Jatarious Fluellen II said during his closing statement of a sentencing hearing Tuesday that he gave false testimony after arrests following the August 2023 murder of Mariah Smith. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)
The third teen charged in the 2023 shooting death of a child likely saw his chance at a plea deal vanish at his sentencing hearing. Jatarious Fluellen II told Third Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Olin during his closing statement Tuesday that he gave false testimony to police following his arrest…
The Caribbean Chillers (pictured), Atlantic City Boys and Divas Through the Decades will perform during Columbia County’s Independence Day celebration, which is celebrating America’s semiquincentennial. (COURTESY)
From hot air balloons, a laser show, old fashioned field games and lots of music, the local America’s 250th anniversary celebration promises to be an elaborate event focused on a family-friendly atmosphere.The local 250th anniversary celebration will take place 5-10 p.m. on July 4 at the Florida…
A Bradford County man was arrested last week as part of an ongoing child exploitation operation.According to a Lake City Police Department release, LCPD detectives assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force engaged in sexually explicit conversations with Antonio Edwards, 33, while…
Florida Gateway College’s Elisabeth Garcia-Gijon finished second in the state HOSA conference to qualify for the international conference in pathophysiology. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)
A Florida Gateway College student has advanced to the international HOSA conference.FGC’s Elisabeth Garcia-Gijon finished second in pathophysiology at April’s state competition to earn the right to represent FGC and Florida at the international competition, June 17-20, in Indianapolis.“From a young…
An inmate at the Columbia County Jail passed away Tuesday morning.According to a release from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, an inmate in the jail’s medical ward went into medical distress around 9 a.m. and life-saving measures were immediately started.When Columbia County Fire Rescue and…
Columbia's 2026 football schedule. (COURTESY)
Columbia coach Brian Allen thought his schedule was done in January.Little did he know at the time that he’d still be scrambling in May to find a 10th game.Thanks to Englewood dropping out of the district, Alachua County moving Buchholz’s schedule around and then Manatee throwing a fit over a…
Columbia seniors Addyson Sherman (from left), Luisa Taylor, Raelyn Wehinger, Ava Christie, Lauryn Lee, Amani Tunsil, Anna Dansby and Emily Delgado wrapped up their careers with a state championship on Saturday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)
It’s what they’ve always wanted.It was also bittersweet.The seniors at Columbia finally achieved the goal they set out to accomplish when they were freshman — winning a state championship. When the eight seniors — five starters — walked off the field for the last time Saturday afternoon, there was…
Columbia's softball team celebrates after Ryleigh Stone (77) advanced the Tigers on the Class 4A Final Four bracket following their 3-2 win over Lake Wales in the Class 4A state championship on Saturday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)
LONGWOOD — Kinley King got to yell out Columbia’s record one last time.
This time, as state champions.
Her “29-3” cry in the postgame huddle put a bow on a magical season for the top-ranked Tigers, who survived two-bases loaded jams in the final two innings to top Lake Wales 3-2 for the Class 4A…
Rhonda Anderson (from left) stands with Kent Banner, Columbia County Assistant Supervisor of Elections, and Darryl Thomas, Columbia High School welding instructor, as the school’s welding piece, ‘Globe of Freedom,’ is on display at the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office. (COURTESY)
Columbia High’s welding program turned their talent and patriotic spirit into a unique piece of art.The CHS students created the Globe of Freedom as an entry into a Florida Department f Education competition to celebrate the United States of America’s 250th anniversary.“This was our rendering,”…
Columbia County Fire Chief Jeff Crawford asked the County Commission to lift the burn ban for at least the next two weeks due to recent rains and forecasts of more coming. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)
Outdoor burning is allowed again in Columbia County.At least for a few weeks.The Columbia County Commission unanimously approved lifting the county’s burn ban during its meeting Thursday night. The ban had been in place since April 16 and also was previously implemented for six weeks in February…
