Local

Steve Roberts, the county’s interim utilities director, said Wednesday that the growth potential in Ellisville is endless. (FILE)

Steve Roberts, the county’s interim utilities director, said Wednesday that the growth potential in Ellisville is endless. (FILE)

County seeks funds for Ellisville upgrades

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
With “a lot of improvements” needed for infrastructure in Ellisville, Columbia County officials are looking for state assistance.
Dee Johnson was named the City of Lake City’s interim city manager Monday night. Johnson has been the assistant manager for the past 14 months. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Dee Johnson was named the City of Lake City’s interim city manager Monday night. Johnson has been the assistant manager for the past 14 months. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Johnson named interim city manager

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Without a word from either individual, the Lake City Council accepted Paul Dyal’s resignation as Lake City Manager and named his interim replacement Monday night. Dyal, who originally had submitted a letter of resignation Sept. 19, had been encouraged by the council to reconsider during a Sept.
Luke Davenport, a Florida Fish and Conservation Commission officer, signs a coloring book for Ava Flores, 2, as Elias Flores, 4 and Chelsea Flores (far right) look on. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Luke Davenport, a Florida Fish and Conservation Commission officer, signs a coloring book for Ava Flores, 2, as Elias Flores, 4 and Chelsea Flores (far right) look on. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD, residents spend ‘Night Out’

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Hundreds of people, a majority of them children, filled the gravel parking adjacent to the Lake City Police Department on Tuesday evening. The youngsters looked at law enforcement vehicles, touched law enforcement tools and equipment and interacted with the people behind the badges.

Parisi recalled for love, passion for service

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Recalled as a “cop’s cop” and as an example of what a law enforcement officer should be, a Lake City police officer touched many lives. Detective Corporal Tim Parisi, who was 41, died Friday. He had a medical emergency earlier in the week while at a training conference in Orlando.
Councilman Jake Hill said Monday that the Lake City Council didn’t need to rush its search for a new city manager, making the motion to see if Colin Baenziger & Associates would be willing to help direct the process. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Councilman Jake Hill said Monday that the Lake City Council didn’t need to rush its search for a new city manager, making the motion to see if Colin Baenziger & Associates would be willing to help direct the process. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council seeks headhunter for search

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Little more than a year after hiring but never utilizing the services, the Lake City Council is looking for help from Colin Baenziger & Associates once more.

LCPD officer dies after medical emergency

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 30, 2023
A Lake City police officer died Friday after a medical emergency earlier in the week. The Lake City Police Department announced Friday evening that Detective Corporal Tim Parisi died Friday afternoon.
Tom Wormuth and Columbia County’s animal enforcement department are ready for business, starting Sunday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Tom Wormuth and Columbia County’s animal enforcement department are ready for business, starting Sunday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County unleashes animal enforcement

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, September 29, 2023
The phone has already been ringing at the Columbia County Animal Enforcement Department. And on Friday, animal enforcement officers were met at their office on NW Animal Enforcement Glen, right next to the Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society, by a resident wanting to surrender their pet.
Fort White High School Principal Keith Couey stands in the school’s new Performing Arts Center, which has its first performance scheduled for the middle of October. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White High School Principal Keith Couey stands in the school’s new Performing Arts Center, which has its first performance scheduled for the middle of October. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Long-awaited FWHS Performing Arts Center ready to open

TONY BRITT
Friday, September 29, 2023
For more than two decades, the Fort White High School campus held a vacant spot with hopes that an auditorium would be added. The wait is over as the new building is expected to open within the next two weeks. “We’re going to cut the ribbon on Oct.