On Thursday, January 29, Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter recognized a local resident for his service to the Florida Sheriff's Association.

On Monday, January 26, Sheriff Mark Hunter visited a kindergarten class at Eastside Elementary School to read to the students.

On Wednesday, January 21, in a ceremony attended by friends, family and Sheriff Office personnel, Sheriff Mark Hunter swore in two new members of the Citizen Service Unit.

On Friday, January 16 in a ceremony attended by family, friends and Sheriff's Office personnel, Sheriff Mark Hunter promoted Corporal J.T. Williams to the rank of Sergeant and Deputy Sheriff Murray Smith to the rank of Corporal.

On Wednesday, January 14, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office video visitation at the detention facility became fully operational again.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office will be selling at auction 31 Equine at the North Florida Livestock Market. The Equine are owned by the Sheriff's Office due to the results of an animal neglect investigation where the animals were seized and custody was granted to the Sheriff's Office.

On Tuesday, January 13, Sheriff Mark Hunter on behalf of the Florida Sheriffs Association presented State Senator Charles “Charlie” Dean with the FSA Legislative Champion Award.

The investigation into the homicide of a 16 year old is continuing and additional information is now available.

On Monday, January 5 at approximately 10:00 pm Columbia County Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched to 1205 Sophie Dr. in reference to a report of a person being shot.