Local

Future Fitness owner Tony Curtis has been pleased with the gym’s move further north on SW Main Boulevard. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Future Fitness owner Tony Curtis has been pleased with the gym’s move further north on SW Main Boulevard. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gym’s move a good fit

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
After more than three decades in one location, a move has helped buff up Future Fitness. The local workout spot has been open for a month in its new location at 894 SW Main Boulevard after spending its first 30 years in existence at a suite in the South Town Plaza. “It’s great.
Councilwoman Chevella Young (middle) speaks to City Manager Paul Dyal as Councilman Todd Sampson listens during Monday’s Lake City Council meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Councilwoman Chevella Young (middle) speaks to City Manager Paul Dyal as Councilman Todd Sampson listens during Monday’s Lake City Council meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

RCC funding on hold from city

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
While ownership of the Richardson Community Center is no longer being questioned, funding for programs at the facility took a sharp turn toward contentious at Monday’s Lake City Council meeting.
Burns (left) and Stephens

Burns (left) and Stephens

Cops: Denture cream used to hide smuggled drugs into jail

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
A scheme to get drugs through the Columbia County Detention Facility using denture adhesive turned out to be toothless. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, staff at the facility noted a tube of Poligrip left by a pair of visitors for an inmate Tuesday seemed suspicious.

Death row inmate’s appeal denied

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
A federal appeals court this week denied an appeal by a Death Row inmate convicted in the 1994 murder and rape of a woman kidnapped from a Lake City supermarket parking lot. A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S.
An office fire at I-75 Toyota on Monday evening was mostly extinguished by employees before firefighters arrived. The fire was believed to have been sparked by an overheated surge protector. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

An office fire at I-75 Toyota on Monday evening was mostly extinguished by employees before firefighters arrived. The fire was believed to have been sparked by an overheated surge protector. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Employees extinguish fire at dealership

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Quick thinking and knowing how to properly use a fire extinguish prevented what could have been a disaster from occurring Monday evening at a local car dealership. A small fire occurred around 6 p.m. Monday at I-75 Toyota, 1232 U.S.
Crews work on a project at Southside Sports Complex to add 90 new parking spots as well as address drainage issues at the recreation complex. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Crews work on a project at Southside Sports Complex to add 90 new parking spots as well as address drainage issues at the recreation complex. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Project addresses parking, drainage issues

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Lack of parking spaces and poor drainage have plagued the Southside Sports Complex since it has become one of the most popular sports tournament venues in North Central Florida.
Nick Patel hands out information to the Lake City Council at Monday’s meeting about the proposed Circle K expansion. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Nick Patel hands out information to the Lake City Council at Monday’s meeting about the proposed Circle K expansion. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City to review truck stop project

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
A proposed truck stop is under additional scrutiny following Monday night’s Lake City Council meeting. Nick Patel, the chief operating officer of Florida Gateway Hotels Inc.
Scott Salanci is seated in a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office patrol car after hiding beneath a house Tuesday morning. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

Scott Salanci is seated in a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office patrol car after hiding beneath a house Tuesday morning. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

Suspect found in second manhunt

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
The second time wasn’t the charm for a Columbia County burglary suspect. Five days after escaping capture following a burglary near State Road 47 and County Road 240, 36-year-old Scott Salanci Jr. was captured Tuesday morning.
Lifeguard Rachel Douberley leads a water aerobics class at the Jared Allison Aquatic Complex. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lifeguard Rachel Douberley leads a water aerobics class at the Jared Allison Aquatic Complex. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Public pool getting solar upgrade

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 14, 2023
The Jared Allison Aquatic Complex will receive a major update later this year when solar panels are added to heat the pool.