Local

State Attorney John Durrett responds to a question Thursday about charges against Sylvester Warren. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

State Attorney John Durrett responds to a question Thursday about charges against Sylvester Warren. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Durrett pressured to drop Warren’s charges

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
LIVE OAK — A tri-county coalition of 35 people ambushed State Attorney John Durrett on Wednesday with calls to drop charges against a Lake City man. The group from Columbia, Suwannee and Hamilton counties met with Durrett to discuss what was described as civil rights concerns.
Faith Ingram (left), of the Columbia High School drama club, adds the finishing touches to Xavier Boutwell’s face paint at last year’s Kiwanis Kids Day. (FILE)

Faith Ingram (left), of the Columbia High School drama club, adds the finishing touches to Xavier Boutwell’s face paint at last year’s Kiwanis Kids Day. (FILE)

Kids Day offers fun for good cause

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Running around and playing for hours with access sugary foods and drinks and a chance to see some some scientific experiments explode is an ultimate kids dream. The Lake City Kiwanis Club is making that dream a reality this weekend when the club hosts its annual Kiwanis Kids Day.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Doug Broxson (R-Gulf Breeze) called the budget a 'fiscally responsible, balanced approach.' The record $117 billion plan calls for more than $32 million for local projects. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

Senate Appropriations Chairman Doug Broxson (R-Gulf Breeze) called the budget a 'fiscally responsible, balanced approach.' The record $117 billion plan calls for more than $32 million for local projects. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

Budget bringing in $32M locally

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
A record state budget includes significant funding for Columbia County and North Florida.
Cameo Lance, the COO for Rhea Space Activity, a Washington, D.C.-based astrophysics start-up, is Florida Gateway College’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. (COURTESY)

Cameo Lance, the COO for Rhea Space Activity, a Washington, D.C.-based astrophysics start-up, is Florida Gateway College’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. (COURTESY)

Lance named FGC Alumnus of the Year

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Cap-and-gown season is set to grace the Florida Gateway College campus. FGC will honor the Class of Spring 2023 this Friday during the 2023 Commencement Ceremonies, as well as one former graduate.
Columbia County Manager David Kraus said he accepts any criticism from the County Commission so he can improve his performance for next year. (FILE)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus said he accepts any criticism from the County Commission so he can improve his performance for next year. (FILE)

Kraus reviews are ‘very positive’

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
The Columbia County Commission is pleased with the efforts of County Manager David Kraus. Well, mostly. In the annual evaluation of Kraus — which per the county charter must be conducted at the first meeting in May, set for Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

City interested in ‘one-stop shop’ for permitting

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
A “one-stop shop” for building and permitting needs in Columbia County may still become reality in the future. But first, Lake City Manager Paul Dyal wants the city administration and Lake City Council to be on the same page with who is running the city.
First responders converged on the Florida Gateway College campus last summer during a fake bomb threat. On Tuesday, a report of a shooter on the college campus was deemed to be a 'false alarm.' (FILE)

First responders converged on the Florida Gateway College campus last summer during a fake bomb threat. On Tuesday, a report of a shooter on the college campus was deemed to be a 'false alarm.' (FILE)

Shooting hoax reported at FGC

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
The hoax of an armed shooter on campus graduated to Florida Gateway College on Tuesday. Sgt. Steven Khachigan, a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said the agency responded to the FGC campus to the report of a shooter at the college, but it was a “false alarm.
Councilman Todd Sampson requested the City of Lake City seek a modification to its interlocal agreement with the Lake Shore Hospital Authority to keep the 12 parcels downtown for public parking. (FILE)

Councilman Todd Sampson requested the City of Lake City seek a modification to its interlocal agreement with the Lake Shore Hospital Authority to keep the 12 parcels downtown for public parking. (FILE)

City wants LSHA land without building new city hall

TONY BRITT
Monday, May 1, 2023
Although not used as a site to construct a new city hall building, Lake City officials appear to like the variety of options land provided by the Lake Shore Hospital Authority affords the city.
Bryan Zecher, looking over blueprints for a home in the Zecher Companies’ office on State Road 47, has been named the best Custom Builder in the U.S., according to the Avid Ratings’ annual awards, which are based on customer satisfaction surveys. (FILE)

Bryan Zecher, looking over blueprints for a home in the Zecher Companies’ office on State Road 47, has been named the best Custom Builder in the U.S., according to the Avid Ratings’ annual awards, which are based on customer satisfaction surveys. (FILE)

Zecher builds national rep

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 28, 2023
Named the Best of the Best the past 13 years, Bryan Zecher Homes has a new title and hardware. Zecher was named the Avid Cup winner for Best Custom Home Builder in the United States in the Avid Ratings’ 20th annual awards.

Ronsonet recalled for civic pride, business

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 28, 2023
A man tough enough to play college football for legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, but compassionate enough to help create the local special needs organization, CARC, Norbie Ronsonet died Thursday morning as the result of an illness.