Local

Teen arrested after shots fired late Monday morning

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 6, 2023
A Lake City teenager was arrested after shots were fired near downtown Lake City on Monday morning. Kendrick Hill Jr., 18, was found hiding in a house he shared with his girlfriend, the victim and intended target of the shooting, according to a Lake City Police Department release.

Shooting suspect turns himself in

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 6, 2023
A Lake City man turned himself in Saturday after fleeing the scene of a shooting Friday. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers responded Friday at 5:40 p.m. to the Stop N Go at 801 NW Lake Jeffrey Road to the report of gunfire.
Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler speaks Sunday at a rally against gun violence organized by the Gateway Ministerial Alliance. The rally occurred a few hours after and a couple blocks away from an incident where four people were injured by gunfire. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler speaks Sunday at a rally against gun violence organized by the Gateway Ministerial Alliance. The rally occurred a few hours after and a couple blocks away from an incident where four people were injured by gunfire. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Four injured in shooting near rally against gun violence

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, March 5, 2023
Four people were injured Sunday morning in a shooting several hours before a community event against gun violence began. According to a Lake City Police Department release, four people were shot on NW Alma Avenue around 11:05 a.m. Sunday. A community rally against gun violence was held at 3 p.m.
A car crashed through a traffic signal control box before slamming into the traffic signal early Friday morning. A passenger was seriously injured and the roadway was closed for hours. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

A car crashed through a traffic signal control box before slamming into the traffic signal early Friday morning. A passenger was seriously injured and the roadway was closed for hours. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Crash closes Marion: Man faces DUI charge; passenger injured

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 3, 2023
An early morning crash Friday closed downtown Lake City streets for hours and sent two people to the hospital. A single-vehicle crash occurred around 3:30 a.m. Friday at the intersection of N. Marion Avenue and NE Washington Street.

Zecher tops state’s sales, again

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, March 3, 2023
The hits just keep on coming for Team Zecher. Lake City RE/MAX Agent Missy Zecher took home yet another accolade this week, earning the top spot among the company’s Florida employees in closed transaction for 2022.
Andrew Hingson, a Columbia High senior, won the Florida Association of Student Councils’ speeach contest last month. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Andrew Hingson, a Columbia High senior, won the Florida Association of Student Councils’ speeach contest last month. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s Hingson tops state leadership conference event

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 3, 2023
Working on award-winning speeches has become a rather common occurrence for Andrew Hingson. The 17-year-old Columbia High senior participated in the speech contest at Florida Association of Student Councils where he took first place honors. The event took place Feb.
Lake City Manager Paul Dyal told the County Commission on Thursday that a letter to terminate building services was ‘inadvertently’ sent. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Manager Paul Dyal told the County Commission on Thursday that a letter to terminate building services was ‘inadvertently’ sent. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Building letter sent by mistake

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 3, 2023
Columbia County’s help is still needed with Lake City building inspections. At least for now. City Manager Paul Dyal said a letter sent to county administration about terminating the interlocal agreement for building official services was “inadvertently” sent due to “miscommunication” on his part.
Rocky Ford, the Columbia County Commission chairman, said a workshop was needed quickly to help meet the timeline for concerns to be filed on the proposed flood maps. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Rocky Ford, the Columbia County Commission chairman, said a workshop was needed quickly to help meet the timeline for concerns to be filed on the proposed flood maps. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Flood map changes spurs county workshop

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 3, 2023
Concerns over new FEMA flood risk maps have come pouring out of Columbia County commissioners. Those concerns have also led to the county scheduling a workshop for 1 p.m. Monday at the Columbia County School Board Administrative Complex Auditorium, 372 W. Duval St.
John Medina, president and CEO of First Federal Bank, cuts the ribbon on a Little Free Library at the Kiwanis Children’s Park adjacent to the bank’s headquarters on W. U.S. Highway 90 during a ceremony Thursday morning. Also pictured is Stephanie Esposito, the bank’s corporate marketing manager. (COURTESY)

John Medina, president and CEO of First Federal Bank, cuts the ribbon on a Little Free Library at the Kiwanis Children’s Park adjacent to the bank’s headquarters on W. U.S. Highway 90 during a ceremony Thursday morning. Also pictured is Stephanie Esposito, the bank’s corporate marketing manager. (COURTESY)

First Federal unveils Little Library

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 3, 2023
To celebrate Read Across America Day, First Federal Bank made an investment in the future of Columbia County.