Jeffery Bell Jr., sitting in the Columbia County Courthouse on Tuesday during closing arguments, was convicted of first-degree murder. The jury will determine next week whether he should face the death penalty. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)
The first trial for the 2023 murder of a Lake City man has quickly wrapped up. A jury of six men and six women deliberated for three hours Tuesday before returning a trio of guilty verdicts against Jeffery Bell Jr. for his role in the April 2023 murder of Shawn Waldron. Waldron’s burned body…
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Trustee Brandon Beil was not supported in his push to have the taxing district stop levying taxes. (FILE)
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority will again tax the smallest amount possible.That still is more than one trustee desired.During its meeting Monday, the LSHA board unanimously approved setting its maximum millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year at 0.0001 mills or 1 cent per $10,000 of a property…
Lorie Vincent, the president of Acceleration by design LLC, the consulting firm that hosts Stand Up Rural America, opened the summit Tuesday at the Howard Center. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)
As Lorie Vincent tells it, she nearly lost her shirt at a casino at the the previous Stand Up Rural America event this year in Oklahoma.That won’t be a problem this week in Lake City where the Stand Up Rural America Summit began Tuesday and will continue to be held through Thursday, according to…
The former Lake Shore Hospital physical therapy building in downtown Lake City. The building is going to be turned into a primary care clinic ran by Palms Medical Group for the Lake Shore Hospital Authority. (FILE)
The task of renovating a former Lake Shore Hospital Authority building into a primary care clinic will fall to four contractors who were qualified for the job.The LSHA board unanimously approved selecting four of the six companies that responded to a Request for Qualifications in order to bid on…
Vivian Jones (from left) of Palms Medical Group gives a book bag to Erin Neal, 10, at the Lake City Mall on Saturday during the Movin’ and Groovin’ Back to School event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)
The Columbia County School District is set to begin classes for the 2026-27 school year in a matter of weeks.As local youngsters round out their final days of summer vacation, local merchants have increased their levels of school materials and clothing. On Saturday, area children were able to get…
A Columbia County sheriff’s deputy has been suspended without pay after an off-duty drunk driving arrest.According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, Deputy Michael Rooney was arrested Friday on a warrant stemming from Orange County. The release said Rooney was involved in a single…
Campers pose with all of their completed projects next to the sewing mascot mannequin ‘Chad.’ (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)
By Heather FutchUF/IFAS Extension Columbia County Director/4-H AgentYoung makers spent two exciting days, July 20-21, discovering that a needle, thread, and a little creativity can go a long way during Columbia County 4-H’s Sew Much Fun Camp. Designed for youth ages 8-12, the camp introduced…
State Affairs FloridaAs controversy continues in Florida and nationally about energy-hungry data centers, Florida Power & Light expects to announce a deal on a project by the end of the year.Details were not disclosed Friday during a quarterly earnings call with analysts. But John Ketchum,…
Fort White quarterback Chance Johnson throws a pass during Monday’s practice. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)
FORT WHITE — The Indians are trying to beat the heat while answering some key questions. However, none of the questions appear to be effort related, with a full accounting of Fort White head coach Demetric Jackson’s roster hitting the field for the first days of fall practice.“It’s hot, but the…
Columbia offensive line coach Anthony Newton works with his offensive line during Monday’s practice. Newton has taken over for David May, who departed after just one spring in the job. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)
Columbia now has its third offensive line coach in just the last year.Luckily for the new man in charge, head coach Brian Allen believes he has his best unit since returning in 2023.Anthony Newton was in his new role when fall practice began Monday, moving over from JV head coach to man the…
