Local

Callie Jones, 7, hugs her Minnie Mouse plush toy while shopping with Lake City Police Officer Aumaria Kelly during Wednesday morning’s Shop With A Cop event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Callie Jones, 7, hugs her Minnie Mouse plush toy while shopping with Lake City Police Officer Aumaria Kelly during Wednesday morning’s Shop With A Cop event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD hosts kids for annual ‘Shop With A Cop’ event

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Christian Duhart was on cloud nine and the smile on his face alone told how happy he was. Earlier in the day, he met up with Lake City Police Officer Lt. Garrett Register and the two trekked through the aisles of Walmart as Duhart searched for Christmas gifts.
Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels said Wednesday that Project Harvest, an agricultural company, should be submitting site plans this week for space at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park. (FILE)

Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels said Wednesday that Project Harvest, an agricultural company, should be submitting site plans this week for space at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park. (FILE)

NFMIP first tenant ready for ‘Harvest’

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
The North Florida Mega Industrial Park is ready to finally reap its first “Harvest.
Pam Cochran, United Way of Suwannee Valley Leadership Donor, speaks about the importance of making contributions to the local United Way during the organization’s luncheon Wednesday afternoon at The Blanche. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Pam Cochran, United Way of Suwannee Valley Leadership Donor, speaks about the importance of making contributions to the local United Way during the organization’s luncheon Wednesday afternoon at The Blanche. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

United Way nears halfway mark on fundraising goal

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
From testimonials about using services that are funded by the United Way of Suwannee Valley, to information about why it’s important to fund the local agency, the United Way of Suwannee Valley exhibited its importance to community well-being on Wednesday afternoon.

LCPD: Chief won’t call for gift-card payment

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Lake City’s police chief won’t be calling asking for a payment with a gift card, according to the Lake City Police Department. According to an LCPD release Wednesday, officers helped a resident earlier in the day who had been dealing with a scammer.
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.