Local

Third teen arrested in fatal August shooting

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 16, 2024
The third and final teenage suspect in the August murder of a child is now in custody. Matthew Rice, a 17-year-old from Lake City, was taken into custody without incident Thursday, the Lake City Police Department announced Friday morning.
The Courtyard by Marriott hotel, under construction on U.S. Highway 90, is expected to open in May. Construction on the 136-room hotel began in 2022. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Courtyard by Marriott hotel, under construction on U.S. Highway 90, is expected to open in May. Construction on the 136-room hotel began in 2022. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Courtyard closing in: New hotel looks to open before summer

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Visitors to Lake City will have a new option to catch some rest starting this summer. The city’s newest and largest full-service hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott, remains under construction as the hotel’s management team plans to open the building before the beginning of summer. Dery Mitchell Jr.
Erin Crumitie (from left) purchases a bouquet of flowers from Alyssa Roxby on Wednesday morning in Olustee Park during a Valentine's Day pop-up event for local vendors. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Erin Crumitie (from left) purchases a bouquet of flowers from Alyssa Roxby on Wednesday morning in Olustee Park during a Valentine's Day pop-up event for local vendors. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Valentine’s Day pop-up event leaves many fulfilled

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Lines of hungry customers walked away from Olustee Park satisfied and with full hearts Wednesday.
Wayne Morrell, who founded Morrell’s Furniture and Mattresses 60 years ago, is celebrating his 100th birthday today. Morrell is pictured in his garden, which he has shared with the public the past three years. (COURTESY)

Wayne Morrell, who founded Morrell’s Furniture and Mattresses 60 years ago, is celebrating his 100th birthday today. Morrell is pictured in his garden, which he has shared with the public the past three years. (COURTESY)

Morrell celebrating bountiful birthday

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Sixty years ago, Wayne Morrell didn’t have any grand vision for what Morrell’s Furniture and Mattresses would become. Fired from his job at a mobile home factory, Morrell was worried more about the here and now.
Jennifer Liston, an architect with Zyscovich Architects Inc. presented the plans for the new Niblack Emeentary to the Columbia County School Board on Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Jennifer Liston, an architect with Zyscovich Architects Inc. presented the plans for the new Niblack Emeentary to the Columbia County School Board on Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

School board signs off on Niblack plans

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
FORT WHITE — The future at Niblack Elementary is ready to get underway.

Body armor clad man charged for firing shots

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 9, 2024
The sounds of daytime gunfire led local authorities to an area near the Columbia County School District’s main office late Thursday morning. After speaking with a couple of witnesses, an additional gunshot allegedly led them back to one of those witnesses.

Failed robbery ends in arrest

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 9, 2024
A robbery gone wrong recently landed a Lake City man behind bars. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers were dispatched to Jersey Mike’s Subs at 2888 W U.S. Highway 90 around 9:30 p.m. Thursday night. Officers were told a burglary was in progress.
Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler is the only city employee that applied for the full-time city manager position. (FILE)

Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler is the only city employee that applied for the full-time city manager position. (FILE)

City discussing manager candidates this month

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 9, 2024
The City of Lake City’s search for a full-time administrator will heat up next week. With 21 candidates for the city manager position — one of the 22 applicants withdrew prior to the Feb.