Local

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.
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.