Local

LCPD: McCartney wanted after pitchfork attack

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
A Lake City man faces attempted murder charges after a verbal argument escalated Monday morning. According to a Lake City Police Department release, 36-year-old Ryan Paul McCartney, who is still at large, threw a pitchfork at a victim on NW Palm Drive following the argument Monday around 8:25 a.m.
Lake City Manager Paul Dyal said terminating the agreement with Columbia County on building official services would have no impact on permitting, saying the county would still do the work until the city made a hire. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Manager Paul Dyal said terminating the agreement with Columbia County on building official services would have no impact on permitting, saying the county would still do the work until the city made a hire. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council keeps county on as building official

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, March 20, 2023
Columbia County will continue acting as the City of Lake City’s building official. The Lake City Council agreed to table a resolution terminating the interlocal agreement for building official services Monday night by a 4-1 vote. Councilwoman Chevella Young cast the lone dissenting vote.
Assistant City Manager Demetrious Johnson takes notes during a Lake City Council meeting in August 2022. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Assistant City Manager Demetrious Johnson takes notes during a Lake City Council meeting in August 2022. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Johnson named new assistant manager

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, March 20, 2023
The City of Lake City’s new assistant city manager is a familiar face. On Friday, City Manager Paul Dyal pulled the interim tag off Demetrious Johnson, making the long-time city employee his top lieutenant on a full-time basis.
Five-time world barbecue champion Myron Mixon will be among the dozens of teams competing at the inaugural Downtown Barbecue Showdown in Lake City. (COURTESY)

Five-time world barbecue champion Myron Mixon will be among the dozens of teams competing at the inaugural Downtown Barbecue Showdown in Lake City. (COURTESY)

BBQ contest set to bring heat to Lake City

TONY BRITT
Monday, March 20, 2023
Fire up the smokers and let the cooking begin. Competitive barbecue cooking teams from across the country are heading to Columbia County next month as Lake City hosts its inaugural Downtown Barbecue Showdown.

Jacksonville man arrested for soliciting minor

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 20, 2023
A Jacksonville man was arrested Friday evening after authorities say he traveled to Lake City to meet with a teenage girl for sex. Instead of a 14-year-old girl, though, 35-year-old Selwyn Yomar Diaz Diaz’s date was with Columbia County Sheriff’s Office detectives.

Biker killed in Fort White crash

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 20, 2023
FORT WHITE — A biker was killed Friday afternoon when his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck in southwestern Columbia County. A Florida Highway Patrol report states the biker, a 20-year-old Fort White man, passed a pickup around 2 p.m. Friday on SW Wilson Springs Road heading west.
Selwyn Yomar Diaz Diaz was arrested Friday evening by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office when he arrived in Lake City to meet with teen. (COURTESY)

Selwyn Yomar Diaz Diaz was arrested Friday evening by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office when he arrived in Lake City to meet with teen. (COURTESY)

Jacksonville man arrested for soliciting minor

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 17, 2023
A Jacksonville man was arrested Friday evening after authorities say he traveled to Lake City to meet with a teenage girl for sex. Instead of a 14-year-old girl, though, 35-year-old Selwyn Yomar Diaz Diaz’s date was with Columbia County Sheriff’s Office detectives.
Brannan

Brannan

Brannan silent on proposed free-speech limits bill

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 17, 2023
A bill designed to protect public officials from criticism is receiving blistering reviews as it moves through the Florida Legislature. House Bill 991 passed through the Civil Justice Subcommittee on Tuesday and now sits before the House Judiciary Committee.
Cars sit at the intersection of Sisters Welcome Road and Bascom Norris Drive on Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cars sit at the intersection of Sisters Welcome Road and Bascom Norris Drive on Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Traffic impact studied by county

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 17, 2023
A planned 300-unit single-family residential development, along with a separate apartment complex in the planning stages, is expected to significantly increase the traffic volume along Bascom Norris Drive near the Southside Sports Complex.