Local

Bill Koon, the lone Fort White Town Council member to attend a previous joint meeting, said the Columbia County Commision was ‘bullying’ the town. (FILE)

Bill Koon, the lone Fort White Town Council member to attend a previous joint meeting, said the Columbia County Commision was ‘bullying’ the town. (FILE)

County, Fort White holding joint meeting

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
The Columbia County Commission and Fort White Town Council will finally meet. After the commission delivered a 30-day notice to the council to schedule a joint meeting on Nov. 1, the two boards will meet at the Duval Place executive conference room, 971 W. Duval Street, at 6 p.m. today.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is hosting its ‘Deputy Claus for a Cause’ event for the third time this year, delivering Christmas presents on Dec. 23 to various neighborhoods in the community. (COURTESY)

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is hosting its ‘Deputy Claus for a Cause’ event for the third time this year, delivering Christmas presents on Dec. 23 to various neighborhoods in the community. (COURTESY)

‘Deputy Claus for a Cause’ returns

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is looking to lock up another wonderful holiday season. The agency’s “Deputy Claus for a Cause” event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 23.
Martin and Lane, a South Florida duo consisting of Laura Lane and Chip Martin will playa variety of music Friday night at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. (COURTESY)

Martin and Lane, a South Florida duo consisting of Laura Lane and Chip Martin will playa variety of music Friday night at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. (COURTESY)

Martin and Lane, Starling to perform at Music Park

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Christmas is just a few weeks away and the holiday season is in full bloom at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground with two great evenings in the Music Hall this weekend.
Bob Smith and Jeannie McGalliard, Parkview Baptist Church cold weather shelter volunteers, put out snacks for clients utilizing the facility on Tuesday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bob Smith and Jeannie McGalliard, Parkview Baptist Church cold weather shelter volunteers, put out snacks for clients utilizing the facility on Tuesday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Parkview Baptist Church provides shelter for the cold

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
With frigid temperatures descending on Lake City for the next few days, Parkview Baptist Church has opened its cold weather shelter.
Columbia County School Board Member Hunter Peeler asked to bring the five-year work plan back for a vote in December. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County School Board Member Hunter Peeler asked to bring the five-year work plan back for a vote in December. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

New schools included on district work plan

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The Columbia County School District’s five-year plan for facility work — both repairs and new construction — is finally close to completion. While the Florida Department of Education didn’t release the documents to local districts for input for more than a month after its due date of Oct.

LCPD investigating fatal teen shooting

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The Lake City Police Department’s investigation into a fatal shooting early Sunday morning continues. Greg Burnsed, an investigator and spokesman for the LCPD, said Tuesday that the incident in which 19-year-old Nicholas Rashard Whitehead was shot and killed remains under investigation.
Aubree Craig enjoys a candy cane as she looks through decorative door hanger signs at the P.S. We’re Crafty Door Hanger booth at the Holiday Market craft festival in December 2020. (FILE)

Aubree Craig enjoys a candy cane as she looks through decorative door hanger signs at the P.S. We’re Crafty Door Hanger booth at the Holiday Market craft festival in December 2020. (FILE)

Tree lighting, Christmas kickoff this weekend

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The holiday season will officially start in Lake City this weekend. The City of Lake City’s tree lighting ceremony and evening market in Olustee Park is set for Sunday, starting at 4 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ two-day nativity celebration will be Friday and Saturday. (COURTESY)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ two-day nativity celebration will be Friday and Saturday. (COURTESY)

Church hosting nativity celebration

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
There is no better way to help kick start the month-long celebration of the reason for the season. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting a two-night celebration of the birth and life of Jesus Christ this weekend. The nativity celebration will last from 6-9 p.m.

Armed man robbed Walgreens

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The Lake City Walgreens was robbed at gunpoint Sunday morning. According to the Lake City Police Department, a black male asked a Walgreens employee to speak with the manager around 6:25 a.m. Sunday.

Teen cyclist, hit by vehicle, critically injured

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
A teen was critically injured Monday when their bicycle collided with a vehicle on NW Bascom Norris Drive. According to a Lake City Police Department release, the 14-year-old male didn’t stop before entering NW Bascom Norris Drive from the Walmart parking lot on his bicycle around 5:50 p.m.