Local

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.

Science teachers garner national honor

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
A pair of local science teachers will have the opportunity this year to embark on the same lessons they’re sharing with their students: studying, researching and collaborating with others.
Approximately 10 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and two ounces of fentanyl were seized last week by the Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force. The drugs were bound for Columbia County, according to a months-long investigation. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

Approximately 10 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and two ounces of fentanyl were seized last week by the Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force. The drugs were bound for Columbia County, according to a months-long investigation. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

Columbia County-bound meth, fentanyl seized by task force

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Drugs bound for Columbia County were seized last week following a months-long investigation.
The Florida Sheriffs Association provided a mobile emergency shelter to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday to aid in response and deployments for natural disasters. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

The Florida Sheriffs Association provided a mobile emergency shelter to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday to aid in response and deployments for natural disasters. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

CCSO receives mobile emergency shelter

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has received equipment that will allow emergency personnel to eat, shower and have quality downtime during local emergencies and natural disasters.