Local

Georgia man killed on I-10 entrance ramp

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
A Georgia man was killed Saturday morning when he lost control trying to get on Interstate 10 in Columbia County. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, the 20-year-old Kings Bay man lost control of his SUV on the entrance ramp to I-10 west from U.S. Highway 441 around 11:23 a.m. Saturday.
Columbia EMS, which will serve as Columbia County’s 911 emergency medical service provider starting Oct. 1, already has two trucks on the road. Among the Columbia EMS team are Toby Witt (from left), Mike Broshar, Aaron Smith and Cherie Lawrence. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia EMS, which will serve as Columbia County’s 911 emergency medical service provider starting Oct. 1, already has two trucks on the road. Among the Columbia EMS team are Toby Witt (from left), Mike Broshar, Aaron Smith and Cherie Lawrence. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia EMS is up and running

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 14, 2024
The past few weeks have been a full-circle moment for Toby Witt. As one of the co-owners of Columbia EMS, which will be Columbia County’s 911 emergency medical service provider starting Oct.

Patke quits as county’s tourism director

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 14, 2024
For the second straight year, Columbia County is looking for a tourism director. Konnie Patke, who started work for the county on Jan. 10, resigned from the position as the Tourist Development Council director, on Aug. 28, effective Sept. 10.
Construction workers form walls out of concrete to Niblack Elementary School in forms at the site. The walls will be lifted into place in early October. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SCHOOLS)

Construction workers form walls out of concrete to Niblack Elementary School in forms at the site. The walls will be lifted into place in early October. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SCHOOLS)

Niblack construction ahead of schedule

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 14, 2024
So far, so good on the new Niblack Elementary School construction.

Lake City man killed in I-10 crash

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 14, 2024
A Lake City man was killed Thursday evening when he lost control on Interstate 10 in Columbia County. A Florida Highway Patrol release said the 20-year-old was headed east on I-10 when his red Ford Mustang lost traction around mile marker 297 around 5:50 p.m.

City’s 11.91% tax increase up for final vote

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 14, 2024
The Lake City Council will consider for the final time, an 11.91% tax increase on city property owners. The city’s final budget hearing for the 2024-25 fiscal year will be held during Monday’s council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at Lake City Hall, 205 N. Marion Avenue.
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.