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A grant that would renovate a hangar at the Lake City Gateway Airport to help HAECO’s operations will be discussed at a special Lake City Council meeting Tuesday. (FILE)

A grant that would renovate a hangar at the Lake City Gateway Airport to help HAECO’s operations will be discussed at a special Lake City Council meeting Tuesday. (FILE)

Council circles back to HAECO grant

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
A grant that would help land 100 jobs locally may still have a chance for takeoff. A special Lake City Council meeting has been called for Tuesday at 5 p.m. to discuss and possibly take action on a Rural Infrastructure Grant from the Florida Department of Commerce in partnership with HAECO.
A suspect, shown in video surveillance from a semi-tractor that had its tires punctured, has resumed his criminal mischief on parked trucks the past few weeks. (COURTESY)

A suspect, shown in video surveillance from a semi-tractor that had its tires punctured, has resumed his criminal mischief on parked trucks the past few weeks. (COURTESY)

FHP resumes search for tire slasher

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
The Florida Highway Patrol is once again looking to deflate some criminal mischief on parked semi trucks.
Members of the Fort White FFA chapter are pictured at the state convention. Seven Fort White FFA students travel to Indianapolis next month for the National FFA Convention. (COURTESY)

Members of the Fort White FFA chapter are pictured at the state convention. Seven Fort White FFA students travel to Indianapolis next month for the National FFA Convention. (COURTESY)

Columbia County FFA programs ready for fair

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
More than 40 area FFA students got the opportunity to travel to Georgia for a farming convention last week, while even more prepare for different exhibitions in the future. Lake City and Fort White Middle Schools, along with Fort White High School, were represented at the Moultrie Ag Expo on Oct.
The Creepy Crew featuring Michael Davis as the Oogey ‘Boogey Man,’ Jeremias Sandoval as the ‘Creepy Clown,’ Annika Hunt as ‘Creepy Doll Face’ and Keptia Josma as ‘The Alien,’ will serve up frights and scares at the Columbia High School theatre’s program presentation of Scary Stories on Friday and Saturday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Creepy Crew featuring Michael Davis as the Oogey ‘Boogey Man,’ Jeremias Sandoval as the ‘Creepy Clown,’ Annika Hunt as ‘Creepy Doll Face’ and Keptia Josma as ‘The Alien,’ will serve up frights and scares at the Columbia High School theatre’s program presentation of Scary Stories on Friday and Saturday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Schoolhouse shock: CHS theatre bringing scares to school

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Creepy sights and sounds and chilling settings will serve as a Halloween precursor this weekend when the Columbia High School theatre program hosts its annual haunted house fundraiser. Guests will be welcomed to the haunted house from 7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Norman L.
Columbia School District Attorney Megan Logan speaks during Tuesday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia School District Attorney Megan Logan speaks during Tuesday’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

District eyes fraud charges, lawsuit over track

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
The Columbia County School Board wants to do more than recoup its losses from the Columbia High track project.
Third Judicial Circuit Public Defender Cliff Wilson voiced opposition Monday to the proposal to consolidate the state’s judicial circuits. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Third Judicial Circuit Public Defender Cliff Wilson voiced opposition Monday to the proposal to consolidate the state’s judicial circuits. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Shrinking judicial circuits opposed

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
A state plan to consolidate the judicial circuits needs to be thrown out, according to local officials.
Sheriff Mark Hunter asks for Sen. Jennifer Bradley and Rep. Chuck Brannan to support legislation proposed for the 2024 session to hold juveniles accountable for gun violence. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sheriff Mark Hunter asks for Sen. Jennifer Bradley and Rep. Chuck Brannan to support legislation proposed for the 2024 session to hold juveniles accountable for gun violence. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

CCSO seeks support on juvenile violence bill

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Proposed legislation could be a “game changer” when it comes to holding juveniles accountable to gun violence. During Monday’s Columbia County legislative delegation hearing at Florida Gateway College, Sheriff Mark Hunter told both Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) and Rep.
John Kasak (clockwise from left) pours cider for Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival visitors Whitney Martin and Ashley James. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

John Kasak (clockwise from left) pours cider for Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival visitors Whitney Martin and Ashley James. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Beer and Wine Festival continues to grow

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
A crisp autumn day with the promise of fellowship, socializing, live music and, of course, tasting wine and beer, drew a huge crowd of visitors downtown. The Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival took place Saturday and people descended all throughout the downtown area.

Murdered child's family threatened with more violence

NEWS STAFF
Monday, October 23, 2023
The family of the Lake City girl killed in late August was threatened with further violence Sunday. According to the Lake City Police Department, 55-year-old Lucille Simpson drove past family members of 12-year-old Mariah Smith around 7:10 p.m. Sunday and threatened them while armed with a firearm.