Local

Commissioner Tim Murphy made the motion two weeks ago to reduce the increase to the county’s fire protection assessment. (FILE)

Commissioner Tim Murphy made the motion two weeks ago to reduce the increase to the county’s fire protection assessment. (FILE)

County to consider fees, tax rate Thursday

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
The Columbia County Commission looks to finalize its fire protection and solid waste fees for the next fiscal year on Thursday. During the commission’s 5:30 p.m.
A marker honoring Philip Proctor and other Columbia County veterans rests at the base of the 35-foot flag pole at the Columbia County Veterans Park dedicated Monday by the American Legion Post 57. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

A marker honoring Philip Proctor and other Columbia County veterans rests at the base of the 35-foot flag pole at the Columbia County Veterans Park dedicated Monday by the American Legion Post 57. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Monument, flag dedicated to veterans

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
What began as a way for Patricia Proctor to honor her late husband evolved into something bigger. After Proctor’s husband, Philip, passed away in March, she decided she wanted to recognize his love for his country and service to the U.S. Navy.
Mike Tatem is all smiles with his wife, Judy, when he was sworn in as the district governor for Rotary International District 6940 in June. Tatem hopes to help improve disaster response across the district during his term as governor. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Mike Tatem is all smiles with his wife, Judy, when he was sworn in as the district governor for Rotary International District 6940 in June. Tatem hopes to help improve disaster response across the district during his term as governor. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Relief through Rotary: Tatem aims to improve disaster response, resilience

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Mike Tatem has been on the job for about two months now. But the new Rotary International District 6940 governor hasn’t sat idly as his year-long term begins, not to mention the plans he and the district have for the future.
A crowd of approximately 100 people crammed into the Tourist Development Council conference room Thursday, leading to tabling the discussion on a housing project. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

A crowd of approximately 100 people crammed into the Tourist Development Council conference room Thursday, leading to tabling the discussion on a housing project. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Packed house but no talk on housing project

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 31, 2024
An overflow crowd stalled a Columbia County meeting about a proposed housing development on the northwest side of Lake City.

LCPD conducting DUI checkpoint Saturday

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, August 31, 2024
The Lake City Police Department will be looking for impaired drivers this holiday weekend. As part of the agency’s Strategic Traffic Enforcement Program, the LCPD will be conducting a multi-agency DUI checkpoint at various locations around the city from 7 p.m. Saturday until 2 a.m.
Crews from Anderson Columbia work Wednesday on resurfacing U.S. Highway 41 in southern Columbia County. The first layer of the project is nearly complete but the whole resurfacing and improvements is expected to last until next summer. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Crews from Anderson Columbia work Wednesday on resurfacing U.S. Highway 41 in southern Columbia County. The first layer of the project is nearly complete but the whole resurfacing and improvements is expected to last until next summer. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

First layer of 41 resurfacing nearly complete

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, August 31, 2024
The first layer of resurfacing on a major Columbia County thoroughfare is nearly complete. Anderson Columbia began a $10.6 million resurfacing project on U.S. Highway 41 in southern Columbia County in June.
LEFT: Victoria Coker shows off a medal she earned during her training with the Navy Sea Cadets. Coker earned the Honor Cadet designation last month. RIGHT: Michael Coker, running during a training with the Navy Sea Cadets, became the first local member to earn Honor Cadet. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

LEFT: Victoria Coker shows off a medal she earned during her training with the Navy Sea Cadets. Coker earned the Honor Cadet designation last month. RIGHT: Michael Coker, running during a training with the Navy Sea Cadets, became the first local member to earn Honor Cadet. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

Siblings capture Honor Cadet award

TONY BRITT
Saturday, August 31, 2024
The local Navy Sea Cadets program recently attained a historic milestone when a pair of cadets exemplified the skills and training that it takes to be named an Honor Cadet. The designation is even more notable because the two cadets are also siblings.
Dustin Busscher (left) and Abel Caballero listen as the Board of Adjustments discusses whether to grant a special exception for Caballero to operate a welding shop on his property in western Columbia County. The board did grant the exception. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Dustin Busscher (left) and Abel Caballero listen as the Board of Adjustments discusses whether to grant a special exception for Caballero to operate a welding shop on his property in western Columbia County. The board did grant the exception. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Exception granted for welding shop

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 31, 2024
A Columbia County man will be allowed to continue operating a welding shop on his property.
The Lake City Council will hold its first budget hearing during its meeting Tuesday night. The city is proposing an 11.91% tax increase. (FILE)

The Lake City Council will hold its first budget hearing during its meeting Tuesday night. The city is proposing an 11.91% tax increase. (FILE)

City hosting preliminary budget hearing Tuesday

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, August 31, 2024
The future of Lake City residents’ tax bills is on the table this Tuesday. The Lake City Council will hold its preliminary 2024-25 budget hearing during its 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday at Lake City Hall, 205 N. Marion Avenue.
The wooden pier at the Olustee Beach Day Use Area boat ramp in the Osceola National Forest was recently refurbished and rehabilitated, providing a safer environment for fishing. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The wooden pier at the Olustee Beach Day Use Area boat ramp in the Osceola National Forest was recently refurbished and rehabilitated, providing a safer environment for fishing. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Luring in visitors: Wooden pier rehabbed at Olustee Beach boat ramp

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
OLUSTEE — Boaters and shore anglers who visit Ocean Pond now have a rehabilitated wooden pier to enhance their hobby — fishing. The Olustee Beach Day Use Area boat ramp in the Osceola National Forest, operated by the U.S.