Local

Tom Brazil, Columbia County’s 911 director, stands outside the Combined Communications Center on Tuesday. The county and City of Lake City consolidated their emergency dispatch last week. There have been no major issues so far, Brazil said. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Tom Brazil, Columbia County’s 911 director, stands outside the Combined Communications Center on Tuesday. The county and City of Lake City consolidated their emergency dispatch last week. There have been no major issues so far, Brazil said. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Consolidated 911 dispatch showing benefits

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
A years-long effort to combine dispatch between Lake City and Columbia County is finally a reality. The benefits are already being seen by those working the new system.
Dale Williams, a consultant for the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, requested funding from Columbia and Suwannee counties to operate the fledling authority in the next fiscal year. (FILE)

Dale Williams, a consultant for the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, requested funding from Columbia and Suwannee counties to operate the fledling authority in the next fiscal year. (FILE)

Regional utility seeks new budget funding

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
The North Florida Water Utilities Authority is estimating its first year in operations will cost around $300,000.
Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Tomi Brown, pictured in the voting room at the elections office, said her staff is ready for early voting, which runs through Aug. 17. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Tomi Brown, pictured in the voting room at the elections office, said her staff is ready for early voting, which runs through Aug. 17. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Primary polls now open: Early voting runs through Aug. 17

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 9, 2024
Not even a hurricane could stop the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office from being ready for the August primary election. Early voting for the primary election begins today at the Supervisor of Elections Office, 971 W.

Columbia County closes storm shelters

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 9, 2024
Emergency shelters are now closed in Columbia County. The Columbia County Commission unanimously approved closing the shelters during a special meeting Friday morning at the Emergency Operations Center.
Wallace Kitchings (left) and Mark Hunter, candidates for Columbia County sheriff, speak to voters on Thursday at the Columbia County Republican Party's political rally at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. (Photos by JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Wallace Kitchings (left) and Mark Hunter, candidates for Columbia County sheriff, speak to voters on Thursday at the Columbia County Republican Party's political rally at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. (Photos by JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Nearly $200K raised, spent on sheriff’s race

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 9, 2024
Nearly $200,000 has been pumped into the Columbia County sheriff’s race heading into early voting. Sheriff Mark Hunter has both received and spent more than $100,000 on his re-election campaign, according to campaign finance documents through July 26.
Lake City Councilman James Carter said the city placing the question about council raises on the November ballot was cheaper than if it went that route through a voter-led petition. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman James Carter said the city placing the question about council raises on the November ballot was cheaper than if it went that route through a voter-led petition. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council raises heading to ballot

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, August 9, 2024
The issue of city council raises again took center stage at Thursday’s Lake City Council meeting. This time, voters will indeed have a say in the process moving forward.
The Suwannee River is flooding from its banks at White Springs after Hurricane Debby dumped up to 16 inches of rain in the area. The river has risen 20 feet at White Springs since last weekend. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Suwannee River is flooding from its banks at White Springs after Hurricane Debby dumped up to 16 inches of rain in the area. The river has risen 20 feet at White Springs since last weekend. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee River rises 20 feet after Debby

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Hurricane Debby’s impact will be felt for days — possibly weeks — to come. The up to 16 inches of rain the storm dumped on North Florida on Sunday and Monday caused the Suwannee River to rise 20 feet since the weekend at White Springs and 17 feet at Suwannee Springs.