Local

Ricky Nicky, the team of Lake City’s Nick Wilkerson (left) and Ricky Jernigan, won the competitive division at the Suwannee Valley Cornhole Tournament. (COURTESY)

Ricky Nicky, the team of Lake City’s Nick Wilkerson (left) and Ricky Jernigan, won the competitive division at the Suwannee Valley Cornhole Tournament. (COURTESY)

Suwannee Valley Cornhole tourney raises $4,740

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
LIVE OAK — The sixth annual Suwannee Valley Cornhole Tournament raised $4,740 for the United Way of Suwannee Valley. The tournament, hosted Saturday by Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, featured 16 teams split into “competitive” and “social” brackets.
‘The Fort,’ the historic Fort White Elementary School building, will be surplused by the Columbia County School District next summer. The Columbia County Commission will discuss its interest in the building Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

‘The Fort,’ the historic Fort White Elementary School building, will be surplused by the Columbia County School District next summer. The Columbia County Commission will discuss its interest in the building Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Taking over 'The Fort': County considers donation of historic school

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
“The Fort” could soon become a Columbia County stronghold. The Columbia County School District is currently utilizing the historic buildings for classrooms at Fort White Elementary School, but plans to declare the building as surplus, effective next summer.
An unidentified man smashed out a side window at the Columbia Courthouse Annex on Friday by throwing a hammer through it. He also broke a window on a county employee’s car with the hammer. If you recognize this man, call the Lake City Police Department at 386-752-4343. (COURTESY)

An unidentified man smashed out a side window at the Columbia Courthouse Annex on Friday by throwing a hammer through it. He also broke a window on a county employee’s car with the hammer. If you recognize this man, call the Lake City Police Department at 386-752-4343. (COURTESY)

Mad man attacks tax office with hammer

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
A hammer-wielding man who attacked the Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office midday Friday is still unknown and on the loose. The Lake City Police Department is still investigating the incident that occurred at 11:30 a.m.
Lake City Councilman Todd Sampson said the city may have to look at other options for filling the building official position in the future because of state regulations. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman Todd Sampson said the city may have to look at other options for filling the building official position in the future because of state regulations. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City cancels deal for building official

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
An interlocal agreement between Lake City and Columbia County regarding building officials has been nixed. Or at least it will be eventually.

Mayo teen charged for visiting minor

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Caught in a minor’s room over the weekend has a Mayo teen facing a handful of charges. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report, 18-year-old Kiami McKnight was found in a child’s room around 2 a.m. Saturday when a victim went to check on the child.
Faye Williams, a customer representative with the City of Lake City, is retiring after 44 years working with the city. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Faye Williams, a customer representative with the City of Lake City, is retiring after 44 years working with the city. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Calling it a career: Williams retiring after 44 years as city employee

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 12, 2023
Faye Elaine Williams began her career as a City of Lake City employee during the second year of President Jimmy Carter’s term. She’s worked through a long list of city managers, supervisors and co-workers, but managed to make the most out of a job she got shortly after high school graduation.
The property at the Lake City Gateway Airport leased by HAECO Airframe Services will be appraised to determine fair market rent as part of a Federal Aviation Administration requirement. (FILE)

The property at the Lake City Gateway Airport leased by HAECO Airframe Services will be appraised to determine fair market rent as part of a Federal Aviation Administration requirement. (FILE)

City getting HAECO hangars appraised

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 12, 2023
Four months ago, The City of Lake City landed a long-term lease with HAECO Airframe Services at the Lake City Gateway Airport. Now, city officials are finding out how much the price on that hangar space has gone up.
Belmont Academy will start to receive tax funding for building improvements and maintenance. (COURTESY)

Belmont Academy will start to receive tax funding for building improvements and maintenance. (COURTESY)

Belmont Academy to start reeling in tax funding

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 12, 2023
Property funding may be on its way, but Belmont Academy is waiting to start cashing the checks. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation into law Thursday that will provide charter schools a new avenue of “capital outlay” funding to purchase land and facilities (HB 1259).
Crews from C.A. Boone Construction and Bubba’s Site Prep work on Columbia High’s track at Tiger Stadium. (COURTESY)

Crews from C.A. Boone Construction and Bubba’s Site Prep work on Columbia High’s track at Tiger Stadium. (COURTESY)

CCS approves track resurfacing

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 12, 2023
The track at Tiger Stadium is getting a much-needed makeover.
A thunderstorm Thursday afternoon brought pea- to nickel-sized hail to parts of Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A thunderstorm Thursday afternoon brought pea- to nickel-sized hail to parts of Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Thursday storms produce some hail

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 12, 2023
An early afternoon thunderstorm, which was part of scattered thunderstorms reported in the region, pelted several areas with hail Thursday.