Local

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.
Lake City Councilman Jake Hill supported the city reviewing severance payments being made to former City Manager Paul Dyal. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman Jake Hill supported the city reviewing severance payments being made to former City Manager Paul Dyal. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council looking into severance, not raises

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
A severance package being paid to Lake City’s former manager will be examined further, while significant raises to select city employees will not be.
Rorie Lee, a Columbia FFA student, writes a list of prices for the fireworks tent. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Rorie Lee, a Columbia FFA student, writes a list of prices for the fireworks tent. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FFA eyes bucks for their bang

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Columbia FFA students are making the most of their Christmas and holiday break by helping to raise funds for the school FFA chapters. Wednesday afternoon close to a dozen students spent the afternoon unboxing, taking inventory and setting up firework displays for the Columbia FFA fireworks tent.

Sampson resigns council seat

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
The Lake City Council will begin the new year one council member short. Todd Sampson submitted his letter of resignation to City Clerk Audrey Sikes following Wednesday’s council meeting, effective Saturday.
The Lake City Council is set to host a special called meeting tonight regarding raises given out by former city manager Paul Dyal to city employees the day before he submitted his letter of resignation. (FILE)

The Lake City Council is set to host a special called meeting tonight regarding raises given out by former city manager Paul Dyal to city employees the day before he submitted his letter of resignation. (FILE)

Council eyes raises, Dyal severance pay

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
More than $65,000 in raises to seven employees handed out by the City of Lake City’s former manager will be scrutinized by the Lake City Council tonight. Councilman Todd Sampson addressed the raises at the council’s Dec.