Local

Lt. Garrett Register looks at a modular vehicle barrier on Wednesday. The Lake City Police Department used federal grant funding to obtain the barriers as a way to block off roads during events to protect pedestrians. They will be used for the first time Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lt. Garrett Register looks at a modular vehicle barrier on Wednesday. The Lake City Police Department used federal grant funding to obtain the barriers as a way to block off roads during events to protect pedestrians. They will be used for the first time Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD unveils new roadblock barriers

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
The Lake City Police Department will be unveiling new traffic control devices when a series of concerts take place Friday evening at Darby Pavilion as well as at the Multicultural Day in downtown Lake City this weekend.
Jerry Stanley (left) was honored with the Public Service Award at the Columbia County Farm Bureau public officials appreciation dinner Monday night. Stanley is presented his plaque by Clint Pittman. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jerry Stanley (left) was honored with the Public Service Award at the Columbia County Farm Bureau public officials appreciation dinner Monday night. Stanley is presented his plaque by Clint Pittman. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Stanley honored at Farm Bureau appreciation dinner

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
The opportunity to meet and thank local officials for their dedication and service to the city and county is a chance to create a new friendship for Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
Maria David, Carmen Gayheart’s sister, talks with the press after the execution of Anthony Wainwright, who kidnapped and killed Gayheart in 1994. (JOHN S. KOCH/Special to the Reporter)

Maria David, Carmen Gayheart’s sister, talks with the press after the execution of Anthony Wainwright, who kidnapped and killed Gayheart in 1994. (JOHN S. KOCH/Special to the Reporter)

Wainwright executed for 1994 kidnapping, murder

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
By JOHN S. KOCH Independent News Correspondent RAIFORD — It took more than 30 years for 54-year-old Anthony Wainwright to receive his just desserts, or, as then-State Attorney Jerry Blair, prosecuting Wainwright, said, “He would eventually pay the fiddler.
Auman Tamesis of Maya’s Merienda tends a variety of Filipino street food on the grill during the inaugural Multicultural Fiesta last year. The City of Lake City’s second Multicultural Day celebration is set for Saturday. (FILE)

Auman Tamesis of Maya’s Merienda tends a variety of Filipino street food on the grill during the inaugural Multicultural Fiesta last year. The City of Lake City’s second Multicultural Day celebration is set for Saturday. (FILE)

Busy weekend planned for downtown Lake City

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Lake City’s downtown area is expected to come alive this weekend with concert and music on Friday night and vendors, food trucks, canoeing competitions, and arts and crafts vendors selling their wares in Olustee Park on Saturday during a Multicultural Day celebration.
The Best Western Gateway Grand’s Springhills Ballroom is on display at the Gainesville hotel. (COURTESY)

The Best Western Gateway Grand’s Springhills Ballroom is on display at the Gainesville hotel. (COURTESY)

Lake City hotel company expanding to Gainesville

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
GAINESVILLE — The Morpheus Group, a local hotel management company, closed on its acquisition of the Best Western Gateway Grand in Gainesville late last week. “This is the fifth hotel in our growing portfolio,” said Rod Butler, Morpheus Group chief operating officer.
Five Points Elementary Principal Brandi Keen high fives teacher William Sheldon, who is wearing a tiger mascot head, during the school’s final walkthrough on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Five Points Elementary Principal Brandi Keen high fives teacher William Sheldon, who is wearing a tiger mascot head, during the school’s final walkthrough on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Former students, teachers send off Five Points

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
In the midst of summer, when educators, students and faculty should be enjoying vacations, a crowd of people showed up at Five Points Elementary School with a mindset more akin to a family reunion.
Ed Higgins (back row from left), Andra Higgins and Sharron O’Quinn join with Mary Higgins for her 106th birthday party. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Ed Higgins (back row from left), Andra Higgins and Sharron O’Quinn join with Mary Higgins for her 106th birthday party. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Higgins celebrates 106th birthday

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Mary Higgins’ 106th birthday bash didn’t disappoint. The Savannah, Ga., native celebrated her milestone Monday among friends and family at the Bedrock Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Lake City.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Attorney Todd Kennon said Meridian responded on a short timeline to a recent letter from City Attorney Clay Martin about conditions the city would like to see in the agreement to resolve the zoning dispute. (FILE)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Attorney Todd Kennon said Meridian responded on a short timeline to a recent letter from City Attorney Clay Martin about conditions the city would like to see in the agreement to resolve the zoning dispute. (FILE)

Hospital future back in city’s hands

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
The ongoing negotiations of the future of the main Lake Shore Hospital and the zoning dispute surrounding it is now back in the City of Lake City’s hands.
Five Points Elementary School Principal Brandi Keen (left) and Melrose Park Elementary School Principal Makeba Murphy (right) hold the time capsules prior to their burial as Columbia County Public Schools Foundation Director Dianna Swisher and Superintendent Keith Couey look on. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Five Points Elementary School Principal Brandi Keen (left) and Melrose Park Elementary School Principal Makeba Murphy (right) hold the time capsules prior to their burial as Columbia County Public Schools Foundation Director Dianna Swisher and Superintendent Keith Couey look on. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Time capsules mark end of schools

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
The final swan song for two elementary school buildings that have served the school district for more than 70 years was commemorated with a pair of silver canisters buried on the west side of the Columbia County School District administrative office for the next 25 years.