The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office announce the graduation of Captain Bennie Coleman and Captain David Wingate from the Chief Executive Seminar on May 16.

They are among 23 seminar graduates who represent criminal justice agencies around the state who serve in leadership roles within their agencies.

The seminar met for one week each month for three months at FDLE Headquarters in Tallahassee. Graduates took classes on topics such as futures, demography, budgeting, managing generations, ethics and implementing strategic change.

Run, or maybe just walk, Saturday morning at the FAM Fest and support Haven Hospice.

The a 5K run/walk begins at 9 a.m. at Wilson Park on Lake DeSoto, followed by food, music, art and health tips.

The 5K registration will include professional chip timing by Start 2 Finish Race Management, a post-run meal, a chance to win overall awards, age group awards and much more! For additional information and to register for the 5K, visit www.active.com. Registration/Check-in is at 8 a.m. and the shot-gun start is at 9 a.m.

Florida Leaders Organized for Water (FLOW) are compiling data about local lakes, streams, rivers and water levels to determine what information is available and what research is needed.

Previous meetings have been limited to organizational matters for the 18 members representing local governments in Northeast Florida.

At a monthly meeting Monday at Florida Gateway College, three of the four working groups gave progress reports.

After 24 questions, and with a score of 9-5, Pinemount Elementary School won a face-off and was declared the winner of the Kiwanis Battle of the Brains 2012 Monday night.

The Battle of the Brains, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Lake City, is an academic competition for fifth-grade students.

Nine elementary school teams competed: Columbia City, Eastside, Five Points, Fort White, Melrose Park, Niblack, Pinemount, Summers and Westside.

Jacob and Sophia are America’s most popular baby names for 2011, according to research by the Social Security Administration.

This is the thirteenth year in a row Jacob tops our list for boys and the first year for Sophia, who knocks Isabella to number two after a two-year stint at the top of our list for girls.

There is only one new name in the top 10 on either list this year. Mason rocketed to number two from outside of the top ten to replace Anthony on the boys’ side.

Karley Collins, 12, was the overall winner of the IROC talent show hosted by Christ Central Ministries Saturday evening.

The 15 performers competed in three age groups: adult, youth and children. The judges picked the top three performers in each division.

Then, each member of the audience voted for their number-one choice in each division. And their vote determined the division winners and overall winner.

When the competition started, the Kids Division showed their talents, which consisted of drummers, gymnastics, dance and singing.

Team 3556, the Columbia High School Robotics Team, took Center Court at the Lake City Mall Saturday to demonstrate their basketball-shooting robot and to thank the JC Penney Co. for their sponsorship.

Potash Corp - White Springs was also a named contributor.

The robot, which has four wheels under its platform, also demonstrated balance on a wide teeter totter. Both those skills were part of  a competition in Orlando in March. Team 3556 placed second in that regional competition.

Line repainting on U.S. 90, State Road 247, lane closures on U.S. 441/41 and I-75 and I-10.

For information on road conditions click here: FHP Current Traffic Report.

The following is a list of roadwork underway by the Florida Department of Transportation that may affect traffic from May 12to May 18.

FORT WHITE -- The Fort White baseball team had two home games this past week, one on Wednesday and then one on Friday night. The Indians ended up splitting those two games.

The action this week started off with the makeup game against Santa Fe. This game was originally scheduled for Friday, March 23, but an afternoon rain system made the field unplayable so the game was played Wednesday.

Fort White pitcher Brandon Sharpe, got the Indians defense off to a good start as he sat down the first three batters for the Raiders and promptly brought the Indians up to bat.

I am an adopted shelter dog and every week I have a chance to share my stories with all of you. As you know I have made a big difference in my new family's life. They get to pet my tummy, give me snacks and buy toys for me to play with. I don't know what they did without me.

Last week I met my one true love, Claire, at the Big Tent Adoption Event. Claire found a wonderful new home and I was able to share her story with you.

I started wondering about all of the other shelter dogs and cats that have been adopted (and rescued horses and rabbits and...). They each have a story about how they lost a family and found a new one that loves them. They must be making a big difference too.