Local

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 The zoning and land use change requests needed for the development have been withdrawn by the developer.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.

Deep Creek residents aim to revive fire station

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Some northern Columbia County residents are looking to reopen a volunteer fire station. County officials, though, say the Deep Creek Fire Station never closed. Michelle Geiger is one of the residents in the Deep Creek area leading a push to bring aid back to that portion of the county.
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies set up operations near the intersection of Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 441 on Monday afternoon while searching for a fugitive. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies set up operations near the intersection of Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 441 on Monday afternoon while searching for a fugitive. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jacksonville man caught following search

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
A Jacksonville man was apprehended Monday afternoon after fleeing from authorities and then being tracked by K9 teams.
Nikki Fried, the Florida Democratic Party chair, talks with Nice Wells, of Gainesville, after a rally for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign at the Columbia County Woman’s Club on Sunday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Nikki Fried, the Florida Democratic Party chair, talks with Nice Wells, of Gainesville, after a rally for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign at the Columbia County Woman’s Club on Sunday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Harris campaign rally attracts local Democrats, state party chair

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
“When we vote, we win” was the signature chant heard at a political rally for Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, on Sunday afternoon. The people getting inspiration from the chant were a group of Columbia County residents at the Columbia County Women’s Club building.