Local

Naomi Nolasco, 3, flashes a look of awe as she attempts to lift a pumpkin that weighs more than she anticipated. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Naomi Nolasco, 3, flashes a look of awe as she attempts to lift a pumpkin that weighs more than she anticipated. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia FFA patch open for business

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Pumpkins, both extra large and miniature, in colors of orange, green and white, as well as gourds in several shapes and sizes held the attention of local FFA students.

Detectives catch burglars during the act

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Breaking into an abandoned house Tuesday, a pair of burglars got an unexpected visit. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, a pair of detectives, working on an unrelated case near NE Albritton Lane, happened to see 49-year-old Richard Thomas Jr.
Lake City Manager Paul Dyal blasted The Blanche Hotel and the Lake City Reporter after city staff threatened to tow vehicles from the City Hall parking lot that were attending a Blanche event. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Manager Paul Dyal blasted The Blanche Hotel and the Lake City Reporter after city staff threatened to tow vehicles from the City Hall parking lot that were attending a Blanche event. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Dyal blames Blanche; blasts Reporter

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
In his final public remarks as city manager, Paul Dyal attacked a pair of Lake City businesses and a Lake City councilor.
HAECO, which leases hangars from the City of Lake City at the Lake City Gateway Airport, was seeking assistance on obtaining grant funding to renovate one of the hangars. City administration refused to support the grant without providing a reason. (FILE)

HAECO, which leases hangars from the City of Lake City at the Lake City Gateway Airport, was seeking assistance on obtaining grant funding to renovate one of the hangars. City administration refused to support the grant without providing a reason. (FILE)

City grounds HAECO grant

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
An application for state funding to renovate a hangar at the Lake City Gateway Airport was never cleared for takeoff by City of Lake City officials without explanation.
Florida Track and Turf plans to start finishing the Columbia High track in late November, finishing by Dec. 22. (FILE)

Florida Track and Turf plans to start finishing the Columbia High track in late November, finishing by Dec. 22. (FILE)

District prepares suit over CHS track

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Work — or lack thereof — on the Columbia High track could lead to court for the Columbia County School District. The Columbia County School Board will discuss at its meeting Tuesday the possibility of initiating litigation against Pro Sports Consulting Group, LLC. At the school board’s Oct.

Council raises back under scrutiny

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, October 14, 2023
The Lake City Council’s roller-coaster raises could be back on the way out. During its 6 p.m. meeting Monday at Lake City Hall, 205 N. Marion Avenue, the council will discuss Section 2-53 of the city’s code of ordinances related to the council and mayo’s compensation.
Westside Elementary School Principal Jennifer Saucer opens a carton of milk for a student Friday morning. Saucer was wearing the strawberry costume as part of National School Luncheon Week. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Westside Elementary School Principal Jennifer Saucer opens a carton of milk for a student Friday morning. Saucer was wearing the strawberry costume as part of National School Luncheon Week. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Food service dishes out ‘special treat’

TONY BRITT
Saturday, October 14, 2023
The National School Lunch Week took on an active twist for local elementary students in the past few days. Employees from the school district’s food service office donned food-themed costumes the past few days and visited area elementary schools promoting healthy food choices.