Local

Steven Flores takes part in the hot dog eating contest during the Rotary Club of Lake City’s Independence Day celebration last year at Wilson Park. The hot dog eating contest will be back as part of this year’s event. (FILE)

Steven Flores takes part in the hot dog eating contest during the Rotary Club of Lake City’s Independence Day celebration last year at Wilson Park. The hot dog eating contest will be back as part of this year’s event. (FILE)

Patriotism, fireworks mark July 4 celebrations

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Patriotic spirit will be on full display in downtown Lake City on Thursday. The Rotary Club of Lake City will be hosting its second Independence Day celebration from 3-8 p.m. in Wilson Park and the Darby Pavilion on the banks of Lake DeSoto.

Joyride on stolen scooter ends in arrest

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
A Lake City man was arrested Saturday night after a joyride on a stolen scooter. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, a report came in that a red scooter was driving recklessly, including into oncoming traffic, on State Road 100 around 7:50 p.m. Saturday.
Lake City Councilman James Carter said he wants the city to pursue an outside inquiry into the severance paid to former City Manager Paul Dyal to see if the city has a claim to recoup its money. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman James Carter said he wants the city to pursue an outside inquiry into the severance paid to former City Manager Paul Dyal to see if the city has a claim to recoup its money. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City wants further inquiry into Dyal severance

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Severance paid to the former Lake City Manager after his resignation will get closer scrutiny. Lake City Clerk Audrey Sikes gave an update Monday night regarding the city’s efforts to look into more than $202,000 paid to Paul Dyal after he voluntarily resigned in October.
Dale Williams, who is likely to serve as a consultant performing administrative duties for the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, talks to the authority board Monday about the process of hiring an executive director. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Dale Williams, who is likely to serve as a consultant performing administrative duties for the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, talks to the authority board Monday about the process of hiring an executive director. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Utility Authority closes in on hiring Williams as consultant

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
The North Florida Water Utilities Authority is close to having an experienced hand guiding it on a short-term basis.

Commission to interview all Columbia judge applicants

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
All four of the candidates looking to be Columbia County’s next judge will be interviewed. The Third Circuit Judicial Nomination Commission agreed during a Zoom meeting Tuesday to interview all the applicants for the new Columbia County judgeship.
Pam DeLand (left) and assistant manager Stephanie Burgess pose near the entrance to Country Skillit in Lake City. The restaurant just moved to a site across from the Lake City Gateway Airport from Ellisville. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Pam DeLand (left) and assistant manager Stephanie Burgess pose near the entrance to Country Skillit in Lake City. The restaurant just moved to a site across from the Lake City Gateway Airport from Ellisville. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Skillit sizzling in new home

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, June 28, 2024
A lifetime in the food service industry has prepared Pam DeLand for all manner of improvisation and quick thinking.
Roger Handberg, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, touted the police work that went into apprehending Hector Villarreal for cocaine trafficking last month. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Roger Handberg, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, touted the police work that went into apprehending Hector Villarreal for cocaine trafficking last month. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Texan indicted for 30 kilo cocaine haul

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 28, 2024
A desire by Columbia County deputies for additional training last month led to a “significant” drug arrest. On the first day out on patrol after a two-day interdiction training with the Lowndes (Ga.
Gary Hollie, wearing a Halloween-style mask and a ‘Santa’ T-shirt, runs from the Dollar General on SW Main Boulevard after an armed robbery at the store on June 12. (COURTESY)

Gary Hollie, wearing a Halloween-style mask and a ‘Santa’ T-shirt, runs from the Dollar General on SW Main Boulevard after an armed robbery at the store on June 12. (COURTESY)

‘Santa’ robber captured by CCSO

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 28, 2024
Santa should stick to giving rather than taking. Two weeks after a man wearing a “Santa” T-shirt and a Halloween-style mask robbed the Dollar General on SW Main Boulevard near Columbia High School with a firearm, 30-year-old Gary Hollie has been arrested for the crime.
The old I-75 Autos building is being demolished along Duval Street (U.S. Highway 90). A Wawa convenience store is planned for the site, although no building permit has been applied for yet through the City of Lake City. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

The old I-75 Autos building is being demolished along Duval Street (U.S. Highway 90). A Wawa convenience store is planned for the site, although no building permit has been applied for yet through the City of Lake City. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Clearing out for Wawa

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Crews are clearing the way for a Wawa convenience store in Lake City. When that new store will arrive, though, is still uncertain.