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Aubree Craig enjoys a candy cane as she looks through decorative door hanger signs at the P.S. We’re Crafty Door Hanger booth at the Holiday Market craft festival in December 2020. (FILE)

Aubree Craig enjoys a candy cane as she looks through decorative door hanger signs at the P.S. We’re Crafty Door Hanger booth at the Holiday Market craft festival in December 2020. (FILE)

Tree lighting, Christmas kickoff this weekend

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The holiday season will officially start in Lake City this weekend. The City of Lake City’s tree lighting ceremony and evening market in Olustee Park is set for Sunday, starting at 4 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ two-day nativity celebration will be Friday and Saturday. (COURTESY)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ two-day nativity celebration will be Friday and Saturday. (COURTESY)

Church hosting nativity celebration

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
There is no better way to help kick start the month-long celebration of the reason for the season. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting a two-night celebration of the birth and life of Jesus Christ this weekend. The nativity celebration will last from 6-9 p.m.

Armed man robbed Walgreens

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The Lake City Walgreens was robbed at gunpoint Sunday morning. According to the Lake City Police Department, a black male asked a Walgreens employee to speak with the manager around 6:25 a.m. Sunday.

Teen cyclist, hit by vehicle, critically injured

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
A teen was critically injured Monday when their bicycle collided with a vehicle on NW Bascom Norris Drive. According to a Lake City Police Department release, the 14-year-old male didn’t stop before entering NW Bascom Norris Drive from the Walmart parking lot on his bicycle around 5:50 p.m.

Georgia trucker killed in I-75 crash

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
A Georgia truck driver was killed early Tuesday morning when his tractor trailer drove off Interstate 75 and struck several trees. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, the truck was traveling south on I-75 when it ran off the road onto the western shoulder around 12:47 a.m. Tuesday.

Woman charged for neglect in dogs’ deaths

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
A Lake City woman faces a pair of animal cruelty charges four months after a pair of dogs died from neglect and starvation. Destane’e Thomas, 28, was arrested Friday on the animal cruelty charges, stemming from the July incident.

LCPD investigating fatal shooting

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, November 26, 2023
The Lake City Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting in northwest Lake City early Sunday morning. According to an LCPD release, officers responded to NW Long Street at 3:42 a.m. Sunday when its gunshot detection system reported gunfire.
Mark Wiencek dresses as Santa next to a Cessna and a box of presents for Toys for Tots. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Mark Wiencek dresses as Santa next to a Cessna and a box of presents for Toys for Tots. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Santa flying in with gifts

TONY BRITT
Friday, November 24, 2023
Santa is looking to make a new type of trip to Columbia County for the 2023 Christmas season, potentially flying in to Lake City on a passenger plane for a new event to give toys to local youngsters.
Philip Mobley (left), NorthStar Family Resource Center executive director, hangs clothing at the facility in January with help from Christen Lancaster, NorthStar Community Center Community Research Coordinator. (FILE)

Philip Mobley (left), NorthStar Family Resource Center executive director, hangs clothing at the facility in January with help from Christen Lancaster, NorthStar Community Center Community Research Coordinator. (FILE)

NorthStar bringing in FSU players

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, November 24, 2023
The annual football rivalry between the University of Florida and Florida State University may feel a bit closer to home thanks to a planned visit to Lake City by some FSU players. The NorthStar Family Resource Center is set to host a group of Seminoles players on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 4-5 p.m.
Nilda Soto, a family support specialist with the Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Gateway, delivers a meal to Maria Alexander, a Season of Giving recipient, earlier this month. (COURTESY)

Nilda Soto, a family support specialist with the Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Gateway, delivers a meal to Maria Alexander, a Season of Giving recipient, earlier this month. (COURTESY)

Early Learning Coalition hands out meals to families

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 24, 2023
With support from the community, the Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Gateway helped provide meals to 12 families in time for Thanksgiving. The coalition, in a release, thanked everyone who volunteered time, donated food, and gave money to make the Season of Giving initiative a success.