Local

Mom served up jail time for leaving children

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 13, 2023
A Bradenton woman has been arrested after a month-long investigation into a report that she abandoned her children at a Lake City Burger King. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report, officers responded Feb. 11 to the Burger King at 4772 NW U.S.
Carswell

Carswell

CCS considers arming teachers

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 10, 2023
Discussions about arming teachers in Columbia County will begin Tuesday. Two weeks after the Columbia County School Board was set to consider allowing Superintendent Lex Carswell to begin formal discussions about implementing the Guardian Program, the program will be considered at Tuesday’s 6 p.m.
Firefighters test out a fire hose in a routine check-up. (COURTESY CCFR)

Firefighters test out a fire hose in a routine check-up. (COURTESY CCFR)

CCFR tests out fire hoses

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 10, 2023
Fire hose is an integral part of any successful fire department and Columbia County Fire Rescue has started the daunting task of checking all of its hoses. Columbia County Fire Rescue is conducting its annual hose testing this month.
Freeman

Freeman

Teenager charged for Jan. shooting

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, March 9, 2023
A Lake City teen was arrested Thursday for a January shooting at an apartment complex on the east side of Lake City. Tomorion Freeman, 18, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm in public. The charges stem from a Jan.
Firefighters from Columbia County Fire Rescue and the Lake City Fire Department extinguish a fire in a house on NE James Avenue late Wednesday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Firefighters from Columbia County Fire Rescue and the Lake City Fire Department extinguish a fire in a house on NE James Avenue late Wednesday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Home fire under investigation

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
A structure fire consumed the front porch area of a local home Wednesday morning on Lake City’s east side, just beyond city limits. Lake City Fire Chief Josh Wehinger said units from the city fire department arrived at the scene first, just after 11:30 a.m.
Jones (from left), Johnson and Crusaw

Jones (from left), Johnson and Crusaw

Dealer convicted of murder for user’s overdose

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
A Lake City drug dealer was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for supplying the drugs that led to a death from an overdose. Christopher Jones, 56, was found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder and three counts of sale or delivery of a controlled substance late Tuesday evening.

Brakes pumped on NFMIP rail partner

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
The Columbia County Economic Development Advisory Board applied the brakes Wednesday to an agreement with a shoreline rail partner at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park.
The Lake City Garden Club Scrabble Tournament was held at the Club House on Lake Isabella. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

The Lake City Garden Club Scrabble Tournament was held at the Club House on Lake Isabella. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Community makes tournament a success

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
The Lake City Garden Club and the Lake City Reporter partnered in the Scrabble Tournament recently held at the Club House on Lake Isabella. It was an exciting event with 18 teams playing this year.