Local

Lake City man accused of sexual battery on minor

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Lake City Police are looking for more information on a suspect accused of filming explicit acts with a minor. According to an LCPD release, Shomari Mikel Denson, 25, was arrested Sunday after officers were called to the lobby of the department to the report of an alleged sexual battery.
AgroLiquid adminstrators David Gilliam (from left), Gerrit Bancroft, Nick Bancroft, Alan Kennedy and Todd Cressman toss dirt from their shovels during Tuesday morning’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new AgroLiquid plant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

AgroLiquid adminstrators David Gilliam (from left), Gerrit Bancroft, Nick Bancroft, Alan Kennedy and Todd Cressman toss dirt from their shovels during Tuesday morning’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new AgroLiquid plant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

AgroLiquid plants itself at megasite as first tenant

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
A collective community dream formed more than two decades ago became a reality Tuesday morning when the North Florida Mega Industrial Park held a groundbreaking ceremony for its first business.
Councilwoman Chevella Young speaks during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Councilwoman Chevella Young speaks during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council looking to set up manager interview dates

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
The Lake City Council is down to its top three candidates for the city manager position. Now council members just have to agree on a set of days to get them to the city for interviews.
Columbia County Veterans Service Officer George Wehrli poses in front of the county’s new veterans services office. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Veterans Service Officer George Wehrli poses in front of the county’s new veterans services office. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Veterans Services settling in at new location

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Columbia County’s veterans services office is providing information to veterans in the area about their benefits at a new location.
DeSoto Derby Canoe Race committee members Dana Solenski (from left), Brandy Meeks, Troy Markham, Lindsey Markham, Rosy Sparks, Chris Samson and Jerry Solenski, stand on the banks of Lake DeSoto. Elks Lodge #893 is hosting a canoe race this weekend on the lake as a fundraiser. (COURTESY)

DeSoto Derby Canoe Race committee members Dana Solenski (from left), Brandy Meeks, Troy Markham, Lindsey Markham, Rosy Sparks, Chris Samson and Jerry Solenski, stand on the banks of Lake DeSoto. Elks Lodge #893 is hosting a canoe race this weekend on the lake as a fundraiser. (COURTESY)

Elks Lodge to host inaugural DeSoto Canoe Race

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Local Elks Lodge #893 is offering up a dose of wet and wild fun in the downtown area this weekend as it hosts the inaugural DeSoto Canoe Race on Lake DeSoto. The DeSoto Derby Canoe Race will take place at Lake DeSoto at 10 a.m. Saturday behind the Elks Lodge.
Jared Hires, Dive Rite’s general manager and son of owner and co-founder Lamar Hires, wears the company’s chest-mounted rebreather on a dive. (COURTESY)

Jared Hires, Dive Rite’s general manager and son of owner and co-founder Lamar Hires, wears the company’s chest-mounted rebreather on a dive. (COURTESY)

Dive Rite celebrates 40 years

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 15, 2024
Even after 40 years, Dive Rite is still serious about “equipment for serious divers.” The Lake City-based diving equipment company celebrated its 40th anniversary of being incorporated Thursday.

Sikes cleared by ethics board

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 15, 2024
Lake City’s clerk has been cleared of any alleged wrongdoing by the state’s ethics board. The Florida Ethics Commission considered a complaint filed by Sylvester Warren last September at its March 8 meeting.
The Florida Department of Transporation recently installed a WeatherStem system on Interstate 10 in Suwannee County. (COURTESY)

The Florida Department of Transporation recently installed a WeatherStem system on Interstate 10 in Suwannee County. (COURTESY)

DOT installs WeatherStem near I-10/I-75 interchange

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 15, 2024
The Florida Department of Transportation and the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office — Division of Emergency Management should be better informed of dangerous weather moving forward.