A3 + PLUS >> Gun restrictions won’t go on November ballot, Story below LOCAL WEIGHTLIFTING Scrabble tourney MacDonald takes at Club House regional title See Page 2A See Page 1B THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 | YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1874 | $1.00 Lake City Reporter LAKECITYREPORTER.COM County health picture darkens Columbia falls to 60th 60th among Florida’s 67 coun- and health outcome statistics Columbia County was ranked However, the county’s adult What ties in the 2018 County Health based on health behaviors, 54th. smoking rate increased to 22 in rankings, from 57th. Rankings released this week. social and economic factors, While Columbia County had percent, while last year it was do you The rankings, compiled by length and quality of life to 9,600 premature deaths per at 18 percent. The adult smok- think? By TONY BRITT the University of Wisconsin determine the rankings. 100,000 (deaths before the age ing rate had steadily dropped n Let us [email protected] know in a and the Robert Wood Johnson Columbia County was of 75), the number remained from 25 percent in 2013. Letter to Foundation, take into account ranked 57th last year, but fell constant from the previous the Editor. Columbia County is ranked more than 30 health factors three spots this year. In 2016 year. HEALTH continued on 5A See 4A. MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR Econ ‘Senior chief has games’ keep him ‘buckled going down’ strong Showing improvement after 4 years on job, says county. Meet Your Neighbor is an occasional By CARL MCKINNEY feature meant to introduce readers to [email protected] interesting or notable local residents who might not otherwise find them- Nearly four years into the job, the person selves in the public eye. — Editor charged with bringing growth and prosper- ity to the community is showing promise, according to his just-released yearly evalu- By COREY ARWOOD ation. [email protected] Columbia County Economic Development After leaving his 10 a.m. interview, Director Glenn Hunter has earned praise Jack McClellan’s plans for the day con- from both the city man- sisted of going to workout and later to ager and Florida Gateway get a few groceries. College president for So goes the life of a hometown gold improvements he’s made medal discus and shot put competitor in over the last year. senior games held across the state. COREY ARWOOD/Lake City Reporter The evaluation, dated McClellan admitted he’s temporarily Jack McClellan is pictured with his two gold medals from a recent event, Feb. 8 but released taking it slow while he recovers from a along with his shot put and discus. Tuesday, gives Hunter an major shoulder tear. Hunter overall rating of seven out Staying away from surgery, he opted He said he competes in four local Florida Senior Games Series, with a for physical therapy and now says he’s tournaments a year. sanctioned national championship held of 10 for the period between October 2016 about 75 percent recovered. The games are an official state each year based on the results of the and September 2017, compared to the five Now in his mid-70s — he declined to endeavor and can be found in a number local qualifiers. out of 10 he got previously. state his exact age — McClellan said of cities. McClellan’s qualifiers of choice In individual categories, Hunter earned he began participating in official senior They’re administered by the Florida a seven out of 10 in work knowledge, work games 14 years ago. Sports Foundation and are called the NEIGHBOR continued on 5A quality, work quantity and “judgment used in carrying out job assignments.” In the categories of public relations, Still, Hunter has Gun restrictions won’t FALSE cooperation and failed to bring attendance and career-track jobs to go on November ballot ALARM dependability, he the county during LCFD responds earned an eight out his tenure, while to a false alarm of 10. low-paying retail By DARA KAM and food service The News Service of Florida at Publix on West In a Feb. 6 email U.S. Highway 90 to County Manager opportunities are TALLAHASSEE --- Floridians won’t have to late Wednesday Ben Scott included plentiful. decide whether the state should ban semi-au- morning. The with the evaluation, tomatic weapons --- or to weigh in on other cause was a City Manager Wendell Johnson wrote that faulty smoke gun-related restrictions --- after the Constitution Hunter “appears to have buckled down to detector, an Revision Commission rejected attempts to employee said. business during the last year and seems to debate the proposals Wednesday. BALLOT continued on 5A CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter ECON continued on 3A Vol. 143, No. 254 CALL US: TODAY’S WEATHER Opinion . 4A (386) 752-1293 Obituaries . 5A A visit from the mayor SUBSCRIBE TO Puzzles . 2B THE REPORTER: 63 36 Monday Munchers, 6A. Voice: 755-5445 Sunny Advice & Comics . 3B Fax: 752-9400 2018 Business Market Special FCU’S LAKE CITY BRANCH 583 West Duval Street Lake City, FL 32055 % (386) 755–4141 FLCU.ORG 1.25 APY* $50,000 $4.9 MIL. IN DEPOSITS** RATE EXP. 12312018 *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 3/5/18. You must ask for this oer. Terms, restrictions and conditions apply. See account agreement for current rates, terms and account requirements. Open to both personal and commercial members. New money market account must be opened during the time period of 3/5/18 – 12/31/18 and must be funded with money currently not on deposit at Florida Credit Union. **Minimum balance to open account is $10,000.00. Introductory APY will apply from account opening until 12/31/18 regardless of account opening date. Balances $10,000.00-$24,999.99 will earn 0.15% APY, 0.15% rate; $25,000.00-$49,999.99 will earn 0.20% APY, 0.20% rate; $50,000.00 - $4,999,999.99 will earn 1.25% APY, 1.24% rate; $5,000,000.00+ will earn 0.15% APY, 0.15% rate. On 1/1/19, all introductory rates/ APYs will adjust to the then current money market rate/APY as stated on www.flcu.org at that time. Dividends are compounded and credited monthly. You may not make more than a combined six transfers and/or withdrawals per month from this account. Withdrawals may reduce APY and fees may reduce earnings. Limited time oer subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice. Rates are subject to change at any time including after the account has been opened. Visit www.flcu.org for membership eligibility requirements. Federally insured by NCUA. 2A THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 DAILY BRIEFING LAKE CITY REPORTER QUICK HITS THE LAST WORD Scripture of the Day “She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.” — Lamentations 1:2 (KJV) Thought for Today You exist only in what you do. — Federico Fellini, 1920-1993, Italian filmmaker Winning Lottery Numbers Pick 3: (Tuesday p.m.) 6-3-8 Pick 4: (Tuesday p.m.) 4-5-3-1 Fantasy 5: (Tuesday) 7-14-25-26-27 See an error? The Lake City Reporter corrects errors of fact in news items. If you have a concern, question, or suggestion, please call the editor. Corrections and clarications will run in this space. 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