Local

City grants theater parking aid

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Downtown Lake City could soon have a new grass parking lot to help out a local theater. Schara Wilson, part of the family that owns the Henry Wilson Performing Arts Historic Theater at 348 N. Marion Ave.
James Foerster was arrested Monday after detectives found child pornography on his electronic devices. (COURTESY)

James Foerster was arrested Monday after detectives found child pornography on his electronic devices. (COURTESY)

Fort White man caught with child porn

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
FORT WHITE — A Fort White man is in custody after authorities found child pornography in his possession. James Foerster, 59, was arrested Monday by Columbia County Sheriff’s Office detectives with the Internet Crimes Against Children team.

Lewd act at halfway home ends in arrest

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
A Lake City man staying in a halfway home showed a little more than necessary. Johnny Davis, 42, was arrested Friday after police say he performed lewd acts on himself at the First Name Ministries building.

Sunken truck sinks LC man

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 20, 2023
A partially submerged truck wasn’t the only thing that got sunk over the weekend. Jacob Jerimiah Oliver, 21, was arrested Sunday afternoon after authorities say he submitted a false report about his vehicle being stolen.

Fort White woman ejected, killed in rollover

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 20, 2023
FORT WHITE — A Fort White woman was killed Saturday afternoon when she was ejected from an overturned vehicle. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a sedan traveling north on U.S. Highway 27 attempted to make a left-hand turn onto County Road 138 around 2:25 p.m. Saturday.
West-Lynn Eversole, 18 months, is secured to a pony by Doris Whitehead as Landon Green, 8, follows on the next pony at a vendor ride during opening day activities for the 44th Annual Olustee Festival which took place in Wilson Park adjacent to Lake DeSoto. The festival continues this morning with a 5K race, Fun Run and vendors opening and performers beginning entertainment at 9 a.m. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

West-Lynn Eversole, 18 months, is secured to a pony by Doris Whitehead as Landon Green, 8, follows on the next pony at a vendor ride during opening day activities for the 44th Annual Olustee Festival which took place in Wilson Park adjacent to Lake DeSoto. The festival continues this morning with a 5K race, Fun Run and vendors opening and performers beginning entertainment at 9 a.m. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Crowds flock to festival before rain hit Friday

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 17, 2023
Lines of customers at food vendor trucks, a steady stream of visitors visiting arts and crafts tents and many folks listening and enjoying performers entertain were all common activities during the first day of the 44th annual Olustee Festival.
Ann Brown shows off a Founders Day T-shirt during the opening day Friday at the Olustee Festival. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ann Brown shows off a Founders Day T-shirt during the opening day Friday at the Olustee Festival. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Volunteers crucial to success of annual event

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 17, 2023
A steady stream and unlimited amount of volunteers is usually the life blood of a successful organization. The Olustee Festival, which is celebrating its fourth decade as Columbia County’s largest and oldest festival, has benefited from unlimited volunteer support through the years.
William Huggins with the American Legion Post 57 talked briefly with the commissioners about the ordinance granted them use of gaming devices. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

William Huggins with the American Legion Post 57 talked briefly with the commissioners about the ordinance granted them use of gaming devices. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Gaming devices OK’d for veterans groups

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, February 17, 2023
While no motions could be made in response to citizen complaints about 911 consolidation or special event permitting at Thursday’s meeting, the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners did pass a handful of ordinances and motions on a slew of other issues.