Local

Chaos, a Columbia County Sheriff's Office K9 officer, went missing Monday during a search east of Lake City. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

Chaos, a Columbia County Sheriff's Office K9 officer, went missing Monday during a search east of Lake City. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

CCSO searching for missing K9 officer

NEWS STAFF
Monday, September 25, 2023
A Columbia County Sheriff's Office K-9 officer remains missing after an early-morning search Monday. A deputy began pursuit of 29-year-old Justin Pike around 11:40 p.m. Sunday at the Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 90 interchange.
A revised FEMA flood risk map shows areas in The Oaks of Lake City subdivision that will be in flood zones, including new areas that are shaded blue. The Suwannee River Water Management District and FEMA are continuing to revise the maps after receiving hundreds of objections from the public earlier this year. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)

A revised FEMA flood risk map shows areas in The Oaks of Lake City subdivision that will be in flood zones, including new areas that are shaded blue. The Suwannee River Water Management District and FEMA are continuing to revise the maps after receiving hundreds of objections from the public earlier this year. (COURTESY SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)

Flood map relief coming

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 23, 2023
A flood of feedback — or objections — has washed out preliminary FEMA flood risk maps for southern Columbia County.

Council begins manager search process, again

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 23, 2023
The search for a new manager for the City of Lake City will begin next week. Finding a temporary administrator to replace Paul Dyal’s seat next month will also occur next month,  although who that interim manager will be is still unknown. The Lake City Council is holding a special meeting at 6 p.
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority will discuss at a special meeting Monday what to do with the Lake Shore Hospital building: donate it to Meridian Behavioral Healthcare or demolish it. (FILE)

The Lake Shore Hospital Authority will discuss at a special meeting Monday what to do with the Lake Shore Hospital building: donate it to Meridian Behavioral Healthcare or demolish it. (FILE)

Fate of hospital building on the table

TONY BRITT
Saturday, September 23, 2023
The fate of the Lake Shore Hospital building could be decided next week when Lake Shore Hospital Authority trustees discuss donating the building to Meridian Behavioral Healthcare or demolishing the building. The meeting, set for Monday at 5:15 p.m.
Debris from Hurricane Idalia is dumped at the Columbia County public works yard earlier this month. Residents may continue to place organic storm debris in the county right-of-way for removal until Oct. 1. (FILE)

Debris from Hurricane Idalia is dumped at the Columbia County public works yard earlier this month. Residents may continue to place organic storm debris in the county right-of-way for removal until Oct. 1. (FILE)

County extends debris deadline

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Columbia County residents have additional time to clear debris off their property from Hurricane Idalia. The Columbia County Commission unanimously agreed Thursday night to extend the deadline for residents to place storm debris in the county right-of-way to Oct. 1.

One killed in single vehicle crash

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 23, 2023
An Auburndale man was killed Thursday morning in a single vehicle crash in southeastern Columbia County. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 37-year-old Auburndale man crashed at the intersection of County Road 240 (SE Myrtis Road) and County Road 245 (SE Price Creek Road) around 6:10 a.m.

Legislative delegation meeting set for late October

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Columbia County’s state legislators will visit next month to hear from local officials and residents. Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island), the chair of the county’s legislative delegation, announced Thursday that the delegation will meet Monday, Oct. 23, from 9-11 a.m.
Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett announced Wednesday the college is launching a charter high school, Florida Gateway Collegiate Academy, that is expected to open fall 2026. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett announced Wednesday the college is launching a charter high school, Florida Gateway Collegiate Academy, that is expected to open fall 2026. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

FGC launching charter school

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
A new charter high school is coming to Columbia County. Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett announced Wednesday that the college plans to open the Florida Gateway Collegiate Academy in the fall of 2026.
Genie Norman, a longtime member of the Foundation for Florida Gateway College executive board, was honored Wednesday as a ‘Distinguished Friend of the Foundation.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Genie Norman, a longtime member of the Foundation for Florida Gateway College executive board, was honored Wednesday as a ‘Distinguished Friend of the Foundation.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Norman earns foundation honor

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
After years of giving back to the Lake City and Columbia County community, Genie Norman wasn’t about to stop Wednesday.
First responders gather at the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 South and SE Patio Glen following a deputy-involved shooting on Sept. 8. (FILE)

First responders gather at the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 South and SE Patio Glen following a deputy-involved shooting on Sept. 8. (FILE)

Deputy cleared in fatal shooting

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
A Columbia County sheriff’s deputy has been cleared of any wrongdoing in a shooting earlier this month that left two killed. Following the Sept.