Local

Employees swipe furniture rather than return it

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
An alleged furniture theft scheme has ended with one man in custody and another with a warrant out for his arrest. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report, the owner of Morrell’s Furniture & Mattresses located at 461 SW Deputy J Davis Ln.
Stephen Bullard was arrested Monday wearing a Lake City firefighter’s uniform shirt that he had stolen from a vehicle that morning. (COURTESY)

Stephen Bullard was arrested Monday wearing a Lake City firefighter’s uniform shirt that he had stolen from a vehicle that morning. (COURTESY)

Sleeping man nabbed in firefighter uni

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
A Lake City man didn’t quite look the part of a firefighter, even after allegedly taking a Lake City Fire Department uniform. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers were dispatched to Lake City Fire Station #2 around 7:35 a.m. Monday to the report of a vehicle burglary.
Bowen

Bowen

Man charged in teen's death

NEWS STAFF
Monday, October 30, 2023
ELLISVILLE — A person of interest in a teen’s murder in September is now officially a murder suspect. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that John Leonard Bowen, a 47-year-old from Lake City, was charged with in the murder of Coyoete Turner.

Warren requests to be called ‘god’

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, October 28, 2023
An outspoken Lake City man is seeking a new identity. Sylvester Warren III filed a petition Wednesday to change his name to “god,” according to Columbia County civil court documents.

Halloween celebrations from the ’20s, ’30s

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, October 28, 2023
As Halloween approaches, and the time of ghosts, witches and goblins draws near, it is nice to remember that the people of Lake City and Columbia County have always turned out to enjoy the merriment of the holiday with parties and celebrations.
Columbia County Senior Services supports cheer during last year’s ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ fundraiser. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Senior Services supports cheer during last year’s ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ fundraiser. (COURTESY)

CCSS hosts ‘Walk a Mile’ event for dementia program

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Next weekend, supporters of Columbia County Senior Services will show their support for a group of the Lifestyle Enrichment Center’s patrons. On Saturday, Nov. 4, the CCSS will host its annual “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” fundraiser at Wilson Park and Darby Pavilion. The walk will start around 9 a.m.
Lake City Police Department Lt. Robert Milligan (from left), Assistant Chief of Police Andy Miles and Chief Gerald Butler pose next to the department’s vehicle that has pink striping. LCPD officers are wearing pink badges this month and utilizing the vehicle to increase local breast cancer awareness. (COURTESY)

Lake City Police Department Lt. Robert Milligan (from left), Assistant Chief of Police Andy Miles and Chief Gerald Butler pose next to the department’s vehicle that has pink striping. LCPD officers are wearing pink badges this month and utilizing the vehicle to increase local breast cancer awareness. (COURTESY)

LCPD raises awareness with pink badges, SUV

TONY BRITT
Saturday, October 28, 2023
For the past four weeks, the officers at the Lake City Police Department have gone the extra mile showing they’re no weaklings and some of the tougher hombres on the block.
Mari Jayne Frederick will oversee the new cybersecurity degree course at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY)

Mari Jayne Frederick will oversee the new cybersecurity degree course at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY)

FGC introducing new degree in cybersecurity

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, October 28, 2023
A new degree path could entice students at Florida Gateway College. According to a Friday FGC press release, the college is set to introduce a two-year Associate of Science degree in cybersecurity.
The midway is set up at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds awaiting Friday’s open to the 69th annual Florida Gateway Fair. The fair is slated to run through Nov. 5. (RAY CARPENTER/Special to the Reporter)

The midway is set up at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds awaiting Friday’s open to the 69th annual Florida Gateway Fair. The fair is slated to run through Nov. 5. (RAY CARPENTER/Special to the Reporter)

Fair promises ‘mAGic memories’

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Fair rides, fried foods and fun games are coming back to Lake City beginning this weekend. The 69th annual Florida Gateway Fair returns to the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds, located at 164 SW Mary Ethel Ln., beginning Friday. The fair runs through Sunday, Nov. 5. Gates open at 5 p.m.
A grant that would renovate a hangar at the Lake City Gateway Airport to help HAECO’s operations will be discussed at a special Lake City Council meeting Tuesday. (FILE)

A grant that would renovate a hangar at the Lake City Gateway Airport to help HAECO’s operations will be discussed at a special Lake City Council meeting Tuesday. (FILE)

Council circles back to HAECO grant

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
A grant that would help land 100 jobs locally may still have a chance for takeoff. A special Lake City Council meeting has been called for Tuesday at 5 p.m. to discuss and possibly take action on a Rural Infrastructure Grant from the Florida Department of Commerce in partnership with HAECO.