Local

A worker with Stanley Crawford Construction works on the front of a house in the Hickory Cove neighborhood on Friday. The home will be part of the Parade of Homes this weekend. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

A worker with Stanley Crawford Construction works on the front of a house in the Hickory Cove neighborhood on Friday. The home will be part of the Parade of Homes this weekend. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Parade showcasing a little bit of everything

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 28, 2023
The sixth annual Parade of Homes will have a little bit of everything.
The Lake City Council will discuss Monday its need for the 12 parcels of property that the Lake Shore Hospital Authority deeded to the city in 2020. (FILE)

The Lake City Council will discuss Monday its need for the 12 parcels of property that the Lake Shore Hospital Authority deeded to the city in 2020. (FILE)

Council to examine need for LSHA land

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 28, 2023
A final diagnosis on plans for vacant property downtown may come Monday from the Lake City Council. At the council’s 6 p.m. meeting at Lake City Hall, 205 N.
Fort White’s Brody Crews (left) and Suwannee’s Paul Gunter were among the 28 Sunshine State Scholars to earn a one-year scholarship to attend a Florida college or university. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

Fort White’s Brody Crews (left) and Suwannee’s Paul Gunter were among the 28 Sunshine State Scholars to earn a one-year scholarship to attend a Florida college or university. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

Area Sunshine State Scholars earn scholarships

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 28, 2023
A trio of local high school juniors from the region, who were recognized earlier this year as Sunshine State Scholars for their counties, earned one-year scholarships during the event’s state conference.
The leaking battery backup that forced the Columbia County Tax Collectors office to close early Thursday. (COURTESY)

The leaking battery backup that forced the Columbia County Tax Collectors office to close early Thursday. (COURTESY)

Leaking battery closes tax office

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 28, 2023
A peculiar smell that caused headaches and complaints from both employees and patrons of the Columbia County Tax Collectors office Thursday afternoon prompted the office to close a few hours early while the source was investigated.
Sheriff Mark Hunter speaks about the investigation that led to the arrest of Robert Lee Jackson during a press conference Friday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sheriff Mark Hunter speaks about the investigation that led to the arrest of Robert Lee Jackson during a press conference Friday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Forest murder linked to drug turf war

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 28, 2023
The severely burned, bound body found in the Osceola National Forest several weeks ago was the result of a drug territorial dispute, according to authorities.

Teen arrested for 2021 shooting death

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, April 27, 2023
A Lake City teen has been arrested for the shooting death of another teen two years ago. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday morning the arrest of 18-year-old Brandon Hopkins in the February 2021 slaying of teen Dionne Leslie.
Suzanne Edwards, regional director of Catholic Charities, helps stock food for the Florida Gateway Food Bank. The agency has seen a recent influx of new clients, leading to the start of new programs to provide more assistance for retirees and senior citizens. (FILE)

Suzanne Edwards, regional director of Catholic Charities, helps stock food for the Florida Gateway Food Bank. The agency has seen a recent influx of new clients, leading to the start of new programs to provide more assistance for retirees and senior citizens. (FILE)

Catholic Charities expands its reach

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
A steady stream of new clients have found their way to Catholic Charities.

Charter schools may get piece of tax pie

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
The Florida House on Wednesday passed a measure that would require school districts to share local property-tax revenues with charter schools, with House Speaker Paul Renner praising the bill as putting charters on “equal footing” with traditional public schools.
A home from Mike Todd Construction in the Forest Country neighborhood off State Road 247 will be among the 14 homes on this year’s Parade of Homes. (FILE)

A home from Mike Todd Construction in the Forest Country neighborhood off State Road 247 will be among the 14 homes on this year’s Parade of Homes. (FILE)

Parade of Homes to feature 14 houses

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
North Florida’s premier new home showcase returns in grand fashion this weekend. The 2023 Parade of Homes will have 14 hew homes open for free tours to the public Saturday and Sunday.