Local

Mary Williams, the manager of the West Branch Library, places books in a book sanitizer. Williams, who has been an employee in the Columbia County Public Library System, is planning to retire in a few days after working as a librarian for 42 years. A drop-in retirement reception for her will take place from 4:30-6 p.m. Monday at the Main Library. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Mary Williams, the manager of the West Branch Library, places books in a book sanitizer. Williams, who has been an employee in the Columbia County Public Library System, is planning to retire in a few days after working as a librarian for 42 years. A drop-in retirement reception for her will take place from 4:30-6 p.m. Monday at the Main Library. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Closing a chapter: Williams retiring after 42 years in library system

TONY BRITT
Friday, December 16, 2022
Mary Williams, without a doubt, is a “people person.” The odd part of being a “people person” who talks and visits with patrons, customers and clients is that Williams works in a place that encourages as much quietness as possible.
The City of Lake City and HAECO Americans are close to finalizing a 20-year lease for hangar space at the Lake City Gateway Airport. (FILE)

The City of Lake City and HAECO Americans are close to finalizing a 20-year lease for hangar space at the Lake City Gateway Airport. (FILE)

HAECO deal close to landing

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, December 16, 2022
The City of Lake City is close to landing a long-term lease renewal at the Lake City Gateway Airport. The Lake City Council is expected to discuss, and possibly take action, on a lease agreement with HAECO Americas at its meeting Monday. The council meets at 6 p.m.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s Lake City chapter, including chapter co-presidents Pastor Aaron Ankeny (front on knee) and Bob Santos (back right) delivered its first bed last Saturday. (COURTESY)

Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s Lake City chapter, including chapter co-presidents Pastor Aaron Ankeny (front on knee) and Bob Santos (back right) delivered its first bed last Saturday. (COURTESY)

First bed delivered for Sleep in Heavenly Peace

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 16, 2022
Christmas came early for one little girl and her family last weekend. The girl was gifted a new twin bed by Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a non-profit organization with a new chapter in Lake City. Her face lit up with delight as she climbed onto the bed, and her adult family had tears in their eyes.

One killed, two injured in shooting

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 16, 2022
One man was killed and two others injured in a Thursday night shooting. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers on patrol heard gunshots near NW Jefferson Street and NW Florida Avenue around 9:19 p.m. Thursday.
Florida Gateway College students listen during Thursday’s graduation ceremony in front of friends and family in attendance at the Howard Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Gateway College students listen during Thursday’s graduation ceremony in front of friends and family in attendance at the Howard Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Grads, family travel from far and near for FGC ceremony

TONY BRITT
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Whether it be financial, emotional, health or something else, the trials and tribulations encountered in life can often serve as obstacles to people who are trying to further their education and family turns out to be their greatest support system.

One in custody after midweek gunshots

TONY BRITT
Thursday, December 15, 2022
A Wednesday night shooting, allegedly sparked by an argument between a motorist and the passenger in his vehicle, resulted in victim fleeing into a local retail store with a gunshot wound to his torso and the arrest of a Lake City man later that night.
Cy Perkins (far left) gives a meal to a visitor at the Parkview Baptist Church parking lot on Thursday morning as Paul Tomassini and Ricky Beauchamp prepare other meals during the Mt. Caramel Baptist Church’s ‘Feed My Lambs’ community outreach program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cy Perkins (far left) gives a meal to a visitor at the Parkview Baptist Church parking lot on Thursday morning as Paul Tomassini and Ricky Beauchamp prepare other meals during the Mt. Caramel Baptist Church’s ‘Feed My Lambs’ community outreach program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Parkview Baptist gives food to ‘lambs’

TONY BRITT
Thursday, December 15, 2022
A short line of vehicles quickly assembled and disbursed from the parking lot across from Parkview Baptist Church on Thursday at noon as a group of men passed out containers of food. The men were members of Mt.
Dexter Gamble, 7, and Lake City police officer Taylor Sapp, look at the specs on a toy Gamble was considering purchasing during the Shop With A Cop event on Wednesday morning at Walmart. The Lake City Police Department has hosted the event for 10 years. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Dexter Gamble, 7, and Lake City police officer Taylor Sapp, look at the specs on a toy Gamble was considering purchasing during the Shop With A Cop event on Wednesday morning at Walmart. The Lake City Police Department has hosted the event for 10 years. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD builds relationships through Shop With A Cop

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Tiana Dixon and Anyah Hawkins seemed like any other twosome taking advantage of a girls day out.
Columbia County Emergency Management Director Shayne Morgan (second from left) was recognized by state CFO Jimmy Patronis (left), Florida State Fire Marshal Director JoAnne Rice (second from right) and Representative Chuck Brannan Monday for his Chad Reed Emergency Management Professional of the Year award given to him back in February. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Emergency Management Director Shayne Morgan (second from left) was recognized by state CFO Jimmy Patronis (left), Florida State Fire Marshal Director JoAnne Rice (second from right) and Representative Chuck Brannan Monday for his Chad Reed Emergency Management Professional of the Year award given to him back in February. (COURTESY)

Morgan recognized by state for work in ‘FEMA family.’

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Shayne Morgan keeps collecting accolades. The Columbia County Emergency Management Director went up to the state capital for his latest one.