Local

Fort White man ejected from truck, killed

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
HIGH SPRINGS — A Fort White man was killed Tuesday when he was thrown from his pickup in a crash in High Springs. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 71-year-old from Fort White attempted to cross U.S. Highway 441 on NW 239 Street in his pickup around 6:20 p.m.
A Columbia County firefighter extinguishes the flames from the motorcycle Tuesday afternoon. (MATTHEW GLOVER/Special to the Reporter)

A Columbia County firefighter extinguishes the flames from the motorcycle Tuesday afternoon. (MATTHEW GLOVER/Special to the Reporter)

Bike torched; minor injuries from crash

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Trying to avoid a crash, a Lake City man was thrown from his motorcycle Tuesday before it burst into flames. The 75-year-old motorcyclist suffered minor injuries in the accident at the intersection of SW Birley Avenue and SW Pinemount Road around 2 p.m., a Florida Highway Patrol release states.
Santa Claus waves atop a firetruck during last year’s Fort White Christmas parade. (FILE)

Santa Claus waves atop a firetruck during last year’s Fort White Christmas parade. (FILE)

Fort White Christmas parade rolls out Saturday

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
FORT WHITE — The Fort White Christmas parade is rolling back through southern Columbia County this weekend. The parade is slated for a noon start at Fort White High School, 17828 State Road 47, with lineup beginning at 10 a.m.

Melbourne man killed exiting I-10

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
A Melbourne man was killed Monday night when he ran into a tree exiting Interstate 10. A Florida Highway Patrol release states that the 61-year-old man was headed west on I-10 when he pulled off at the U.S. Highway 41 exit around 8:50 p.m.
Councilwoman Chevella Young said she didn’t think Richardson Community Center belonged on the Lake City Council’s agenda. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Councilwoman Chevella Young said she didn’t think Richardson Community Center belonged on the Lake City Council’s agenda. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City: Community center is county’s ‘baby’

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, December 5, 2022
A feud over the responsibilities of Richardson Community Center continued at Monday’s Lake City Council meeting. In a letter dated Nov. 21, then-Columbia County Chairman Robby Hollingsworth expressed his desire to learn about the city’s plans for the property.
During Saturday’s Farm Share event sponsored by the Lake City Police Department, volunteers helped distribute 29,000 pounds of food. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

During Saturday’s Farm Share event sponsored by the Lake City Police Department, volunteers helped distribute 29,000 pounds of food. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Farm Share helps nearly 1,000 households

TONY BRITT
Monday, December 5, 2022
A line of more than 100 vehicles stretched from Memorial Stadium through the back streets of Lake City to a parking lot adjacent to the Lake City Police Department on Saturday morning.
Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter speaks at the Legislation Delegation hearing Monday in support of county’s proposed crime scene evidence building. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter speaks at the Legislation Delegation hearing Monday in support of county’s proposed crime scene evidence building. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Hunter, county deliver pitch for crime scene evidence building

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, December 5, 2022
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a helping hand in better serving residents of rural North Florida.
The Lake City Council is expected to discuss its intentions for Richardson Community Center at its meeting Monday. (FILE)

The Lake City Council is expected to discuss its intentions for Richardson Community Center at its meeting Monday. (FILE)

What’s the plan for RCC?

TONY BRITT
Friday, December 2, 2022
The future of Richardson Community Center is up for discussion once again. The popular destination for recreation on the northern side of Lake City is owned by the city but leased and operated by Columbia County.

Legislators holding hearing Monday

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 2, 2022
Local officials — and residents — will have the ear of their legislators on Monday. Columbia County’s legislative delegation hearing is set for 9 a.m. Monday at Florida Gateway College’s Administration Building #1, 149 SE College Place. The delegation, which includes Rep.