Local

Forest homicide victim identified

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
The man found in the Osceola National Forest last week has been identified. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday morning that the murder vicim has been identified as 32-year-old Shawn Waldron, of Lake City.
Lake City Councilman Todd Sampson said he didn't mind how big the planned housing development at Oak Meadow was, as long as jived with local residents. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman Todd Sampson said he didn't mind how big the planned housing development at Oak Meadow was, as long as jived with local residents. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City decides against housing density increase near Oak Meadow Plantation

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, April 17, 2023
Residents in a local subdivision made their voices heard at Monday’s Lake City Council meeting. After hearing their concerns, council members decided not to move forward on a plan to increase residential density around their properties.
The suspect in a robbery at the Days Inn on U.S. Highway 441 North on Sunday afternoon. (COURTESY)

The suspect in a robbery at the Days Inn on U.S. Highway 441 North on Sunday afternoon. (COURTESY)

UPDATE: Hotel robber arrested in Jacksonville

NEWS STAFF
Monday, April 17, 2023
The Georgia man who robbed the Days Inn north of Lake City on Sunday was arrested Monday in Jacksonville. According to a Lake City Police Department release, the Toyota Rav 4 used as the escape vehicle from the 12:26 p.m. robbery Sunday was located by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on Monday.
Warren

Warren

Warren arrested for interfering with traffic stop

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, April 15, 2023
A Lake City community activist was arrested Saturday afternoon after interfering with a traffic stop. Sylvester Warren, 42, was booked into the Columbia County Detention Center at 4:20 p.m. on the misdemeanor charge of obstruction without violence.
Columbia County Assistant Fire Chief Lance Hill (from left) and Fire Chief Jeff Crawford show off two new pieces of medical equipment, a Defib Tech Lifeline Arm unit, which is an automated compression devices for CPR and a video laryngoscope. CCFR also has a new brush truck that was put into service Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Assistant Fire Chief Lance Hill (from left) and Fire Chief Jeff Crawford show off two new pieces of medical equipment, a Defib Tech Lifeline Arm unit, which is an automated compression devices for CPR and a video laryngoscope. CCFR also has a new brush truck that was put into service Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County fire receives life-saving additions

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 14, 2023
Columbia County Fire Rescue has added a few new tools in its arsenal to fight fires and save lives — a new brush truck and medical equipment. Last month the department received a new brush truck to replace a 25-year-old vehicle that was still in service.
The Electra cheer team from Lake City’s Titan Elite gym is competing next week at The Youth Summit in Tampa. Front row: Lola Norris. Middle row: Kinsleigh Strickland, Harper De Moya, Rylie Khachigan, Brystol Pickles, Brooke Herbert, Maddie Bullock, Halle Green, and Lakelyn Neeley. Back row: Abby Durham, Kenzie Crews, Eva Decker, Callie Cothran, Caché Sheppard, Kynlee Stacy, Zuri Paulk, Nella Davis-Lopez and Isabelle Bellamy. (COURTESY)

The Electra cheer team from Lake City’s Titan Elite gym is competing next week at The Youth Summit in Tampa. Front row: Lola Norris. Middle row: Kinsleigh Strickland, Harper De Moya, Rylie Khachigan, Brystol Pickles, Brooke Herbert, Maddie Bullock, Halle Green, and Lakelyn Neeley. Back row: Abby Durham, Kenzie Crews, Eva Decker, Callie Cothran, Caché Sheppard, Kynlee Stacy, Zuri Paulk, Nella Davis-Lopez and Isabelle Bellamy. (COURTESY)

LC’s Electra is cheering for a championship

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, April 14, 2023
A local cheer team is heading south to get its moment in the national spotlight. Electra, a cheer team based out of Lake City’s Titan Elite gym that supports multiple cheer units, will have the opportunity to perform its routine at the Tampa Convention Center on Thursday around 10 a.m.

Homes added to Parade showcase

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 14, 2023
The Parade of Homes is picking up steam. The sixth annual premier home-building showcase in North Florida returns April 29-30 as a collaborative effort between the Lake City Reporter and the Columbia County Builders’ Association. The free showcase, which lasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Grason Montero, 4, allows Rotary Club of Lake City member Margot Maranto to paint his pinkie purple Friday morning at Westside Elementary School as fellow Rotarians Ron Turbeville and Fred Koberlein look on with smiles. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Grason Montero, 4, allows Rotary Club of Lake City member Margot Maranto to paint his pinkie purple Friday morning at Westside Elementary School as fellow Rotarians Ron Turbeville and Fred Koberlein look on with smiles. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Students go ‘Purple Pinky’ to fight polio

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 14, 2023
It wasn’t uncommon to see elementary school children take time to blow on or admire their purple fingertips Friday.

Fort White man killed in single-car crash

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, April 13, 2023
A single-vehicle crash killed one Fort White man Thursday morning. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, a 36-year-old man from Fort White was in a sedan traveling north on SW Old Wire Road, south of Pathfinder Glen and northeast of Fort White, around 11 a.m.