Local

Michael Ferrell is new director of the Richardson Community Center, overseeing the facility’s activities and events. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Michael Ferrell is new director of the Richardson Community Center, overseeing the facility’s activities and events. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ferrell named director of Richardson Community Center

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
The Richardson Community Center, a community hub for years, has been the focal point of a transformation for the past year through its programming, leadership and goals. Now a new leader has been installed to continue the facility’s path.
Councilman Ricky Jernigan said he’d like to see the Lake City Council find a different procedure to fill the empty seat. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Councilman Ricky Jernigan said he’d like to see the Lake City Council find a different procedure to fill the empty seat. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council seeks candidates for seat

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
The process to fill the Lake City Council’s vacant seat is underway. The council decided at its meeting Tuesday night to advertise the vacancy for 30 days to receive notices of interest from qualified residents in order to attempt to appoint a member to fill out Todd Sampson’s unexpired term.
Jim Riley, former president of the Art League of North Florida and the Gateway Art Gallery, hangs up an entry into the 10th annual winter art show on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jim Riley, former president of the Art League of North Florida and the Gateway Art Gallery, hangs up an entry into the 10th annual winter art show on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Art gallery hosting annual winter show

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
The Gateway Art Gallery was filled with activity Saturday morning — pieces of art and exhibits were being added to the facility, while other seasonal pieces and exhibits were being removed.

Nobody injured in Wellborn New Year’s fire

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
WELLBORN — Nobody was injured Monday night when a Wellborn home caught fire. Suwannee County Fire Rescue units responded to a residence on 11th Avenue in Wellborn around 8 p.m. Monday to a report of a fire on a porch. When firefighters arrived, they found a fully involved structure fire.
City of Lake City Public Works employees clear a road of debris following Hurricane Idalia’s landfall in late August. The hurricane impacted multiple counties in North Florida, including Lafayette and Suwannee. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

City of Lake City Public Works employees clear a road of debris following Hurricane Idalia’s landfall in late August. The hurricane impacted multiple counties in North Florida, including Lafayette and Suwannee. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

YEAR IN REVIEW: Storm, gun violence top year’s stories

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 29, 2023
North Florida and the Suwannee Valley have long served as a safe haven for those in line of powerful storms. However, this fall, Hurricane Idalia set her sights and path on North Florida, leaving destruction behind including a massive amount of debris in Lafayette and Suwannee counties.
Lake City Councilman Todd Sampson issued his resignation over a new state law requiring more detailed financial reporting by municipal officials. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman Todd Sampson issued his resignation over a new state law requiring more detailed financial reporting by municipal officials. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Financial form sparks concern

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 29, 2023
Two days after a Lake City councilman resigned his position, the city’s mayor is worried new state regulations could lead to fewer candidates seeking local office.
Several stations at the Columbia County Tax Collector Office serve customers as other patrons await their turn. The office served more than 600 customers on Friday, the final business day of the year. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Several stations at the Columbia County Tax Collector Office serve customers as other patrons await their turn. The office served more than 600 customers on Friday, the final business day of the year. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Tax office busy due to ‘triple threat’

TONY BRITT
Friday, December 29, 2023
Compared to its normal day-to-day volume, the Columbia County Tax Collector had a major influx of customers Friday morning.