Local

Tina Roberts (front row, from left) stands with other Lake City Garden Club members, as she and Patrick Douglas, of the Suwannee Valley Community Foundation, hold a $10,000 check that was presented to the organization on Wednesday at the Blanche Hotel. Other Garden Club members present include, Ginger McCrannie (second row from left), Cheryl Libert, Kathy Smith and Mary Victores; Jan Logan (back row, from left), Terri Johnson, Sonya Rossin and Dorothy Colvin. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Tina Roberts (front row, from left) stands with other Lake City Garden Club members, as she and Patrick Douglas, of the Suwannee Valley Community Foundation, hold a $10,000 check that was presented to the organization on Wednesday at the Blanche Hotel. Other Garden Club members present include, Ginger McCrannie (second row from left), Cheryl Libert, Kathy Smith and Mary Victores; Jan Logan (back row, from left), Terri Johnson, Sonya Rossin and Dorothy Colvin. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Garden Club receives $10K for beautification

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 19, 2024
The Lake City Garden Club’s beautification efforts received a boost Wednesday morning. The Suwannee Valley Community Foundation made a $10,000 grant donation to the Garden Club at the Blanche Hotel on Wednesday morning.

Inmate dies at Columbia County jail

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, July 18, 2024
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the death of an inmate at the Columbia County Detention Facility. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, 74-year-old David Odell died around 5:30 a.m.
Halpatter Brewing Company co-owner Chris Candler sets down a bottle of distilled spirits during Tuesday’s soft launch of the company’s new line of liquors. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Halpatter Brewing Company co-owner Chris Candler sets down a bottle of distilled spirits during Tuesday’s soft launch of the company’s new line of liquors. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Halpatter is ginning up business

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Spirits are lifting already in downtown Lake City. Halpatter Brewing Company hosted the soft launch of its new line of distilled spirits Tuesday evening at its brewery — and now, distillery — at 264 NE Hernando Ave.
Matthew Gooch is taken into custody by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office after being accused of firing 10-plus shots into a residence Wednesday morning. (COURTESY CCSO)

Matthew Gooch is taken into custody by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office after being accused of firing 10-plus shots into a residence Wednesday morning. (COURTESY CCSO)

10+ shots fired into house near jail

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Hours after an altercation at one Columbia County location, a Lake City man tried to settle it with a firearm.

Changes coming for TDC

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Unable to take action Wednesday due to lacking a quorum, the Columbia County Tourist Development Council is looking at several steps to prevent that from occurring again. One of the items the TDC board couldn’t act on Wednesday was the possible appointment of a mother board member.
Members of the American Legion Post 57 Legion Riders are installed as officers during a ceremony on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Members of the American Legion Post 57 Legion Riders are installed as officers during a ceremony on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Area Legions hold historic installation ceremony

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Legionnaires from around the area gathered at American Legion Post 57 for a historic installation service which also featured a celebration for a post commander stepping down after several years in the leadership role.
Marshal Horn and The Rock N Roll Cowboys will make their Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park debut on Friday, performing in the Music Hall from 8-11 p.m. (COURTESY)

Marshal Horn and The Rock N Roll Cowboys will make their Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park debut on Friday, performing in the Music Hall from 8-11 p.m. (COURTESY)

Rock N Roll Cowboys, Soulshine playing SOSMP

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
LIVE OAK – A pair of versatile bands are slated for the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park this weekend. Marshal Horn and The Rock N Roll Cowboys take the SOSMP stage Friday for the first time and the incredible band Soul Shine rocks the house Saturday.

LCPD teaming up to ‘Slow Down’ speeders

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
The need for speed will have to wait for a more appropriate time and place. The Lake City Police Department, in coordination with the Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Transportation, began Operation Southern Slow Down Monday.
Jamie Spradley (right) and Taylor Kaus, fishing from the banks of Lake Montgomery on Monday, said a new fishing pier would be a nice addition to the lake. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jamie Spradley (right) and Taylor Kaus, fishing from the banks of Lake Montgomery on Monday, said a new fishing pier would be a nice addition to the lake. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

New Lake Montgomery pier closing in on construction

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Seven years after the fishing pier was removed, a big catch is close to being reeled in at Lake Montgomery. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said Monday afternoon they are hopeful that construction of a new pier at the lake will begin in the near future.