Local

Confederate and Union re-enactors went to war in 2020 at the original Olustee Battlefield in Baker County. True to history and form, the South won the battle, the biggest fought in Florida during the war. (RAY CARPENTER/Special to the Reporter)

Confederate and Union re-enactors went to war in 2020 at the original Olustee Battlefield in Baker County. True to history and form, the South won the battle, the biggest fought in Florida during the war. (RAY CARPENTER/Special to the Reporter)

Return of Olustee: Festival set for next weekend

Columbia County’s oldest and largest festival is set to make its annual return next weekend. The 45th Olustee Festival will take place Friday and Saturday, Feb. 16-17, at Wilson Park with a Saturday evening concert by the Jason Lee McKinney Band rounding out the festivities.
The Humdingers, a barbershop quartet, will perform Saturday at Florida Gateway College’s Levy Performing Arts Center as part of the Community Concerts of Lake City. (COURTESY)

The Humdingers, a barbershop quartet, will perform Saturday at Florida Gateway College’s Levy Performing Arts Center as part of the Community Concerts of Lake City. (COURTESY)

Humdingers performing Saturday

Community Concerts of Lake City presents The Humdingers barbershop quartet this weekend. The Humdingers, one of the nation’s preeminent barbershop quartets, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Levy Performing Arts Center on the Florida Gateway College campus.
Tina Teasley (from left) and Tami Saperstein paint a snowman on window panes during an art class at the Blue Goose Studio during December’s Art Stroll. (FILE)

Tina Teasley (from left) and Tami Saperstein paint a snowman on window panes during an art class at the Blue Goose Studio during December’s Art Stroll. (FILE)

Downtown Art Stroll returning to Lake City

Folks perusing the downtown area this weekend hoping to satisfy their cravings for sweets will also be able to take in some eye candy when local art and retail venues take part in the February Downtown Art Stroll. The Downtown Art Stroll will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bo Hendrick (left), who has worked at the Lake City Gateway Airport for more than 59 years, receives a gift Tuesday from Loren Triefenback from United Airlines. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bo Hendrick (left), who has worked at the Lake City Gateway Airport for more than 59 years, receives a gift Tuesday from Loren Triefenback from United Airlines. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Hendrick not taking off: Lake City Gateway Airport mainstay not retiring any time soon

A cinematic photograph featuring a jet airliner taking off or landing, with the sun rising over the horizon at the Lake City Gateway Airport, served as a captivating reminder of business taking place at HAECO just across the airport’s runway.
James Carter, the lone applicant for the vacant District 13 seat, speaks to the Lake City Council Monday about his interest in the position. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

James Carter, the lone applicant for the vacant District 13 seat, speaks to the Lake City Council Monday about his interest in the position. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council delays filling vacant seat

Filling out the Lake City Council will have to wait at least three more weeks.
A table is set up next to the speaker’s lectern at Lake City Hall on Monday. City officials set up tables to keep residents away from the dais for Monday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

A table is set up next to the speaker’s lectern at Lake City Hall on Monday. City officials set up tables to keep residents away from the dais for Monday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

‘Barrier’ blocks residents from council at City Hall

Council Chambers at Lake City Hall had a different look at Monday’s meeting. Adjoining the lectern for the public to address the Lake City Council were a pair of tables, one on each side extending out to existing roped off sections, blocking access to the dais.
Interim City Manager Dee Johnson said he felt town hall meetings would help provide communication with the city’s residents. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Interim City Manager Dee Johnson said he felt town hall meetings would help provide communication with the city’s residents. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

City funding gap for dispatchers

Dispatchers moving from the city to the county as part of consolidating the communications center will not lose out on benefits.
Jeremiah Gibson (left) was captured Saturday following a manhunt after a Jiffy Food Store in Live Oak was robbed. Calvin Souter Jr. (middle) was arrested Sunday in Lake City for a different firearm incident but is also suspected in armed robberies, as is Demoundre Evans (right), who is still at large and is considered armed and dangerous. (COURTESY)

Jeremiah Gibson (left) was captured Saturday following a manhunt after a Jiffy Food Store in Live Oak was robbed. Calvin Souter Jr. (middle) was arrested Sunday in Lake City for a different firearm incident but is also suspected in armed robberies, as is Demoundre Evans (right), who is still at large and is considered armed and dangerous. (COURTESY)

SCSO: Third robbery suspect considered armed and dangerous

A Lake City man, already in jail for a firearm incident in Lake City, now faces armed robbery charges in Suwannee County and, possibly, beyond. Another robbery suspect is still at large and is considered armed and dangerous. Calvin Souter Jr.
Vultures line the top of the press box at Tiger Stadium. Black vultures and turkey vultures have become a nuisance at the stadium since Columbia High’s track was resurfaced late last year. (COURTESY)

Vultures line the top of the press box at Tiger Stadium. Black vultures and turkey vultures have become a nuisance at the stadium since Columbia High’s track was resurfaced late last year. (COURTESY)

Disrupting the roost: ‘Bird bombs’ planned to chase vultures away from track

The new track at Columbia High School has quickly become a gathering site for vultures. The birds have been pooping and pecking away at pieces of the new track surface causing concerns for school and district officials.