of 18 would need to get a parent’s permission before having an abortion in Florida under a bill that received its final Senate committee approval Wednesday.

Trump says he’s open to witnesses

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
WASHINGTON — The US Senate plunged into President Donald Trump’s  impeachment trial with Republicans abandoning plans to fit opening arguments into two days but solidly rejecting for now Democratic demands for more witnesses to expose what they call Trump’s “trifecta” of offenses.
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)

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)

‘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.

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)

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.

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.

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)

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.