Local

The Grinch reacts to a pair of children approaching him at the City of Lake City’s Holiday Market in downtown Lake City on Saturday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

The Grinch reacts to a pair of children approaching him at the City of Lake City’s Holiday Market in downtown Lake City on Saturday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Crowds flock to Market: Food trucks sell out as 3,000 visit downtown

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
The latest iteration of the Holiday Market in downtown Lake City went off without a hitch, according to city officials. The Saturday event, which spanned from Olustee Park to Wilson Park and beyond, drew in roughly 3,000 visitors for Christmas shopping, lunch and holiday cheer.
Sheriff Mark Hunter proposes the possibility of obtaining detection dogs to the Columbia County School Board. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sheriff Mark Hunter proposes the possibility of obtaining detection dogs to the Columbia County School Board. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

School board considers adding detection dogs for school safety

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
The Columbia School District is exploring options of adding another level of security at local schools — detection dogs. During Tuesday’s school board meeting, Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter gave a presentation about adding the detection dogs.
White Springs Town Manager Vanessa George addresses the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee on Monday. (COURTESY)

White Springs Town Manager Vanessa George addresses the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee on Monday. (COURTESY)

State accepts ‘scathing’ White Springs audit

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
The legislative committee that authorized an inquiry into the Town of White Springs’ finances and operations had little to say Monday when it received the “scathing report.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Trustee Don Kennedy said the board needs to make the agreement with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare on the main hospital building so one issue is resolved. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Trustee Don Kennedy said the board needs to make the agreement with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare on the main hospital building so one issue is resolved. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

LSHA still can’t determine hospital fate

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
While one piece of property on the Lake Shore Hospital Authority campus has been taken care of, the big question of the main building remains.

LCPD: Reports of deceased woman incorrect

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
The “word on the street” isn’t always accurate and resulted in the Lake City Police Department looking for a potential deceased shooting victim on Monday, which proved to be false. According to LCPD reports, around 9 a.m.
Santa Claus waves after landing in an airplane Saturday at the Lake City Gateway Airport for an event for the local Toys for Tots chapters. (COURTESY)

Santa Claus waves after landing in an airplane Saturday at the Lake City Gateway Airport for an event for the local Toys for Tots chapters. (COURTESY)

Fly in takes off with ‘pretty good’ debut

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Santa Claus swapped out a sleigh and reindeer for an airplane and hot rods Saturday afternoon. Santa and Mrs.
A pursuit involving a stolen ambulance late Saturday night ended at the front entrance to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office operations center. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

A pursuit involving a stolen ambulance late Saturday night ended at the front entrance to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office operations center. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

Chase in stolen ambulance ends at sheriff's office

NEWS STAFF
Monday, December 11, 2023
After stealing an ambulance, a suspect hand delivered himself right to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office late Saturday night. According to a CCSO release, a deputy responded with EMTs from Century Ambulance to the area of SE Baya Avenue and State Road 100 around 11:45 p.m.
Sheriff Mark Hunter told the Columbia County Commission that he’d make do with the funding they approved Thursday for raises. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sheriff Mark Hunter told the Columbia County Commission that he’d make do with the funding they approved Thursday for raises. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County agrees to fund CCSO raises

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 8, 2023
Additional funding for pay increases at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is on its way. The Columbia County Commission denied Sheriff Mark Hunter’s request for a $331,374 budget amendment once again at its Thursday morning meeting by a 3-2 vote against the request.
Sheila Carr, Gateway Art Gallery Curator, places ornaments on a Christmas tree on Friday afternoon as she prepares the gallery for the Downtown Art Stroll that will take place on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sheila Carr, Gateway Art Gallery Curator, places ornaments on a Christmas tree on Friday afternoon as she prepares the gallery for the Downtown Art Stroll that will take place on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Art Stroll taking over downtown

TONY BRITT
Friday, December 8, 2023
Paintings, sketches, custom jewelry, and unique ornaments are just a few of the locally created art pieces that will on sale next week when several local art venues and businesses partner for the 2023 Christmas season hosting a local art stroll. The Downtown Art Stroll will take place from 4-7 p.m.