Local

Firefighters from Columbia County Fire Rescue and the Lake City Fire Department extinguish a fire in a house on NE James Avenue late Wednesday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Firefighters from Columbia County Fire Rescue and the Lake City Fire Department extinguish a fire in a house on NE James Avenue late Wednesday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Home fire under investigation

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
A structure fire consumed the front porch area of a local home Wednesday morning on Lake City’s east side, just beyond city limits. Lake City Fire Chief Josh Wehinger said units from the city fire department arrived at the scene first, just after 11:30 a.m.
Jones (from left), Johnson and Crusaw

Jones (from left), Johnson and Crusaw

Dealer convicted of murder for user’s overdose

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
A Lake City drug dealer was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for supplying the drugs that led to a death from an overdose. Christopher Jones, 56, was found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder and three counts of sale or delivery of a controlled substance late Tuesday evening.

Brakes pumped on NFMIP rail partner

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
The Columbia County Economic Development Advisory Board applied the brakes Wednesday to an agreement with a shoreline rail partner at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park.
The Lake City Garden Club Scrabble Tournament was held at the Club House on Lake Isabella. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

The Lake City Garden Club Scrabble Tournament was held at the Club House on Lake Isabella. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Community makes tournament a success

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
The Lake City Garden Club and the Lake City Reporter partnered in the Scrabble Tournament recently held at the Club House on Lake Isabella. It was an exciting event with 18 teams playing this year.

Dealer sentenced to life for overdose death

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
A Lake City drug dealer was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for supplying the drugs that led to a death from an overdose. Christopher Jones, 56, was found guilty by a jury to first-degree murder and three counts of sale or delivery of a controlled substance late Tuesday evening.
TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter Francena Robinson Harris,103, holds a bouquet of flowers presented by Rev. Kyle Gibson, who recently visited the Olivet Missionary Baptist Church Health and Wellness group following one of its exercise classes. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter Francena Robinson Harris,103, holds a bouquet of flowers presented by Rev. Kyle Gibson, who recently visited the Olivet Missionary Baptist Church Health and Wellness group following one of its exercise classes. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Olivet hoping workouts give boost to community health.

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
A group of local seniors is making the most of its exercise time. Gloria Daniels, a retired VA nurse with 38 years of experience, helped found and organize the Olivet Missionary Baptist Church Health and Wellness group, which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.
Volunteers sit at a makeshift desk at Wilson Park during a Florida drivers license restoration event in 2022. (COURTESY)

Volunteers sit at a makeshift desk at Wilson Park during a Florida drivers license restoration event in 2022. (COURTESY)

Driver’s license restoration clinic set for Saturday

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Law offices and elected officials are looking to help Columbia County residents speed up the process of having their driver’s license reinstated. The second “Get on the Road” driver’s license reinstatement clinic is scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fort White man arrested on sexual battery charge

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
FORT WHITE — A 25-year-old man has been arrested after authorities said he sexually battered a minor. According to a heavily redacted Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report, the CCSO received a teletype from the Florida Abuse Hotline in October last year.
Laura Hunter-Null draws on a canvas during an ‘Altrusa Kids’ lesson to help local children achieve literacy. (COURTESY)

Laura Hunter-Null draws on a canvas during an ‘Altrusa Kids’ lesson to help local children achieve literacy. (COURTESY)

Altrusa aiming to help child literacy

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Local children could be getting a hand in reaching literacy thanks to a new initiative. The Altrusa Club of Lake City recently partnered with the Gateway Art Gallery to establish a year-long literacy project for local public elementary schools, according to an Altrusa Club release.