Local

A Florida Highway Patrol K-9 officer in front of drugs confiscated during a multi-jurisdictional strike force operation in Columbia County last week. (COURTESY)

A Florida Highway Patrol K-9 officer in front of drugs confiscated during a multi-jurisdictional strike force operation in Columbia County last week. (COURTESY)

Strike force arrests 40 on 350 felonies

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
A multi-jurisdictional strike force operation in Columbia made more than 40 arrests on 350 felony charges during traffic stops last week.

12 overheated dogs die in kennel

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
FORT WHITE — A power outage Sunday led to 12 dogs dying at a training facility and boarding kennel in southern Columbia County. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and Columbia County Fire Rescue responded to Nicole’s Natural Dog Training in Fort White around 7:20 p.m.
Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter (middle) and law enforcement officers stand near the scene of Monday's events on Mershon Street north of Lake City. (COURTESY CCSO)

Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter (middle) and law enforcement officers stand near the scene of Monday's events on Mershon Street north of Lake City. (COURTESY CCSO)

Standoff ends peacefully

NEWS STAFF
Monday, June 19, 2023
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has resolved a lengthy standoff. In a social media post Monday afternoon, the CCSO said it received a call around 12:30 p.m. regarding an armed subject having a mental health crisis on Mershon Street north of Lake City. “After approximately 4.
Stephen Jones (far left) follows through after tossing a bag in a cornhole match at the Richardson Community Center on Thursday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Stephen Jones (far left) follows through after tossing a bag in a cornhole match at the Richardson Community Center on Thursday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Richardson hosts events as ‘things get back to normal’

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 16, 2023
A few months ago the Richardson Community Center appeared to be floundering as local officials debated and jockeyed over ownership of the property and what services would be provided there.
Columbia County Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth (right) speaks next to Commissioner Everett Phillips during Waste Pro’s presentation at the commission’s meeting Thursday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth (right) speaks next to Commissioner Everett Phillips during Waste Pro’s presentation at the commission’s meeting Thursday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Waste Pro asks county for study on garbage fees

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, June 16, 2023
WastePro wants a fee increase for county trash pickup, but county commissioners are cold to the concept initially and would need more specific information before considering raising assessments on county residents.

City to consider processing fees

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 16, 2023
Local residents who have become accustomed to using their debit and credit cards to pay their bills may see an additional 3.5% coming from their accounts in the near future. City officials are scheduled to discuss the possibility of implementing a 3.
An LCFD truck leaves Fire Station 2 on a call Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

An LCFD truck leaves Fire Station 2 on a call Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCFD second station open for service

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
For nearly 20 years, the Lake City Fire Department ran its operation out of one station, even though years before the department was a two-station unit.

FGC grad headed to SkillsUSA nationals

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Florida Gateway College graduate Caleb Dumas is set to compete at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta this weekend. In April, Dumas won the State Leadership & Skills Conference held in Jacksonville, topping the top three students from each of Florida’s six regions.
Columbia County Manager David Kraus speaks Tuesday after receiving the Columbia County Farm Bureau’s Public Service Award from Richard Jones. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus speaks Tuesday after receiving the Columbia County Farm Bureau’s Public Service Award from Richard Jones. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Farm Bureau thanks public officials, servants

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Columbia County has rich agricultural history roots and the connection between local public servants and the agricultural community was celebrated Tuesday night.
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is making progress in its talks with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare about the Lake Shore Hospital building which has sat vacant since Shands LakeShore Regional Medical Center closed in 2020. (FILE)

The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is making progress in its talks with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare about the Lake Shore Hospital building which has sat vacant since Shands LakeShore Regional Medical Center closed in 2020. (FILE)

Authority, Meridian talks progressing

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is “well on” its “way” to locking down a new tenant for the downtown hospital facility.