Lake City volunteers raised more than$200 for Relay for Life in just a few hours at the Lake DeSoto Farmers Market January 21.

The winner of the Chili Cook Off was Rupert’s Bakery, located in the heart of downtown Lake City. Rupert’s was one of eight local contestants that made chili, not only for the contest, but to sell to raise funds for the Relay for Life event that will be held in April at Columbia County High School.

Relay for Life volunteers joined local cooks in the 1st Annual Chili Cook Off at the Lake DeSoto Farmers Market.

TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service marked record-breaking attendance for December 2011, serving nearly 1.5 million visitors in Florida’s 160 state parks.

This is the most December visitors ever recorded.

Seven state parks in this area attracted 456,315 visitors, with an economic impact of $22,551,280, the DEP reports.

Ichetucknee Springs topped the list with 204,586 visitors, generating $9,366,164.

Half of Florida was submerged when it became a state in 1854 and it gets more rainfall than all but one other state, said Cynthia Barnett. We have drained 9 million acres of wetlands and now we are running out of water.

Speaking to a full house at the Columbia County Public Library, the noted author of Mirage and Blue Revolution described some of the issues facing Suwannee Valley, the state of Florida, most of America and many nations around the world.

Water is our most precious resource, but it is being squandered, while politicians and industry demand more than we have.

A dozen representatives from counties and communities in North Central Florida started the process of becoming a working group that will fight for local water rights. The meeting was in the Columbia County School Board Administrative Complex.

What started as an informal tri-county group a month ago tentatively adopted a name, FLOW (Florida Leaders Organized for Water), although a last-second suggestion would have added North to make it NoFLOW. A vote on the name, and any new suggestions, will be taken at the next meeting.

At the suggestion of the facilitator, Columbia County Manager Dale Williams, the group will organize under an inter-local agreement, to be drafted by Columbia County Attorney Marlin Feagle.

First class postage now costs a penny more to mail letters in the United States. The change was effective on Sunday and the U.S. Post Office will be selling Forever stamps that do not have the cost printed on them.

Forever stamps, including ones that were purchased earlier at a lower price, will always be good for first-class postage.

This is the first price change for first-class mail stamps in more than two and a half years.

When I first moved in with my new family I saw a lot of things at eye level. Shoes, legs, my toys... Ava.

Then one day I looked way up high and discovered the most amazing animal I have ever known. Baxter the Cat.

Baxter the Cat is not trapped on the ground like other animals. In one leap he can jump from the desk to the top of the bookshelf where he can see everything in the world. He can even see OUTSIDE through the window. I want to learn how to do that!

Involving children in your garden activities can be rewarding for you and for them.

Older adults often appreciate the ability of children to bend and work at ground level. Children may have more strength and stamina that the elderly.

On the other hand, adults can tap into their experiences to teach children lessons of life as illustrated in the natural setting of the garden. Children open up doors of learning and entertainment for the adult as well as the child explores new things and notices things we long ago stopped observing.

Daytime lane closures on Branford Highway, I-75, I-10, S.R. 247, U.S. 41, U.S. 41/441, U.S. 90.

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

It was an idea that was started five years ago, and continues to gain momentum year after year.

High school seniors from all over the area are invited to play in this all-star game. Seniors from Baldwin, Baker County, Branford, Chiefland, Columbia, Dixie County, Fort White, Hamilton County, Lafayette County, Madison County, Newberry, Taylor County, Suwannee High School, Trenton, and Union County all participated.

The practices started on Monday of this week, with Columbia High's Brian Allen coaching the East squad and Suwannee High's coaches led the West All-Stars.

FORT WHITE -- The Fort White Indians boys and girls basketball teams continued their seasons this week. It started on Monday, as the girls team had a makeup game with Bradford County.

This game was scheduled to be played on December 1, but do to a scheduling mix-up, it was not played that night and made up this week.

The Lady Tornadoes took home the victory 64-57.

I like cameras. When my new family brings out a camera I usually get extra treats and lots of attention.

Treats and attention are some of my favorite things, along with toys to chew on, pulling Ava's tail and getting belly rubs.

When I sit still for the camera everyone says I am a good boy. I already know that I am a good boy, but I like to hear it over and over again.

There is only one problem. I like having my photos taken all by myself.