Local

Detours planned today for I-10, I-75 interchange

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
The ramp connecting Interstate 75 south and Interstate 10 east will be closed overnight tonight for maintenance. The Florida Department of Transportation will close the I-75 southbound ramp to I-10 east at 7 p.m. today, keeping it closed until 9 a.m. Friday for bridge maintenance.
Columbia County Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby discusses the need for an organized group dealing with regional utilities at a meeting Wednesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby discusses the need for an organized group dealing with regional utilities at a meeting Wednesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Regional utility group looks to become official

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Efforts to address utility needs regionally will soon become official.
Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young voted against funding for the programs at Richardson Community Center due to concerns with staffing at the center. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young voted against funding for the programs at Richardson Community Center due to concerns with staffing at the center. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council, RCC find common ground on programs

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
City funding for Richardson Community Center programming is back on the table. After a contentious debate during Monday’s Lake City Council meeting, the group decided to reimburse RCC for the summer camp it ran last month.
A traffic stop Saturday led to two arrests after Lake City police officers found a variety of narcotics and a firearm in the vehicle. (COURTESY LCPD)

A traffic stop Saturday led to two arrests after Lake City police officers found a variety of narcotics and a firearm in the vehicle. (COURTESY LCPD)

Machete attack ends in arrest

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
An argument over money escalated quickly Sunday in Live Oak when one man armed himself with a machete. Eric Roldan, 43, was arrested by the Live Oak Police Department for aggravated battery with great bodily harm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and on a warrant out of Bradford County.
First responders walk through the halls of Columbia High School during an active shooter training this week. (COURTESY)

First responders walk through the halls of Columbia High School during an active shooter training this week. (COURTESY)

First responders go through active shooter training

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 4, 2023
It’s not just teachers and students going through back-to-school preparations. This week, a number of first-response agencies underwent active shooter training at Columbia High School, preparing themselves for disaster.

Arrest made in gas station shooting

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 4, 2023
A month-long investigation into a gas station shooting has now led to an arrest. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, Michael Andrew Smith, 35, was arrested shortly after a grand jury returned an indictment Friday, leading to a warrant going out for his capture.
Brown (left) and Griffin

Brown (left) and Griffin

Pair nabbed for ATM heist

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 4, 2023
Two weeks after stealing an ATM, a pair of men have been arrested for the heist. The Lake City Police Department announced Friday the arrests of 22-year-old Andrew Brown, of Lake City, and 20-year-old Ahkeim Griffin, of White Springs, for grand theft in the case.
FGC student speaker Tavion Taylor (right) hugs FGC President Larry Barrett after receiving his Associate in Arts degree during Thursday’s graduation ceremony. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

FGC student speaker Tavion Taylor (right) hugs FGC President Larry Barrett after receiving his Associate in Arts degree during Thursday’s graduation ceremony. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Father-son duo headlines FGC graduation

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, August 4, 2023
For Tavion Taylor, graduation was just a little bit more sweet than normal. Taylor earned the right to address Florida Gateway College’s newest graduating class as the student speaker Tuesday night at the Howard Center.