Local

Domestic dispute turns up marijuana, mushrooms

A family dispute Saturday night led to the discovery of a marijuana and mushroom growing operation. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report, when deputies responded to a SW March Drive residence around 7:30 p.m.
Corine D. Lofton (from left) stands with Mayor Stephen Witt as he gives her and Francena Williams Robinson Harris a ceremonial key to the city during a Friday evening ceremony where Audrey Sikes (far right) received a certification of recognition during a ceremony at Olivet Missionary Baptist Church on Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Corine D. Lofton (from left) stands with Mayor Stephen Witt as he gives her and Francena Williams Robinson Harris a ceremonial key to the city during a Friday evening ceremony where Audrey Sikes (far right) received a certification of recognition during a ceremony at Olivet Missionary Baptist Church on Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Remembering King’s legacy

The past few weeks community members have gathered together on several occasions to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Columbia County firefighters pulled a woman and her two dogs from a mobile home fire on King Street on Tuesday morning. The woman was airlifted to an area hospital. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County firefighters pulled a woman and her two dogs from a mobile home fire on King Street on Tuesday morning. The woman was airlifted to an area hospital. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Woman, dogs saved from mobile home fire

Four Columbia County Fire Rescue firefighters and an unknown bystander pulled a woman from a burning mobile home Tuesday morning and also rescued her two dogs from the blaze in a structure fire near Columbia City. Units from CCFR were dispatched to the scene around 9:20 a.m.
Columbia High Principal Trey Hosford (middle) is presented a framed certificate in honor of the school having 100 years of continuous accreditation. Joining Hosford are School Board members Hunter Peeler (from left) Dana Brady-Giddens, Superintendent Lex Carswell, Assistant Superintendent Hope Jernigan, Narrie Smith and Keith Hudson. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia High Principal Trey Hosford (middle) is presented a framed certificate in honor of the school having 100 years of continuous accreditation. Joining Hosford are School Board members Hunter Peeler (from left) Dana Brady-Giddens, Superintendent Lex Carswell, Assistant Superintendent Hope Jernigan, Narrie Smith and Keith Hudson. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

CHS recognized for 100 years of accreditation

It was a moment 100 years in the making. At Tuesday’s Columbia County School Board meeting, Columbia High Principal Trey Hosford was presented with a framed certificate from Cognia recognizing CHS as having achieved 100 years of excellence.
A conceptial rendering of the new Niblack Elementary School from Zyscovich Architects Inc. as seen from Bascom Norris Drive. The new school, which is expected to open in August 2025, would be a two-story building. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT)

A conceptial rendering of the new Niblack Elementary School from Zyscovich Architects Inc. as seen from Bascom Norris Drive. The new school, which is expected to open in August 2025, would be a two-story building. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT)

Niblack plans taking shape, elementary school expected to be two stories

Plans for the new Niblack Elementary School are taking shape and going vertical.
A rendering of the Big Chicken restaurant that is coming to NW Centurion Court in Lake City, replacing the Rib Crib originally planned for the site. Big Chicken is a company partially owned by Shaquille O’Neal. (COURTESY)

A rendering of the Big Chicken restaurant that is coming to NW Centurion Court in Lake City, replacing the Rib Crib originally planned for the site. Big Chicken is a company partially owned by Shaquille O’Neal. (COURTESY)

Shaq’s Big Chicken restaurant opening in Lake City

Can you dig it? It looks like one of Lake City’s newest restaurant’s, Big Chicken, will come to the area bearing connections with NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal.

Warren’s trial for fracas at game set to begin

Sylvester Warren, an outspoken Lake City resident, appears to have a busy court calendar the next two weeks. Warren’s trial in Hamilton County for charges of trespassing on school property and resisting arrest without violence is this week.
Anthony Davis, a Lake City Fire Department employee, told the Columbia County Commission on Thursday that it needed to improve emergency medical services in the county after researching the increase in delayed responses over the past few years. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Anthony Davis, a Lake City Fire Department employee, told the Columbia County Commission on Thursday that it needed to improve emergency medical services in the county after researching the increase in delayed responses over the past few years. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Ambulance services to get closer look

The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners will take a closer look at ambulance services after concerns were voiced by a Lake City Fire Department employee.

Wanted man caught with counterfeit bills

A wanted man was found with counterfeit bills and a weapon in a restaurant parking lot Wednesday. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, a deputy made contact with two people in a vehicle in the Zaxby’s parking lot Wednesday evening.
There is currently no parking available for the Southside RC Raceway after other improvements at the Southside Sports Complex. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

There is currently no parking available for the Southside RC Raceway after other improvements at the Southside Sports Complex. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

RC track set to move

With a desire to rev events back up, the Southside RC Raceway will be racing to a new location.