Local

Sheriff Mark Hunter said the Columbia County Commission reduced the county’s funding toward deputies’ raises unfairly, relying on state funding to offset it. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sheriff Mark Hunter said the Columbia County Commission reduced the county’s funding toward deputies’ raises unfairly, relying on state funding to offset it. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sheriff, board bicker over budget

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, November 4, 2023
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will receive additional funding toward employee salaries. But after a heated meeting with the Columbia County Commission on Thursday morning, the CCSO is not receiving all of the funding Sheriff Mark Hunter believes his agency is owed.
The Columbia County and Alachua County Sheriff’s Offices responded to a call about a suspicious device on SW Arlington Boulevard Thursday. The device was not an explosive. (COURTESY)

The Columbia County and Alachua County Sheriff’s Offices responded to a call about a suspicious device on SW Arlington Boulevard Thursday. The device was not an explosive. (COURTESY)

Tow truck driver steers clear of device

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, November 4, 2023
A tow truck driver declined to pick up more than a vehicle Thursday afternoon. Called to a property on SW Arlington Boulevard to remove a vehicle, the driver noticed a suspicious device inside as he was clearing it out, calling law enforcement. Sgt.
Staff at Brannon Real Estate will help host the annual veterans dinner on Nov. 11 at the Columbia Gateway Fairgrounds. Pictured here are Gail March-Baker (bottom row, from left), Jack Russell, Elicia Linton, Teresa Brannon, and Duke Silvey; Bonice Phinney (second row, from left), Callie Harrington, and Mindy Tenneboe; Michael Morrison (third row, from left), Leila Harrington and Tammy Tyre. Not pictured: Christian Griffis, Pamela Nettles, Amy Overstreet and Michale Cuadras. (COURTESY)

Staff at Brannon Real Estate will help host the annual veterans dinner on Nov. 11 at the Columbia Gateway Fairgrounds. Pictured here are Gail March-Baker (bottom row, from left), Jack Russell, Elicia Linton, Teresa Brannon, and Duke Silvey; Bonice Phinney (second row, from left), Callie Harrington, and Mindy Tenneboe; Michael Morrison (third row, from left), Leila Harrington and Tammy Tyre. Not pictured: Christian Griffis, Pamela Nettles, Amy Overstreet and Michale Cuadras. (COURTESY)

Veteran’s lunch set to make return

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, November 4, 2023
An annual Veterans Day lunch is set to return next weekend, complete with barbecue and prizes to be given away to area vets. All that will be done under new supervision as well.

Columbia school bus involved in collision

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, November 4, 2023
A Columbia County School District employee was at fault for a Thursday morning accident involving a school bus. According to a Lake City Police Department report, a CCS bus and a 2010 Ford Fusion collided Thursday around 7:14 a.m. at the intersection of SW Baya Drive and SW McFarlane Avenue.

Man arrested after carjacking in Jacksonville

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, November 4, 2023
A Jacksonville man is facing charges across North Florida following a carjacking and pursuit that ended in Columbia County on Friday afternoon. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office received information around 12:30 p.m.
Nancy Turner, who lives in Woodborough North, agreed that issues remain in the neighborhood. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Nancy Turner, who lives in Woodborough North, agreed that issues remain in the neighborhood. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County still has issues with Woodborough North

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, November 4, 2023
The Woodborough North subdivision has gotten clearance from its issues with the Suwannee River Water Management District, but not the Columbia County Commission.
Vern Lloyd of Lake City hands a flag to a youngster who sprinted to catch up to the Military Officers Association of America float during the 2019 Veterans Day parade. (FILE)

Vern Lloyd of Lake City hands a flag to a youngster who sprinted to catch up to the Military Officers Association of America float during the 2019 Veterans Day parade. (FILE)

Veterans Day parade looks to ‘Salute Veterans’

TONY BRITT
Saturday, November 4, 2023
A picturesque scene depicting patriotism, pride and honor, with an abundance of American flags, is expected to unfold along Marion Avenue next weekend when the annual Veterans Day parade makes its return. The parade will take place 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov.
A detour road for the expanded Busy Bee project is neededto ease congestion at the Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41 interchange in Ellisville. The Columbia County Commission authorized staff to begin negotiations on property to build that road. (COURTESY)

A detour road for the expanded Busy Bee project is neededto ease congestion at the Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41 interchange in Ellisville. The Columbia County Commission authorized staff to begin negotiations on property to build that road. (COURTESY)

Purchase sought to aid growth in Ellisville

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Columbia County administration has received the green light to look into purchasing property to help clear the way for a major project in southern Columbia County.

LCPD: Injured man made up robbery story

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, November 4, 2023
A Gainesville man, who was hospitalized after an alleged robbery early Wednesday morning, was arrested for making a false report. According to a Lake City Police Department release, the statements received from Cory Armstrong Jr.
Connor Sanders (standing left), who is portraying the character of King of Hearts in Columbia High School’s production of Alice At Wonderland, rehearses a scene on Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Connor Sanders (standing left), who is portraying the character of King of Hearts in Columbia High School’s production of Alice At Wonderland, rehearses a scene on Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CHS showing off ‘modern take’ on Alice in Wonderland

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
The crazy scenario of what would happen if a person went down a rabbit hole is intersecting with today’s technology.