Local

The Florida Department of Transportion is hosting an open house today to discuss and unveil the proposed intersection improvements for the State Road 247 and County Road 240 crossing in southwestern Columbia County. (COURTESY)

The Florida Department of Transportion is hosting an open house today to discuss and unveil the proposed intersection improvements for the State Road 247 and County Road 240 crossing in southwestern Columbia County. (COURTESY)

Intersection makeover open house Thursday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
The Florida Department of Transportation will be unveiling — and discussing — the revamp of a southwestern Columbia County intersection at an open house today. DOT officials and engineers will be introducing the changes to the State Road 247 and County Road 240 crossing from 5-6 p.m.
City Clerk Audrey Sikes responds to criticism from Councilwoman Chevella Young during Tuesday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

City Clerk Audrey Sikes responds to criticism from Councilwoman Chevella Young during Tuesday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council doesn’t take action on Sikes, Kennon; Warren resigns seat on city advisory board

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
There was no public execution by the Lake City Council on Tuesday night. Councilwoman Chevella Young’s attempt to terminate City Clerk Audrey Sikes and City Attorney Todd Kennon didn’t even receive a motion during Tuesday’s meeting in front of a packed council chambers of approximately 50 people.
Cameron Gonzales, portraying Sponge Bob Squarepants, and D’Khari Jernigan, portraying Patrick Star, rehearse a scene for the upcoming Sponge Bob Musical production that will take place at Florida Gateway College this week. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cameron Gonzales, portraying Sponge Bob Squarepants, and D’Khari Jernigan, portraying Patrick Star, rehearse a scene for the upcoming Sponge Bob Musical production that will take place at Florida Gateway College this week. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC theater going under the sea with ‘Sponge Bob’

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
The square-headed, little yellow guy that’s famous for living in a pineapple under the sea, Sponge Bob Squarepants, will get some stage time during a musical production the next few days.
A still image from a surveillance camera on Interstate 75 shows the wreck that led to a day of lane closures and detours. (COURTESY)

A still image from a surveillance camera on Interstate 75 shows the wreck that led to a day of lane closures and detours. (COURTESY)

Chemical spill prompts I-75 closure

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
An hours-long traffic delay on Interstate 75 turned to traffic closures. Now, I-75 is back up and running.
A Florida Highway Patrol K-9 officer in front of drugs confiscated during a multi-jurisdictional strike force operation in Columbia County last week. (COURTESY)

A Florida Highway Patrol K-9 officer in front of drugs confiscated during a multi-jurisdictional strike force operation in Columbia County last week. (COURTESY)

Strike force arrests 40 on 350 felonies

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
A multi-jurisdictional strike force operation in Columbia made more than 40 arrests on 350 felony charges during traffic stops last week.

12 overheated dogs die in kennel

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
FORT WHITE — A power outage Sunday led to 12 dogs dying at a training facility and boarding kennel in southern Columbia County. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and Columbia County Fire Rescue responded to Nicole’s Natural Dog Training in Fort White around 7:20 p.m.
Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter (middle) and law enforcement officers stand near the scene of Monday's events on Mershon Street north of Lake City. (COURTESY CCSO)

Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter (middle) and law enforcement officers stand near the scene of Monday's events on Mershon Street north of Lake City. (COURTESY CCSO)

Standoff ends peacefully

NEWS STAFF
Monday, June 19, 2023
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has resolved a lengthy standoff. In a social media post Monday afternoon, the CCSO said it received a call around 12:30 p.m. regarding an armed subject having a mental health crisis on Mershon Street north of Lake City. “After approximately 4.
Stephen Jones (far left) follows through after tossing a bag in a cornhole match at the Richardson Community Center on Thursday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Stephen Jones (far left) follows through after tossing a bag in a cornhole match at the Richardson Community Center on Thursday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Richardson hosts events as ‘things get back to normal’

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 16, 2023
A few months ago the Richardson Community Center appeared to be floundering as local officials debated and jockeyed over ownership of the property and what services would be provided there.
Columbia County Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth (right) speaks next to Commissioner Everett Phillips during Waste Pro’s presentation at the commission’s meeting Thursday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth (right) speaks next to Commissioner Everett Phillips during Waste Pro’s presentation at the commission’s meeting Thursday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Waste Pro asks county for study on garbage fees

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, June 16, 2023
WastePro wants a fee increase for county trash pickup, but county commissioners are cold to the concept initially and would need more specific information before considering raising assessments on county residents.

City to consider processing fees

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 16, 2023
Local residents who have become accustomed to using their debit and credit cards to pay their bills may see an additional 3.5% coming from their accounts in the near future. City officials are scheduled to discuss the possibility of implementing a 3.