Local

U.S. Navy Master Chief Damage Controlman Robert Ratliff salutes fellow service members as he “comes ashore” during his retirement ceremony Friday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

U.S. Navy Master Chief Damage Controlman Robert Ratliff salutes fellow service members as he “comes ashore” during his retirement ceremony Friday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Ratliff goes ‘ashore’ from Navy

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 19, 2023
A Lake City native has retired after 31 years and 11 months in the U.S. Navy. Master Chief Damage Controlman Robert Ratliff had a proper military sendoff Friday afternoon at Olustee Park.
An adoption event in 2019 drew a crowd to the Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society. LCHS staff members are worried about how the shelter’s new agreement with Columbia County will impact their work. (FILE)

An adoption event in 2019 drew a crowd to the Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society. LCHS staff members are worried about how the shelter’s new agreement with Columbia County will impact their work. (FILE)

County reaches deal with Humane Society

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 19, 2023
Columbia County’s new animal enforcement department will now officially house the animals at the Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society. The Columbia County Commission unanimously approved an updated contract with the LCHS to house the animals brought in for $375,750 annually.
Kate Duong, the Youth Services Outreach Librarian for the Columbia County Public Library, hangs an airplane at the Main Branch library Wednesday. The library’s summer rading program is travel themed, providing information on six of the seven continents. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kate Duong, the Youth Services Outreach Librarian for the Columbia County Public Library, hangs an airplane at the Main Branch library Wednesday. The library’s summer rading program is travel themed, providing information on six of the seven continents. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Summer programs ready to take flight

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
The Columbia County Public Library’s children section looks more like an airport, granted one filled with books.
Ricky Nicky, the team of Lake City’s Nick Wilkerson (left) and Ricky Jernigan, won the competitive division at the Suwannee Valley Cornhole Tournament. (COURTESY)

Ricky Nicky, the team of Lake City’s Nick Wilkerson (left) and Ricky Jernigan, won the competitive division at the Suwannee Valley Cornhole Tournament. (COURTESY)

Suwannee Valley Cornhole tourney raises $4,740

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
LIVE OAK — The sixth annual Suwannee Valley Cornhole Tournament raised $4,740 for the United Way of Suwannee Valley. The tournament, hosted Saturday by Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, featured 16 teams split into “competitive” and “social” brackets.
‘The Fort,’ the historic Fort White Elementary School building, will be surplused by the Columbia County School District next summer. The Columbia County Commission will discuss its interest in the building Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

‘The Fort,’ the historic Fort White Elementary School building, will be surplused by the Columbia County School District next summer. The Columbia County Commission will discuss its interest in the building Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Taking over 'The Fort': County considers donation of historic school

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
“The Fort” could soon become a Columbia County stronghold. The Columbia County School District is currently utilizing the historic buildings for classrooms at Fort White Elementary School, but plans to declare the building as surplus, effective next summer.
An unidentified man smashed out a side window at the Columbia Courthouse Annex on Friday by throwing a hammer through it. He also broke a window on a county employee’s car with the hammer. If you recognize this man, call the Lake City Police Department at 386-752-4343. (COURTESY)

An unidentified man smashed out a side window at the Columbia Courthouse Annex on Friday by throwing a hammer through it. He also broke a window on a county employee’s car with the hammer. If you recognize this man, call the Lake City Police Department at 386-752-4343. (COURTESY)

Mad man attacks tax office with hammer

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
A hammer-wielding man who attacked the Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office midday Friday is still unknown and on the loose. The Lake City Police Department is still investigating the incident that occurred at 11:30 a.m.
Lake City Councilman Todd Sampson said the city may have to look at other options for filling the building official position in the future because of state regulations. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman Todd Sampson said the city may have to look at other options for filling the building official position in the future because of state regulations. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City cancels deal for building official

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
An interlocal agreement between Lake City and Columbia County regarding building officials has been nixed. Or at least it will be eventually.

Mayo teen charged for visiting minor

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Caught in a minor’s room over the weekend has a Mayo teen facing a handful of charges. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report, 18-year-old Kiami McKnight was found in a child’s room around 2 a.m. Saturday when a victim went to check on the child.
Faye Williams, a customer representative with the City of Lake City, is retiring after 44 years working with the city. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Faye Williams, a customer representative with the City of Lake City, is retiring after 44 years working with the city. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Calling it a career: Williams retiring after 44 years as city employee

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 12, 2023
Faye Elaine Williams began her career as a City of Lake City employee during the second year of President Jimmy Carter’s term. She’s worked through a long list of city managers, supervisors and co-workers, but managed to make the most out of a job she got shortly after high school graduation.