Local

Teen pleads guilty for ’21 murder

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
A Lake City teenager will spend 25 years in prison after a plea deal in a 2021 homicide case. Brandon Hopkins, 19, pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder while armed and received a 25-year sentence.
Mike Ferrell (clockwise from left), Richardson Community Center director, looks on as Jordan Maxwell gets a tutorial from Nicholas Brannon of the Florida Gateway College IT department on how to utilize video game consoles that are installed at Richardson Community Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Mike Ferrell (clockwise from left), Richardson Community Center director, looks on as Jordan Maxwell gets a tutorial from Nicholas Brannon of the Florida Gateway College IT department on how to utilize video game consoles that are installed at Richardson Community Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gaming systems installed at Richardson

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Richardson Community Center plans to expand its relationship with community youths by initiating a gaming program at the facility. The program is the result of a partnership between Florida Gateway College, the City of Lake City, Columbia County and the Richardson Community Center Board.
Winners in the Suwannee Valley Regional Science Fair were recognized Friday at Florida Gateway College’s Levy Performing Arts Center. (COURTESY)

Winners in the Suwannee Valley Regional Science Fair were recognized Friday at Florida Gateway College’s Levy Performing Arts Center. (COURTESY)

Fort White’s Robinson takes science fair top honors

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
A Fort White High School student took home top honors at the Suwannee Valley Regional Science Fair. Cyler Robinson’s project “Does Temperature Effect the Dissolved Oxygen Concentration Within Hydroponic Solutions?
White Springs resident Joe Griffin sits in front of a sign erected on his property that calls Town Manager Vanessa George, Mayor Anita Rivers and Town Clerk Audre’ Ruise ‘crooks.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

White Springs resident Joe Griffin sits in front of a sign erected on his property that calls Town Manager Vanessa George, Mayor Anita Rivers and Town Clerk Audre’ Ruise ‘crooks.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

White Springs man calls out town, county officials with signs

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
WHITE SPRINGS — A White Springs man’s distaste for town and county officials is clear for all to see.
The Fort White High jazz band performs during its Christmas concert in December. The band is hosting the Fort White Musical Market on Saturday to raise funds for a trip to Walt Disney World. (FILE)

The Fort White High jazz band performs during its Christmas concert in December. The band is hosting the Fort White Musical Market on Saturday to raise funds for a trip to Walt Disney World. (FILE)

FWHS band, choir hosting Musical Market

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
FORT WHITE — Fort White High School chorus and jazz band members have become accustomed to taking their performances to the next level. Later this year the students will take their musical talents to Walt Disney World for performances, but first they have to raise funds to get there.

Head-on collision kills one in southern Columbia County

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
FORT WHITE — A Lake City woman was killed Monday in a head-on collision in southern Columbia County. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a silver SUV was traveling east on U.S. Highway 27 around 4:30 p.m. Monday when it crossed the center line.
Councilwoman Chevella Young said the City of Lake City needed to help with Niblack Elementary School’s move for construction. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Councilwoman Chevella Young said the City of Lake City needed to help with Niblack Elementary School’s move for construction. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

City helping fund Niblack move

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
The pending move out of Niblack Elementary School for construction of a new building is getting assistance from the City of Lake City. The Lake City Council agreed at Tuesday’s meeting to provide $35,000 in funding to the school for its move at the end of the school year.