1A WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 | YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1874 | 75¢ Lake City Reporter LAKECITYREPORTER.COM Coach Christian group refuses is fired for nude food, citing USDA rules photos Lee Trawick had led CHS baseball squad for less than 3 weeks. By TONY BRITT [email protected] Columbia High School base- ball coach Lee Trawick was fired Tuesday after photographs surfaced on the internet of him as a nude model. T r a w i c k , who was hired as the school’s baseball coach Aug. 22, also Trawick served as a paraprofessional in the district. He was fired from both posi- tions. Terry Huddleston, Columbia County School system superin- tendent, said he became aware of the photographs early last week and discussed them with Columbia High School principal Todd Widergren. Huddleston said assistant superintendent Lex Carswell immediately discussed the issue JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter with Widergren once the photos Christian Service Center officials have every confidence the organization’s operations will continue to run smoothly after they declined to sign USDA were discovered. contracts for food earlier this year. Pictured are volunteers Micheline Adamcewicz (from left) Donna Griffin and assistant director Charlie Suydam. “Then we did some research of our own, the issue being that these photos were from several years ago — I’m unclear, I’ve However, local charity may not have heard 10 years ago,” Huddleston said. “Certainly it was concern- violated agency ban on proselytizing COACH continued on 3A Federal officials insist it was The Christian Service Center has served offered separately, in time or location, from low-income Columbia County residents for the programs or services supported with a misunderstanding; group 31 years but recently declined to sign an direct assistance from USDA and participa- Obama claims directive was clear. annual contract for USDA commodities in tion must be voluntary, according to USDA 2013. rules. By TONY BRITT At the center of the dispute is whether “We share Christ with everyone who makes [email protected] Christian Service Center personnel are fol- comes into the center regardless of what lowing feder- their request is,” said Kay Daly, Christian his case A local Christian group says it broke al guidelines ‘We share Christ with Service Center executive director. “If they ties with the United States Department of for food dis- everyone who comes into do not wish to hear about it, then we skip it Agriculture after the federal agency told bursement. the center ...,’ said Kay and pray with them and go ahead and take on Syria them they would have to remove references F e d e r a l Daly. ‘If they do not wish care of their need.” to religion during food distribution and stop g u i d e l i n e s to hear about it, then we Daly said that is normal practice at offering to pray with people coming to them say organi- skip it ... and go ahead Christian Service Center. By DAVID ESPO and for aid. zations may and take care of their USDA officials said Tuesday that would JULIE PACE However, USDA officials dispute that not engage need.’ only be a problem if participation were man- Associated Press account, saying they never told the Christian in inherently datory, which CSC says it is not. Service Center to remove religious images r e l i g i o u s “It’s a not a violation as long as it’s not a WASHINGTON — President or signs. In addition, USDA said, the char- activities, such as worship, religious instruc- requirement to receive the food,” said Erin Barack Obama said in a nation- ity’s long-standing practice of praying with tion, or proselytization, as part of the pro- Gillespie, Florida Department of Agriculture ally televised address Tuesday those seeking help doesn’t violate federal grams or services supported with direct night that recent diplomatic rules either. USDA assistance. These activities must be USDA continued on 3A steps offer “the potential to remove the threat of chemical weapons” inside Syria without the use of force, but he also insisted the U.S. military Thousands to will keep the pressure on honor victims, P r e s i d e n t Bashar Assad “and be ready 1st responders to respond” if other mea- Obama From wire service and staff reports sures fail. Speaking from the East NEW YORK — Thousands of volunteers Room of the White House, will honor Sept. 11 victims today with good Obama said he had asked con- deeds performed around the globe. gressional leaders to postpone The anniversary of the terror attacks that a vote on legislation he has killed nearly 3,000 people 12 years ago was been seeking to authorize the designated a National Day of Service and use of military force against Remembrance in 2009. This year, a constella- Syria. tion of volunteer networks around the world Acknowledging the weariness will spread goodwill through volunteerism to the nation feels after a decade of honor those who died. war in Iraq and Afghanistan, Public volunteer projects throughout the Obama said, “America is not the week in New York, Dallas, Washington, D.C., world’s policeman.” and other cities will convene at firehouses JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter And yet, he added, “When and fire academies to show gratitude for first with modest effort and risk we responders by painting and cleaning the facili- Making every drop count can stop children from being ties. gassed to death and thereby In Boston, the Massachusetts Military Heroes Cerik Arrington (left), 13, fills a water bottle up at an Elkay EZH20 bottle filling station while make our own children safer Fund is organizing a care package drive for active Jordan Evangelista, 13, takes a sip of water. The students are venturing to the shores of the over the long run, I believe we Ichetucknee once a month for a hands-on lesson on water quality, conservation and more. 9/11 continued on 3A See story in Sunday’s Lake City Reporter. SYRIA continued on 3A Vol. 139, No. 160 CALL US: People. 2A TODAY IN COMING (386) 752-1293 90 68 Opinion . 4A PEOPLE THURSDAY SUBSCRIBE TO T-Storm Chance Obituaries . 5A THE REPORTER: Fun at Local news Voice: 755-5445 Advice & Comics . 3B Fax: 752-9400 WEATHER, 2A Puzzles . 2B the park. roundup. 2AWEATHER 2A LAKE CITY REPORTER DAILY BRIEFING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 Page Editor: Jason M. Walker, 754-0430 Celebrity Birthdays n Movie actress Taraji rapper Ludacris is 35. Tuesday: Tuesday: Henson is 42. n Baltimore Ravens free Afternoon: 4-5-0 Afternoon: 7-3-3-0 Monday: n Grammy-award winning safety Ed Reed is 34. Evening: N/A Evening: N/A 19-20-23-26-34 PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Daily Scripture “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will Ebert’s hometown raising money for statue sustain you. I have made you CHAMPAIGN, Ill. and I will carry you; I will sus- rganizers in Roger Ebert’s hometown tain you and I will rescue you.” announced plans — Isaiah 46:4 Tuesday to try to raise $125,000 to build a life- Thought for Today Osize bronze statue of the late famed film critic. The statue would go in front of The good we secure for our- Champaign’s Virginia Theatre, selves is precarious and uncer- which has hosted the Ebertfest film festival for 15 years. Ebert, a Pulitzer tain until it is secured for all of Prize-winning movie reviewer and us and incorporated into our television personality, grew up in neighboring Urbana and attended common life. the University of Illinois in Urbana- — Jane Addams, Champaign. Social worker and leader in women’s suffrage The sculpture will show Ebert sitting in the middle of three movie theater chairs giving his signature “thumbs up.” Artist Rick Harney JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter “Lake City Reporter of Bloomington will create the Rocky Luviano (from left) pushes Iziah Tilley, 2, and his daughter, Monica sculpture. Ebert’s widow, Chaz HOW TO REACH US Main number . .(386) 752-1293 BUSINESS ” Luviano, 3, on playground equipment while visiting Youngs Park on Monday. Ebert, selected the composition and Fax number . .752-9400 Controller Sue Brannon. .754-0419 organizers said she will work with had written about her life. It’s called of his fight to stay sober, and he was Circulation . .755-5445 ([email protected]) Harney on the design. “Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year” a visible presence in the promotion Online . www.lakecityreporter.com CIRCULATION The Lake City Reporter, an affiliate of “The sculpture will be a perma- and comes out in November. of Saturday’s mega-bout between Community Newspapers Inc., is pub- Home delivery of the Lake City Reporter nent memorial which will honor Lovato also plans a memoir. The Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Canelo lished Tuesday through Friday and should be completed by 6:30 a.m. Sunday at 180 E. Duval St., Lake City, Tuesday through Friday, and by 7:30 Ebert for both his career and his 21-year-old superstar has openly Alvarez at the MGM Grand Garden. Fla. 32055. Periodical postage paid at a.m. on Sunday. dedication to his roots,” said a state- struggled with drug addiction and Lake City, Fla. Member Audit Bureau of Please call 386-755-5445 to report any ment announcing the fundraising other personal troubles, some of Ex-‘Jersey Shore’ star Circulation and The Associated Press. problems with your delivery service. campaign. “It will also honor him for which she has described on Twitter.