Local

Cops: Rehab center employee stole from resident

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
A former receptionist at a Lake City skilled nursing facility was arrested Sunday for stealing from a resident. Chelsea Hester, 29, was arrested Sunday in Suwannee County on a warrant following a Lake City Police Department investigation.

Lake City man died after hitting tree

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
A Lake City man died after hitting a tree with his SUV on Saturday morning. A Florida Highway Patrol release said the 77-year-old man was headed east on SW Finley Little Road when he ran off the road in his white Ford Explorer around 8:16 a.m. Saturday.
Seven Blumer falls in the water of the dunk tank on Saturday as an child presses the release mechanism. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Seven Blumer falls in the water of the dunk tank on Saturday as an child presses the release mechanism. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Hundreds attend Post 57 Family Day

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
American Legion Post 57 became a family venue Saturday when the different legion organizations opened the facility to the general public for its inaugural family day event.
Dariel Garcia leaps into water at Ichetucknee Springs State Park several years ago. A bill passed by the Florida House of Representatives on Friday would eliminate local Tourist Development Councils and allow tourism tax funding to be used for any public purpose. (FILE)

Dariel Garcia leaps into water at Ichetucknee Springs State Park several years ago. A bill passed by the Florida House of Representatives on Friday would eliminate local Tourist Development Councils and allow tourism tax funding to be used for any public purpose. (FILE)

State eyes disbanding TDCs

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 25, 2025
The group entrusted to bringing visitors to Columbia County will go away, according to legislation passed by the Florida House of Representatives. The House voted 78-29 on Friday to pass HB 7033, which was part of the House’s tax package, that would change how tourism tax funds are distributed.

Ga. man sentenced to life for 2015 stabbing

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 25, 2025
A Georgia man was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted Thursday to second degree murder. Following a two-day trial and an hour of deliberations, a Columbia County jury found Printiss Cortez Donaldson guilty of second degree murder Thursday at the Columbia County Courthouse.
Columbia County Chief Deputy Katina Dicks (left) answers a question from a participant during the inaugural Citizen’s Academy. (FILE)

Columbia County Chief Deputy Katina Dicks (left) answers a question from a participant during the inaugural Citizen’s Academy. (FILE)

CCSO hosting third Citizens Academy

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 25, 2025
Columbia County residents can get a behind the scenes look at its sheriff’s office, beginning next month. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office’s third Citizens Academy will run from May 13 through July 15, meeting once a week from 6-9 p.m.

Training help from Lowndes helps lead to trafficking arrests

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 25, 2025
Columbia County sheriff’s deputies had extra tools this week to help police Interstates 10 and 75. For the second time in the past year, deputies from the Lowndes County (Ga.) Sheriff’s Office spent time in Columbia County to provide interstate interdiction training this past week.

Transportation Summit will provide grant info

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 25, 2025
The Florida Department of Transportation is looking at steering grant information to local government officials. FDOT is hosting the North Florida Transportation Planning Summit on Tuesday at the Suwannee County Coliseum.
Haven Hospice registered nurse Cindy Romero readies to release one of the butterflies in the Butterfly Memorial Program event Thursday. (COURTESY)

Haven Hospice registered nurse Cindy Romero readies to release one of the butterflies in the Butterfly Memorial Program event Thursday. (COURTESY)

Haven honors past patients with butterfly release

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 25, 2025
The memories of loved ones treated in Haven Hospice before they transitioned were celebrated Thursday evening as the local facility held its annual Butterfly Memorial Program.