Local

Taylor, missing clerk, found safely

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
A missing Columbia County deputy clerk was found safely Tuesday afternoon in Volusia County. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office released a Purple Alert around 10 a.m. Tuesday in regards to 46-year-old Amber Taylor, who was reported missing Monday around 8:16 p.m.

Five busted in check fraud scheme

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
After a pair posed as “housekeeping” at a Lake City motel, authorities say a group of five individuals worked to clean out a senior citizen recovering from a medical emergency.

Appeals court overturns O’Steen’s convictions

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
A Dixie County attorney’s conviction in the bribery scheme involving the Third Judicial Circuit’s former state attorney was overturned by a federal appeals court last week. In 2022, Marion Michael O’Steen was convicted of extorting a Columbia County client and failing to timely file a tax form.
The City of Lake City is looking to expand its Community Redevelopment Agency. The current CRA district is shown in blue while the proposed new areas are in yellow. (COURTESY)

The City of Lake City is looking to expand its Community Redevelopment Agency. The current CRA district is shown in blue while the proposed new areas are in yellow. (COURTESY)

Lake City eyes expanding CRA

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
The Lake City Community Redevelopment Agency is getting a major expansion. Members of the Lake City Council, acting as the CRA board, passed a pair of resolutions ahead of their normal Monday meeting to help that effort.
City Attorney Clay Martin speaks at a previous Lake City Council meeting. City Manager Don Rosenthal is seeking clearance to hire a full-time dedicated city attorney, instead of contracting with a firm like Gainesville-based Folds Walker where Martin works. (FILE)

City Attorney Clay Martin speaks at a previous Lake City Council meeting. City Manager Don Rosenthal is seeking clearance to hire a full-time dedicated city attorney, instead of contracting with a firm like Gainesville-based Folds Walker where Martin works. (FILE)

Rosenthal wants full-time city attorney

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
The City of Lake City could be looking at hiring a dedicated City Attorney to handle in-house legal matters. The Lake City Council, however, would like more details before making a decision.
Lake City Councilman James Carter said the intentions of the Live Local Act may have merit, but also comes with consequences by taking away local control. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman James Carter said the intentions of the Live Local Act may have merit, but also comes with consequences by taking away local control. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City opts out of Live Local tax exemption

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Following Columbia County’s lead, the City of Lake City is also opting out of a state law’s tax exemptions on housing that bypasses local Land Development Regulations.

City ready to hike building permit fees

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Lake City is ready to ask land developers for more help in covering the cost of their application fees. The Lake City Council took the first step toward that goal at its Monday meeting to establish updated fees for land development regulation processing and review.

Lake City man killed in Price Creek Road crash

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
A Lake City man was killed and two others seriously injured in a crash early Monday morning in southeastern Columbia County. The 35-year-old Lake City man was headed south on County Road 245 (Price Creek Road) around 6:50 a.m.
Tanika Dorsey, who has a pair of twins set to attend Niblack as fifth graders next school year, autographs a Niblack sign in the cafeteria of the new Niblack Elementary building. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Tanika Dorsey, who has a pair of twins set to attend Niblack as fifth graders next school year, autographs a Niblack sign in the cafeteria of the new Niblack Elementary building. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Showing off the new Niblack: Students, alumni excited to see new school

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, April 4, 2025
The public got its first glimpse into the new digs for Niblack Elementary School on Thursday. The consensus from those young and old in attendance was the development so far is a huge upgrade.
Summers Elementary School VPK paraprofessional Kelsie Rodriguez (back middle) has been named a finalist for the state’s School-Related Employee of the Year award. Rodriguez is pictured with her VPK students as well as Summers Principal Robert Cooper and VPK teacher Karen McDonald. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Summers Elementary School VPK paraprofessional Kelsie Rodriguez (back middle) has been named a finalist for the state’s School-Related Employee of the Year award. Rodriguez is pictured with her VPK students as well as Summers Principal Robert Cooper and VPK teacher Karen McDonald. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Rodriguez named state school employee finalist

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, April 4, 2025
Kelsie Rodriguez’s classroom was quiet and dark. Students were dozing during their nap time Thursday afternoon before Summers Elementary School administrators, including principal Robert Cooper and assistant principal Pam Miller, as well as folks from the Columbia County Schools office barged in.