Local

Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler answers questions from the Columbia County Commission about consolidating dispatch Thursday as Sheriff Mark Hunter looks on. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler answers questions from the Columbia County Commission about consolidating dispatch Thursday as Sheriff Mark Hunter looks on. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County advances consolidated dispatch

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 7, 2023
Consolidated dispatch cleared another hurdle Thursday when the Columbia County Commission unanimously approved an agreement to combine Computer Assisted Dispatch systems.

Medina appointed to FGC Board of Trustees

NEWS STAFF
Friday, July 7, 2023
Florida Gateway College is getting a new member to fill its nine-member district board of trustees. Gov. Ron DeSantis, on Friday, announced the appointment of John Medina to the FGC Board of Trustees. State Rep. Chuck Brannan, John David Crawford, Suzanne Norris and Dr.

Regional utility authority moves ahead

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
A regional authority to oversee the utility services in Columbia County and Fort White got green lighted Wednesday. The Town of Fort White/Columbia County Utilities Committee unanimously authorized Grady Williams, the county’s utility attorney, to begin the process of devising a utility authority.

Clay lowering cost 5% in July

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
With natural gas prices falling, Clay Electric Cooperative members will pay less for power this month. Clay Electric announced Wednesday that it’s lowering the cost of power 5.3% in July, taking the industry average of 1,000 kWh from $130 to $123.
Rayva Boyle, 8, takes part in the hot dog eating contest Saturday at the Rotary Club of Lake City Downtown Independence Day celebration. Boyle stuffed down five hot dogs in the five-minute contest using a hot dog in each hand approach. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Rayva Boyle, 8, takes part in the hot dog eating contest Saturday at the Rotary Club of Lake City Downtown Independence Day celebration. Boyle stuffed down five hot dogs in the five-minute contest using a hot dog in each hand approach. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Fireworks, frankfurters highlight hot Independence Day celebration

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
When it comes to competitive eating, Danny Byers is a novice. Still, the Bell teenager felt he was prepared to take part in the inaugural Rotary Club of Lake City Downtown Independence Day Celebration hot dog eating contest.

Council backs joint dispatch

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
The Lake City Police Department and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office are looking to have a joint dispatch/communication system operational by the fall.
David Cooper was apprehended Monday by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office following a four-hour manhunt in which he fled from authorities and hid in a wooded area. (COURTESY)

David Cooper was apprehended Monday by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office following a four-hour manhunt in which he fled from authorities and hid in a wooded area. (COURTESY)

Suspect captured after 4-hour manhunt

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
A man attempting to avoid arrest on local felony warrants, dipped, dodged and eluded law enforcement officers for several hours on Monday before he was eventually apprehended in a wooded area near County Road 245. David Cooper was arrested Monday evening following a four-hour search and manhunt.
Columbia County’s Emmy Jenkins won the Florida Ideal Miss title in April and will compete for the World’s Ideal Miss crown in Houston, Texas, this month. (COURTESY)

Columbia County’s Emmy Jenkins won the Florida Ideal Miss title in April and will compete for the World’s Ideal Miss crown in Houston, Texas, this month. (COURTESY)

From Fort White to the World: Jenkins eyes World’s Ideal Miss crown

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 30, 2023
Having already captured Gainesville and Florida, a Columbia County teen’s sights are now set on the world Emmy Jenkins, Florida Ideal Miss, will compete in the World’s Our Little Miss Pageant in Houston, Texas, from July 7-14.
Lake City Manager Paul Dyal recommended during a workshop Thursday that the city look for a new option for City Hall. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Manager Paul Dyal recommended during a workshop Thursday that the city look for a new option for City Hall. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council in market for new City Hall

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 30, 2023
The City of Lake City is ready to look for new options for a City Hall.
Brandy Dent is pictured at the Oak Bridge office building Friday, two days after she said she helped stop a car from backing over a child. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Brandy Dent is pictured at the Oak Bridge office building Friday, two days after she said she helped stop a car from backing over a child. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Pedestrian stops car from running over child

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 30, 2023
A Good Samaritan said Friday that she stopped an unoccupied vehicle that was backing over a child Wednesday evening in a Lake City parking lot. Brandy Dent, 38, said she was walking south down SE Avalon Avenue on Wednesday around 6:15 p.m.