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Max, a retired Lake City Police Department K-9 officer, passed away suddenly Sunday. (COURTESY)

Max, a retired Lake City Police Department K-9 officer, passed away suddenly Sunday. (COURTESY)

Retired LCPD K-9 officer dies

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
A retired Lake City K-9 officer has passed away. LCPD 340-K, also known as Max, retired in February 2021 after 18 months of serving with the Lake City Police Department. Max passed away suddenly on Sunday, according to an LCPD release.
Aaliyah Singh concentrates on her watercolor painting Friday during the Young Da Vinci Art Camp at the Gateway Art Gallery. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Aaliyah Singh concentrates on her watercolor painting Friday during the Young Da Vinci Art Camp at the Gateway Art Gallery. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Young at art: Annual free camp exposes children to art

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 28, 2023
A group of students will pack up new artistic skills when school resumes next month. The Gateway Art Gallery’s annual three-day Young Da Vinci Art Camp concluded Friday with a full class of 20 students between the ages of 8-12.

Tractor Supply looking at second location

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 28, 2023
A zoning change on the east side of Lake City could clear the way for a new Tractor Supply Company store. Lake City’s planning and zoning board will consider a request at its 5:30 p.m. meeting Tuesday at Lake City Hall to rezone four vacant parcels covering 3.56 acres along E.

Kids Feeding Kids hosting back-to-school giveaway

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 28, 2023
Gently-used items and, potentially, new bookbags are on the menu for a Kids Feeding Kids back-to-school event next week. The organization is hosting a back-to-school giveaway from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, at its thrift store, 4201 S. U.S. Highway 441.

Dealer faces 10 years in federal prison

NEWS STAFF
Friday, July 28, 2023
A Lake City drug dealer faces up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday. A sentencing date has not yet been set for Austin Harper, 26, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
A search of a residence just north of Columbia High on Friday turned up a wide assortment of narcotics and two firearms. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

A search of a residence just north of Columbia High on Friday turned up a wide assortment of narcotics and two firearms. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

Drug bust near CHS nets arrest

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, July 27, 2023
A search of a home just north of Columbia High School led to one arrest and the seizure of multiple drugs and firearms.
Robert and Emmie Chasteen sold their Chasteen’s Still Truckin’ food truck to Cammy and Ben Scott and Holly and Jonny Frazier. The rebranded truck, Cluckin’ and Truckin’ will hopefully start serving next week. The Chasteens helped Cammy Scott (left), Jonny Frazier (middle) and Holly Frazier (right) during a private event. (COURTESY)

Robert and Emmie Chasteen sold their Chasteen’s Still Truckin’ food truck to Cammy and Ben Scott and Holly and Jonny Frazier. The rebranded truck, Cluckin’ and Truckin’ will hopefully start serving next week. The Chasteens helped Cammy Scott (left), Jonny Frazier (middle) and Holly Frazier (right) during a private event. (COURTESY)

Truckin’ into new hands: Fraziers, Scotts taking over Chasteens’ food truck

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
A Lake City food mainstay is getting rebranded, revamped and renovated ahead of a return. Chasteen’s Still Truckin’, a food truck renowned for its fried chicken bites, is now under the ownership of two couples, Cammy and Ben Scott and Holly and Jonny Frazier.
Assistant Superintendent Todd Widergren said the sales tax funding was allocated for the first year to projects that faced timing issues. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Assistant Superintendent Todd Widergren said the sales tax funding was allocated for the first year to projects that faced timing issues. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sales tax funding spent; schools delayed

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Columbia County School District’s half-cent sales tax funding is allotted for its first year, none toward two new elementary schools.
Tyrone Mullins, the founder and organizer of the Community Barbers Back-to-School event, gives a student a haircut during last year’s event. (FILE)

Tyrone Mullins, the founder and organizer of the Community Barbers Back-to-School event, gives a student a haircut during last year’s event. (FILE)

Handing out haircuts, school supplies

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
A bevy of back-to-school supplies will be available to local youngsters free of charge this weekend when several community barbers and a local resource center combine forces. The eighth annual Back-To-School Community Barbers Event will take place from 3-6 p.m.