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Lake City native Lindsey Langston was crowned Miss United States during Tuesday’s Miss United States pageant in Memphis, Tenn. (COURTESY)

Lake City native Lindsey Langston was crowned Miss United States during Tuesday’s Miss United States pageant in Memphis, Tenn. (COURTESY)

SHE’S MISS UNITED STATES: Lake City resident Langston wins pageant honor of a lifetime

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Lindsey Langston knew there was a chance to experience her crowning moment. Heading into Tuesday night’s finals at the Miss United States pageant in Memphis, Tenn., Langston believed the competition was coming down to her and Miss Nevada.
High winds and falling trees caused most of the damage during Hurricane Helene. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

High winds and falling trees caused most of the damage during Hurricane Helene. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Hampton, teams survey Helene’s property damage

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Local and federal officials are hard at work assessing the damage left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. However, the task of putting a monetary value on the wreckage is still underway.
A parcel of property near the intersection of Franklin Street and Marion Avenue could be used as the site of a new city hall. The land was originally donated for that purpose before the LSHA requested it back. (FILE)

A parcel of property near the intersection of Franklin Street and Marion Avenue could be used as the site of a new city hall. The land was originally donated for that purpose before the LSHA requested it back. (FILE)

City eyes LSHA land downtown for new city hall

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Plans for a new Lake City Hall may still involve the Lake Shore Hospital Authority — just not with the large main hospital building. City Manager Don Rosenthal and the City Council plan to pivot to a previous plan and potentially build a new city hall on vacant Authority property downtown.
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority will consider a proposal that calls to use the campus’ physical therapy building as a “modern, first-class community health center.” (FILE)

The Lake Shore Hospital Authority will consider a proposal that calls to use the campus’ physical therapy building as a “modern, first-class community health center.” (FILE)

Lake Shore looking for PT building tenant

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, October 12, 2024
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority may be turning over a new — and final — leaf in trying to find a way to bring medical providers to the downtown campus.
A Dick’s Sporting Goods blimp was docked at the Florida Gateway Airport Tuesday after it evacuated from the path of Hurricane Milton. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A Dick’s Sporting Goods blimp was docked at the Florida Gateway Airport Tuesday after it evacuated from the path of Hurricane Milton. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gateway airport serves as safe harbor for fuel, helos

TONY BRITT
Saturday, October 12, 2024
The Lake City Gateway Airport became a staging area for hundreds of vehicles as Hurricane Milton threatened the central and southern portions of the state.
Power trucks line the former I-75 Autos site on Duval Street on Thursday, waiting to head south to help after Hurricane Milton. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Power trucks line the former I-75 Autos site on Duval Street on Thursday, waiting to head south to help after Hurricane Milton. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Region dodges Hurricane Milton, crews resume massive debris cleanup under Helene emergency protocol

TODD WILSON
Thursday, October 10, 2024
For now, Columbia County residents may resume normal Hurricane Helene debris cleanup activities and be patient in congested traffic in Lake City Thursday and Friday as South Florida evacuees find their way home.
County Manager David Kraus (from left), Emergency Management Director Shayne Morgan and County Commissioner Ron Williams discuss Hurricane Milton prior to an emergency meeting Wednesday morning. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

County Manager David Kraus (from left), Emergency Management Director Shayne Morgan and County Commissioner Ron Williams discuss Hurricane Milton prior to an emergency meeting Wednesday morning. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

North Florida may dodge severe impact from Milton

TODD WILSON
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Columbia County Commission Chairman Ron Williams removed his cowboy hat and solemnly called Wednesday morning’s emergency operations meeting to order. His tone reflected the obvious quiet before the storm.
Gov. Ron DeSantis gives an update on Hurricane Milton from the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds on Wednesday afternoon. DeSantis said the state government is undertaking a “massive” response to Milton’s arrival. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Gov. Ron DeSantis gives an update on Hurricane Milton from the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds on Wednesday afternoon. DeSantis said the state government is undertaking a “massive” response to Milton’s arrival. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

MILTON’S ‘MAJOR PUNCH’: State ready with record storm mobilization

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
A “massive” response is ready for Hurricane Milton’s “major, major punch.” During a briefing Wednesday afternoon at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds in Lake City, Gov.
Jasper Webb (from left) and Jonathan Hughes fill sandbags as they prepare for Hurricane Milton. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jasper Webb (from left) and Jonathan Hughes fill sandbags as they prepare for Hurricane Milton. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Weary residents prep for another storm

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
With Hurricane Milton bearing down on the Florida coast, several local residents spent Wednesday in storm preparation mode which included filling sandbags.