Local

Teen turns himself in for shooting incident

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
A teen wanted for a shooting at a Lake City apartment complex is in custody after turning himself in. The Lake City Police Department announced Tuesday that 18-year-old Jaedyn Washington turned himself in without incident. He was wanted in connection with a July 7 shooting at Cedar Park Apartments.

County budget talks get heated

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 11, 2023
A contentious budget workshop Thursday featured the Columbia County Commission attempting to lock up what it deemed a “ballooning” Columbia County Sheriff’s Office budget. Sheriff Mark Hunter requested a $21 million budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, a 5.5% increase over the current year budget.
Shamarria Bowles, who graduated from Columbia High in May, will sing the national anthem for the Jacksonville Jaguars game Aug. 26 against the Miami Dolphins. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Shamarria Bowles, who graduated from Columbia High in May, will sing the national anthem for the Jacksonville Jaguars game Aug. 26 against the Miami Dolphins. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

CHS grad tapped for Jags national anthem

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 11, 2023
Singing is a second language for Columbia High graduate Shamarria Bowles. Or maybe a first language. “Singing is a way of me showing my feelings,” Bowles said. “I do it every day, no matter where I’m at, I’m going to be singing. And if I’m not fully out singing, I’m humming. That’s just me.
An Eastside Elementary School student is offered a cup of ‘jitter juice’ on Thursday, the first day of school. ‘Jitter juice’ makes the butterflies leave. (COURTESY)

An Eastside Elementary School student is offered a cup of ‘jitter juice’ on Thursday, the first day of school. ‘Jitter juice’ makes the butterflies leave. (COURTESY)

Columbia, Suwannee have ‘good’ first days

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 11, 2023
Not even an afternoon rain shower could damper the start of the new school year. While a storm brewed up just in time for the Columbia County elementary schools to let out Thursday, Superintendent Lex Carswell said it was a good first day.
Florida Gateway College is offering students and staff free child care services at the FGC Multi-Purpose Center. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Florida Gateway College is offering students and staff free child care services at the FGC Multi-Purpose Center. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

FGC offering free child care services

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 11, 2023
Florida Gateway College is taking one concern away for students, faculty and staff. The college is offering free child care through Little Wolves Child Care at the FGC’s Multi-Purpose Center, formerly the Lake City Boys Club, 279 NE Jones Way.
An Ancient City Brewing employee serves up a drink to a festivalgoer at last year’s Gateway City Craft Beer & Wine Festival in downtown Wilson Park. (COURTESY)

An Ancient City Brewing employee serves up a drink to a festivalgoer at last year’s Gateway City Craft Beer & Wine Festival in downtown Wilson Park. (COURTESY)

Beer and Wine Festival back on tap

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
It’s nearly time to tap a keg and bust out the corkscrew. The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is set to host the latest iteration of the Gateway City Craft Beer & Wine Festival on Saturday, Oct. 21, from noon-4 p.m. at Wilson Park in downtown Lake City.

Human remains found in wooded area

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Human remains have sparked a new investigation in Lake City. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers responded to a call Wednesday referencing possible human remains found in a wooded lot at 637 SW Commerce Dr.

HamCo admin hired to oversee LDRs

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Hamilton County’s loss is Columbia County’s gain. Louie Goodin, the county coordinator in Hamilton County for the past decade, is resigning from that post at the beginning of September to become the Land Development Regulations administrator for Columbia County.