Local

The parking lot at the Lake City Fire Station 2 was repaved last week after the original asphalt was ‘unraveling.’ The issue has delayed the station opening. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The parking lot at the Lake City Fire Station 2 was repaved last week after the original asphalt was ‘unraveling.’ The issue has delayed the station opening. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

New fire station parking lot fixed

For the Lake City Fire Department, opening LCFD Station 2 on the west side of town has been a series of delays. The latest delay was caused by the asphalt work in the parking lot, which resulted in the lot needing to get repaved and striped. The work took place May 26.
Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby discusses the county’s design and maintenance manual for subdivisions Thursday as an example for how MSBUs would work using the Forest Cove subdivision is shown behind him. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby discusses the county’s design and maintenance manual for subdivisions Thursday as an example for how MSBUs would work using the Forest Cove subdivision is shown behind him. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County eyes fix for subdivisions

Columbia County is hoping new standards will lead to fewer potholes with infrastructure constructed in subdivisions.
A $2 million grant for improvements at Richardson Community Center is likely to be rescinded by the Lake City Council at its meeting Monday. (FILE)

A $2 million grant for improvements at Richardson Community Center is likely to be rescinded by the Lake City Council at its meeting Monday. (FILE)

City declining RCC grant

The City of Lake City is turning down a $2 million grant for improvements to Richardson Community Center. But City Manager Paul Dyal said the decision, which has been discussed multiple times in recent months, is basically out of the city’s hands.

Arrest made in 2021 murder

A Lake City man was arrested Friday by the Lake City Police Department for a 2021 murder. According to an LCPD release, 33-year-old Dominic Brantley was charged with homicide for the October 2021 killing of Timothy McGaffick at the Columbia Arms Apartments.
A construction crew takes down the last of the Ken’s Bar-B-Que and Steaks building on U.S. Highway 90 Wednesday afternoon to make way for a new Radiant Credit Union building. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A construction crew takes down the last of the Ken’s Bar-B-Que and Steaks building on U.S. Highway 90 Wednesday afternoon to make way for a new Radiant Credit Union building. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ken’s cleared for bank

A local landmark, the Ken’s Bar-B-Que and Steaks restaurant on U.S. Highway 90, was demolished over the past two days as construction crews began clearing and prepping the property to accommodate a new Radiant Credit Union site.
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Katina Dicks (left) answers a question from a participant during Tuesday’s Citizen’s Law Enforcement Academy. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Katina Dicks (left) answers a question from a participant during Tuesday’s Citizen’s Law Enforcement Academy. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

CCSO kicks off Academy with orientation

A group of 14 individuals are seeing what it takes to be a Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy.
A group of park visitors plays an impromptu game of volleyball Monday afternoon at Ichetucknee Springs State Park. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

A group of park visitors plays an impromptu game of volleyball Monday afternoon at Ichetucknee Springs State Park. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Thousands flock to Ichetucknee Springs for Memorial Day swim

FORT WHITE — Local residents, long-distance tourists and an honest-to-goodness mermaid flocked to Ichetucknee Springs to cool off over Memorial Day weekend. Some waited as long as 20 minutes at the north entrance just for the opportunity to park at Ichetucknee Springs on Monday.
A drone shot of the graduation ceremony held at Tiger Stadium, honoring over 400 Columbia High School students who walked across the stage for their diplomas on Friday. (RAY CARPENTER/Special to the Reporter)

A drone shot of the graduation ceremony held at Tiger Stadium, honoring over 400 Columbia High School students who walked across the stage for their diplomas on Friday. (RAY CARPENTER/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia High graduates 437

While dark clouds hovered overhead, more than 100 students milled around the Norman Choice Performing Arts Auditorium late Friday evening, all dressed in purple caps and gowns with gold trim on the sleeves.
Da'niya Fluellen (top left, clockwise), Da'yani Fluellen, Charles Smith, Mikhya Hendon and Lakesia Hendon.

Da'niya Fluellen (top left, clockwise), Da'yani Fluellen, Charles Smith, Mikhya Hendon and Lakesia Hendon.

5 busted for Circle K brawl; officer hit by pepper spray

A fight fueled up at the gas pumps Thursday led to an officer being pepper sprayed. According to a Lake City Police Department release issued Friday morning, a fight broke out at the pumps at the Circle K convenience store at the intersection of Baya Avenue and Duval Street around 4:13 p.m.