Local

The Lake City Police Department is hosting a Farm Share food distribution on Sept. 21. (COURTESY)

The Lake City Police Department is hosting a Farm Share food distribution on Sept. 21. (COURTESY)

LCPD hosting food distribution

TONY BRITT
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Local residents who may be struggling with food insecurity can get a little relief next week when a Farm Share event takes place near the police station. The Farm Share food distribution will take place in the gravel parking lot across from the Lake City Police Department, 225 NW Main Blvd.

Federal grant could help extend Bell Road

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Columbia County is eyeing federal funds to help extend Bell Road. To help expand the development of the Bell Road corridor north of Lake City, the county desires to extend Bell Road west past County Road 25A to U.S. Highway 41.
Eric Wilson, an AT&T employee who is on strike, waves at a motorist after the motorist blew their horn for Wilson and the eight other striking employees. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Eric Wilson, an AT&T employee who is on strike, waves at a motorist after the motorist blew their horn for Wilson and the eight other striking employees. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Local AT&T employees claim unfair labor practice

TONY BRITT
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Draped in red T-shirts, a group of nine local AT&T employees were out along Main Boulevard on Friday morning picketing the telecommunications corporation.
John Durrett, state attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit, said Wednesday that social media threats are not a joke, warning anyone that makes a threat will face consequences for their actions. Assistant State Attorney Chase Larsen looks on. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

John Durrett, state attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit, said Wednesday that social media threats are not a joke, warning anyone that makes a threat will face consequences for their actions. Assistant State Attorney Chase Larsen looks on. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

‘YOU THINK IT’S A JOKE? ... WE WILL FIND YOU’: State Attorney, Sheriff said students face prison for social media threats

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Court dates and potential prison time are in the future for a pair of Fort White High School students after posting social media threats of attacks at the school.
Verlon Webb, owner of Webb’s Antique Mall, said Wednesday the historic business in Ellisville will be closing on April 1 to make way for the new Busy Bee store. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Verlon Webb, owner of Webb’s Antique Mall, said Wednesday the historic business in Ellisville will be closing on April 1 to make way for the new Busy Bee store. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Webb’s Antique Mall closing

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
ELLISVILLE — Columbia County’s most iconic and largest indoor antique mall, Webb’s Antique Mall, is closing next spring after operating for almost three decades.
Kiersten Parson, Columbia High JROTC Battalion Commander, leads the cadets on the annual 9/11 Memorial March at the school Wednesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kiersten Parson, Columbia High JROTC Battalion Commander, leads the cadets on the annual 9/11 Memorial March at the school Wednesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia JROTC honors 9/11 victims

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
A processional featuring Columbia High School JROTC cadets marching the American flag through the school’s commons area paid homage to Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack victims on Wednesday morning.
Lance Jones with Jones Engineering talks about the Penelope Place mixed-use development during the Planning and Zoning board meeting Sept. 2. The zoning and land use change requests needed for the development have been withdrawn by the developer. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lance Jones with Jones Engineering talks about the Penelope Place mixed-use development during the Planning and Zoning board meeting Sept. 2. The zoning and land use change requests needed for the development have been withdrawn by the developer. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Mixed-use housing development plan pulled back

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
A mixed-use development that would have included single-family houses and an apartment complex has pulled its plans back from the county.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced more than $122 million in rural infrastructure projects Tuesday at the Florida Department of Transportation office in Lake City. Among that funding is $8 million for Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette and Suwannee counties. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced more than $122 million in rural infrastructure projects Tuesday at the Florida Department of Transportation office in Lake City. Among that funding is $8 million for Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette and Suwannee counties. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

DeSantis delivers road funds

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Columbia County officials, who have been searching for funds to address area roads for years, received a financial surprise Tuesday afternoon from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

FWHS students arrested for school threats

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
FORT WHITE — A pair of Fort White High School students could face up to 15 years in prison for social media threats of attacks at the school. Separate posts were made Monday by 17-year-old Christopher Smith Jr.