Local

Clayton pleads guilty in forest murder case

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
One of the five people arrested for a 2023 murder in the Osceola National Forest has pleaded guilty to two charges. According to Columbia County court records, Taquilla Clayton changed her plea to guilty last week on charges of second degree murder and tampering with evidence.

Caller charged for misusing 911 with threats

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
A series of 911 calls threatening something bad could happen Thursday led to the caller being arrested for misusing the emergency system. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report, a series of calls came in to the Columbia County Combined Communications Center around 6:52 a.m.

Execution set in 1994 kidnapping, murder

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, May 9, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a death warrant for Anthony Wainwright, who was convicted of kidnapping a woman in 1994 from a Winn-Dixie supermarket parking lot in Lake City and raping and murdering her in rural Hamilton County.
The historic Club House on Lake Isabella, owned by the City of Lake City and home to the Lake City Woman’s Club and Garden Club, needs a $600,000 renovation to address structural concerns. (FILE)

The historic Club House on Lake Isabella, owned by the City of Lake City and home to the Lake City Woman’s Club and Garden Club, needs a $600,000 renovation to address structural concerns. (FILE)

Club House needs $600K fix

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 9, 2025
The cost to save a historic piece of Lake City will be a steep one.
Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels (from left) tells Van Brown and Small Business Administration representatives Tina Davis and Donnie Anderson about tanks and lines at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park wastewater plant during a tour Thursday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels (from left) tells Van Brown and Small Business Administration representatives Tina Davis and Donnie Anderson about tanks and lines at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park wastewater plant during a tour Thursday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ceremony celebrates NFMIP infrastructure

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 9, 2025
Local officials celebrated the installation of a critical piece of infrastructure at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park Thursday morning with hopes the facility will be the first ingredient to additional economic development for the area.
Participants take off in a race during last year’s inaugural DeSoto Derby canoe race, sponsored by the Elks Lodge #893. This year’s race has been postponed to June 14. (FILE)

Participants take off in a race during last year’s inaugural DeSoto Derby canoe race, sponsored by the Elks Lodge #893. This year’s race has been postponed to June 14. (FILE)

DeSoto Derby postponed to June 14

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 9, 2025
Canoe racing on Lake DeSoto will have to wait another month. The Elks Lodge #893 has postponed its second DeSoto Derby canoe race to June 14 due to the threat of inclement weather. The race was originally set for today.
Columbia County Fire Rescue employee Jake Doyle (left) holds a cardiac monitor as Justin Ingle loads an Advanced Life Saving bag onto a fire engine at Station 43 on Friday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Rescue employee Jake Doyle (left) holds a cardiac monitor as Justin Ingle loads an Advanced Life Saving bag onto a fire engine at Station 43 on Friday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CCFR upgrading engines to ALS response

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 9, 2025
Residents who live on the western side of Columbia County will now have upgraded medical services available in case of emergency. Columbia County Fire Rescue has recently improved its equipment and personnel, making way for the operation of an Advanced Life Saving engine.
Sakiya Merriex receives her associate in arts degree from Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett during commencement Thursday at the Howard Center. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Sakiya Merriex receives her associate in arts degree from Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett during commencement Thursday at the Howard Center. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

FGC graduation centers on thankfulness

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 9, 2025
Thankfulness was a central idea on the minds of faculty and students alike Thursday at Florida Gateway College.

Annie Mattox Park closing early on Mother’s Day

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 9, 2025
Following a recent shooting where a Lake City police officer was wounded by gunfire at an event, the Annie Mattox Park Board of Directors has informed the Lake City Police Department that the park will be closing at 7 p.m. on Sunday for Mother’s Day.