Local

Rayva Boyle, 8, takes part in the hot dog eating contest Saturday at the Rotary Club of Lake City Downtown Independence Day celebration. Boyle stuffed down five hot dogs in the five-minute contest using a hot dog in each hand approach. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Rayva Boyle, 8, takes part in the hot dog eating contest Saturday at the Rotary Club of Lake City Downtown Independence Day celebration. Boyle stuffed down five hot dogs in the five-minute contest using a hot dog in each hand approach. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Fireworks, frankfurters highlight hot Independence Day celebration

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
When it comes to competitive eating, Danny Byers is a novice. Still, the Bell teenager felt he was prepared to take part in the inaugural Rotary Club of Lake City Downtown Independence Day Celebration hot dog eating contest.

Council backs joint dispatch

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
The Lake City Police Department and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office are looking to have a joint dispatch/communication system operational by the fall.
David Cooper was apprehended Monday by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office following a four-hour manhunt in which he fled from authorities and hid in a wooded area. (COURTESY)

David Cooper was apprehended Monday by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office following a four-hour manhunt in which he fled from authorities and hid in a wooded area. (COURTESY)

Suspect captured after 4-hour manhunt

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
A man attempting to avoid arrest on local felony warrants, dipped, dodged and eluded law enforcement officers for several hours on Monday before he was eventually apprehended in a wooded area near County Road 245. David Cooper was arrested Monday evening following a four-hour search and manhunt.
Columbia County’s Emmy Jenkins won the Florida Ideal Miss title in April and will compete for the World’s Ideal Miss crown in Houston, Texas, this month. (COURTESY)

Columbia County’s Emmy Jenkins won the Florida Ideal Miss title in April and will compete for the World’s Ideal Miss crown in Houston, Texas, this month. (COURTESY)

From Fort White to the World: Jenkins eyes World’s Ideal Miss crown

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 30, 2023
Having already captured Gainesville and Florida, a Columbia County teen’s sights are now set on the world Emmy Jenkins, Florida Ideal Miss, will compete in the World’s Our Little Miss Pageant in Houston, Texas, from July 7-14.
Lake City Manager Paul Dyal recommended during a workshop Thursday that the city look for a new option for City Hall. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Manager Paul Dyal recommended during a workshop Thursday that the city look for a new option for City Hall. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council in market for new City Hall

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 30, 2023
The City of Lake City is ready to look for new options for a City Hall.
Brandy Dent is pictured at the Oak Bridge office building Friday, two days after she said she helped stop a car from backing over a child. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Brandy Dent is pictured at the Oak Bridge office building Friday, two days after she said she helped stop a car from backing over a child. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Pedestrian stops car from running over child

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 30, 2023
A Good Samaritan said Friday that she stopped an unoccupied vehicle that was backing over a child Wednesday evening in a Lake City parking lot. Brandy Dent, 38, said she was walking south down SE Avalon Avenue on Wednesday around 6:15 p.m.
Protesters for and against affirmative active demonstrate on Capitol Hill on Thursday in Washington, D.C. (ANNA MONEYMAKER/Getty Images/TNS)

Protesters for and against affirmative active demonstrate on Capitol Hill on Thursday in Washington, D.C. (ANNA MONEYMAKER/Getty Images/TNS)

Colleges eye new diversity avenues following affirmative action ruling

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, June 30, 2023
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has sent shockwaves through higher education with a landmark decision that struck down affirmative action and left colleges across the nation searching for new ways to promote student diversity.

Lake City man drowns ex-girlfriend's dog

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, June 29, 2023
One Lake City man was not dog’s best friend. According to the Lake City Police Department, 23-year-old Jeremy Brock drowned his ex-girlfriend’s dog in a bathtub Wednesday afternoon.

Child hospitalized after being run over by car

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, June 29, 2023
A child, ran over by a car Wednesday evening, is being treated in a hospital, according to authorities. Lake City police officers responded to 725 SE Baya Drive around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday to an accident involving a child. An LCPD release said the child was backed over by a car.